FAQ Conductors info in post #1. Rider info in post #2 and privacy info in post #3 Please read before riding or conducting

[chitownmelli]

So, you are thinking about running a train.

Having new conductors and having conductors that regularly run trains is what makes the HCW train forum the best place to ride!!!

We do ask a few things to make it the best possible experience for all.

What is required to run a train at HCW?

You do need to be a member of the trader user group. info HERE, to ride on or run a train.

Your feedback rating needs to be at least 30 unique positives with no negatives. Also, you have ridden on at least one train here at HCW before running your own. As always it is at mod discretion to approve a conductor or train.

We also ask that you can commit to taking care of this train from the sign ups straight through to the final envelope being received. The mods (chitownmelli and dominicsmommy) are here to help, but all issues go to you first. If you cannot be an active conductor please do not start a train.

Effective 8/6/2008, new conductors must fill out this application before submitting a new train. Once you are approved, you will post your train thread in the Coupon Trains forum. You will only have to do this once unless you have been inactive in the forum for six months or more.

Why run a train vs. just riding one?

Because HCW's train forum is so busy, you can't always catch a ride when you are ready to join in. By starting your own train you can choose the style, duration, mailing date(s), riders and what to and not to include.

Trains are fun! Can I run several at once?

If you have never run a train before. Please just start with one. I know it's hard to say no to riders, but it can be overwhelming. We want each train to be the best it can be! Once you have run a few, feel free to conduct more than one. You will only be allowed to run trains of 20 passengers or less your first few times. We actually recommend starting out smaller, with a train of about 10 your first time conducting. You will see why once you conduct a few!

We also will restrict you to trains of 4 weeks or less your first few times out of the gate as a new conductor.


Are there other rules to follow when running a train?

Be sure to review all of the rules HERE . As the conductor, you are in charge of this train and will be answering questions and making sure it stays on track.

PLEASE make sure all of your riders are member of the trader user group. They will have a trader "bubble" under their name. If they are not a member of the trader user group, let them know that they need to sign up and be approved before joining a train. They also need to have an Itrader rating of 5 or more with no negatives. Traders in Training are ineligible to ride trains.

Riders are limited to 5 (trail run) rides at a time. This includes conducting. Your train mod will be checking that all riders and conductors are eligible and will notify you if you have a rider that is ineligible for your train.

Please make sure to post your train specifics, rider list and any matchups / riding order in the thread. It is ok to communicate with your riders via PM or email BUT the lists and details of your train must all be posted in the event that you are offline for any quantity of time and the mod needs to step in.


What needs to be included in my train thread before accepting riders?

When you are looking for riders here's what you need.

Please post the type of train (see trains FAQ's BELOW post #2), rules for train, # of coupons to include, coupons to include and exclude in every train so your riders have this for reference and mailing dates.
How many weeks is it running, etc.

Many conductors also let riders know that leaving feedback after receiving their envie(s) is a great idea. Please keep in mind that some riders do not/will not leave feedback. Here at HCW we do not require traders or train riders to leave feedback.

Its a good idea to list what expiration dates are acceptable. If it takes 3-4 days to mail then the minimum you want to allow for exp dates is 2 weeks. That gives the receiver just over a week to use.

If you are unsure if an item is ok to include on a train, see the forum rules HERE

Consider the who, what, when and how often when you are writing up your train details.

Once I post my train thread am I all set?

New trains must be approved before going live on HCW. First your train will go into moderation to allow the mods to make sure all rules have been followed, you are eligible to conduct and your train guidelines are clear. If for any reason, the mods feel you are not ready to conduct a train, your post will not be approved. If there is any conflicting or unclear information, either Chitownmelli or Dominicsmommy will PM you. Otherwise, most trains will be approved within 24 hours though usually much less.

If all HCW train rules and guidelines are followed, you will have a train full of riders in no time!


Other Misc Tips:

Please ask your riders to post when they mail an envelope and to post when they receive an envelope. This helps you keep track of your train and also the mods should we need to help out. It is also good to have riders write the train name on the envelope. Some people are on multiple trains and need to know where their envelope full of coupons came from.

As soon as you see someone is not posting to the thread in a timely manner, PM them. If they are not responding, please PM your train mods.

