Seed Runs Co-Op Logistics/Cost/OT Discussion Megathread

[Shadey]

@zephyr

we are waiting for his reply to see if and how he would like to handle distribution within Canada, as well as international shipping from the U.S. to Canada.

No, sorry I do not wish to ship outside Canada, I have only done so 3 times now, for US members who ended up on my lists by mistake, to be helpful.

Small packs were ok but when you are dealing in large quantities you start having to get inventive in camouflaging them.

MOTR usually buys a board game or child’s toy to hide them in, which raises costs in excess of $40 probably for each shipment, if it were sent from Canada including the game or toy.

I think all the Canadian members who breed, send their seeds to MOTR anyway if it’s a co op seed run. So they should be able to ship elsewhere internationally, the only obstacle I see is costs to them doing several packages instead of one.

I also don’t want the responsibility of disappointing people if they don’t make it past customs or being deported from Canada for international cannabis seed trafficking, as you have to give your name and address when shipping cross borders and I am not a citizen.

@HolyAngel

If someone in the EU did a seed-run, they would send all the seeds to MOTR, or whoever the central hub is, just so she can send it back to the EU distributor? If there’s a run in Canada it goes to the US before going back to Canada?

Yes that is correct because distributors don’t have all the names and addresses of members signing up, only those members in their respective countries, it was only MOTR and Sebring, who had them all, for security purposes.

It does seem a strange way to do it, but so far apart from Pedro, off the top of my head, is the only member outside the US and Canada who has done a co op seed run so far as I am aware.

This is why I am asking for an amendment to the sign up list for members to either add their distributors name or country when adding themselves to sign up list, so breeders can see who is requiring them in their country, so they can ship directly to the internal distributor, if that internal distributer does not want to deal with international shipping.

[zephyr]

Thanks for considering this Shadey, safety is always the top priority. Thanks again for all the great work you put in on the previous runs.

That’s a good idea for members to write their country or official distributor along with their name in seed run sign ups. I think we should incorporate this idea in all future projects.

[J-Icky]

This is good idea, maybe to take it another way, they could break down the level lists into distributors also.
So…
Level 2
USA
*all USA members listed
EU/UK
*all EU/UK members
Ect…

This would make it easier for the breeders to know how much needs to go where and also allow the distributors the ability to go back and see who all they should be getting for and shipping to.

And just to clarify, if someone puts themselves on the wrong list, then it’s up to the them to fix it before things go out or they get left out.

I don’t know, it’s just an idea.

[zephyr]

People already seem to have trouble signing up in the correct list, I think it might be best to keep the sign up template as is.

Once we have all the official distributors in place again, I think the simplest method would be for members to write their name in the appropriate list, followed by the name of their official regional distributor in parenthesis. This should make it easy for each distributor to figure out how many members in their region are signed up for a given project.

This would also minimize the amount of personal information that is immediately visible.

So maybe something like this-

20. Name (SouthAmericaDistributor)
21. Name (USdistributor)
22. Name (EUdistributor)

If this would result in too many alerts popping up for the distributors, we can do it without the @ feature.

Edit- edited for clarity after further discussion

[Shadey]

Yeah my notifications are busy enough, I think without the @ would be preferable for me.

[Worcestershire_Farms]

Anyone with seeds that need to go out should now be aware that all it takes is to send a quick group PM to the distributors, and arrangements can be made.

If there is no other matter to resolve, can we lay this discussion to rest? Is there anything else that needs to be addressed?

[cannabissequoia]

@Worcestershire_Farms

Is there anything else that needs to be addressed?

This thread should be moved to private ASAP, IMO.

edit: “private lounge area”

[zephyr]

I think we have a good working arrangement.
I now know how to handle distribution of my in progress co-op project on my end as a breeder.

The only remaining question is whether the international members of the co-op would like to establish a new standard policy for international distribution.

They can handle international shipping on a project by project basis, and look for volunteer U.S. members to ship packages to them as needed.

If they would like to reach a group decision for a new standard method of international distribution, international members could have a discussion with the distributors in their countries, and decide on a new co-op policy for international shipping.

[zephyr]

To all the distributors in countries outside the U.S.
@Pedro_Bann @Shadey @Gaz29 @MadScientist @Swe-can (am I forgetting anybody?)
could you all post a quick update and let everybody know if you will be continuing as distributors within your countries?

How would you like to handle receiving packages from the U.S. to you?

It would be awesome if you can coordinate with the members in your areas and with each other.
Please contact @Sebring or any US members you would like to work with to receive packages from the U.S.

At your discretion, you guys can establish a new policy for co-op group international shipping.

If each of you wish to handle things independently from now on, that is also totally cool.

[Swe-can]

I’m still on if needed.
Me myself am open to if the breeder wants to send them directly to me or if they go thru @Sebring . Don’t have any issues as long as we find a good an easy way so everyone feel it isn’t to much of a hassle… in the end it’s all for a good cause ! And I know alot of people really love to continue the way it used to be… where Co-op was for everyone and reached everyone

[zephyr]

Thanks again for volunteering Swe-can, sounds great!
that is definitely our goal, to make sure no one misses out on any future projects that are distributed.

[Shadey]

I will be carrying on distributing within Canada and have no problem accepting seeds from either Sebring or breeders anywhere. So long as Co Op breeders pre pack each members seeds so I dont have to do it. My hand tremors make it very difficult to pick up seeds and put them in small containers

[zephyr]

Thanks again for handling distribution within Canada, Shadey!

I’m sure the co-op can accommodate you by making sure the seeds are individually packed and ready to go when you receive them.

I have a muscular disability that makes tasks like shucking and packing seeds very difficult, so I completely understand.

[Gaz29]

I’ve already said this somewhere else, any breeders who want to send the UK/EU seeds directly , to pm me and I’ll do the usual send outs , .
Happy growing,
Gaz

[invisible]

@Johnnybsmokin should probably be in that list

[Sebring]

Skimmed the thread…
Yes, I will shoulder all of MOTR’s volunteer duties, including international liaison for other distributors, until she is able to retake the position or a suitable partner/replacement is voted on.
(I’m chuckling a little, because I worked with MOTR and the other original distributors to get this whole Co-op model up and running. I also promised MOTR that I would step back in to shoulder weight if it was ever needed.)

[monkeyman]

@Sebring thanks so much for all that you do, you are one of the reasons that this site is so awesome

[Badger]

Yes, Sebring is a super valuable pillar of this community. Aside from that, he’s just a good dude.

Thank you Sebring!!!

[allotment]

@Sebring

Skimmed the thread…
Yes, I will shoulder all of MOTR’s volunteer duties, including international liaison for other distributors, until she is able to retake the position or a suitable partner/replacement is voted on.

Thanks a lot for taking over and thank you even more for not going with the »Overgrow the US only« attitude that some have shown in this thread.