Lets just give a little! - feedback please

Hi everyone,

For some time now I have been turning over an idea in my head. I've talked to Kendra about it just to make sure there wouldn't be any objections from the mods. She liked the idea, but like me, wasn't sure whether it would work (in which case it would be lovely) or not (as it might be disastrous)!

Knowing you lot you're bound to come up with all sorts of fors and againsts that I haven't thought of so all feedback would be appreciated. Particularly whether you feel you would like to join in or not.

Here goes: I would like to start a 'GIVEAWAY' thread. Based on all the information that comes into the forum from people who like to help other players, particularly new ones, and the generosity obviously shown by the fairy godmother's, coupled with the frustration felt by players who try to sell cheaply but just have their shops raided by the wrong people, there's a lot of you out there who like me have enjoyed this lovely game and now are in a position to give something back.

I'll give you an example: I have two dozen land deeds sitting in my barn at the moment that I don't need. If I put them in my shop at default they're almost bound to bought by someone who doesn't need them and will probably resell at full price or trade them. Now I would like to offer them in batches of 8 to 3 people for free (1coin). I would prefer that they went to one of my existing GC friends but most importantly, The only catch would be that they go to someone of level 35 or under.
No p.m's, it will just clog up everyone's inboxes. They go to the first three people to post on the thread and claim them.

The biggest drawback Kendra and I came up with was the probability that people would post up asking for stuff, which is a no no, it has to be a 'giving' thread not a 'taking' one. You can only respond, you can't ask.

I could just trade my deeds for bolts but what the heck, I'm so grateful for this amazing game I'd like to give something back.

Okay, Putting my crash helmet on now ..............

Just wanted to say that this giveaway is really generous, Woozie. Thanks for putting it together and I hope it turns out well!

I think this is a lovely idea Woozle. Do you have any thoughts about how best to prevent someone from coming in and sniping the goods? If there was a secure way to arrange the gift, I think that would be swell, but Idon't see a good way to do that without PM's?

Wow Woozle! What a great idea. I personally never ask anything in return for my items and always give everything away at 1 coin. (When giving to friends, not when selling in my shop). I hope this idea takes off and all of our generous forum members become involved. Let me know if i can help. :)

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Originally Posted by CheddarLimbo

I think this is a lovely idea Woozle. Do you have any thoughts about how best to prevent someone from coming in and sniping the goods? If there was a secure way to arrange the gift, I think that would be swell, but Idon't see a good way to do that without PM's?

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Well I think that the giver would have to respond to the receiver by PM. If you were just giving away the one item, for instance say 3 carrot cakes, that would'nt be too onerous to organise. I'm lucky in that I have a very safe shop, only having one follower (and I think that one's a glitch) but appreciate that other people do sometimes have problems with people stealing trades or giveaways. What I would want to avoid would be the situation that you get when trading when suddenly 20 people are trying to private message you all at once. People are going to hate that.

Great idea Woozle :).

First of all, how can we tell if that person is really in need and not taking to resell at max price ? We may check the farm to see if there is any unexpanded land but we cannot check for fishing spot. I'm afraid someone will take advantage of it.

The best way to have a safe giveaway is to use a secondary farm with limited number of friends to avoid intercepting. Everyone who wants to donate can sell to that farm which gather LEM (are we only talking LEM?) and distribute to new players. People eligible for those items will be temporary added as GC friend for the gift. Once completed they will be unfriend them. I know that does not sound nice at all but it works as if we follow a farm, sell something they need then unfollow.

But having a secondary farm just for giving is not something everyone can afford.

Hi Neighbor! I think that is a great idea. It's along the same principle as the donation box that many of us have been requesting, just to help out those in need and spread the hay day love around. I like helping those on my friends list by offering very low cost items, even jam and ice cream, plus I have lots of SEM to give away.
On a related note, I have been toying with the idea of starting a thread offering "my Tom for your deeds" in an effort to procure the last two deeds I need to open up my last fishing spot. I've played constantly every day for two months and only need two more. If you'd like to try out your experiment I would be grateful to be the recipient!

Rather than edit the above post I thought I would just follow up with a comment. I haven't done much trading, well, except one failed time I tried to give some cakes away and it was "stolen" before the proper recipient had a chance to get it. It always seemed like such a hassle! Using the forum PM system is time consuming so perhaps using a messenger system like kik would be more efficient for securing the gifts? It would be nice if the devs could allow us to dedicate one box in our store that was pass code protected or something like that. The giver could lock the box and the receiver would have to have a four digit code in order to get the goodies. That is way out of your ability, I know, and is only something that SC could do but it would be helpful to those of us who want to donate safely.

The missus had this in the ideas thread back in June... Extra food for thought...???

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This one could be a very, very lengthy description, so I'll try to give you the short version, and see how it goes...!!!

THE CHARITY BOX

Each farm is given a charity box for donations from other people, like friends, followers, or advertisers in the DD...

There is a lot of options and variations, both for and against, (we have been discussing it for days now) but the whole thing HAS to be voluntary, hence the idea. In a way, it's similar to filling other folks' boat crates, only with a choice, but no reward... People could only receive stuff in their charity box according to whatever level they are on, and is not diamond (sales) related. We are not talking everything here, but things like animal feeds, crops, fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk, jams, juices, and pretty basic stuff.. (Although ANYTHING in your barn or silo is bought and paid for by whatever means necessary - So it could be anything that is allowed...??? - This was our main arguing point... Lol.) If anyone donates something to someone that is not wanted or required, they sell it, and make a few extra coins, just to help them along.. That is what charity is about..

I realise some people will really begrudge giving anything away for free, but also know there are people who would gladly give away some less valuable goods to assist their struggling fellow farmers.

Could/would it be a good idea, or a big flop...??? (If it's a hit, then it was me that posted it, but if it flops, remember it was the wife's idea..!!! Hehe.)

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John.

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Originally Posted by meonhoc

Great idea Woozle :).

First of all, how can we tell if that person is really in need and not taking to resell at max price ? We may check the farm to see if there is any unexpanded land but we cannot check for fishing spot. I'm afraid someone will take advantage of it.

The best way to have a safe giveaway is to use a secondary farm with limited number of friends to avoid intercepting. Everyone who wants to donate can sell to that farm which gather LEM (are we only talking LEM?) and distribute to new players. People eligible for those items will be temporary added as GC friend for the gift. Once completed they will be unfriend them. I know that does not sound nice at all but it works as if we follow a farm, sell something they need then unfollow.

But having a secondary farm just for giving is not something everyone can afford.

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I don't think the scope of this proposal is limited to land expansion materials only. I would be prepared to offer anything.

The question of "need" is relative. I think the best you can hope for is to implement a level cap, and then just hope for the best. I don't think we can get into the business of deciding of a player is "worthy" of the donation or not. That's just way too subjective.

You could also maybe keep a list running in the first post of when something was donated, and to whom and use that to restrict someone from asking for things over and over? But I'm not sure who would manage that list...?

EDIT: Maybe a separate thread could be used for monetary donations? So, if it's really money you need, don't come to the Charity thread and ask for Jams someone else could really use on their boat. Just ask for the cash straight up and coordinate it in the cash donation thread? That would (hopefully) limit the number of people using the charity thread for cash purposes.