Since we try to keep the forums neat and tidy, once the ride is over and everyone has received all of their envelopes, It is appreciated if you change the title of your post to "ride over, delete" and the forum mod will move your post.
What should I do if I have a question, problem rider, derailed train?

If you have a general getting started type question, you can PM the train mods, Chitownmelli and Dominicsmommy. Please copy both as we are not always on at the same time of day.

If you have an issue with a rider, PM your mods Chitownmelli and Dominicsmommy. If they do not get back to you in a timely manner, feel free to PM bugface711 who is the trades mod.

Please remember that we want trains to be a FUN experience for both the riders and the conductors. Help out your riders in any way possible, and know that the mods are here to help and support you as well.

Above all else, Thank you and have fun!!! Happy train conducting! Choo Choo!

This info has been compiled exclusively for use at HotCouponWorld. Permission to repost in any part or in its entirety is denied!

Thanks to Bugface711, Chitownmelli, Tacaton, and Dominicsmommy for working together to post all this info, and to make the train forum here at HCW a great place to ride!

[chitownmelli]

Coupon Train FAQ’s

What is a coupon train?

A train consists of a group (generally between 4 and 10 members) who share coupons with each other via a train of envelopes filled with coupons. There are quite a few variations to this to make it fun!

Do all trains operate the same way?

The idea behind all trains is the same but there are several types.

The basic train has only 1 envelope, making its rounds. The member coordinating the train (a.k.a. conductor) starts out the train, with a pre-determined amount of coupons, sending it to rider A. Rider A takes out what they can use and refills it back up to xx amount of coupons, and then sends it on to rider B. It continues in this way until the last rider on the list mails it back to the conductor. At that point, either the train ride ends or the conductor can see if there is enough interest to go for Round 2.

A standard round robin style train is where the conductor picks a number of riders, 4 or 5 works best as this train runs for as many weeks as there are riders. Each member is assigned another member to mail to for the duration of the train. On week one, you fill a full envelope with the set amount of coupons following expiration date rules and what not to include guidelines. This envelope is mailed to the person you are assigned to.

When you get your week 1 envie, you take out what you can use, anything that will be out of the expiration guidelines by the time it arrives to the next rider, add in more coupons to get it back up to the set number and mail #2 off to the rider you are assigned to mail to. Reapeat for as many weeks as there is riders.

On the final week, you are getting back your "original" envie that has visited every other rider on the train.

A simple style train is a one time only mailing train of multiple envelopes. The conductor picks a number of riders. 4-5 works best since each rider has to mail to all members at the sime time. The conductor also picks a number of coupons to be included in each envelope. On the assigned date, you fill the envelopes for each of your co-riders. Be sure to follow the conductors guidelines. They all get mailed on the same day. So, on a 5 person train, you will be mailing out 4 envelopes to the 4 other riders and receiving 4 envelopes from the 4 other riders.

Make sure the train you sign up for is a style and time frame you can commit to. There is always a new train starting. It may be tempting to jump on the first one with an open spot, make sure you can follow the conductors guidelines. Failure to send envelopes out on a train will be considered as a bad trade.


Can I include any coupons?

This depends on the train and how the conductor has set the rules, however, some options are as follows:
a. Anything goes, no specific categories are excluded. often called potluck.
b. Food Only or any other category can be chosen
c. No Pets and/or Baby or any other category can be excluded
d. Non-insert coupons only. (any coupon not found in the Sunday inserts can be included)

There can be a limit of how many of the same coupon, to prevent having multiples of the same coupon in the envelope. There can also be encouragement to add in multiples if you have an exact coupon match from a wishlist. Each conductor will specify how they want the envelopes to be. Be sure to check your train guidelines.

*Please note that although trains are a great way to swap out coupons you may not be able to use for ones that you can use, they are NOT intended to be a way to get rid of those coupons that are considered ‘junk’ by the majority of couponers. Please be considerate to the other riders by including coupons that others will want to receive. In other words, unless someone is specifically asking for joint supplement coupons or something similar, chances are no one will want these and they will take up valuable space in the envelope for the duration of the train. That space would be better being taken up by a more desirable coupon. It is not fun to be on a train and receive an envelope full of worthless coupons that nobody wants to take out!

What if there are expired coupons or soon-to-be expiring coupons in the envelope?

