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Post by kmage on Sept 3, 2021 13:45:58 GMT
I was reading a thread about buying a retreat business and got to thinking about what I really love and what I don't about crops and retreats (in before times), as the prospective owner is thinking on changes they would make.
I love:
Prize drawings
Healthy snacks provided
Water/Tea/Coffee provided
Organized seating (pref where you get to choose your seat when you make your reservation)
Clean bathrooms
Basic supplies (and even not so basic) to shop for
A "freebies" table, where I can bring stuff I don't want and look for stuff I might!
A reasonable price where the person makes $ but I don't feel gouged
I hate:
Catered lunches or dinners that are included in the price (will all my food restrictions, I seem to always pay for food I can't eat and they can't change it)
Prizes based off things like who got the most LO done
Too many silly games/getting up to do a dance (looking at you Scrapbook Expo)
Terrible chairs
Small tables
Bad lighting
People that think it is okay to bring small children because "they won't bother anyone."
What do you love/hate?
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Post by huskermom98 on Sept 3, 2021 15:08:50 GMT
Like:
>Prizes (as long as it isn't old crap)
>Snack tables
>Good spacing between rows of tables (I tend to spread out on the floor right next to my table, but still need space to move my chair around to dig into my supplies)
>Rolling chairs
>easy access to outlets/power strips
>trash to treasure tables
>massage therapists available (for multiple-day crops)
Dislike:
>games that interrupt scrapping
>loud obnoxious ring tones or other phone noises
>Poor lighting
>short crops
>uncatered meals if there's no close food options
>places that are hard to load & unload at
>far away restrooms
>loud music
Indifferent on:
>vendors
>seating--if it's a huge public crop then it's nice to be able to pick your seat, but at a small one like the one I go to yearly it's ok...unless I get stuck next to that one person...then I care!
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Post by Citygirl on Sept 3, 2021 15:10:03 GMT
Oh fun!
Love:
Big tables & space to move around
Catered food (I just don’t want to have to think about food or bring it)
Snacks & dessert options! beverage table & coffee
Tool table
A large banquet room so it doesn’t feel claustrophobic
No time limit on the scrap room.
Table for items you want to get rid of.
I prefer it if the rooms are close to the banquet hall but that’s not always an option.
Being far away from the music 😂 (I don’t mind music but once I was right next to the music and it was annoying!)
Vendors! I like to shop
Basic stuff to buy like adhesive, card stock.
Good WiFi!!! I bring a printer so that is a must for me.
Retreats that start early on Friday, or have an early Thursday option.
Spa treatment options
Dislike:
Crappy chairs! Oh my back.
Small workspace
Not enough room around me
Contests (indifferent) some are fun.
Prizes or giveaways of very old outdated products
People who FaceTime or use speaker phone loudly in the crop room lol
Classes
Bad lighting would be an issue but I bring an Ott Lite.
At this point in my life it’s all about being able to take advantage of the uninterrupted time.
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Post by grammadee on Sept 3, 2021 15:16:19 GMT
Copying and pasting and editing for my response
I love:
Prize drawings--yes, but please don't take up too much time with it! If everyone gets a prize, maybe just put it at our place at the table...
A few fun challenges, but not the kind that interrupt everyone when they start & finish. They might include some sketches or a page kit to play with or whatever. If they give a prize for the "most pages done", maybe they should give one for "most intricate page" or "clean & simple", or some other designations.
Healthy snacks provided
Water/Tea/Coffee provided
Organized seating (pref where you get to choose your seat when you make your reservation) Yes. Where there is enough room to spread out my scrap crap on the table and to walk between seated participants to move in/out.
Clean bathrooms
Shopping: Basic supplies (and even not so basic) to shop for
Heavy tools like a Big Shot available for common use. I will bring my own dies and plates, but my Vagabond weighs a ton to tote.
Adequate available plug ins for those who do bring their electronic tools.
Wifi access.
A reasonable price where the person makes $ but I don't feel gouged
If there ARE catered meals that there are realistic alternatives provided for people with food sensitivities.
I hate:
Too many silly games/getting up to do a dance (looking at you Scrapbook Expo)
Terrible chairs
Small tables
Bad lighting
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Post by Ryann on Sept 3, 2021 16:54:07 GMT
Like
Tables long enough to be able to stash my rolling bags under/beside without crowding my legs. Even better if the tables are grouped in sets of 4, then everyone gets an "outside" edge of the table for extra space for their stuff.
