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THE OFFICIAL DARKSIDE NEVER ENDING GIVEAWAY
spoon
Posts: 2,798 ✭✭✭
Click here to skip the FAQ and jump to the box's status
Welcome to the official Darkside Never Ending Giveaway!
The concept here is pretty basic, but to reduce confusion and misunderstandings please read the information below before entering. It looks long, but mostly it's just common sense.
This ain't your grandpa's giveaway
Simply shouting "I'm in!" and crossing your toes, hoping to win won't work here. Nope, this is a never ending giveaway.
The way it works is that you must register. Once registered you will be added to the list of participants. The giveaway box will make it's way from person to person down the list. Each person when they have the box may take out as many coins as they wish to keep, so long as they replace them with coins of an equal or greater value (value of the entire box, that is). Then you pass it on and wait until it comes back to you again with a different batch of coins. It's that simple. But of course we're going to mix things up a bit to make it more fun.
How to register
Anyone may enter, but you must provide at least two references to people already in the giveaway. I know, I know, we darksiders are trusting, open minded people and shouldn't need to do this. But things can and do go wrong, so this is only to help protect the investment of those who participate in good faith. We don't want to alienate anyone, and hope to have as many people as practicible participate, so please bear with us.
To get things started I'll take anyone I've had a successful transaction with or who is among the widely known forum old timers. Others should wait until later in the cycle when they can obtain a recommendation from a participant.
If you've already had the box in Stork's giveaway, you're eligible again - this is a different giveaway!
Registration is ongoing. If you find this once it's already begun and would like to enter, please do!
To officially enter, shoot me a PM. Be sure to include your email address so that I can get in touch with you if for some reason you go yeti when we get near your turn. Also include your mailing address so that I can try to work out any delivery issues in advance. I'll keep this info securely offline and delete it when you opt out.
Once you're registered you will remain in the lineup unless/until you ask to be removed, so no need to re-register every cycle.
Also, you must of course agree to all the terms outlined here in order to enter.
How's this list work?
Once we have at least five people signed up I'll randomize the list and send the package out to the first person. That list will remain static until everyone on it has received the package. But the list is not closed. Any newcomers will just be added to the end of the list as they arrive. That means the cycle may keep expanding.
Once we reach the end of the list the package will be sent back to me. I'll take the list and reorder the entire lineup using a random number generator and we'll start another cycle.
To avoid last minute confusion, when the package is sent to the second to last person on the list registration will be temporarily suspended. Any new entrants after the suspension will be added to the roster for the next cycle.
There's more!
The idea behind having an ordered list, as opposed to each person having a drawing when they have the box, is to allow us to get creative. If you know who's getting it after you you can take their interests or wantlist into consideration and stuff it with things they may like.
Since the list is static each round, some folks may want to jockey for position. This is OK by me, but any change in lineup has to be arranged by you with the person who you'd like to swap with. Example: say you're #12 but you want to give something to #6, you can PM #5 and ask to swap positions - but that means #5 will have to agree to take the 12th spot and wait that much longer. Anyone taking advantage of this rule must notify me once a swap is made so I can update the official order.
One thing that seems to have caused bad juju in some Lightside tags is the concept of dibs or reserving a coin a few rounds out - this giveaway will not have dibs.
In fact, it may be wise to just not say what's in the box at any given time. Plus, it kind of ruins the surprise. But this isn't a rule, merely a suggestion
Absences
If we are getting close to your position in the list and you know that you will be away from the mailbox for a while, please let me know via PM and we'll shift your name back one spot, five spots or to the end (your choice). If we have to shift your position more than three times you will be removed from the cycle and have to wait for the next iteration.
I will PM people around two spots out from your position in the list to make sure you're still interested or able to participate.
Determining value
We'll assume everyone here plays fair and understands the concepts of fair market value and proper grading. But this is the Darkside so you may come across something strange you want to keep but can't put a finger on the value. As administrator of the giveaway I will act as arbitrator of values. I don't think we should have to submit all swaps in/out for mandatory review, but if problems arise that's what we'll do. Until then, value is left to your wise judgement, with the option of using me as arbitrator.
I'm including a junk box portion just for kicks. This'll go in a separate bag in the box and won't count toward the total value.
