Happy New Year!!! (in two days...)

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season – and are looking forward to a spectacular 2011. peace. love. swap has been organizing swaps now for over a year and a half – and - we are excited to say that we will be hosting our 50th swap coming up in the first part of the new year. Please help us spread the word about p.l.s by joining us (and inviting your friends) on Facebook and by sharing our videos on YouTube. If you have friends in other areas of the country that might be interested in starting a swap, please send them our way. One of our main goals for 2011 will be helping moms everywhere start a successful ongoing kids swap in their neighborhood.

As we grow and evolve, it is inevitable that we need to make a few changes. Although the core idea of each swap will remain the same, each swap might have minor variations to accommodate that venue. Please make sure you check the page of the swap you will be attending (here) and fill out the form on the swap page so that your name will be added to the updates list. We don't send junk mail, just a reminder before the next swap and any updates such as cancellations or time changes etc.. It is important to either be on the email update list or follow on Facebook so that you aware of any changes.

One new "rule" that will be changing in the new year is the “take as much as you need” rule. Up until this point there was no rule on how much you can take at the swaps, but, unfortunately, we have found that many people have different ideas of what the word “need” means. Since “what you need” varies so much from person to person – we will be vigilant about looking for hoarders and people taking more than they could possibly need. There is simply no reason one person needs to take everything off of one rack – or take all of the larger ticket items like pack and plays, strollers and highchairs. Does this happen at all the swaps? No. Does it happen all the time? Definitely not. However, It’s something that has happened from time to time at a couple of swaps, and it will no longer be tolerated in 2011. If the swap organizer or a volunteer sees someone taking more than what seems normal – they will be asked to put some items back until all swappers have had a chance to go through the items – probably about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the swap. Again – I know this is subjective, but the point is that the swaps are about sharing, getting rid of your unused stuff that is still in good condition, and picking up a FEW new to you items in exchange – after the swap, items go to charity, so if you feel you are in dire need, contact us and we can arrange for you take stuff after the swap & before stuff goes to charity.

Also, please do not bring your junk. The swaps are not a dumping ground. No dirty, broken, badly stained, or torn items. I actually had someone bring in a highchair that was duct taped together. Newsflash: nobody wants that. Bring stuff that you would want, but have no use for anymore (ie. Clean, “gently used” items.) Charities do not want items if they cannot be used or sold in thrift stores. NOTE: Items that are brought in that we can see are in really bad shape will not be taken. If you are wondering if something is not swappable – email your swap organizer and ask.

Well, that said… I think most swappers will be okay with these new “rules” as it is meant to help evenly distribute the items at the swap. The ones that are not okay with it are probably the ones that were bringing in junk and taking too much stuff to begin with. : )




Next swaps up:
San Francisco East Bay on January 9.
possibly Sacramento & Cameron Park CA the last part of Jan (check website for details)
Grass Valley, CA February 5

happy swapping...
meg

Swapping is the new shopping for 2011

Swapping is the new shopping - and swaps are only going to get bigger in 2011.  With the economy the way it is and the growing concern about the environment, swapping is really the way to go.  We have been putting on kids clothing and gear swaps for over a year and a half now, and will be coming up on our 50th swap in the first part of 2011... that's A LOT of swaps : ). peace. love. swap is the only organization (that we know of) that produces ongoing kids clothing and gear swaps (bi monthly or quarterly)... we know how fast kids grow & how quickly they grow tired of their toys.  We also help moms get their own successful swap started in their area. We really feel like every community should have a kid's clothing swap that happens every other month. That's why we partner with kid friendly locations to host the swaps - moms get out and socialize and meet other "green" moms, the kids play, then.. we swap! Leftovers always go to local charities.
If you haven't been to a peace. love. swap event, you really must try it out. If you don't have one near you, you should contact us to find out how to start your own.  It's fun and rewarding being a part of an organization that gives back to each community that is involved.
Stay tuned for some upcoming changes for 2011 and for new locations across the US.

happy swapping and happy 2011


meg

one more reason for me to SWAP it .. instead of consigning it : )

So if you read what I wrote a couple posts ago, you know I was aiming to get most of my gifts this holiday season from the swap as well as local consignment and thrift shops. I am done shopping and am proud to say everything was swapped and purchased locally : )
---However.....I have to vent over one thing- because this is just one more reason that the swap is better than consignment stores (not all perhaps, but at least the one here where I live). I bought some things at our local kids consignment shop, Suzie Bear Boutique. Now, I have mentioned I don't take stuff there anymore, because I get very little credit & I would rather take all my stuff to the swap. But, I do shop there sometimes when I am downtown. So, I found a box of Duplo legos there for $14 (they are the larger legos) and they were all taped up - but I assumed I was getting what the box said - which were Duplos and a picture of the set - I mean why would you put something different in the box and then tape it up???? Well - when I got to wrapping last night, I took all the tape off to show my hubby what I got for Lola, and when I looked inside, it was not what was pictured on the box at all - it wasn't even Duplos!!! They were a totally different set of regular (smaller) Legos - which Lola wouldn't want. What a jip!! So, I printed out my bank statement and took them back (yes, my fault - I didn't keep the receipt). Anyway - she wouldn't take them back - and wouldn't even give a credit! And it was the lady that actually sold them to me - and yes, she remembered me and the legos!! She said the tag said legos hellloooo- legos makes duplos so I thought it just said legos b/c they are a type of legos. Unbelievable.. I will take the legos to the next swap (or if anyone wants them let me know) - and I will NEVER go back again. I would at least expect a store credit. So... at least at our swaps what you see is what you get - you can open stuff up look at it, touch it - even play with it. -  it's only $5 to come to a swap, and you can take what you need. Plus, if you don't like it or don't use it anymore, you can bring it back to the next swap. : )
OK rant over.
happy swapping!!!
meg

upcoming clothing swap events (and other updates)

HI Swappers!! What a great turnout for the bi monthly kids clothing and gear swap in Grass Valley CA.  It's always a fun swap for me b/c the volunteers are so awesome. They have been doing it  long enough that they practically run the show!! Also... there will be a new location for the Roseville, CA swap.  Sierra - one of our swap organizers in Colorado organized her first kid's clothing swap in Colorado Springs on the 14th of November and  did a GREAT job- look for swap #2 in March.  2 more swaps coming up in December - Chico, CA on Saturday Dec. 18 and Vacaville, CA on Saturday Dec. 19. Both are growing and promise a good turnout.  You can find more info and specific times/etc for all the swaps on the website here:  http://peaceloveswap.com/findanevent.html  - You can also follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/peace-love-swap/122114784212?v=wall&vm=all
On another note, I have had quite a few moms that attend the kid's swaps inquire about us doing clothing swaps for them...moms getting together to swap clothes, shoes & accessories.  It's something we will have to look at, as our core goal is to create kid's swaps.  Our main focus will always be baby/kid/maternity swaps - but moms need to refresh their wardrobes too - I read somewhere that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. That is a lot of unworn stuff in our closets.  We will see.... Your input is appreciated.
Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL holiday season and .....
happy swapping!

meg