rbstern
10-24-2008, 10:59 PM
"Pass the Mold"
I don't know if this concept has been suggested before, or if there is an informal version of it in play already. If so, pardon the redundancy.
I have a couple of molds that I wouldn't mind sharing with others who might like to try them, whether just to sample the mold, or to use to make a pile of bullets over a few days. The molds could be passed along from the first borrower to another person who might like to do the same, and so on.
I've seen this done with other items. One knife forum I am familiar with to does this with knives, so members can "try before buying." Obviously, this takes cooperation, communication, and trust. The members of this web site are made up of a group of incredibly trustworthy folks, in my experience.
With USPS priority mail envelopes (free), some bubble wrap (nearly free) or old newspaper (free), a mold can be shipped with confirmed delivery to nearly any U.S. address for less than $6, in a matter of days. You don't even need to go to the post office. USPS will deliver priority mail shipping supplies for free, and pick up your package for free. A computer, a printer and a credit card are all that's needed.
I'd like to suggest we try a "pass the mold" concept. I've outlined a rough draft of rules below. If members are interested, I'd ask the publishers of Cast Boolits to create a "Pass the Mold" sub-category under Swappin and Sellin, if they are willing and able to do so, with a sticky of whatever rules we agree to.
Suggested rules for "Pass the Mold":
1. If you have a mold you are willing to pass along, start a thread with the manufacturer, mold number and description in the title. Post any important details about the mold or it's availability in the thread, e.g., "No handles included", "Needs to be broken in", "available first week in December", etc.
2. If you are interested in borrowing a mold, respond to the thread for that mold. Include your name and address.
3. The mold will go to each person in the thread in the order requested.
4. The mold can stay with each recipient for up to 14 days if there are others in line for it.
5. The current holder of a mold is responsible for shipping it to the next person via USPS Priority Mail flat rate, with delivery confirmation (UPS, DHL, and Fedex are ok, too, if those happen to work better/cheaper for the sender). U.S. addresses only.
6. The responsibility to ship out the mold to the next borrower is to be viewed as no less weighty than if you had sold the mold and been paid for it. You are on the hook to ship it, and will get "dead beat" feedback for not doing your part. Deadbeats will be excluded from participating in future pass alongs.
7. If you have the mold, and no one is waiting in line after you, you may hold the mold indefinitely, until either: a) another person posts a request for it, or b) the original owner calls for it to be returned.
8. The current holder of the mold is responsible for any damage or loss while the mold is in their possession. If you lose it or break it, you should reimburse the original owner for the replacement cost. Don't expect others to pay for your mistakes. Don't borrow things you don't want to be responsible for. If a mold is damaged due to manufacturer's defect, communicate with owner and figure out appropriate manufacturer return procedure.
9. The original owner of the mold can call for the return of a mold at any time, even if there are still people waiting for it. The current holder of the mold must ship the mold back within 14 days of having received it, as if the owner was the next person in line. The thread should be updated to indicate the mold is no longer available.
10. The owner of the mold bears responsibility for loss in transit, so long as the shipper has shipping receipt and delivery confirmation info that shows it was never delivered. If you can't live without your mold, don't lend it out. There is risk involved.
11. The publishers of Castboolits have no responsibility in this matter. Members are expected to "self police," just as in Swappin and Sellin transactions.
Good idea? Bad idea? Comments? Questions?
I don't know if this concept has been suggested before, or if there is an informal version of it in play already. If so, pardon the redundancy.
I have a couple of molds that I wouldn't mind sharing with others who might like to try them, whether just to sample the mold, or to use to make a pile of bullets over a few days. The molds could be passed along from the first borrower to another person who might like to do the same, and so on.
I've seen this done with other items. One knife forum I am familiar with to does this with knives, so members can "try before buying." Obviously, this takes cooperation, communication, and trust. The members of this web site are made up of a group of incredibly trustworthy folks, in my experience.
With USPS priority mail envelopes (free), some bubble wrap (nearly free) or old newspaper (free), a mold can be shipped with confirmed delivery to nearly any U.S. address for less than $6, in a matter of days. You don't even need to go to the post office. USPS will deliver priority mail shipping supplies for free, and pick up your package for free. A computer, a printer and a credit card are all that's needed.
I'd like to suggest we try a "pass the mold" concept. I've outlined a rough draft of rules below. If members are interested, I'd ask the publishers of Cast Boolits to create a "Pass the Mold" sub-category under Swappin and Sellin, if they are willing and able to do so, with a sticky of whatever rules we agree to.
Suggested rules for "Pass the Mold":
1. If you have a mold you are willing to pass along, start a thread with the manufacturer, mold number and description in the title. Post any important details about the mold or it's availability in the thread, e.g., "No handles included", "Needs to be broken in", "available first week in December", etc.
2. If you are interested in borrowing a mold, respond to the thread for that mold. Include your name and address.
3. The mold will go to each person in the thread in the order requested.
4. The mold can stay with each recipient for up to 14 days if there are others in line for it.
5. The current holder of a mold is responsible for shipping it to the next person via USPS Priority Mail flat rate, with delivery confirmation (UPS, DHL, and Fedex are ok, too, if those happen to work better/cheaper for the sender). U.S. addresses only.
6. The responsibility to ship out the mold to the next borrower is to be viewed as no less weighty than if you had sold the mold and been paid for it. You are on the hook to ship it, and will get "dead beat" feedback for not doing your part. Deadbeats will be excluded from participating in future pass alongs.
7. If you have the mold, and no one is waiting in line after you, you may hold the mold indefinitely, until either: a) another person posts a request for it, or b) the original owner calls for it to be returned.
8. The current holder of the mold is responsible for any damage or loss while the mold is in their possession. If you lose it or break it, you should reimburse the original owner for the replacement cost. Don't expect others to pay for your mistakes. Don't borrow things you don't want to be responsible for. If a mold is damaged due to manufacturer's defect, communicate with owner and figure out appropriate manufacturer return procedure.
9. The original owner of the mold can call for the return of a mold at any time, even if there are still people waiting for it. The current holder of the mold must ship the mold back within 14 days of having received it, as if the owner was the next person in line. The thread should be updated to indicate the mold is no longer available.
10. The owner of the mold bears responsibility for loss in transit, so long as the shipper has shipping receipt and delivery confirmation info that shows it was never delivered. If you can't live without your mold, don't lend it out. There is risk involved.
11. The publishers of Castboolits have no responsibility in this matter. Members are expected to "self police," just as in Swappin and Sellin transactions.
Good idea? Bad idea? Comments? Questions?