Re: Rules & Regs. Where to Post? Real Quality Samples/Other Samples, Etc

[flowermom07]

How do we know where to post?

What qualifies Real Quality Samples to Other Samples when posting?

Which old posts get reopened and which new ones stay? How is this decided?

Searching: How do you look it up? I've looked up several posts and they were closed and once I posted the old one's got reopened and mine got deleted w/out notice - thinking that I reposted but it was initially closed so if there's a way to notify us that would be nice or to merge... I really appreciate everyone's effort but it does take time to post and we do it purely for sharing purposes.

There are posts here initially that have been closed & reposted from a loong time ago w/links that work but why do those stay closed? etc.

I just want to really understand how this sight works.


I'm really glad that there is some rules in place already but more clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Is there a way to merge the new w/the old closed post?

Thanks in advance for the answers.
:)

[flowermom07]

Also are we allowed to put our own websites, etc. in our signature area too? Just wanted to know the latest info. Thanks.:)

[mood4amelody]

I'll do my best for ya!

Real Quality Samples are product samples (small portion of product they are trying to sell ya). Other free stuff are just free things (magnets, posters, etc.. I kind of go by if the offers actually says the word "sample", too ("sample of hardwood flooring I'd put under "samples".

If it's one of those "register with us and we might send coupons or samples" then I put it under "Websites you visit" because I don't really know if it will amout to anything in the long run.

When you are searching, if there is an unusual word in the offer like the name Corozonas, use the uncommon word. If the bad freebies list pops up it's best to look in there to see why it's there (I know that some of the bad freebies lists are several pages and it's pretty time consuming, but that's part of the posting).

When you repost one of those because it's working again, then you didn't have to do all that work. :o When you find the old post and the cause of closing was something like "out of samples and they've restocked. Just alert the mods with the little alert button and they will reopen it. It saves a lot of space for us on the website to not have the duplicates, 'cause even if we don't see them as members, they are still here and the mods can see them. If a repost is made and the old one is still closed, then no one alerted the mods.

The mods can merge a post. Any time you think posts should be merged, just let them know.

I think that covers it Sis. If I missed anything or you have any more questions, cool! It's slow here tonight!! lol

[mood4amelody]

Also are we allowed to put our own websites, etc. in our signature area too? Just wanted to know the latest info. Thanks.:)

That one I'm not sure about. It might say in the "rules and regs". :confused:

[Cpogie]

How do we know where to post?

What qualifies Real Quality Samples to Other Samples when posting?

Which old posts get reopened and which new ones stay? How is this decided?

Searching: How do you look it up? I've looked up several posts and they were closed and once I posted the old one's got reopened and mine got deleted w/out notice - thinking that I reposted but it was initially closed so if there's a way to notify us that would be nice or to merge... I really appreciate everyone's effort but it does take time to post and we do it purely for sharing purposes.

There are posts here initially that have been closed & reposted from a loong time ago w/links that work but why do those stay closed? etc.

I just want to really understand how this sight works.


I'm really glad that there is some rules in place already but more clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Is there a way to merge the new w/the old closed post?

Thanks in advance for the answers.
:)

I think Lynne covered it very well.
As far as closing your threads and opening someone elses, we do not do that, the only way I close yours is if it is a duplicate post, or on the bad freebies list.
Old posts that get reopened? that only happens when someone PM's me or another Mod and tells us it is available again.
Old posts may get closed when there is no interest after a few months or after I have posted that it is still available once or twice. Most people never look beyond page 1 of any thread, I don't know why it is?? we have pages and pages of good samples, freebies, and coupons.
No one is allowed to post their web site in their signature, it's self promoting.
Here are the rules for anyone who missed them. They cover most everything.

http://forums.startsampling.com/showthread.php?t=13562

Using the search here is pretty easy, use 1 or 2 words and make sure your spelling is correct, I correct spelling and headings everyday, and if you see the Bad freebies list come up after searching, your item is most likely in that thread.
For those who don't know where the search is located, it's in the black bar running across the page near the top.

I cannot express how grateful I am to those of you who post all the samples, freebies, and other offers that are here, without you we wouldn't have the best of the best here. For anyone who thinks this is an easy job, (Posting Samples, freebies, etc) all I can say is try it, it takes alot of time and effort.

