RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) FAQs

[sbp]

RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) FAQs


What is a RAOK?

A random act of kindness. A member does a RAOK by giving away something free of charge and obligation to another member. It is generally coupons (since HCW is a couponing forum) but it can be other items as well.


How do I give away a RAOK?

There are several options!

1. A RAOK can be sent to someone that you’ve traded
with previously. If you still have their mailing address,
just drop it in the mail to them.

2. You can start a new post in this forum stating what you have to offer.

a. First reply or pm takes it.*

b. Have everyone sign in and you pick a random winner.*
(Please be sure to specify when you will be picking
a winner).

c. Post your question(s) and wait for the correct answer.
(Be sure to state any rules such as number of guesses
per person, if exact answer is necessary or if closest
guess will win, etc.)*

*Please note that is a common courtesy to pm the winner to let them know that they won and that you need their mailing information in order to get their prize out to them, instead of just posting the winner's name in your message and hoping that they will see that they are the winner and contacting you. It is very possible that the winner missed seing that the contest is over and therefore missed seeing that they are the winner!

Can I ask for something in return for sending an RAOK?

No, a RAOK sender should have no expectations or conditions of receiving anything in return. *If you are looking to receive compensation for postage, please post your message in Trades Current Coupons and Offers. noting in your post that you’re looking for postage only!

Can I make a post asking for a random act of kindness to be sent to me?

No, the forum is for members who wish to post what they have to offer in the forum. If you would like to be the recipient of a raok, you can reply to the posts offering raok's.



What things can I offer as a RAOK?

Coupons, rebate forms, UPC codes, promotional codes, samples, trade slips, printed address labels, boxtops4education, etc.


Can I offer expireds or soon-to-be-expiring coupons as a RAOK?

Expireds are fine, as long as it is clearly specified that they are expired. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to use expireds.

Soon-to-be expiring coupons are fine too; just remember to mail them as soon as possible and to allow enough mailing time for the recipient to use them before they expire. Sending them with a delay may result in them expiring prior to being received and becoming a waste of time and postage.


Do I need to include anything else when I mail out a RAOK?

Just one additional item needs to be included! As in any trade, it’s important to have your member ID and HotCouponWorld somewhere in or on your envelope, so that the recipient will know who and where it is coming from.


Is there anything else I should know about offering or sending RAOKs?

Be Courteous! If you have offered a RAOK, please follow through and mail it out in a timely manner. If there is going to be a delay, please PM the recipient to let them know.

If you are having a contest, please remember that people may have spent time doing research for the answers. Remember offering a RAOK is an option for you, but once you offer it, mailing it to the winner is a requirement!!!


I just received a RAOK, what should I do now?

Simply send the sender a thank you via pm and/or leave feedback on their trader rating.


You are under no obligation for receiving it, but if you’d like to, you can ‘pass on the RAOK’ and send a return RAOK back to the sender, send one to one of your favorite traders, or post your own offering in the RAOK forum.

• Remember good Coupon Karma: What Goes Around, Comes Around!!!

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

[sbp]

:Wave:

[Brea]

I have a question about an RAOK. I was "paying it forward" in Can You Print These For Me Raok so I printed coupons, posted on the thread and PMed the person (12/20/07). But I think that person hasent been on HCW since about Nov. 2007. I just asumed that whoever posted in that thread really needed them and would check to see if anyone printed and get back to me so I could send them. Anyway, what I was wondering is, I have an envelope of printed coupons that I was going to send to her, I held onto them so now they are going to expire Jan. 19th. I would really like to send them. Can some one else have them? I don't want to waste them. I'm not sure when that person will be on again. Is this o.k.? If that person should come back on I won't be able to offer those coupons, because I printed my limit. What should I do? please help.

[love2cook]

In my opinion - if you tried contacting her (via pm or email) and she has not responded in a reasonable amount of time - then it's her loss.

Give them to someone else that can use them!

Just my opinion!

I would post a RAOK for them for someone else! Don't let them expire, you tried!

[Brea]

Thanks you guys :) I will do that.

[MrsPinecone]

Just a little reminder that RAOKs are supposed to be given without strings or expectations of anything in return.

There is to be no hinting that postage or some little "thank you" is appreciated, or anything of the sort.

If you expect ANYTHING in return, that is a trade, and the offer should be posted in that forum.

From the OP:

Can I ask for something in return for sending an RAOK?

No, a RAOK sender should have no expectations or conditions of receiving anything in return.

*If you are looking to receive compensation for postage, please post your message in Trades Current Coupons and Offers. noting in your post that you’re looking for postage only!