Monday, October 01, 2007

To Be Fair, or Not to Be Fair...

In response to a comment on my previous post...

There is nothing in the rules that says how I choose custom slots at all. I could choose the first 5, I could put all the names in a hat, I could use the list of people who have been waiting forever. It says to email me at midnight and I choose the list from those emails. I got over 150 emails AT MIDNIGHT. There is no first, they all come in at the same time. This isn't an easy process, when I have to pick 5 out of 200. People who have been waiting for months think it is unfair that someone can get a slot the first time they try. People who have slow computers think it is unfair that you have to get it right at midnight. People think it is unfair that if their email comes at 11:59 they don't have a chance. People who are in EST think it is unfair that they have to stay up later than people in PST. People think it is unfair that those with friends to stalk for them have a better chance than those who go it alone. This time around, people who are sure they sent their email at 12:00:00 probably think it's unfair that the email glitch could have bumped them a bit and made their email come in slightly later. The only thing that would make everyone happy would be for me to be able to knit 200 pairs of longies and I can't do that. I can't make everyone happy, it just isn't possible. I don't always choose everyone from the previous month's wait list, but sometimes I just need to do what is easiest for me and this time around with all the email hubbub that's what was easiest for me. I'm sorry if people feel that it is unfair. As I said in my previous post, it is obvious to me from this month's server craziness that this system is no longer workable. I liked it not only because it kept me from making a "master list" that someone would have to be at the end of, but because I really enjoy the community aspect of it, the "party" atmosphere surrounding the midnight email melee. It always seemed kind of wacky and fun to me. But it seems that it's time to get back to the drawing board.

I didn't mean to call that commenter out in a post as opposed to just responding to the comment directly, but my response just got too long for the comment box. And in my experience, if one person says is 10 people are thinking it so I thought it was worth the post. I hope that most of you understand that I put a lot of effort into trying to be as fair as possible and that I do care about what you guys think. I'm always open for suggestions. I have read that people think lottery would be the most fair and it's on the brain.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amy you do what you need to do! Everyone that doesn't get a slot will be annoyed but your only one person! If they don't understand that you have a life aside from being the Cranky Queen then maybe they don't need any cranky's!

Anonymous said...

Amen! And what the previous comment said, do what you need to do! I realize I may never get a custom pair of crankys before my little one potty trains and that's just fine by me. This is a fun and exciting time every month and I look forward to it!

Anonymous said...

Amy, I think you are doing an amazing job trying to make Crankys for as many people as possible. You are only one person, and even though a lot of people get really intense about this on the 1st, I know in a couple of days everyone will realize you are only one person and you are in a difficult spot right now. I hope Henry's cough goes away soon. =)

Sabra at Sew a Straight Line said...

I think it's totally fair what you've decided to do--and I didn't get a spot. I went in knowing that it was a long shot and honestly, that's half the fun. I'll try again next month and keep hoping my classic # comes up soon. If only I knew someone in Charlotte that could hit that craft fair for me! lol.

Anonymous said...

I've been reading your blog for some time now. You are as bad as De Beers and the diamond industry in general. You restrict supply of your product to keep prices unnaturally high. Shame on you and your crooked operation. Can you really blame the soon-to-be large number of knock-off artists?

Anonymous said...

You did as good as one person can Amy! You really can't please everyone ;) I'm sorry that people have been rude to you!

KidTaster said...

Dude. You're kidding with that diamond shit, right?

Anonymous said...

wow! I cannot believe the rudeness. I have been trying for almost a year to get a pair of crankys. I too realize I might not get my hands on any before DD gets out of dipes - and yet you are not to blame at all. I am sorry that not everyone sees it that way and instead of being thankful that they even have the opportunity to try for a pair - they are being rude and disrespectful instead. Thank you Amy for offering up such a great product at a great price. Keep up the awesome work!

Anonymous said...

Holy wow! First of all I hope "Nenny" is feeling better hehe ;)

Next, I think your method is completely fair! Honestly, you will have people complain that the lotteries are unfair too kwim? People ALWAYS will! :( I think if anything, KEEP your midnight madness (it's fun! lol) and then maybe make two of the spots lotteries (and then your auctions) anyhow just my 2cents lol

Keep up the great work! *hugs*

Monica said...

Diamonds? lol...hey diamond..do you knit? Do you have any idea how much time goes into one pair of pants? Amy does have a family and a SON that come first. I can't believe your Karma...sad. And no, I've never had a custom spot. :)

Rachel said...

I know that I've already commented on this, but I didn't see the rude comment above mine until now.

I'm new around here in the last 2-3 months and I gotta tell you some of the people that make comments to you, Amy, have a lot of balls...I am SHOCKED that people attack you and compleatly appaled that they do...I'm trying to be a better person so I will refrain from saying mean things to them, but come on!
She is just *one* person, you say you've read her blog, so you KNOW she's a very busy person! She started making these for her son, there is no rule that says that she has to make these for anyone else!
Amy, your work is beautiful! I hope that some rude people don't make you wish that you didn't make these anymore, and yes, I am a *newbie*, and I like Monica, haven't had a custom spot, some people!

norajane said...

Some people just need to breathe and keep repeating to themselves," They....are...just....PANTS!"


Gimme a break.

Amy, you are doing awesome.

Lindsey said...

It's amazing what people will say 'anonymously' from behind a computer screen. GET OVER YOURSELF! This is a WAHM business not a multi-million dollar company. I hardly see how a Mama wanting to pay the bills to stay home with her little is a master-plan to start a crooked operation. Sheesh. Crankypants is not the name of the next 007 villain. Amy, ROCK on! Do what you do however you see fit to do it, and us crazy cranky-lovers will survive.

Unknown said...

How about not allowing others to stalk midnight e-mail spots, and choosing names however you see fit (random drawing of numbers through random.org, etc.)? If you made the cutoff 12:15 a.m. or something, then your server might not get overwhelmed in the first 30 seconds.

Austysmum said...

I am shocked that people could be soooo rude!!! You are not a mass producer but an artist and as such can only make so many pairs. Not because you want to jack up the price, but because it takes TIME. Hey, if the prices were out of reach, how would so many people be inundating you with orders for them???

You do a brilliant job and I'm surprised you do as much as you do.

Maybe if you do your midnight madness so that emails recieved from 11-12 will be randomly selected from. That way it spreads the emails out over the time, it won't crash your email and there is no reason why people with slow email would be disadvantaged.