I think everyone is familiar with the idea of this rule from the other polls. Since it seems that everyone is in favor of this rule I thought we would add it to the Everybook VBB as well. Please vote for how many full rounds we have to mail out selected books before we are not allowed to select any further books from the box. This poll will be open for the month of September and the rule will go into effect for the October round.

Here's an example on the number of rounds:

Starting in the October round, if you owe books from:
Three rounds - you must have mailed all books selected through June
Four rounds - you must have mailed all books selected through May
Five rounds - you must have mailed all books selected through April
Six rounds - you must have mailed all books selected through March

This way you have X full rounds, plus the round the book is selected to mail the book. The book does not have to be received, only mailed.

Any feedback/discussion is welcome!

I don't particularly like this rule as if you have been 'stiffed' by someone just don't take their book but in order to keep out the 'takers' I suppose that 7 rounds would be sufficient

I'm indifferent. :shrug:

I would say seven rounds, plus I agree with Ace that it is your choice who you take from.

I guess the other problem with a few rounds is I won't be able to play :cry: as I mail some of my books from the US when I have enough (10) to go so sometimes it is a longer period to wait. This I wouldn't consider fair as I have honoured all my committments

But I think you've made an arrangement to do that with people, I know I've said it's ok with me.

I think most of the boxes are making the provision - can't play if you haven't mailed, unless you've made other arrangements with the receiver.

The bookkeeping (no pun intended- well, maybe a little :giggle: ) will be a pain to keep track of everything, but I think it's fine to play if the booker has told the bookee that the book will be there whenever and the bookee is fine with it. Six months (six rounds) is plenty of time to either read a book, or decide that you probably will NEVER get around to it anyway, or at least send the bookee a PM.

I personally tend to lean towards less rounds than more.

I understand that each person could regulate for themselves by not choosing books by people whose shipping habits are known to them. However, I feel that relying on this method is not fair to both new and old box participants. I don't think it is fair to let the newbies choose books that they may never see just because they don't know everyone. I also don't think that it is fair to the entire list of box participants, both new and old, because the box would just end up being overwhelmed with someone's books if noone selects that person's books and they are allowed to keep taking other people's books. Half of the box (or more!) could potentially be books from one (or X number of) person(s)! Each person should not have to think... "This is a wishlist book of mine, but should I take this book because X put it in? Will I ever see it?" I feel very strongly that you should have no reservations about the fact that you will receive the book that you select. While this rule will not say, "You MUST mail the book by X rounds", it does encourage responsible playing for those who may need that encouragement.

I understand Ace's concern about waiting to mail books when you have enough for a trip to the US and how that might technically put you over a round limit. I think certain situations like this are very understandable. People know that Ace is very reliable and the reason for any delay. She is on the site often, a regular contributor to the board and keeps the lines of communication open. The spirit of the rule is not meant to limit people like this and I certainly would not hold that against you.

I don't think that the bookkeeping will be that much of a pain to keep track of. The rule will really only affect a small number and I feel confident that I can manage it will a small spreadsheet and the out of play thread. Plus, even it if is a pain, I will take the pain for the betterment of the box! :lol:

I agree!

:hug: chambejd :hug: for taking one for the team! :lol:

Whatever you decide to do I am fine with!

The only concern I have is what Ace had mentioned earlier (about sometimes it taking longer to mail a book, but the receiver of the book already knows that). Because that happens to me sometimes also (my MIL might have the book I offered and she lives in another state..she holds some of my books for me..and reads them..so then my dh really has no clue how many books I actually have! lol). So it might take me a month to actually get it from my MIL. But the receiver WILL eventually get it. I've always been good on my promises, but sometimes a bit slow! lol

To make a long post short, I am sure a simple pm to you chambejd from the book sender and potential receiver explaining the situation would keep people off the spreadsheet right?

Exactly!!

Don't forget to vote if you haven't already!

Hmmm don't know really - I am pretty good at mailing out books but terrible at saying I have in the books out of play thread! But I'd say 5 rounds unless already explained ie in Ace's circs.

Not posting in the books out of play thread would not be held against you. I mostly update the list by clicking through the links anyway. Which I need to go do now anyway. :rolleyes:

This was a very close poll, but the two people that voted for seven or more (and the three no's, I suppose) tipped the results to six rounds. The new no mail/no play rule will be implemented with a six rounds/months shipping time.

As stated in the first post, you must have mailed all books selected through March in order to select books from the October round of the VBB. Everyone will be randomized into the list as normal and I will send out pm's at the beginning of this round reminding you that you will need to mail books before you can select additional books. You will not be pm'ed regarding the issue again. For each subsequent round, I will only pm the new people that are affected.

Since this rule will only work if everyone is honest, please do not mark books as traveling unless you have sent them or notate the day you plan to send them. Marking them a day before is ok but there are some people that mark books as traveling well before they are sent. This is not fair to the other participants in the box.

This change will be updated in the box rules.

Any questions?

Thanks to everyone who voted!

Thanks for asking our opinions! :D