[flowermom07]

Another question: Is there an easier way to search when looking - I hear about this bad freebie area and I really appreciate that forum and all the work involved in keeping track -it's a long tedious job that I truly appreciate but it would take a looong time to actually know what is bad when you're doing a search. Any short cut suggestions. The reason I'm asking is I love this sight and all and loooove to post :D but I don't always read the other areas. I do read the bad freebie area but not everyday and when searching to get ready to post there are literally pages and pages... it would take an hour just to search through it one section but again a very very good thread. Actually not till recently did I look at all. I' like everyone else initially came for the samples and since am catching on but boy it's hard to keep up w/all this. :p and I do know that old posts like before us posters were here that are closed and reposted by us and some stay some go.. and the links were and are good. Actually it was fun reading when everyone was new to this sight. :) It makes you realize everyone was new once and was learning the process. I just think if we could summerize all this into a small thread w/simple answers it would help future posters instead of like me trying to guess and hit and miss. I am really glad admin posted the one thread but a little more clarification that ya'll provided is greatly appreciated by me and I'm sure others reading. oh by the way no hottub tonight ;)

[mood4amelody]

When you search and just the bad freebies list comes up, you can scroll thru it with a bit of speed because the keyword you used in your search will come up in RED BOLD print. It cuts down a wee bit on digging thru that thread if you know that. You do a great job! I really appreciate it.

I didn't know a darn thing about posting anything when I started. I just really wanted to find some good stuff to give back to everyone here for everything that everyone does all the time, and even for those who don't do anything. lol I just like for everyone to get all silly and happy when they get good stuff, 'cause that's what I do! :p

[flowermom07]

Thanks for the info. We all appreciate your hard work and we all love to share here that's what makes this a great sight. :) Great people, Great Fun, & Great Samples. :)

[cath_31]

I agree it is sometimes hard to find a post when you want to. I find it is sometimes easier to search "show posts" instead of "show threads". If the words you are searching for are more unique this works better to get you to the post quicker, but if it is common that definitely won't work because it will come up in too many places that way. Hopefully, that made sense and I hope it helps some :) .

[rebate queen]

I am currently working on a way of making it much easier to find a bad freebie. I am making an index. It will only have the titles listed, but what will be very helpful is that the number beside it will be it's post number on the "Bad Freebies List". This way you can find it very quickly and view the details. You may even find that it is still ok to post, depending on the reason given for it being on the list.
Believe me, I was so dismayed when I discovered that the search will not take you to the page in question when a bad freebie pops up. That is the main reason that I gave each one it's own individual post. At least it does make it show up. The index is going to make it so much easier. The index is actually already started, but only goes to number 60 at the present time. It is in the same stickied section with the Bad Freebies List. Check it out and let me know what you think. It's actually top on my list to have it up to date within the next couple of days.

I also really need some feedback about how I explained the index in the first post of the thread. I thought I was clear, but people were posting in it anyway. Any thoughts on how I could explain/describe it better?? Please let me know what you guys think.

Also thanks to you all for mentioning it when you talk about rules/hints/advice for posting. I'm so glad that you find it helpful and important. I promise you, the index is going to help tremendously;)

[mood4amelody]

GOOD GOD, WOMAN!!!! You are a frikkin' super hero!! How the heck to you manage?? :eek: I'm so impressed with the stuff you do to keep this place rolling and operating to a degree that no other sample site could possibly maintain. You sooooo ROCK! Thanks for being awesome, Dawn. :o I'll check your list right away and let you know. It sounds like it is going to make the inner workings of the free sample getting run so much more smoothly!

[Nannette29]

I am currently working on a way of making it much easier to find a bad freebie. I am making an index. It will only have the titles listed, but what will be very helpful is that the number beside it will be it's post number on the "Bad Freebies List". This way you can find it very quickly and view the details. You may even find that it is still ok to post, depending on the reason given for it being on the list.
Believe me, I was so dismayed when I discovered that the search will not take you to the page in question when a bad freebie pops up. That is the main reason that I gave each one it's own individual post. At least it does make it show up. The index is going to make it so much easier. The index is actually already started, but only goes to number 60 at the present time. It is in the same stickied section with the Bad Freebies List. Check it out and let me know what you think. It's actually top on my list to have it up to date within the next couple of days.

I also really need some feedback about how I explained the index in the first post of the thread. I thought I was clear, but people were posting in it anyway. Any thoughts on how I could explain/describe it better?? Please let me know what you guys think.

Also thanks to you all for mentioning it when you talk about rules/hints/advice for posting. I'm so glad that you find it helpful and important. I promise you, the index is going to help tremendously;)

Dawn, I thought you did an awesome job with this and appreciate all that you do for us! :D How time consuming this must be! :eek: I thought it was very well written & very clear when I read it. The only suggestion I can think of is to cross-reference the two posts with a link to the other. If there's anything I can do to help you, I would be more than happy to do whatever it is I can. :)

[gatito]

bump so we won't forget !!!!!