When you have the box
Once you finally get that box of goodies and tear through it like a toddler with a sugar rush on Christmas morning, please keep some things in mind:
Before you take anything out of the box, please conduct an inventory of the contents and make a tally of the value. I'll PM you a list of the contents once you have it in hand. Please update that list with your subtractions and additions and PM it back to me so I can keep track of how we're progressing.
You may keep anything in the box except the tracking coins (see below). Whatever you keep is yours, no strings attached - you can sell them at 5x markup, toss 'em in a fountain, whatever.
Now this is the most important rule here: You must replace the coins you keep with coins of equal or greater value. Example: if you take 5 coins worth $40 out of the box, you can put in 7 coins worth $40 dollars. The total value of the coins taken out must at least match the total value of the coins put back in. How you do this is up to you. But please be considerate: don't take out two $20 coins only to replace them with 80 junk box coins.
Shipping and Turnaround
Please try to get the package on to the next person no more than a week after receiving it! If you think you may have trouble sticking to this before your turn comes let me know and we'll shift you back a spot in line.
For delivery use a new small Flat Rate box from the US Postal Service for shipping, they are free! Postage for this will be $4.95 ($4.80 online) no matter the weight. Insurance and signature confirmation are mandatory! This'll add another $5 or so, depending on insured amount.
At some point we may need to upgrade to a medium Flat Rate box. I doubt it'll happen, but if/when it does base postage (not counting insurance & sig conf) will jump to $10.70. UPDATE: We are now using a MEDIUM flat rate box, so the cost has risen slightly - $10.70, not including sig conf/insurance.
Delivery confirmation is included with signature confirmation - please post the tracking number to this thread so we know things are moving along.
If you want to print postage at home you can use this link to do it through USPS online. You'll need to create an account there and pay with a credit card, all of which is quick and painless.
Please be aware of the cost involved here. By participating you are agreeing to cover shipping as described above without compensation.
Tracking the box
It's kind of impractical to slap stickers on such a small box, this isn't a suitcase from the 60s afterall. So to have fun and see where the box has been, lets try to toss in a state quarter from your state and see how many we get
It doesn't have to be BU, something from change is fine - this is just for fun. Hopefully this'll be the Lightest stuff in the box!)
Playing by the rules
This should go without saying: Entry in this giveaway should be treated as a binding contract, no different than any other sale or swap. Once entered you agree to pay shipping to the next person without compensation. If you can't do this, opt out. If you didn't find anything you like in the box, sorry, better luck next time. But you must still pass it along. If you abscond with our loot we'll, um... I dunno exactly right now, but if the participants deem it necessary we will take action which may include legal action.
Any updates to the rules will be added to this post.
The line up and package status is in the next post.
Welcome to the official Darkside Never Ending Giveaway!
The concept here is pretty basic, but to reduce confusion and misunderstandings please read the information below before entering. It looks long, but mostly it's just common sense.
This ain't your grandpa's giveaway
Simply shouting "I'm in!" and crossing your toes, hoping to win won't work here. Nope, this is a never ending giveaway.
The way it works is that you must register. Once registered you will be added to the list of participants. The giveaway box will make it's way from person to person down the list. Each person when they have the box may take out as many coins as they wish to keep, so long as they replace them with coins of an equal or greater value (value of the entire box, that is). Then you pass it on and wait until it comes back to you again with a different batch of coins. It's that simple. But of course we're going to mix things up a bit to make it more fun.
How to register
Anyone may enter, but you must provide at least two references to people already in the giveaway. I know, I know, we darksiders are trusting, open minded people and shouldn't need to do this. But things can and do go wrong, so this is only to help protect the investment of those who participate in good faith. We don't want to alienate anyone, and hope to have as many people as practicible participate, so please bear with us.
To get things started I'll take anyone I've had a successful transaction with or who is among the widely known forum old timers. Others should wait until later in the cycle when they can obtain a recommendation from a participant.
If you've already had the box in Stork's giveaway, you're eligible again - this is a different giveaway!
Registration is ongoing. If you find this once it's already begun and would like to enter, please do!
To officially enter, shoot me a PM. Be sure to include your email address so that I can get in touch with you if for some reason you go yeti when we get near your turn. Also include your mailing address so that I can try to work out any delivery issues in advance. I'll keep this info securely offline and delete it when you opt out.
Once you're registered you will remain in the lineup unless/until you ask to be removed, so no need to re-register every cycle.
Also, you must of course agree to all the terms outlined here in order to enter.
How's this list work?
