Coupon Trains-Am I doing them wrong/expecting too much

[digi_diva]

I didn't know where to put this, so move it if it needs moved.

I am still fairly new to coupon trains but counting TNT trains, I've probably rode on 6 or 7 trains and have always gotten at least a few things I needed from my WL. Believe me, I'm not expecting to be able to use every coupon I get but with all the trains I've done before, I might get 2 envies and one be straight off my wish list (at least the brands I use) and the other have a few I can use. But this time I got 4 or 5 cpns (probably being generous) that I can use out of 3 envies (2 with 30 plus cpns in them ) I mean these people didn't even glance at my wl.

The problem is that I will spend forever trying to match up what I have to another persons WL and even if it isn't the exact coupon I will try to send a cpn for the brand they need.
I mean one envelopes from yesterday had 3 baby items in it. My WL clearly states right at the top that I have no children so don't send me baby.

Sooo, my question is this: am I doing wrong by spending so much time trying to match a wishlist or are they doing wrong by not even looking at the wl of the person they are sending too? It just seems like you're wasting your money to do trains if you aren't going to get at least some stuff you can actually use in return. So please tell me, am I looking at this wrong?

[chitownmelli]

Did you consider PMing your conductor or a train mod about this?

[CouponQueen83]

No I think you're doing it correctly and maybe others are not. Maybe it was fluke, and those people were having a "blonde moment" kinda day, or maybe they didn't care...but you should definitely contact the conductor and let them know.

I didn't like the unpredictability of trains, so I don't ride them anymore. I like being "the beat" and sending what I'd consider to be a stellar envie. But sadly that's not what I'd get in return. So I gave up. But lots of people love trains...so good for them and I know it's not always the case (bad envies).

[digi_diva]

No, I haven't considered that because I didn't know of they are actually doing anything wrong. 2 of them that I received yesterday is from seasoned people. 1 has 85 fb and the other is over 200, so you'd think they would know how to do it correctly. That's why I wanted to know if I'm doing it wrong, but it just seems like a waste if your going to waste money sending envies to people that is basically all cpns they can't even use. And it's a bit upsetting that I spent so much time trying to match these same people's wishlist, yet they send me stuff I can't use at all? Just wondering if I'm being a baby or if this is a legitimate concern, I guess.

[digi_diva]

CouponQueen
I didn't like the unpredictability of trains, so I don't ride them anymore. I like being "the beat" and sending what I'd consider to be a stellar envie. But sadly that's not what I'd get in return. So I gave up. But lots of people love trains...so good for them and I know it's not always the case (bad envies).

So what do you do now to get the coupons you need?
I honestly loved the trains up till this week? This was the first time I've been able to say that it is blatantly obvious that I'm putting in way more effort at 'trying' to match up what other people need than I'm getting in return. Honestly, I don't want to be a tattletale but this honestly may do it for me wanting to do any more trains. Anyhooo...what do you do now to get the coupons that you need?

[OneHotMomma]

The first train I rode, I got nothing I could use. I sent out two envies and got coupons that were off 4 items or WYB and nothing on 1 or 2 things or things I actually use. I have been on a couple since then, so I'm new to trains, but on those other two I actually got good envies. I think it all depends on who you get matched up with. Usually if it's something I have a big need for, I'll post a IVDSO in the trade forum or there's a couple of people I will PM for inserts.

[chitownmelli]

Oh you absolutely can PM us any time even if you simply have a question about if something is being done correctly or not.

Trains are a little unpredictable, and are pretty much pot luck - some people really like that about them, and some people don't like it as much. Most of our members try really hard to match the wishlists if they can, and what you can do on your end to help with that is to have a very well rounded wishlist that would include a lot of insert q's that you might be interested in, as well as more popular non inserts and then fill it out with the more hard to find q's that you would like. That's just one tip that we give to riders.

There are the times too (not so common really) where someone might get a truly bad envie - like.... mostly dog food and baby q's when their list says they dont need them - expireds, etc. Most of our riders are really great and try to double check the envies, but every once in awhile, these do slip through and you most certainly should contact a conductor or train mod about that. We don't mind, not at all!!!

So, we are here to help and most certainly we want you to PM us with questions, no matter that they are. We can help you learn things and also help resolve any issues that you may have with an envie.

Hope that made sense, the daycare kids are louder than they have been EVER today lol!!! I can barely hear myself think!!! :D

[dominicsmommy]

OK, so i just have had a chance to read through this post....I am one of the train mods and am always only a PM away if any train rider has a problem or question.
That being said trains (or most of them) are potluck. That means you may very well not get an envie full of wish list matches or you might it is up to a bunch of variables. Is you wish list hard to match? Are they all non inserts and Frees (yes I have seen these types of wish lists). Some people just have a harder time matching.
However all coupons in the envie should not be junk, or coupons that are not allowed by train rules. Baby coupons are usually a no no (they are on my trains) and if they are a no no on the train you are riding the right thing to do is to contact the conductor of the train you are riding or me or Melli. This way the problem is solved and it does not happen to another rider down the line if you don't say anything...KWIM.

[motherofmolly]

Did you consider PMing your conductor or a train mod about this?

this is what you need to do if you are not satisfied with an envie in a train.

i did look at your wishlist, and i might be able to find 3 off your list that i would be able to send in a train envie to you. two are ip's. which coming from someone who doesnt get alot of coupons, that is A GOOD THING! i ride trains alot because i find them fun (and it is an envie in the mail i can look forward too)......i will say that i do like when people put a database list out...but also i like the insert listing by date as that makes it easier for me to look. i do this in my list as i know that most have inserts sorted by date.

remember that some database items that people but on their list are either hot or hard to find. and this is not directed at you, but since the thread is here....being in a different state, i personally can not find half the rebates that people are looking for. we dont have those awesome "nbpr" rebates here. trains arent were people are going to send you great winetags or frees in. trains should list out at least some easy to find items.

.

[isis]

Don't get discouraged. I get train envies from time to time that seem like ppl don't even try to match up from your WL. I have received envies with pet coupons, even though my WL says NO Pets. I just pull what I can't use and set it aside for the next train or trade.

But....a majority of train conductors do state up front that all envies are potluck and you may not receive 25 exact matches from your WL. When I fill, I do start with a person's WL, and try for at least 15 from their WL, then 10 is completely random keeping in mind what they can/can't use. I find the longer and more detailed your WL is, its easy to match. If you have a short, specific wL or only want specific coupons (like Wine Tags or hard to find coupons), it makes your envie harder to fill.

I don't rely on trains to get the coupons I need from my WL, that might never happen! If its something I absolutely have to have now, then I post for it in the trading forum.