I normally don't respond to posts like this, but I feel compelled to this time.
SDCPs wrote:In my opinion though the one packet rule is silly, especially for donors. I like the international version better. Or perhaps it should be 6 packets bi-annually.
It may seem silly, but donors get their perks, and the monthly system has its benefits as well.
The international version is designed to reduce costs, and it's difficult to Tetris in more than about four packs and keep them secure. Add in extra padding to protect more fragile seeds, as well as any bonus seeds they would like added, and I think it's done pretty well
SDCPs wrote:1x per month versus biannually: I send 6 SASEs (6x harder than sending 1). I pay 6x the postage necessary. $6 instead of $1 (for US). I use 12 envelopes instead of 2. All those carbon emissions...6x more deliveries than necessary. All that extra work for you. Fill 6 orders instead of 1. Not to mention we do this post and PM dance 6x instead of once to achieve the same result. What bloat!
Again, the difficulty ensuring the packets are secure when you start putting more than four. I suppose that you could always send a larger envelope, but now your costs would increase, likely negating any savings you might have realized.
However, many people have found a way to halve their costs by making a request at the end of a month, then requesting again at the first of the next month. They can then combine both requests into a single envelope, decreasing their costs by 50%. Plus the seeds themselves are free.
Another reason for the monthly domestic requests is to make it fair for everyone. When a new donation comes in, one that may be uncommon or brand new, everyone eligible has an equal chance at requesting it. Donors are just as likely to request as not, because they may already have it, or they don't have room. If someone had just made their bi-annual request, and a new donation they wanted were to come in, they would be out of luck for up to six more months. I try to wait for the first of the month to list new seeds that are uncommon or have never been in inventory, but I still get PM'd with requests to hold seeds until someone is eligible, but that's not fair to the other 6,000+ members. Plus, the USPS isn't perfect, they lose mail from time to time. If you were to make your bi-annual request and it never gets delivered to you for whatever reason, you are now ineligible to request again for six months. With the monthly system, you only need to wait a few weeks, a couple of months for international.
Carbon emissions aren't a factor, the USPS is going to make the run with or without that monthly envelope, and the carrier is going to still drive to your mailbox six times a week. The addition of a regular envelope or not will not make a difference.
I knew what I was getting into when I accepted the
voluntary position, so the extra work isn't an issue.
No one is forced to do the post and PM dance monthly. If that's too much work for someone, they can choose to do it once every six months, but they only get the one pack, plus whatever bonus if they want it.
SDCPs wrote:It just doesn't make any sense to me...especially if someone (like myself) gives more than I try to get in these instances. It just makes it HARD to get the plants to donate seed in the future and makes the likelihood of me donating repeatedly less. The same 12 packet annual limit could be enforced in a more streamlined manner. Even both domestic and international 3x every 3 months. I mean why not!?
This is the part that got stuck in my craw.
While there are some that have donated a single pack of Cape seeds to become a donor, almost everyone who has donated to this seed bank has given more than they have received, you're far from unique in that regard. Last year alone I received multiple donations of over 30 packets of seeds each, one was over 50 packs of multiple species. Plus, if you look at the donor list, you'll see that one person has donated over 100 packs, a couple have donated around 80 packs, and more than a few have donated over 50 packs. However, if you'll also read the description of the seed bank, it is intended as a community seed bank for the members, donation is not required to request. But I guarantee that 99% of those on the donor list to date has donated not to gain a sense of superiority over anyone, or to complain that the system in place for years is flawed, but to help others by making free seeds available when most other places charge a fee, even a nominal fee (not to mention a membership fee in some cases to even access their seed bank), plus postage to get seeds. They have all chosen to help without thinking about whether or not they will get anything in return.
SDCPs wrote:You gentlefolk obviously don't have to defend your policy, and I am using the service provided as specified, but I am going to squeal if something doesn't make sense and voice my opinion--done here--with all due respect.
Squeal all you'd like, the service of free seeds will still be available to you every month that you choose to use the service provided by this member-supported, community seed bank.
A couple last tidbits to digest.
You mentioned the ICPS and their procedure of allowing multiple requests for donors. While we all applaud their vision and mission of carnivorous plant conservation and education, lets look at their inventory from the beginning of April, 2021.
Screenshot (40).png (579.84 KiB) Viewed 2585 times
Unless you want binata, Capes, or intermedia, you're kinda out of luck. So much for that annual membership fee that you just paid. You could have made 25 monthly requests, received 25 different packets of seeds, chosen from the 86 different varieties of Drosera, Sarracenia, and Dionaea seeds we have in stock, or Maxsea fertilizer, plus 25 packets of bonus Capes for that same price, all made possible by the generosity of our members.
flytrapcare-community-seedbank-inventor ... 33352.html
Last, don't interpret this response as a defense of the policy of this seed bank. Interpret it as a round of applause for all the members of this forum, donor or not, who have chosen to provide their help to others in all stages of the carnivorous plant community from beginner to well seasoned grower, even a few commercial growers. They have chosen give their time, advice, resources, and the seeds of their labor without regard of a return on their investment.
Regards,
Chef
Thanks Dean!
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