Electricity - a power strip on the table that can be used to plug in task lighting, phone charger, heat gun, mini personal fan, electronic die cut machines, etc.
Themes - my favorite crops have a theme, so you can dress up if you want and there is an area with photo props. Any areas/tables in the crop room that are supplied by the host (snacks, beverages, etc) are decorated in the theme of the crop. There's a little goodie bag at everyone's table that also ties in with the theme. People will often decorate their tables in the theme, too. It just adds an extra level of fun to the event.
Shopping - having an onsite pop-up scrap store is always fun, especially if you live in an area where all you have access to are the big box stores.
No perfume policy - perfume, scented lotions, essential oil diffusers, etc. - please leave your smells at home.
Don't Like
Large groupings of tables - it tends to get really loud if each table cluster is large, especially at night. Long rows of tables also get loud. I prefer smaller groupings of 4-6 tables. Lots of room to move around and visit with people, but not for sustained periods of time. Night time + alcohol = loud ladies!
Make 'n Take or other led project/classes. If I go to a crop, I just want to crop and not be interrupted with a led instruction/class.
Parking - having to unload your stuff and then park off property is really annoying. Venues should have adequate parking for all attendees. I've been caught in the rain while having to park 3 blocks away from the hotel.
Playing music - you can't please everyone's tastes with music and it makes people talk louder, so just don't.
Crappy chairs - it's best to get there early so you can "try out" the chairs and get a good one. Same with the beds if you're at a retreat house!
Indifferent
Meals - If it's a hotel retreat, there's typically an in-house restaurant and a mini fridge in the room, so there are options. If it's at a scrapbook retreat house, I can bring my own food if I don't like what is being provided by the host or the shared meal plan.
Prizes - giveaways are easy enough to ignore if i don't want to participate in drawings or games.
Shopping - MLM vendors
Tool or supply swap tables
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,329 
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Post by amom23 on Sept 4, 2021 13:44:24 GMT
LIKE
Reasonable price
Lots of table space
Good lighting
Snacks
Little gift bags
Dislike
Obnoxious cell phone talkers
Games
Parking that is too far away
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Post by natscraps on Sept 4, 2021 13:49:22 GMT
Like:
Big tables
Good lighting
Swap table
Good chairs
Ample space between table rows so chairs can be pulled out and people are still able to get by.
Snack table
Decent room temperature
Dislikes:
Children… I’m paying good money to be far away from mine. If they stop in for a few minutes that’s one thing but stay all day and scrap alongside mom or grandma boils my blood.
Limited food options
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Post by kmage on Sept 4, 2021 14:54:18 GMT
Outlets! I cannot believe I forgot outlets. Love outlets!
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Post by tinksmommy on Sept 4, 2021 18:05:46 GMT
I echo everyone’s likes and dislikes with two dislike additions. I am not a fan of themes and dressing up. Some of the ladies really get in to that with hats, tee shirts, costumes but it’s not for me. I just want to enjoy my mini vacation and scrap away. I also don’t participate in swaps. My style may not suit everyone. I don’t want to spend weeks ahead of an event creating 20-30 goodies for a swap. It takes me awhile just to pack for a retreat and I don’t want to add anything else to the planning ahead. I’ll be attending a day crop soon where almost all of the others are dressing up and doing swaps. It’s just not for me.
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Post by boymom5 on Sept 4, 2021 18:19:16 GMT
Major dislike- PACKING for it!
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Post by tinksmommy on Sept 4, 2021 19:03:07 GMT
Major dislike- PACKING for it! I came up with a spreadsheet for both day crops and weekend retreats to help me with the packing. I just check things off as I pack them. It really helps me😁 |
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Post by Margie on Sept 4, 2021 19:51:23 GMT
Major dislike- PACKING for it! I came up with a spreadsheet for both day crops and weekend retreats to help me with the packing. I just check things off as I pack them. It really helps me😁 would you mind sharing your spreadsheet? TIA! |
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Post by boymom5 on Sept 4, 2021 19:59:25 GMT
Major dislike- PACKING for it! I came up with a spreadsheet for both day crops and weekend retreats to help me with the packing. I just check things off as I pack them. It really helps me😁 That's brilliant! Please share as I'm currently attempting to pack for a retreat right now and I SO overwhemeld! I haven't been to a retreat in probably 7 years! |
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Post by tinksmommy on Sept 4, 2021 20:29:04 GMT
I came up with a spreadsheet for both day crops and weekend retreats to help me with the packing. I just check things off as I pack them. It really helps me😁 would you mind sharing your spreadsheet? TIA! I sure will. Perhaps I’ll share it in a new thread. |
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Post by natscraps on Sept 4, 2021 20:43:31 GMT
Yep… packing is probably the biggest dislike.
