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Grittyville, WA

If 30 growers send their seeds to 30 clubs thats 900 "postal transits" that must be paid for. But if 30 growers all sent their seeds to one person... and that person compiled those seeds as sets... then each set was sent to its destination, this would require just 60 postal transits. This would save thousands of dollars.

There's probably some drawbacks to a centralized seed distribution effort, but we can't really complain about the price of postage because we actually could save most of that money if we truly wanted to.

This is how the exotic seed exchange functions. Its a somewhat proven idea... (although it puts a lot of pressure and importance on one person).

I'm not pressuring anyone to change how they do things, just pointing this out for anyone who enjoys logistical engineering problems.

...That might be no one, lol.

[Last edit: 12/01/24 3:06:06 PM]

12/1/2024 2:55:45 PM

stoughton WI

That may actually cost more, clubs would still have to send growers a bubble, then they send to a particular party.which could send to the club in bulk,but would still add to the cost. Not to mention the logistical challenge like you mentioned above. In that way, I think your adding a unneeded middle man. Some clubs already do exchange bubbles to help cut out costs and time.

12/1/2024 4:25:02 PM

Grittyville, WA

Well clubs and growers can do whatever they think makes sense. Mathematically/financially it makes sense to tackle seed distribution in the most collective manner possible. I think this does minimize the postage. With the exotic seed exchange, I can send seeds to 40 growers but it will only cost $15 in postage because they are divvied up and rebundled. If I was to attempt to send my seeds on my own, it would cost around $240. Thats a big savings, right? Its almost like a magic trick.

I'm not pressuring anyone to change how they do things. Its not a critical issue to me personally.

12/1/2024 8:02:45 PM

Eugene,OR

Brandon you are so generous volunteering to coordinate ALL the seed distribution to ALL the clubs in the world next year!!! I’m already anxiously awaiting the box of seeds you will be delivering for our auctions! Will it come on Christmas Eve? I sure hope so! Maybe you can hitch a ride with the big guy from the North Pole!!! We could put out an extra cookie for you!

12/1/2024 10:03:08 PM

Eugene,OR

Oh yeah, when I said “the big guy from the North Pole” I didn't mean Dale Marshall. I meant the other guy.

[Last edit: 12/01/24 10:09:48 PM]

12/1/2024 10:05:39 PM

Eugene,OR

Seriously Brandon, some of the best ideas I’ve ever seen on big pumpkins.com (and certainly the most original ones) are yours. I like people who have original thoughts.

12/1/2024 10:13:43 PM

Grittyville, WA

Having run the exotic seed exchange for a couple years I know approximately what it would take. I would not advise anyone to be a "super seed santa" unless they truly knew what they were doing. As for me, I'm a bad elf... I havent even got my holiday lights put up yet.

12/2/2024 4:29:24 AM

Grittyville, WA

@Vineman, it should always be up for debate whether I truly know anything but thats a nice compliment :)

12/2/2024 5:24:38 AM

President - GPC

Happy HolidayZ Guyz, was a nice exchange :)

12/3/2024 9:51:59 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

I agree there needs to be a better more cost-effective way to get seeds to the clubs but I have no idea how to make it happen. It just cost the PGPGA approx $8 in postage per bubble to mail to growers for seeds and when mailing seeds to winning bidders after the auction, it will cost the club roughly another $5-6 in postage. None of this takes into account the cost of bubble mailers, boxes, etc. Makes it not worth the time or effort to auction off less popular seeds that get lower bids. I feel bad for newbies joining the auctions only to see high auction bids. Used to be able to pick up seeds at auction for $15-$20. Just not good economical choice for clubs to auction off those lots anymore.

12/3/2024 12:01:59 PM

Syracuse, NY

Perhaps there needs to be a cutting out of the middle man, as per usual; Just knock this around in one's head(s): *I decided to not correct singularity/plurality discrepancies*, lol: Maybe the growers get notified of the need for their seeds via email. Cost=practically $0. Grower sends as many seeds as are needed to the clubs, submitting the receipt >>> in with the seeds each time and the club simply reimburses the growers through PayPal or a check (60 cents, +/-, to mail) ASAP or after the auction is over for that round. No need to send a bubble or envelope for the seeds initially and the grower is compensated, the clubs get their seeds and the growers have seed-sending supplies already, I am sure. If not, well, if you want your seeds to be popular, there you go. Most top growers are selling their seeds anyway for $100+ each, plus or minus. It depends on how many clubs get one's seeds, butt I'll bet anyone's weekly beer cost and/or McDonald's combos (I am speaking for myself, lol) outweigh those costs, lol. eg

[Last edit: 12/12/24 11:59:52 PM]

12/3/2024 1:36:25 PM

Stanwood, Washington

What really needs to happen is the mass production of some sort of a hard sided case capable of withstanding rollers. If it was just thick enough for a seed to fit in and just narrow enough to meet the 1/4" allowed size, then we could mail everything with a single stamp. I have thought of trying to use coin cases before but never really got to the point of actually trying it out.

12/12/2024 3:45:19 PM

Grittyville, WA

This is true Matt... Although, is there a requirement that nothing too solid is mailed through? The automated rolling system is designed to handle paper, photos, post cards, with maybe the occasional staple or paper clip, but not much more than that, apparently.

Cardboard might be ok if it can flex a bit. They seem very wary about sending anything solid or lumpy through their machines...

My guess is, its probably a hassle if the machines get jammed... Even a few minutes of downtime could delay be hundreds of letters. I am guessing this is the problem. A good solution would save the giant pumpkin community thousands of dollars. Cardboard with holes cut out might be a good solution? Double or triple layered, or that extra thick cardboard that they send appliances in? Or maybe something akin to what peat pots are made of...

[Last edit: 12/12/24 5:02:49 PM]

12/12/2024 4:57:40 PM

Grittyville, WA

Cork! Omg!

Captain 97, how about I send you some seeds as a test... It's worth a try, maybe:

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=350474

[Last edit: 12/12/24 5:24:08 PM]

12/12/2024 5:22:55 PM

Grittyville, WA

Ps... one last thought on this. Ironically, before they go home at the end of the day, they often throw the $5.50+ packages into their letter system anyway. So despite the extra cost and initial care they take to avoid sending the wrong things through their rollers, the more costly seed packs are getting rolled anyhow. I think its all done with good intentions, but it does seem like maybe the only foolproof solution is to attempt to do both: Protect the seeds more ...whilst paying less.

[Last edit: 12/12/24 7:45:03 PM]

12/12/2024 7:07:15 PM

stoughton WI

Some good ideas on here, but protecting seeds will cost more money, because they go by weight. I mailed some bubbles today. Both bubbles were exactly the same, except for a single piece of paper for a note. The difference in that piece of paper was 27 cents. Also if clubs want to save some money, they can go online and order a box of 6x9 bubble mailers for about $50 (250 count) a 4x6 or a 5x8 bubble costs the same as a 6x9. But may vary by weight.

12/14/2024 12:32:55 PM

Grittyville, WA

Funny how much weight and volume a single piece of paper can add.

12/14/2024 2:47:49 PM