2024/2025 arrivals and departures

[Frosti]

@Tormato, please don't get too stressed out. I've already got way more varieties than I can ever grow, so no need to rush for my sake. I'm sure most feel the same ...

[JayneR13]

Please count me as one who is grateful for the seeds no matter what time of year they arrive. I've had some wonderful seeds from this swap and since I garden every year, and hydroponically throughout the year, timing is flexible. Please don't turn your labor of love into a chore for my sake! Thanks for what you do Gary.

[MissTee]

I’ve received two envelopes with seeds from the US in the past two weeks with slits down one side and noticeably gaping open. The first one was from Gary (Tormato), a couple weeks ago but now that a second one arrived tonight looking the same, thought I’d share my experience.

Gary did a great job of taping everything securely, and Bill Minkey’s were wrapped in paper towel, so thankfully nothing was pilfered. Had seeds not been secured inside, they easily would have spilled out. I’m not sure who/where it happened en route, but with cross-border tensions increasing, best to tape all your seed packs well.

[Tormato]

I’ve received two envelopes with seeds from the US in the past two weeks with slits down one side and noticeably gaping open. The first one was from Gary (Tormato), a couple weeks ago but now that a second one arrived tonight looking the same, thought I’d share my experience.

Gary did a great job of taping everything securely, and Bill Minkey’s were wrapped in paper towel, so thankfully nothing was pilfered. Had seeds not been secured inside, they easily would have spilled out. I’m not sure who/where it happened en route, but with cross-border tensions increasing, best to tape all your seed packs well.

It's just not cross-border, it's happening more frequently everywhere. Several packages, and a few letters, delivered here, had the small slit cut into them. Just enough to peek inside. On bubble mailers, the slit is always at a top or bottom edge, where there are no bubbles. Many participants put all of their contents in a gallon freezer zip baggie, and then the baggie in the bubble mailer. Nothing was taken, and nothing spilled out.

Also, I've had three letters held at the post office, for payment due. Previously, in about 20 years, I've only had two other such letters. One of the post office workers explained to me that they reject many more letters, today, for being too thick. The under 1/4 inch rule must be a nearly flat under 1/4 inch. If one part is very thin and another part is close to 1/4 inch, they hold the letter for payment of a package cost ($5 +).

[MissTee]

It's just not cross-border, it's happening more frequently everywhere. Several packages, and a few letters, delivered here, had the small slit cut into them. Just enough to peek inside. On bubble mailers, the slit is always at a top or bottom edge, where there are no bubbles. Many participants put all of their contents in a gallon freezer zip baggie, and then the baggie in the bubble mailer. Nothing was taken, and nothing spilled out.

Must be happening in the US then. I haven’t received any damaged/opened domestic mail, just these two letters.

[Homegrwoninillinois]

I’ve received two envelopes with seeds from the US in the past two weeks with slits down one side and noticeably gaping open. The first one was from Gary (Tormato), a couple weeks ago but now that a second one arrived tonight looking the same, thought I’d share my experience.

Gary did a great job of taping everything securely, and Bill Minkey’s were wrapped in paper towel, so thankfully nothing was pilfered. Had seeds not been secured inside, they easily would have spilled out. I’m not sure who/where it happened en route, but with cross-border tensions increasing, best to tape all your seed packs well.

I recently mailed someone an envelope and it arrived just as you mentioned. This envelope wasn’t overfilled, or thick in any way. I have started to think the quality of envelopes may be the issue. Since then I place a piece of tape along each edge for a bit of the way to try and reinforce. Sorry that happened to you.

[MissTee]

Two totally different types of envelopes— a greeting card and a business #10 envelope and they were definitely tampered with. As Tormato says this has been happening to him, it’s a good idea to tape and secure everything well. It gives me an unsettling feeling seeing mail arrive this way, like nothing is private anymore.

[JayneR13]

Two totally different types of envelopes— a greeting card and a business #10 envelope and they were definitely tampered with. As Tormato says this has been happening to him, it’s a good idea to tape and secure everything well. It gives me an unsettling feeling seeing mail arrive this way, like nothing is private anymore.

I have that same feeling just reading these posts. It seems that greater caution is warranted, now more than ever. Sad but true.

[WindyWI1968]

I have been receiving mail with the top sides and bottom sliced open. I took some to the post office to complain and they looked at it and said it is a machine doing the damage. I am now taping the sides before mailing. The taped ones haven't been ripped that I know of. I am not entirely convinced it is a machine as it is happening to many others and started around December.