I hate when they say send extras but I do join some because I really like the swap. I only send extras if I have something my partner would really love or the extras from a themed ATC or rolo swap.

I hear you craftaddict... I am not saying that sending extras is bad, but it should not be hinted at to give extras in order to get a heart.

I have given hearts for really nice work or for a swap that blew me away & no extras were sent. I have not given hearts just because they threw something extra in that I can't use.

I agree with both of you. I don't like it when it is written to get hearts - send extras. I only join swaps because I am interested in them. That statement has turned me away a couple times.

I give hearts for really nice work or stuff that really makes me happy even if there are no extras...or for nice packaging or nice note enclosed

Ditto to all of the above ...

It sounds like a lot of us are on the same page. You don't need to send extras to get a heart, you get a heart for excellent work. I have seen where coordinators have removed their "heart qualifications" when asked.

I seem to flip flop on sending extras. Sometimes I do, sometimes I just want to get the swap mailed.

I don't "aim for hearts." I don't like when swap coordinators put a bit about how to get hearts in the swap description. It annoys me to no end. However, I've gotten a lot of hearts. I don't know why since I don't think I send extra special swaps, but for whatever reason, my recipients like what I've sent and reward me. It is really cool when that happens. I think that is what hearts are intended to do...reward when reward is not expected :-)

I pretty much agree with all of the above, but mwquilt has summed up the heart of hearts, for me.

I will not join swaps that list "aim for hearts" or "send xyz to get a heart". They should be given freely at the descretion of the swap partner, not because they were told to do so.

I always try to put together thoughtful packages based on my partner's likes. I do add in extras if it is appropriate. I tend to "build" my packages from the day I join. For example, I am hosting a teacup swap and have been purchasing items that tie in with the theme of the swap, but are over and above the basics. If I get a heart...great, if not...I will still have the satisfactionn of knowing I sent a well planned out, thoughtful package.

It seems more and more profiles that I read say "I will always give a heart for extras"
That to me is asking for a bribe !!

Yeah, I've read that too.

I can imagine that it's a pleasant surprise to see a little extra something here and there, but it shouldn't be a requirement.

Besides, if hearts are only given if "extras" are sent, then it devalues the original swap item. What about the work that the swap sender may have put into making it? I'd think it takes away from that, and that's sad.

I tend to avoid swaps that tell you what to do for a heart. I get a bit annoyed with swap hosts that do that because I think it confuses newbies. I've had quite a few people expect hearts from me (and ask for them) and at first I thought they were just rude, but then I re-read the swap details and realize the host mislead them.

In the FAQ section of swapbot there is a description of what the heart system is about, and I believe that it states that a heart is to be given when the recipient feels that the swap that they have received has gone above and beyond the criteria outlined in the swap description. I think it also cautions not to give them out willy nilly. The description "above and beyond" is certainly up to the interpretation of the individual, and it is soley the responsibilty of the person receiving the swap to make that call. I would not let the additional comments about suggestions for what deserves a heart stop me from entering a swap. And I don't thinks those who include such statements mean to impose their rating scheme on participants, nor do I think they have the right. I think it's just been done often enough that others are following suit. I have had to really think, at times, about if a swap should get a heart or not. I don't like to take peoples artistic or crafting abilities into too much consideration, as I cannot tell when looking at a project if someone has really put much effort into it or if that is just reflective of their crafting abilities. On the other side of the coin just because a crafted item may not meet your standard of quality, it doesn't necessarily mean that the sender didn't try their best. If someone has taken the time to look through a profile and selected their project based on profile 'likes' is that above and beyond, or is that just good swapping behaviour? As the heart system description in the FAQ section states....it's all up to you.

i don't mind the ones that say 'aim for hearts' as long as the words send(insert item/extras here) don't appear, because aim for hearts could basically mean send what you'd like to receive. but if it sends send such and such a thing for hearts, or send extras for hearts... plthhhhh! even though i'm generous with hearts (occasionally too generous. 1 instance in particular, but anyway), i don't want to be told when to give them. that's not what they're for.

I, like many of you, dislike when a coordinator says "if extras are included, be sure to give a heart" or "for a guaranteed heart ...". I do tend to avoid those swaps.

Like VJP (and others), I am working on a swap from the time I sign up in one way or another. Sometimes I have extras that I know will be perfect. Sometimes I don't. I do my best to make sure every swap is well done.

Hearts, like stars, make me smile when I receive them and give them. I've given hearts for a swap that was well done and showed great effort. Extras are nice, but not the make or break for a heart.

