How would this work as an alternative way of distributing the "surprise me" toy assignments?

Contributor: Lara Lara
I think the new way that "surprise me" assignments are distributed is pretty awesome, but I also find it hard to follow which toys have been taken and which ones haven't. The last batch got me thinking about possible ways to improve the system (I'm procrastinating with other work I should do, therefore I'm all about improving other people's stuff and ignoring my own).

What do you all think of setting up the reviews as a single choice, non-anonymous poll? That way you can immediately see which toys are taken and by whom by looking and seeing if there is a vote for the toy. If there's no vote, the toy is still available. I've filled in the blanks to this poll to illustrate what I'm talking about.

Or am I the only one who can't see the big picture with these assignments? If I'm being a busybody, please please please ignore me.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Toy #1 with a brief description.
Rose Unlocked , Nashville
2  (40%)
Toy #2 with a brief description.
Lara
1  (20%)
Toy #3 with a brief description.
Adriana Ravenlust , Femme Mystique
2  (40%)
Total votes: 5
Poll is closed
06/12/2009
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Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Now I like that Idea!
06/12/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Also, the voting would show clearly if more than one person wanted it, in case person 1 couldn't accept?
06/12/2009
Contributor: Lara Lara
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
Also, the voting would show clearly if more than one person wanted it, in case person 1 couldn't accept?
True!

And if the polls are set up so that each person only gets one vote, there's more potential for more people becoming involved. You vote for one toy - if you get it in time, that's great. If someone else gets in line before you, you can't choose again simply because you had the lucky break to click on the forum site right after Victoria posted the latest batch.
06/12/2009
Contributor: Rose Unlocked Rose Unlocked
lol I got toy one =P but anyways I think this cold be easier
06/12/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
I agree it does get confusing. I have actually sat down with a piece of paper and written the numbers down! OK..I can't remember numbers worth a hoot!!
Also, it would be nice if eveyone could know who is and isn't advanced reviewers. I ran into that with this batch of surprise items..I was willing to give up what I had chosen but come to find out the other person isn't an advanced reviewer. Wonder is there is some symbol that could be used by our names to indicate advanced??
Lara, I'm procrastinating cleaning house so I understand where you are coming from! LOL
06/12/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
I've noticed too- Person A will take extra time on their forum post to type out what they want and add some personal anecdotes, whereas Person B will just copy and paste and end up hitting send first. Person B is assigned the toy because technically they posted for it first even though Person A was the first to see it and want it yet took a longer amount of time to claim it... am I making sense?

A poll vote would be instantaneous.
06/12/2009
Contributor: Lara Lara
Quote:
Originally posted by Nashville
I've noticed too- Person A will take extra time on their forum post to type out what they want and add some personal anecdotes, whereas Person B will just copy and paste and end up hitting send first. Person B is assigned the toy because ... more
You're completely making sense. The poll also wouldn't preclude anecdotes, but it would just make those little stories and comments something separate from voting.
06/12/2009
Contributor: Rose Unlocked Rose Unlocked
Quote:
Originally posted by Nashville
I've noticed too- Person A will take extra time on their forum post to type out what they want and add some personal anecdotes, whereas Person B will just copy and paste and end up hitting send first. Person B is assigned the toy because ... more
Yeah your making sense
06/12/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
We built the feature, so of course we considered this weeks ago when deciding to do the Surprise Me assignments on the forums - here's why we didn't go this route:

1. Things are going to be changing considerably very soon, so this would only be an issue for the next few weeks.

2. The description would have to very very short - which would give very limited info on the products, which would then lead to long threads asking about the materials, the batteries needed, the power, the color and so on. It's not very practical overall. Maybe in some cases, but not for all. And switching it up all the time is more confusing for the reviewers than it seems worth it.

In the 'admin view' of the system (aka behind the scenes), we can see the big picture a little better. We know where things won't work because we know the limitations or what batches are next etc...as well as what features are in the pipeline for future release.
06/12/2009
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
We built the feature, so of course we considered this weeks ago when deciding to do the Surprise Me assignments on the forums - here's why we didn't go this route:

1. Things are going to be changing considerably very soon, so this ... more
So, does it make me weird that I get more excited about "features in the pipeline for future release" than I do for sex toy giveaways?
06/12/2009
Contributor: Lara Lara
I've fallen victim to enthusiasm + procrastination = ideas run amok. Thanks for the check on that, Victoria!