Once we have at least five people signed up I'll randomize the list and send the package out to the first person. That list will remain static until everyone on it has received the package. But the list is not closed. Any newcomers will just be added to the end of the list as they arrive. That means the cycle may keep expanding.
Once we reach the end of the list the package will be sent back to me. I'll take the list and reorder the entire lineup using a random number generator and we'll start another cycle.
To avoid last minute confusion, when the package is sent to the second to last person on the list registration will be temporarily suspended. Any new entrants after the suspension will be added to the roster for the next cycle.
There's more!
The idea behind having an ordered list, as opposed to each person having a drawing when they have the box, is to allow us to get creative. If you know who's getting it after you you can take their interests or wantlist into consideration and stuff it with things they may like.
Since the list is static each round, some folks may want to jockey for position. This is OK by me, but any change in lineup has to be arranged by you with the person who you'd like to swap with. Example: say you're #12 but you want to give something to #6, you can PM #5 and ask to swap positions - but that means #5 will have to agree to take the 12th spot and wait that much longer. Anyone taking advantage of this rule must notify me once a swap is made so I can update the official order.
One thing that seems to have caused bad juju in some Lightside tags is the concept of dibs or reserving a coin a few rounds out - this giveaway will not have dibs.
In fact, it may be wise to just not say what's in the box at any given time. Plus, it kind of ruins the surprise. But this isn't a rule, merely a suggestion
Absences
If we are getting close to your position in the list and you know that you will be away from the mailbox for a while, please let me know via PM and we'll shift your name back one spot, five spots or to the end (your choice). If we have to shift your position more than three times you will be removed from the cycle and have to wait for the next iteration.
I will PM people around two spots out from your position in the list to make sure you're still interested or able to participate.
Determining value
We'll assume everyone here plays fair and understands the concepts of fair market value and proper grading. But this is the Darkside so you may come across something strange you want to keep but can't put a finger on the value. As administrator of the giveaway I will act as arbitrator of values. I don't think we should have to submit all swaps in/out for mandatory review, but if problems arise that's what we'll do. Until then, value is left to your wise judgement, with the option of using me as arbitrator.
I'm including a junk box portion just for kicks. This'll go in a separate bag in the box and won't count toward the total value.
When you have the box
Once you finally get that box of goodies and tear through it like a toddler with a sugar rush on Christmas morning, please keep some things in mind:
Before you take anything out of the box, please conduct an inventory of the contents and make a tally of the value. I'll PM you a list of the contents once you have it in hand. Please update that list with your subtractions and additions and PM it back to me so I can keep track of how we're progressing.
You may keep anything in the box except the tracking coins (see below). Whatever you keep is yours, no strings attached - you can sell them at 5x markup, toss 'em in a fountain, whatever.
Now this is the most important rule here: You must replace the coins you keep with coins of equal or greater value. Example: if you take 5 coins worth $40 out of the box, you can put in 7 coins worth $40 dollars. The total value of the coins taken out must at least match the total value of the coins put back in. How you do this is up to you. But please be considerate: don't take out two $20 coins only to replace them with 80 junk box coins.
Shipping and Turnaround
Please try to get the package on to the next person no more than a week after receiving it! If you think you may have trouble sticking to this before your turn comes let me know and we'll shift you back a spot in line.
For delivery use a new small Flat Rate box from the US Postal Service for shipping, they are free! Postage for this will be $4.95 ($4.80 online) no matter the weight. Insurance and signature confirmation are mandatory! This'll add another $5 or so, depending on insured amount.
At some point we may need to upgrade to a medium Flat Rate box. I doubt it'll happen, but if/when it does base postage (not counting insurance & sig conf) will jump to $10.70. UPDATE: We are now using a MEDIUM flat rate box, so the cost has risen slightly - $10.70, not including sig conf/insurance.
Delivery confirmation is included with signature confirmation - please post the tracking number to this thread so we know things are moving along.
If you want to print postage at home you can use this link to do it through USPS online. You'll need to create an account there and pay with a credit card, all of which is quick and painless.
Please be aware of the cost involved here. By participating you are agreeing to cover shipping as described above without compensation.
