My Ratings STINK!

I'm not sure I understand this. Write about your 1's and 3's as if you're proud that you were late or flaked on other people?

I think it's a letter explaining the circumstances resulting in bad ratings.
I have a 5 rating but think this is a great idea for a swap- especially for those who had a really shitty time and are trying to get their ratings back in shape! (And the description is funny)

Yes, stlouisphile, we are sssooooo proud of our 1's and 3's. I personally like getting divorced--it gives me the opportunity to not commit to a set of stickers. We flakers enjoy going on about how proud we are. Oh my gosh, being late fills me with joy I cannot imagine. Anytime I have a bad life event, I say, "STOP THE PRESSES! GET OFF THAT DEATHBED, DAD! I've got to mail this postcard today! It will be late!" And when my pesky loved ones die, or I cannot steal postage money from my 10 year old child to send something through the mail, I always brag about it. Ahhh, good times.

Too funny. I'm in! For what it's worth, if you need an angel, I will volunteer.

I think it's funny. I've had a 3 before. It stings. This gives people a chance to tell other people about the unfortunate circumstances that have tarnished their records on their favorite hobby. Let's be honest, people aren't as willing to swap with you when you have a less-than-perfect score and that ruins it. Even if you're a great swapper, if you have a recent 3, you're pretty much screwed for the next 3-6 months. And 99.999% of the swappers here have sent late, whether they've been caught or not. Some people are just unluckier than others. It's a cute idea, @lettergirl

I love you, @lettergirl ... you are my NEW BFF! LOL!

@lettergirl ..I wish there was a "like" button I could click on your last comment!!!

Wow, bitter much? No need to be so snotty, lettergirl. Stlouisphile just asked a question.

phtbtmgrl, yes I AM bitter much. Thank you so much for asking. I think what set me off was the fact that I'm not sure ever mentioning in the description of the swap that I was, indeed, proud of my 1's and 3's. In fact, I find deep shame and humiliation in my late swaps. I mean, prisons are FULL of people who missed the deadlines. It's what keeps our nation from being great. Luckily, it happens to be MY swap, so if I'd like to be "bitter much" (cute expression by the way) I'm free to do so.

Not that I owe you this, but the design of this swap is to give people who would like a chance to explain their lousy ratings to someone who could possibly be a support system, AND NOT BE JUDGED HARSHLY. I doubt serial flakers are going to want to join this swap, and I can speak for myself and a few others when I say that I don't join swaps to purposely be late, but when you're marching through hell in your personal life, I don't think you need to be made to feel bad because of a late postcard.

Thank you for telling me I didn't need to be so snotty. I didn't know that. Would you care to educate me on anything else? We could be pen-pals.

You're a hoot! Thanks for the laugh!

If I was going through Hell in my personal life, I wouldn't be looking to join swaps. And I think your swap is rather mean-spirited. You got two low ratings and your comments spoke volume, as do your comments here to anyone not applauding you for creating a swap for people who got low ratings. I've been on Swap-Bot a long time and most folks bend over backwards to be fair with their swap partners. You might find a little adjustment in your attitude will go a long way towards more of those 5's and hearts in the future. This isn't a good way to repair your Swap reputation. JMHO. Feel free to fry me for voicing it. Had a funny thought -- what if you get all the 1's and 3's in your Swap -- and they all falke on you 'cause, you know, life happens...

I believe what you're doing phtbtmgrl, is killing me with kindness. But I kind of like it. I've lost my ability to be sarcastic for the moment. Good for you. :)

charlottenc, this has gotten out of hand. I agree I overreacted. But here's the deal: sometimes we (the collective "we" of people who get ratings other than 5's) join swaps BECAUSE we are going through hell. It's the only thing to look forward to when your life sucks. Of course, I can't speak for everyone--I said "sometimes". So naturally, it follows that sometimes things can be hard to get out. Is that so terrible that a person's day has to be ruined? Some people are so MEAN about it--very rigid. And I would NEVER EVER EVER not send something, especially something valuable. This isn't about that. I've never done that. I've been late. Once it was a handcrafted postcard (which I was late on because I wanted to do it well, and I DID) and once it was stickers, which I sent WAY more of than I needed to, because I wanted to make up for being late.

