Delivery Confirmation (tracking) is available with First Class Parcel (package). Here is a link, if you want to print the page out and show it to your post office (been there, done that!): :)

http://about.usps.com/publications/p...pub370_005.htm

I'm pretty sure the envelope has to be at least 1/4" thick to qualify for First Class Parcel, but if that's the case, just poke a couple of cotton balls in the envelope to thicken it up, if need be. :) Also, you can get the tracking sticker as they mention on their website, but if you print the postage online (I use PayPal), you get a significant discount on the tracking.

I couldn't find anything about free tracking being available for First Class Letter on the USPS website. Granted, their website reads like stereo instructions. :D It doesn't help matters that some post offices seem to operate differently than others, with their own interpretation of the USPS regulations. (When I first started selling on eBay back in 1998, I can't tell you the number of times I had to print out the rates from the USPS website, in order to show it to the post office clerk. They always tried to charge too much, not because they were being greedy but because they weren't familiar with the different classes of mail. Those were "fun" times. Anyway ... )

What about international folks? I don't think tracking is widely available for international letters, or if it is, I imagine it's very expensive. If they can't get tracking, does this mean they can't join the swap? :(

I'll wait to see how everything works out before making a decision. Trying to wrap my head around all this. ;)

FWIW -- I just mailed a fq (in another swap). It was sent first class from illinois to texas. I was automatically given a tracking number. Total cost was $2.07.

I am thinking about doing this swap. I did one other boom about a year ago. It was fun. Not sure if I have enough time to get them all done.

Do not care for the new rules, loved getting squishes so I will be skipping playing I think .. sad it was such a fun swap .. hope Patrice reads through all these postings. Your having all the eggs in one basket is a horrible idea. Swap leaders for each group better idea as well.. then only so many are in one place at any time. Post office mistakes happen. Rather it have happened on a one on one game plan.. only losing one block at any given time. This way the entire swap of blocks could be lost and that is no way acceptable all that time and energy.. no. I get the reasoning but it doesn't work for me :( ENJOY YOUR SWAPPING!

Getting squishies IS fun! But not getting them when you should, is just NOT fun! I am that lady in the grey area, I can always see both sides to an issue. Not getting squishies sucks. But the reasoning that "all in one place is dangerous" really is not reasonable. It is like people who won't fly because they are afraid the plane will crash; yet they drive/ride in their car every day. The odds are sooooo much greater due to the frequency, but the planes get more attention cause of the numbers involved. I haven't done a boom for a couple of years, but I am thinking of joining this one. If we post pictures, and I like the idea of requiring posting, we can enjoy it that way. Even if you can't post pictures, maybe that could be worked out, as well! I am not so sure about the individual groups, only because some groups ared more active and others are not so much, if you are an active member put in an inactive group, that can be a downer, too. Swapping is fun, change, not so much! I think we should give it a try. Who knows, we may be pleasantly surprised!! Thanks for going through all the work to be our hostess.

My 2 cents worth.....Can hardly believe that I am saying this but I have no problem with sending all my fabric to 1 person and then getting them all back at once from each one of you, sewing them and then sending and receiving again. I really believe that this would weed out the ones that don't mail their fabric in the first place or never mail your finished block back. Time will tell I guess. As for pics, we normally posted when we received a block, I see nothing wrong of posting pics as the blocks are made. We all get to see what everyone is making for each one of us and can look forward to receiving them. A good share of us have been in these swaps for a very long time, let's give it a try just once. If it fails then the board will know it and have to make some changes for the next one and you never know it may be a whole lot easier this way and certainly way cheaper on postage for all of us and especially for the international people. That being said to me it's worth a try at least once, fast groups here I come!

Very well said, Jaba. I applaude you. I feel the same way. I love getting squishies too, BUT......sending your fabric out, receiving someone elses' fabric, making them a finished block and sending it back to them, and then never hearing from them again....Now that is the pits! They have your fabric AND their finished block, and you have nothing. At least this way, if they don't send back finished blocks, they don't get finished blocks. Maybe their finished blocks could be donated for charity quilts. That way, some good would come of it anyway.
I've used the free tyvek "Priority Envelopes" for mailing a number of blocks in some swaps and tracking comes free at my post office. This way, my postage costs would be much less.
I'm with Jaba on this one. Let's give it a try before we say no. For me, the friendship and the fun of swapping overcomes any reservations of something new.

Libster

Very good idea about donating for charity if that would happen and they'd be in one place. Hadn't thought of that but it's perfect. I'd even volunteer to furnish the backing and quilt them if they were for charity.

Would the time start from when the fabric leaves the host. Like everyone else I don't care for the new rules at all and am on the fence about joining again but trying to keep an open mind.

Terriamn

I have read all the thought out and reasoned responses. I think I will join again for my second Boom. I agree getting squishies in the mail is fun and we all ooh and ahh over everyone's blocks. BUT - I am missing two blocks from the last Boom and I absolutely believe this will be the best way to get back finoshed blocks and unused fabric. This is a huge plus in my book. I'll give it a shot this round. Thanks Janice for taking on all this extra work for us.

Booms are fun so I am going to enjoy the swap and my old self is just going to adjust! Can't wait to start as I have my material picked out and ready to prewash!