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CHAINS.

Page PART ONLY changed / updated 23-8-2010

Warning. Chains by their very nature will only contain common definitives & lower valued commemoratives, and may not be suitable for you. In that case you should try 1on1 (face-to-face) exchanges on FaceBook.

Chain Guidelines/Rules.

To Join a Chain:-
1/ You must be Stamp Chain Exchange member already and have read and agree to our simple rules.
2/ Enter your name when requested.
3/ Directly, email your postal address directly to the 'Starter' using your Normal email account and not FaceBook. This keeps your address more private. No address can mean you do not get on this chain. Address changes please advise your 'starter' directly.
3/ Read everything your 'starter' tells you about the chain. If you need to know something not mentioned then contact them before you join.
4/ NO damaged stamps are allowed in chains. WE are being more strict now!


When a chain package arrives.
1/ Check all the stamps for damaged stamps, keep to them one side.
Count them, place into provided 'damage' container. Fill in on the form.
2/ Exchange every stamp that you want with a stamp of your own. Make sure they are the same type (commems for commem etc), fill in amount on the form
All stamps must be good and NOT damaged at all, and no duplicates.
3/ Mint stamps and gummed stamps should be in pollythene containers. This gives some protection to them when in heavy rain area's. Trust me.
4/ Check and fill in form, receipt date, date to be posted, how many damaged stamps found and any other notes you want.
Re-pack into a new postal envelope, write in the next address, re-pack all stamps and papers (and those gummed and damaged stamps).
I often write in envelope corner "Printed Papers" or "Printed Matter".
Make sure correct postage is attached (for next address) and post.
Always Use nice commemoratives (large) for postage. Advise your 'starter' of date posted. Any problems contact your starter.

The stamps in your chain belong to the starter. You get to choose and exchange the stamps that you want. Your 'starter' gets only what is returned at the end. So please be kind to your starter and no damaged stamps.
Your only costs are a suitable envelope and correct postage stamps.

Chain Starters.
Again, you must be an accepted member of Chain Stamp Exchange already. The 'starter' decides the contents of the chain. No damaged or duplicates (apart from blocks and strips). Five persons per chain, 100 stamps is normal. A chain can take three months to complete. Talk with ANI or MIKE about your chain idea's and you receive the Chain Number to use. Enter your chain details (see other examples) on "Discussions" on Chain Stamp Exchange / FaceBook.

The starter decides the list order of the addresses. Do Not have persons from the same Country/Continent following each other. Space them out. Publish "List full" and your suggested list order.

There are a few suggested downloads (below)that should help you with printing lists that travel with your 'chain'. Try them. Myself I also try to include printed address labels to help collectors. Hand written items are also good !!
Always use nice commemoratives (large stamps) for postage. I write "Printed Paper" in top lefthand envelope corner. Putting gummed stamps into small Plastic stamp envelopes can be helpfull for Countries that suffer with "Rainy Seasons" or floods even. Identify such envelopes in Felt Tip "gummed stamps" for the chain users. Also, include a suitable stamp envelope named "damaged stamps".

What stamps.
We suggest common commemoratives and definitives. If you include valuable stamps, please remember you will only get back common stamps.


CHANGES. 24-7-2010 This page is slowly being re-written. We hope it will be more understandable and easier to read when I have finished. In the meantime please make suggestions.
mike@catcottage.nl
CHANGES. to this point 23-8-2010

Please remember to email your 'starter' when you post your chain.
WARNING - Chains may not suitable if you are an advanced collector.

Normal Chain

The starter decides the chain contents, gets a chain number and invites members. The 'starter' collects a group of names, addresses (five is normal) and creates a list. The lists and stamps are packed up and posted to the first person on the list. Allow 7 - 10 for arrival.
Now every stamp you remove you should exchange for one stamp from yourself. No damaged stamps allowed. You pack into a new envelope and post on to next person from the list and using nice stamps for the postage. This is your only costs!!
You email the 'starter' and advise the date of posting. Important!
The Chain stops when the 'starter' receives the chain back.

Reverse Chain

As a normal chain but 6 (six) persons plus starter. Two packs of stamps are
sent, 100 from the start as normal, and 150 small stamps starting with the
last person (and with a reversed address list of course). Members receive chains quicker and its more FUN.
See "Chain Starters" for dowloads.

Quickie Chain

Just like a normal chain, but only 3 persons plus starter.
Just a short fast chain!! See "Chain Starters", for info and downloads.

MARATHON Chains

Simply many similar chains all stating on the same day. The first chain to
complete wins prizes for all its passengers' and the starter. So be quick at
re-posting!

RULES

There will be four separate chains, each with one starter, plus 7 'passengers'.
The 4 starters will post-on their chains on the same day.
Upon chain arrival, exchange stamps that you want and re-post again, onto the next.
Email your starter.
The first chain to fully complete being the Winner.
The winning chain, starter and 'passengers' will receive a valuable prize !!

Chain contents - 100 mixed different stamps, large and small.
Passengers - should be on different continents to have fair play.

---oo0oo---oo0oo---oo0oo---oo0oo---oo0oo---

NOTE. This race will tell us many things. Which Postal system is quicker!
The best speed a chain can reach, and answers many other questions.

For rules printing on the back of the namesheet: Marathon-1.txt

Reports of the running Stamp Marathon

Posted 24 januari 2010

Marathon Chain #42 - Starter: Poonam - Mauritius

Marathon Chain #43 - Starter: Rachel - UK

Marathon Chain #44 - Starter: Anubhav - India

Marathon Chain #45 - Starter: Mike - Holland

VALENTINE DAY CHAIN

CHAIN
CHAIN
CHAIN

Only 4 member chains(shorties).
Chain will consist of 2 LADIES and 2 GENTLEMEN.
Chain will start with 50 stamps and ANY VALENTINE DAY STAMP GIFT, small or big, cheap or expensive....
It's the CHAIN MEMBERS CHOICE.
EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF GIVING & SHARING....

Interested members, please message Aniruddha Chatterjee.
He will make the chains and publish the order with starters... HURRY...
Wanted: Romantic Chain Starters...

News !!!

The first Valentine Day Chain is formed and takes off soon.
Keep looking at this page.

CHAIN STARTERS start here

Files are available (below) to help you with your chains.

"NameSheetA5.xls" - A half A4 sheet which you print out with name and address boxes and print the rules on the reverse. It is Best for 50 or less stamps. Print one copy, turn paper around then print again. Two copies! (cut in half later). One copy for the chain and one for your records. These smaller papers are ideal to keep the finished chain letter below the 20 grams weight - one postage stamp level! Nice.

"NameSheetA4.xls" is for a full A4 sheet, you print rules on the back. Ideal for chains of 100+ stamps. The weight will always BE more than 20 grams and requires two postage stamps. Print a 2nd. copy for your own records.
"Rules.txt" Should be printed on the back of this "Name sheets".

"NameSheetA5sample.xls" - A filled up example of a form. Handy!!

Right click on the name, and choose "save target as..." (IE) or "save link as..." (Firefox)and save the file in a folder on your harddisk.
NO Excel ? All the .xls files can be opened up and written to using Open Office. You can also re-save the files but with .txt extension.
Open Office is FREE and can be downloaded from internet from www.openoffice.org.
Load Open Office - use 'spreadsheet' choice, then load the .XLS file. You could print the forms and fill by hand, or enter each name & address into the loaded form and then print out.

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