I don't care about my swap-bot "reputation". I have met many wonderful people here, but my God, it's not a religion. I simply made a swap, got a prudish comment, answered with a snarky retort, and met you. Guess what? I teach little kids all day. I'm nice to animals. I give money to homeless people sometimes when I have it. I write nice letters, which people appreciate me for. I vote and pay taxes. I send good stuff usually, but admit I've missed the mark for some people. I don't claim to be perfect, but I don't deserve your scorn. Or your judgement.

I've had bad things happen. So have other people. That's why I'm understanding with late things. That's why I made this swap.

Oh, and it occurred to me that I might get flakers in this swap. Ironic, wouldn't it be? But will I freak out? No. I don't need you to applaud me for this swap, by the way. You don't seem that nice yourself. But I could be wrong. Maybe you're so great you could inspire me not to fry you for voicing your opinion.

FINALLY, AND I WILL YELL, MY SWAP WASN'T MEANT TO BE MEAN SPIRITED. IT WAS MEANT TO GIVE A PERSON A CHANCE TO TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR LOW RATINGS. It doesn't feel good to be told you're excluded, though, am I right?

LOL at this swap. I am not allowed to join, but I could have a month ago, because I had a 3 then.

How ever I can understand the other side of this. It does come across that it is fine to sign up for a swap and then not care about getting it out on time. Or getting it out at all. I think the comment about feeding the children is what makes it sound like it is Ok to be super poor, sign up for a swap then decide that you cannot afford it after all.

That does not mean you meant it this way, but that is how it comes across and I can see how it is offensive to those that have hard times and either do not sign up for swaps, or will go without lunch to make sure the swap is sent.

WOW the drama and this was just posted. BTW hostess you know you have the power to delete these comments. I suggest you use your power.

I'm with wikkedlilgrrl. I think you might be my new best friend too. Thank you for putting into humorous words what I've been thinking. I would never purposely join a swap just to flake and rip someone off. If I were going expend the energy to rip someone off, I can guarantee you that it wouldn't be for anything that would be swapped on here. I'd make it seriously worth my while... Like for enough cash to get me somewhere warm and tropical! But with my luck the plane would crash while I was on the way there, so ripping someone off really isn't worth the aggravation. In 2010 I flaked - I'm not proud of it. I tried to make it up, but there is only so much you can do if your partner has since left the Bot. I think everyone deserves a second chance. So double thank you to you, lettergirl.

YIKES!! I actually think it's a good idea that there are swaps for people trying to improve their rating. It sucks if you have been treated poorly or judged by some swappers especially over two 3's. It's lame but we are not all jerks about ratings. I am not a fan of flakers and have been burned more than once by this beast. But also do not love people freaking out over a couple 3's or 1's from a two or three year span of time. Swaps are supposed to be "fun" and from your comments it doesn't seem like you are having any fun. Don't get me wrong, I love a sassy lady. I AM a sassy lady. It just seems like with everything that is going on in your life, less stress (and negativity) is the way to go. Good luck with the swap. I hope your luck turns up.

Feel free to join in any swaps I host. Your rating don't scare me... your bite might though :)

Wow... I really want to read all of these comments, but don't have the attention span, right now, to do so. Anyways... When I first saw this in the list I was like 'oh great, another ratings boosting swap.' however, I'm glad I took the time to take a peak, because this is AWESOME.

jeez louise.

Sometimes the crap in life happens after you have joined a swap and it's too late to get out of it.

I have this on my watch list for now. I do appreciate what you have done to have this swap. I also love @lettergirl ..how you put this..." but the design of this swap is to give people who would like a chance to explain their lousy ratings to someone who could possibly be a support system, AND NOT BE JUDGED HARSHLY." I've notice alot of this and not all of it is swap related. Anytime you want to do a private swap, just because we still can...let me know :) Also you have one hell of a sence of humor and thank god I won't be sharing my reasons with anyone else but my partner ... I don't think some even deserve it. Keep up this awesome swap and any others to follow, just because YOU CAN :)

Sorry I missed this one! If you ever want to do a private swap, just PM me. I'll see it whenever I decide to check swap-bot emails, which is rare these days due to some "holier than thou"s that must not ever had someone sick or in the hospital at the same time a swap was due.