This again is determined by the conductor. In a basic or round robin, some may ask that coupons be taken out once they have expired, while others may ask that coupons be taken out 10 days (or any # of days/weeks) prior to their expiration date. If you pull out the expireds when you have the envelope in your possession, it is up to you to replace them with longer-dated coupons. In a simple style, most will specify no expireds are to be sent.


Is it necessary to have a wishlist to be on a train?

See the train guidelines. Not all trains require this but many do.

The longer and more varied you wishlist is, the more likely you are to get coupons you need. Having a wishlist does not guarantee that you will be getting all coupons you can use, it is just a guideline for making envelope filling easier.

If you are hesitant to make a wishlist because you only want to ride trains and not trade, put right on your wishlist that this is for trains only. Or you can have a section that is for things that are great to include on trains, that you are not actively trading for. Also, if you only want certain values for a particular item like $1/1, say that. Just remember, the more limited your wishlist, the harder it is for others to fill.

When do I mail?

The mailing schedule is one of the most important things as the train needs to be mailed out in a timely manner. Generally within 1 or 2 days of receiving it for the basic and standard round robin, to ensure a quick and successful round. An envelope sitting around means more coupons in the envelope will have a shorter exp. date and less time to be used.
With the simple style trains and other trains with variations on the mailing style, mailing on the set mail date is key. If there is a problem, then communication becomes the key. If you mailed day late, let your conductor or fellow riders know. Mailing late consistenly can cause you to be removed from trains.

Do I have to post in the train thread?

Each train has its own thread in the Hop On Board Forum.


Most conductors require you to post when you mail envelopes and when you receive envelopes. This helps the conductor keep track of where the train is at. Not posting consistently can cause you to be removed from trains for a period.

How do I sign up for a train?

The conductor of the train will put a message in the Hop On Board Forum that they are looking for riders for their train. Read all the rules carefully. Reply to the message and send a pm to the conductor. You must post in the thread to be able to ride:)

Remember, you must be a member of the Trader User Group and have an Itrader rating of 5 unique feedbacks with no negatives to ride a train. You must have a rating of 30 unique feedbacks or higher with no negatives to conduct. Traders in training are ineligble to ride trains.

We also strongly suggest that you ride only 1 or 2 trains at a time until you have ridden quite a few. Trains are so much fun that it is tempting to hop on board every new train that starts.

Because this can be very overwhleming and requires lots of coupons and to let everyone have a chance to ride, we do limit you to 3 train rides at a time. Your ride on a train is considered over when all of your envelopes can be confirmed as received. The train mods will pull you off a train if you try to join a 4th without approval.


Can I start a train of my own?

Absolutely! However, there are a few guidelines to follow. We do require that you have ridden at least 1 or 2 trains prior to starting your own, and that you have at least 30 positive unique feedbacks and zero negatives.

There are other requirements before you run one of your own, please read the CONDUCTOR FAQ'S found HERE.

What else do I need to know?

HCW's Rules for the train forum can be found HERE. Please read them before signing up to ride or run a train.

Trains are super fun to ride. However, sometimes a speed bump does happen. If you are experiencing a problem with a train, please contact your conductor to give him/her time to resolve the issue. If the issue is still not resolved contact both of the train forum mods. Chitownmelli & Dominicsmommy both moderate this forum and are always here to help and answer questions.

We suggest that if you have an issue that you copy both of us in your pm so that it may be handled quicker. If you do not get a timely response, please feel free to PM Bugface711 or Tacatcon who oversee all the Trading Forums.

This info has been compiled exclusively for use at HotCouponWorld. Permission to repost in any part or in its entirety is denied!

Thanks to SBP, Bugface711 Chitownmelli, Tacaton, and Dominicsmommy for working together to post all this info, and to make the train forum here at HCW a great place to ride! Choo-Choo!!

[chitownmelli]

Hi everyone!
Just a friendly reminder from your usually friendly train forum mods here:

Please remember other rider's privacy while riding trains. While you might know their addy and full name, it was sent to you privately and should be kept that way please.

When posting on the open board, we should avoid using people's full, or last names, street and city names, license plate numbers (why you would have that, I don't know!) , and other information that would easily identify them to someone who has not been given permission to know their information.

What you share about yourself on the open board is your business, but please use caution when doing so, and remember to respect the privacy of your fellow train riders.

Now, if you don't mind, this soapbox is entirely too flimsy for me to keep standing on it, so that is all :)

Happy Choo Choo

Melli and Kristy