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Post by tinksmommy on Sept 4, 2021 21:13:04 GMT
I came up with a spreadsheet for both day crops and weekend retreats to help me with the packing. I just check things off as I pack them. It really helps me😁 That's brilliant! Please share as I'm currently attempting to pack for a retreat right now and I SO overwhemeld! I haven't been to a retreat in probably 7 years! Sorry but the Forum is not accepting any more attachments. Space limit has been exceeded. I’ll try to see if I can place them on Pinterest. I want to share the Excel sheets so you can edit. A copy won’t help you. I’ll keep trying. |
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 4, 2021 22:43:49 GMT
I agree with most things people are saying.
I do love when I take time to pack well in preparation.
I also love when there are a few vendors who can help me if I forget certain items.
I like a big table or can pay extra for extra space.
I like to hear other people laughing. I generally enjoy getting sat next to other women who are just all about enjoying the day, the process, and each other.
Not a fan of kids being at a crop. Now if a kid likes to scrap and is completely into it, then that is different, but I know many people go to crops to get away from kids and people bringing theirs (of any age) that change the dynamics of a crop are a huge bummer.
Games are meh.
People who walk around and look at other people's LOs and comment that they are too busy or too (fill in the blank). It's okay. We all scrap differently and I have never made anything but a positive comment to anyone regardless of their style or ability. I've seen people who are making amazingly beautiful works of art all day on one layout (not my style, but I admire it). As they walk past, they'll say something about scrapping to record their history and no way could they waste so much time on one LO. It's like everyone has to scrap for the same purpose. Kind of crazy how adult women can turn into mean girls. I did stop going to these crops though. Thankfully I had other options.
I feel like I can adapt to different crops and their pros and cons. For me, the most important part of the day is just being with people I can enjoy.
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 4, 2021 22:44:41 GMT
That's brilliant! Please share as I'm currently attempting to pack for a retreat right now and I SO overwhemeld! I haven't been to a retreat in probably 7 years! Sorry but the Forum is not accepting any more attachments. Space limit has been exceeded. I’ll try to see if I can place them on Pinterest. I want to share the Excel sheets so you can edit. A copy won’t help you. I’ll keep trying. I had to set up a Flickr account because of this. Much easier to post pics now. |
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Post by needtime2scrap on Sept 5, 2021 17:12:25 GMT
Reading this thread made me realize that I haven't been to a crop in over 15 years 😳😥 it kinda made me sad.
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Post by cmpeter on Sept 5, 2021 17:31:54 GMT
Pacing for sure and when other folks listen to music or sports without their headphones. I end up brining my headphones in case that happens, but then I can’t talk to my friends.
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Post by huskermom98 on Sept 5, 2021 20:23:35 GMT
Major dislike- PACKING for it! I have the opposite dislike. I don't mind the packing at home...I hate packing back up after the crop! Part of it is because I don't want to go back to real life (especially the crop I was at in March 2020 where the US went to hell in a handbasket the 4 days we were there...) but I hate trying to remember what I packed where & getting it all to fit. |
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,124
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 5, 2021 22:40:27 GMT
Likes:
Well lit
Comfortable chair
Power at each table
Room to walk around (I don’t want to have to move bc someone can’t get by between tables)
On premises or nearby location to get snacks & drinks
Also for weekend retreats, nearby dining options or places that deliver with menus available
A separate place to sit and eat
Challenges, contests and drawings (as long as they aren’t required or too disruptive)
On-site vendors for basics for day crops, maybe more variety for retreats
Assigned tables
WiFi
Easy parking and access to crop room
Dislikes:
No rule about headphones necessary for personal music/shows
Meals included for weekend retreats, I don’t want to be on a schedule
Tablecloths and round tables
Indifferent:
Make and takes
Classes
Meals provided at day crops
Shared tool table
Table swap for old supplies or tools
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Post by riversong1963 on Sept 6, 2021 0:32:05 GMT
This thread reminded me of this old one. If you're relatively new to 2 Peas, or if you haven't read this, get comfy, and grab your favorite beverage. link I'm laughing with tears in my eyes.  |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
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Post by scrapnnana on Sept 6, 2021 1:35:27 GMT
I’ve been to some crops, but never an actual retreat. I mentioned this in a different thread, but the extremely practical side of me thinks the cost of a retreat could buy a lot of stamps, dies, papers, etc., and I’d have them a lot longer.