Tracking the box
It's kind of impractical to slap stickers on such a small box, this isn't a suitcase from the 60s afterall. So to have fun and see where the box has been, lets try to toss in a state quarter from your state and see how many we get
It doesn't have to be BU, something from change is fine - this is just for fun. Hopefully this'll be the Lightest stuff in the box!)Playing by the rules
This should go without saying: Entry in this giveaway should be treated as a binding contract, no different than any other sale or swap. Once entered you agree to pay shipping to the next person without compensation. If you can't do this, opt out. If you didn't find anything you like in the box, sorry, better luck next time. But you must still pass it along. If you abscond with our loot we'll, um... I dunno exactly right now, but if the participants deem it necessary we will take action which may include legal action.
Any updates to the rules will be added to this post.
The line up and package status is in the next post.
0
Comments
(USPS Track & Confirm)
The roster so far:
spoon
Muygrandeoso
ASUtodd
olmanjon
Musky1011
Aethelred
DeepSix
ormandh
Rickc300
terribleredmonster
The reserve list (approved, but will jump in line later):
BillyKingsley
My wantlist & references
Olmanjon
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
But this thing is by no means over! Just because we're starting doesn't mean it's too late to enter. You can enter at any time so come on down! The more the merrier
My wantlist & references
Olmanjon
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
Also, this isn't a big bucks kind of thing. I think the highest value thing in the starter box is around $20. Probably more than half is around $5 or under. Those numbers may change as things progress, but this giveaway is for fun. There should be something for everyone in there. So if all you've got is $10-$20 worth of stuff to swap, why not give it a try?
I'll be kicking this off by getting the box in the mail Monday or Tuesday, but registration is ongoing!
And I was thinking, it doesn't make a whole lotta sense to randomize the first five when everyone else will be placed as they come, and I'm feeling lazy, so the lineup in the 2nd post is how it's gonna start. The next person to join will follow Aethelred, who I'm sure has some great goodies to stuff the box with
My wantlist & references
If not, before it ends I suppose I will have to utilize the BST when I have some more money to spend
<< <i>Click here to skip the FAQ and jump to the box's status
Also, I'd like for this to be available for board members overseas but shipping costs may be prohibitive to some. If we get anyone to add an international touch to this I could tweak the lineup such that the folks before any overseas participants are ones who agree to the cost.
>>
It's not only shipping costs that would make this unattractive to overseas participants. As it would have to go insured, it would probably get hammered for import duties in the UK for example - something that isn't a problem in the US. It p's a lot of people off when you have to pay extra taxes despite the fact something was made here. Individual coins sometimes slip through, but I'm sure a heavy box of metal wouldn't.
Rob, yeah, I thought of that later.. that does make it less appealing for non-US folks to participate
So here's the box:
Doesn't look like much, but that's pretty stacked in there, and that's not everything
(about 40 coins not counting the junk box stuff)
I made a little divider to keep the 2x2s and flips from sloshing around. I also tossed in some extra padding for the later rounds to use, making it a tight squeeze. If you need to modify it or scrap that stuff when you make your deposit, no problem. Also, a tip on these small flat rate boxes: it's really helpful to tape the corners before stuffing it.
It'll be on it's way to Muygrandeoso tomorrow. Let's see if it makes it there for Christmas
UPDATE: Postage is paid and the box will be en route in the morning!
Also, PP doesn't offer the option of paying for a Small Flat Rate box, only envelopes and medium
The box' weight is 1 lb 11 oz (not that it matters!) and postage online cost a total of $9 even.
My wantlist & references
is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
<< <i>By the way, has anyone heard from Stork lately? I haven't seen any of her posts in a while... >>
Haven't seen her around lately either. Guess she's still getting settled in over there
My wantlist & references
The Giveaway box is packed up and will be posted to ASUTodd in the morning. I added some interesting coins, including 10 silver coins.
Thanks to Spoon for starting this up again!
Chris
Successful BST transactions with:CollectorsCoins, farthing, Filacoins, LordMarcovan, Duki, Spoon, Jinx86, ubercollector, hammered54
LochNess and ProfHaroldHill
Todd
I also am into New Foundland(I know you are too)and Canadian tokens. German and Italian. I also collect just about anything under the sun. Can't wait to see what is coming. Thanks,
Olmanjon
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
My wantlist & references
<< <i>Sorry I didn't respond faster-computer has been down-new years parties in ohio-next step on my chemo-list goes on and on.
I also am into New Foundland(I know you are too)and Canadian tokens. German and Italian. I also collect just about anything under the sun. Can't wait to see what is coming. Thanks,
Olmanjon >>
Stop it Olmanjon... You are a stand-up guy. There is no reason to apologize!