I have been thinking of putting on my profile that when deciding whether to give a heart I won't take extras into account (neither way - I'd still give a heart if I got a wonderful swap item with extremely disappointing extras that spoil most of the impression)... but I don't know how to put it politely. :)

Pahasiga~ hmmm...I have actually received a swap (or two) that the swap item was ok...it met swap requirements...barely, but the thought put into the extras was so sweet that I gave a heart. I think sometimes people (like me) sign up for a swap that is a new craft for them and find that they are just okay at it..or struggle. So to compensate they take the time to make or purchase something for their partner to make up for it. I have had this happen. So, I am fine with extras...so long as it is not mandatory that I give a heart.

Aww I always assumed that "aim for hearts" meant "complete to the best of your ability" but I think thats purely because I was also under the understanding that hearts should be given for time and effort. I.E - If you have put a little bit of your heart into my swap then you can have a little peice of mine back. I would rather have the swap itself have more put into it that a mediocre one that someone is trying to "bring up to standard" by including an extra.

Don't get me wrong - I have had some absolute winners of extras, all of them must've been people thinking that I, in particular, would like that item. I often send bits if they are either related to the swap or if that person would like them, For this same reason I am part of the Wishlist group :-)

Personally, I will often give hearts for something as simple as good communication :-)

For me, "aim for hearts" and "send an extra sticker for heart" are not the same at all. :)

I don't think I have got (many) swaps where extras would have been better than swap item. I mean, I'm usually rather satisfied with the swap item itself. :) Once, though, I remember being totally disappointed in a handmade swap that looks like thrown together in half a minute. I must say, I was soooo disappointed that I hardly noticed there were extras. I suppose they were better than the swap item, but as I said, I barely noticed them in my disappointment.

I am cutting back of swapping, because (will you believe it?) I don't have enough room for stuff anymore. So, extras mean there's more stuff to find place for. :D Another thing is that letters are delivered to me, but parcels not, unless I specially request it and pay $6 per parcel (and small bubble envelopes, if they need custom declaration, are parcels). So, if someone decides that instead of sending an ATC in plain envelope she'll send me this ATC along with a lamp as an extra (for example), for me it means that instead of getting my ATC in my mailbox I get a slip in my mail box, fill it, take my passport and residence permit, go to PO, stand in queue, get my package, come to home, and discover that I had to go through all this trouble because some extra I totally don't need. But I am trying not to let such things to keep me from giving hearts if that ATC really deserves it. :)

And I have never taken part in wishlist games or YGM or WTA because I want to be in control of the flow into my mailbox (read as: I'd get freaked out if I got so much mail).

pahasiga, I think it might be better to say that you will not give a heart just because the swap includes extras, rather than that you won't consider the extras as at all. I think that would be easier to say politely. As VJP said, sometimes the extras are so special they really do make the difference to whether a swap deserves it.

For me, joining a swap which says "give hearts if you partner sends extras" and then not doing so is not meeting the swap requirements. Also, I think it is unfair on a partner who has been led to believe that sending them will get a heart. So, as I don't want to feel I must give a heart, I avoid those swaps completely.

If there is a swap you are really keen to do but you don't like the requirements (perhaps the rating requirements are too lax, or it is international and you don't want to mail overseas, or in this case they tell you when to give a heart), you are always free to start ya similar one, immediately or leaving it till after the other swap closes so as not to poach members.

If it's an unusual swap, so would feel like stealing the idea, you could approach the host about it, asking if they would mind you taking their idea but changing some aspects of it such as the hearts requirement. That might even prompt them to change theirs. As LittleRed said, some hosts probably just add it becasue they have just seen it in so many descriptions and don't realise a lot of people don't like it.

I've seen it posted in another thread to "aim for smiles". I really like that phrase/idea. I love to give to other people, and I scan profiles very carefully to figure out likes and dislikes. I've been here for long enough that some "likes" keep popping up, so when I'm shopping and see an adorable cupcake or penguin etc. item, I'll buy it and put it in my swap bin. Chances are, I'll get a partner that's wacko over one of these items. I've had it when its a partner for an ATC swap, so, if I have the cash, I'll pop in the extra because I have it and it was specified in the profile......to make my partner SMILE. I just got a matchbox that was so perfect and so thoughtful and so ME, that I did a little dance when I opened it and I was grinning from ear to ear.....that's a heart worthy package!!!

I don't give hearts just for people who send me extra stuff (I agree it seem greedy). If I notice my partner have read my profile to try to send me things in the themes I like, or if I see it's a nice thing, done with care, I give a heart!