However, I did look forward to the few crops I attended, but I went mostly because I was teaching a class, so I got into the crop free. I went alone, sat with people I didn’t know, but who came with friends and tended to ignore me. I am friendly, but didn’t feel welcomed by the others at the table, so I kept quiet and to myself. Based on that experience, I would never go to a retreat without a friend to go with me. I suspect that would have made a big difference.
As for the rest, I like having a small store or buying options. I always forgot something I needed.
I don’t like contests, especially for quantity of pages done. Goodie bags never actually had anything I would ever use, so I didn’t like them, either.
I don’t want to pay for food, since I have a lot of food sensitivities, and usually I can’t eat what is provided.
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Post by jameynz on Sept 6, 2021 2:30:54 GMT
I go to 2x different weekend crops
1x has them 3-4 times a year, and is limited to 18 people. The ONLY thing I don't like about this one, is its in a scout camp, so it is bunk beds (really really uncomfortable) but it is a good group, the majority of people get on, food is wonderful (you can opt out if you want/need to, and it reduces the price), close to the mall where you can pop out and get your nails done, go to the movies, and a craft shop or two. Goes from a Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon, and you can get the early-bird and go Wednesday as well.
the other - is closer to home, goes to Friday morning to Sunday afternoon, a few more people, where is there is less room, comfy beds, good food, a goodie bag(and it's always good!), a bit more 'clicky'
The only thing I don't like about weekend crops - is the packing and unpacking.....
And I love love love the crop nightmare thread that was on the original 2peas, and is linked above....
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 6, 2021 3:42:50 GMT
This thread reminded me of this old one. If you're relatively new to 2 Peas, or if you haven't read this, get comfy, and grab your favorite beverage. link I'm laughing with tears in my eyes.  I am kind of shocked at the number of people who host crops and have pets in the rooms with the croppers. I have never had that happen. Those stories are hilarious and kind of make me want to get back to large crops. Whenever things don't go as planned, I tend to call them adventures. After the last 18 months of a lot of nothing, I am ready for more adventures. |
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,034
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Post by artbabe on Sept 6, 2021 15:17:44 GMT
Likes:
Outlets and good lighting. I always take my Ott light because there is never enough lighting and I need somewhere to plug it in.
Good chairs, but I always take a cushion so that usually isn't an issue.
A decent size table/work space.
Goody bags- I don't care if it is old product- I usually find something I can use.
Coffee and other beverages. (My favorite crop is a cabin retreat and it is byob. I love sipping a mimosa in the morning while I scrap.)
Snacks.
I like lunch/dinner provided in the crop cost. I don't like to take too much time off from scrapping so this is a better use of time for me.
A swap table. I have tons of older product I'm not going to use or the kids have outgrown. It makes me feel good when my friends rehome it.
Dislikes:
Games. I don't mind a raffle but games like who makes the most layouts? Yuck.
Music. Put headphones on- I don't need the distraction.
Television. Ugh. A couple of people I scrap with always turn the darn tv on. I'm here to scrap and socialize, not watch tv. I was so excited when they didn't come to our last retreat.
Talking loudly on a cell phone. Get up and go to another room if you are on the phone.
It looks like most of us want the same thing.
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 6, 2021 17:05:18 GMT
One year I went to a weekend crop and the lady talked about her gifted kid all weekend. Landon did this, did that, was an exceptional friend, was going to be an Olympic swimmer, was asked to be in the leadership program in school etc. Now everyone that has kids has a few stories to share, and if you are sitting with a good friend, you might have full on conversations about your family, but this woman wasn't sitting with her friends. They had a different part of the scrap area. And... Landon was in kindergarten. My friend and I still giggle about Landon 10 years later.
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Post by maryboys on Sept 6, 2021 18:56:41 GMT
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Post by chrissyc72 on Sept 6, 2021 19:57:45 GMT
Must have a 6 ft table.
Outlets
Good WiFi
Comfy chairs - but I usually bring my own since I have a bad back.
Plenty of space for people to walk around me
Water cooler
Massage options
Don’t like games
Don’t want meals included. Too expensive and usually not the best food.
Don’t want family and friends coming in to visit. Too disruptive.
Don’t need dancing
Don’t need classes
Don’t want vendors making a speech to sell their product. There was a undergarment salesperson at one crop and we all had to stop for her presentation and when you didn’t show interest she came right up to your table and asked if you want to try stuff on!
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