Have there been hints about these changes posted anywhere on the forum? It's been mentioned before and I'm soooooo curious. I'm awful when it comes to waiting until Christmas morning.
06/12/2009
Contributor: Rose Unlocked Rose Unlocked
Quote:
Originally posted by Lara
I've fallen victim to enthusiasm + procrastination = ideas run amok. Thanks for the check on that, Victoria!

Have there been hints about these changes posted anywhere on the forum? It's been mentioned before and I'm soooooo ... more
Me too lol
06/12/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
Quote:
Originally posted by Lara
I've fallen victim to enthusiasm + procrastination = ideas run amok. Thanks for the check on that, Victoria!

Have there been hints about these changes posted anywhere on the forum? It's been mentioned before and I'm soooooo ... more
me three!!!
06/12/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Some things will be available very soon and others are major features that will be launching in July and further updates through the summer. You guys should know by now that we never rest So, of course, there will always be updates and surprises to look forward to.
06/12/2009
Contributor: Rose Unlocked Rose Unlocked
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
Some things will be available very soon and others are major features that will be launching in July and further updates through the summer. You guys should know by now that we never rest So, of course, there will always be updates and surprises to ... more
Yeah it is one of the many reasons why we love you so much =)
06/12/2009
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Even though it's chaotic, I like the way we do the surprise-me batches now. And now I'm all excited/curious about these new things to come!
06/12/2009
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
It is really exciting. I can't imagine what you guys will come up with.
06/12/2009
Contributor: Rocky LaFemme Rocky LaFemme
I thought voting was a good idea I just stumbled on the surprise toy assignments post and it was confusing. I also agree a little symbol by our name or avatar for advanced reviewers would be a plus cause I surely don't know if I am one and would love to be.
06/13/2009
Contributor: Sir Sir
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
Some things will be available very soon and others are major features that will be launching in July and further updates through the summer. You guys should know by now that we never rest So, of course, there will always be updates and surprises to ... more
Cool! Looking forward to it!
06/13/2009
Contributor: Sir Sir
Can someone tell me exactly how the Surprise Me assignments work really quickly? I've never actually known what it was, I thought that I wasn't able to do that at the same time as requested assignments.
06/13/2009
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Quote:
Originally posted by Sir
Can someone tell me exactly how the Surprise Me assignments work really quickly? I've never actually known what it was, I thought that I wasn't able to do that at the same time as requested assignments.
I can't tell you really quickly, but if you read the top part of any of the new Surprise Me threads (posted in batches), it explains the changes. Any Advanced contributor who doesn't have two outstanding assignments can "compete" to grab one of the available toys in the batch, and they don't count against your 30-day waiting period. Check out the info on the batch posts. It's pretty fun.
06/13/2009
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
Quote:
Originally posted by Rocky LaFemme
I thought voting was a good idea I just stumbled on the surprise toy assignments post and it was confusing. I also agree a little symbol by our name or avatar for advanced reviewers would be a plus cause I surely don't know if I am one and would ... more
I got an email when I was upgraded to an advanced contributor. This was in a previous system where the Review Program Admin alone decided whether or not a contributor "made the cut", so to speak. I don't know if they still send out emails when you are upgraded. One quick way to check, I would think, is to try to request something for assignment. Only advanced contributors can request assignments, so just grab something for your assignment cart and then try to request it as an assignment. If you don't even have the "grab" button or "assignment cart" (I don't remember if you get these before you get upgraded), then it's likely that you haven't been upgraded yet.
06/14/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
Quote:
Originally posted by Miss Cinnamon
I got an email when I was upgraded to an advanced contributor. This was in a previous system where the Review Program Admin alone decided whether or not a contributor "made the cut", so to speak. I don't know if they still send out ... more
I think you can still grab and have an assignment cart before you're an advanced reveiwer..You cn use that to put things in your cart-I think but not sure!
I got my advanced under one of the older systems too so not sure how the newbies are notified- I think In The Pink sends them an email since she sends them one telling them that they are on the polls for that week..
06/14/2009
Contributor: Sir Sir
Quote:
Originally posted by Rockin'
I can't tell you really quickly, but if you read the top part of any of the new Surprise Me threads (posted in batches), it explains the changes. Any Advanced contributor who doesn't have two outstanding assignments can "compete" ... more
Alright, thank you!
06/14/2009
Contributor: Rocky LaFemme Rocky LaFemme
Quote:
Originally posted by Miss Cinnamon
I got an email when I was upgraded to an advanced contributor. This was in a previous system where the Review Program Admin alone decided whether or not a contributor "made the cut", so to speak. I don't know if they still send out ... more
Thanks
06/15/2009