Olmanjon
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
Todd
Olmanjon
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
Todd
Olmanjon
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
My wantlist & references
I have taken one item out of the box and added several items to it (photos will follow). I hope that the next person in line will find something that he or she will like.
Thank you Spoon for including me in this giveaway. Thank you to those who went before me for your additions to the box.
Edited to add: Because of the additional items that I have added to the box I have had to move us up from a small size Priority Box to a medium size.
WNC Coins, LLC
1987-C Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
wnccoins.com
And just to reiterate, your only cost of participation is just shipping - which will now be $10.70 in a MEDIUM flat rate mailer, not including signature confirmation/insurance.
My wantlist & references
This is what I took out of the box
This is what I put in (along with a couple of books that are not pictured)
WNC Coins, LLC
1987-C Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
wnccoins.com
I'll provide an update on the box's contents later today when i have a bit more time.
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
My wantlist & references
I had a great time going through the box. I pulled out a 25 centavos from Nicaragua (thanks Musky!) and put in a few silver pieces and added to the "junque box" section. The 25 centavos was a great find for me. I've always admired the sun and 5 volcanoes design on the CAR 8 reales. I didn't realize the same design was available in a smaller, less expensive coin
I was a little delayed in getting the box back out, but Dan should have it soon, if not already.
Edited due to poor spelling.
Although, I appreciate that I was given the chance to look through the hoard I do feel that we are not adding quality back into the box. Quality, not quantity. I will "refresh" the box with some really decent items and see how far it goes.
Thanks to Eric for getting this thing going. I consider this thing to be in the beginning stages and we will learn how to tweak the rules so that we do not offload our cull to meet the criteria in the future. Sorry if I sound ungrateful, but....
-Dan
Dan,
You're echoing some of my concerns. I know that a lot of great, neat stuff has changed hands through the course of it, but it has also been accumulating a lot of smaller stuff. While I hoped including the small stuff would be fun to dig through and maybe open someone up to new things, I'm afraid it may just lead to crowding out the better stuff as it moves along.
I think once it comes back to me we should take a pause for an after action review and see how we can make the next round better. But why not get the ball rolling now.
Perhaps a minimum value is needed? $5 or $10 minimum per coin? Minimum grade for coins below a certain value and/or age?
I dunno, give me your thoughts guys. I know we've got a lot of potential here and can make this into something great!
My wantlist & references
Again, I want to stress the fact that Eric was GREAT to get this thing rolling with his own stash and I want to be the second(Aethelred first) to acknowledge such. Thanks Eric!
We will get this to work, I am sure of it! -Dan
Olmanjon
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
My guess is that the box will be going out to the next collector on Friday...
Thanks for the chance and I can't wait for the next go round! There are more coins that I am interested in than I thought there would be.
Rick
PS-I have also cherry picked a couple of coins from the junk box, and replaced them with a few low grade silver coins. I for one would love a junk box of one dollar or less valued coins, I collect German coins, (Empire, Weimar and Third Reich) by date and mint and still need many coins under a buck that I just have not come across and that are not listed on most auction sites due to the lack of value or demand...
1836 Capped Liberty
dime. My oldest US
detecting find so far.
I dig almost every
signal I get for the most
part. Go figure...
If we can't figure it out you can just post it here for value opinions.
Glad you like it!
My wantlist & references
1764 F Prussian Thaler AG (A new type for me)
1915 Chili Peso
1859 1/4 real Mexico (Sonora)
1963 1/2 crown New Zealand
1852 6 pfennig Hannover (Another new type for me)
Some junk box stuff, mostly modern Mexican coinage
1678 Leopold 15 Kreuzer
I have wanted a Leopold coin for myself since I first saw one, Funny thing is I originally passed on it, because I was going to hold out for a thaler. I planned on sending the box out Friday but due to traffic I didn't get to the PO before closing and opened the box to look at the Leopold again when I got back home. I decided that if I had to look at it one more time before sending it on it's way that I better take it out of the box and keep it for my greedy little (well big) self.
Thanks everyone,
Rick
1836 Capped Liberty
dime. My oldest US
detecting find so far.
I dig almost every
signal I get for the most
part. Go figure...
Rick
1836 Capped Liberty
dime. My oldest US
detecting find so far.
I dig almost every
signal I get for the most
part. Go figure...
Cashback from Mr. Rebates