Pass-around box: gauging interest

[arghblech]

So we could take a Priority mail box and pass it around so folks can sample. Let folks take a bowl or two from as many things as they'd like as long as they add a roughly equivalent number of bowls back in.

Obviously, participants must be of age. Maybe we do a round of CONUS and then repackage for our Great White Northerners?

I'll ante a tin or two to get us started.

Edit: I guess I should have specified that this is only related to pipe tobacco.

[Vlad]

I like it. Could take a while, though, since I would imagine most of us would only be smoking a bowl or two a day (that would be increasing my rate, anyway). Tins would take up a lot of space, so maybe ziplock bags? But then they might lose some flavor?

[Commander Quan]

We probably should run this by a Mod first.

Probably this best way for this to work is to put 1/4 oz or so of each blend in a Ziploc, and as long as people only hold the box for a day or 2 there shouldn't be an issue with the tobacco drying out over a couple weeks.

It should start with a mix of Aormatics, Englishes, and Others (Virgina's VaPers Burlys) and then you take out a couple baggies and replace them with tobacco of the same type.

[Jim]

We have spoken about this before. One concern was keeping the contents fresh for its journey. Another option discussed was a split where x amount of members split x amount of product and its shipped once directly to each member.

[joshmpdx]

Im game for what the pro's here decide, as well as available to help coordinate.

[arghblech]

We probably should run this by a Mod first.

I figured that there was no point it going to a mod if nobody cared to participate :tongue_sm


One concern was keeping the contents fresh for its journey.

I was considering looking for some small gas-tight (or at least sealable) containers. Don't want glass but maybe something like Pease's 2oz tins. I took his suggestion from his blog: I put a layer of foil under the plastic lid and it seems to be working well.


Another option discussed was a split where x amount of members split x amount of product and its shipped once directly to each member.

I would be up for a split. Maybe something like a full/partial run of the newly available Dunhills? Then again, I'd still be in for a pass-around.

[jwhite]

I wouldn't mind participating. Splitting can be fun too kind of like tobacco decants :w00t:. I'd be more interested in a box pass right now though it's a great way to sample items you might otherwise never get around to. As far as humidification is concerned, why not just use regular zip locks for the tobacco and put all of those in a larger gallon Ziploc with a crystal pack (http://www.tampahumidor.com/sd4/product/large-crystal-pack-3411.cfm) or other refillable cheep humidification devise..

[Jim]

When the box pass was first discussed, how long a member had the box came up, if the process is to just take samples and send it on its way? Or the member is going to hold the box while he tries items, a week may be the minimum and as the fragrance train has shown, its more likely to be much longer at some stops.

[jwhite]

When the box pass was first discussed, how long a member had the box came up, if the process is to just take samples and send it on its way? Or the member is going to hold the box while he tries items, a week may be the minimum and as the fragrance train has shown, its more likely to be much longer at some stops.

I think this is a particularly good point, some ground rules may be in order to prevent hurt feelings or accusations of hoarding, I favor holding the box for a week or two to allow participants a chance to try things out without feeling pressured to make hasty choices, it would be good if there was an understanding before signing up. It also might be good to have a pass thread if we start this thing where people can discuss new blends they've tried and when the box is passed to the next participant. Assuming the mods don't have a problem, of course.

[msandoval858]

If there are no objections to this pass taking place, I'm game.

Might give me a good a reason to break open some of these sealed tins I've been hording away for a few years :001_rolle

[Blue_2]

I like the idea either way, split or pass. Sounds like fun.

What kind of spilt would we have? A 'Group Buy' or more like 'Buy a pound and send everyone a sample'.

[Jim]

I think this is a particularly good point, some ground rules may be in order to prevent hurt feelings or accusations of hoarding, I favor holding the box for a week or two to allow participants a chance to try things out without feeling pressured to make hasty choices, it would be good if there was an understanding before signing up. It also might be good to have a pass thread if we start this thing where people can discuss new blends they've tried and when the box is passed to the next participant. Assuming the mods don't have a problem, of course.

If we allow 2 weeks per stop plus shipping time, 10 men would be half a year in transit. From a standpoint of a shared group experience, the split would be more inclusive.

[Commander Quan]

It would be much faster if each person would take what they want, add to the box, and pass it on.

If the pass starts with 12-16 sample sized amounts (some duplicates are ok) in ziploc bags (enough for 3-5 bowls of each) the first person to gets the box can take out (for example) up to 4 sample bags replace them with the same number for sample bags of their own tobacco and get it out to the next person on the list, and it should be back in the mail in a couple days. Each person who gets the box will have a slightly different selection to choose from, and the person who started the pass will get the box back with completely different tobaccos.

If we want we can also do a lottery at the end. If each person adds 1 extra sample to the box when they receive it. If we have 12 people in the pass, there will be 12 extra samples in the box at the end. Each person will be assigned numbers that correspond to the Powerball drawing that follows the completion of the pass, and the person with the winning power ball number gets the 12 extra samples. This will involve the originator mailing out the last 12 samples at the end of the pass.

The box should be mailed with delivery confirmation, and each person would record what they take out and put back into the box, in the box pass thread, so everyone else can monitor the progression of the box.

[jwhite]

If we allow 2 weeks per stop plus shipping time, 10 men would be half a year in transit. From a standpoint of a shared group experience, the split would be more inclusive.


It would be much faster if each person would take what they want, add to the box, and pass it on.

If the pass starts with 12-16 sample sized amounts (some duplicates are ok) in ziploc bags (enough for 3-5 bowls of each) the first person to gets the box can take out (for example) up to 4 sample bags replace them with the same number for sample bags of their own tobacco and get it out to the next person on the list, and it should be back in the mail in a couple days. Each person who gets the box will have a slightly different selection to choose from, and the person who started the pass will get the box back with completely different tobaccos.

If we want we can also do a lottery at the end. If each person adds 1 extra sample to the box when they receive it. If we have 12 people in the pass, there will be 12 extra samples in the box at the end. Each person will be assigned numbers that correspond to the Powerball drawing that follows the completion of the pass, and the person with the winning power ball number gets the 12 extra samples. This will involve the originator mailing out the last 12 samples at the end of the pass.

The box should be mailed with delivery confirmation, and each person would record what they take out and put back into the box, in the box pass thread, so everyone else can monitor the progression of the box.

I can see the advantage of a more rapid turnaround, and I'm open to whatever seems the most convenient. If people want to do a split, I think that's great but I wont be able to participate in the immediate future. I always spend myself flat around the holidays so I won't be buying any new luxuries for a little while. Sharing what I already have layed up, I can always do.:wink2:

[arghblech]

**The things below are are lessons learned from being involved in the tea pass boxes and the frag train. They are my suggested rules but they reflect only my opinion.**

1) I would hope that we could have member take a bowl or two of the items that interest them and get the box moving again ASAP. Delivery conf required.
2) I would recommend try to plot a semi-optimal path across the US so that we don't end up needlessly crisscrossing the country.
3) Folks involved should provide detailed contact info so that whomever is in charge can contact them should the box stall out or go missing.
4) All items are labeled with the username of the person who put it in.
5) You should post in the PotD thread that you smoking something you got from the box.

I'd rather not break up the box after it makes a loop. There should be enough turnover that it can make a new lap or go up north.

[Hank]

It would be nice if it could make another lap so the people that started the pass could get in on the samples that were put into the box at the middle to end of the pass. I'm game in this adventure.

A thought....what if we sent a tin to who is in charge of the pass and they sent a bowl or three out to all of us maybe throw in money to cover postage for sending it out?

[jwhite]

In a box pass I was involved in with a group of friends it was common to put in more than you took so that the box grew as it went and could go around several times but there were just a few friends involved with that.

[arghblech]

Same thing with the tea pass. We had to embiggen the box. Then we sent it through a few tea newbies with no restrictions on what they could take out. It was still too full afterward. :lol:

[Argonaut]

I think it's a nice idea in theory, but no offense, I'm not sure I'd smoke anything from a ziplock bag from people I don't know on an extremely personal level. Maybe I'm just not that trusting of a person, I'm sure everyone here is a fine gentleman. It's just that loose tobacco with heavy casings or strong latakia contents could hide some nefarious products. Just my .02 cents. Sorry to be a killjoy:blush:

[invizable]

Whatever is decided - Split or Pass - I'm interested.
BTW, personally I love the idea of adding more than I take so that a newb can get a good start.

[Psicko]

I'd like to be in for this. I think the split idea would be best. One person acts as the distributor. A list is posted of who will be donating which tobacco. Said tobacco is split evenly amongst everyone in the group and shipped out. I personally think that is the best way. Also if certain people don't like certain baccy, they can opt not to take that baccy. That would be the best for freshness, and to make sure everyone got some.

I'd do the box pass as well.