Sent Three Forms

Friday, July 21 I sent three forms out to friends. If they follow through Karyn should get three pairs of flops from my doings. I'll keep in touch with her to see if the chain keeps going.

The Reaction

Well, I didn't hear from many on my list, signaling to me that either people are completely disapointed in my lack of judgement or they just haven't gotten the email yet. Of those who responded at the end of the first night, here are the comments:

"that does sound like fun...count me in"

“Um, aren't those chain mail things total scams anyway? Like the "mail $1 and get $1000" ones? Seems like they don't actually work. I wouldn't want flip flops anyway. They make my toes feel funny.”

"I think it’s cool – count me in!"

"I don't normally do this either but this sounds like it could be fun and flip flops are the BEST...yup count me in...go ahead and send it :)"

“How can you possibly get 35 PAIRS of flip flops for 6.50? seriously? Wait a minute, I just got the point. It’s a chain letter. Silly me. Oh well, chalk one up to exhaustion.”

“Dude, I am so in. I love me some flip-flops. A different pair every day of the month. It is like Baskin Robbins or something.”

You are too hilarious. I hate flipflops! (Anything between my toes just creeps me out.) But keep these cards and letters coming!

Off to Old Navy

Old Navy is right down the street from work. I decide to hit their summer sale and find some cheap flip flops. Success! A pair that is funky (when someone is getting 35 pairs-why go with boring neutral colors?) on sale from $7.50 to $2.50. Bargain! I pick this one because the flops are going to Florida, where they tend to play a lot of tennis. Plus, that whole preppie '80s look is coming back. (I have the shoe size of the woman who I am sending these to by the way...it's part of the chain letter.)

Getting Others to Participate

Worst part about chain letters is bugging all of your friends and loved ones. You never know who you are going to upset or get frowned on upon. The worst thing of all is opening yourself up for their chain letters in the future.

I had decided to "pay forward" the flip flops, but who was going to carry the burden of the chain letter after me? I decided to send out a mass e-mail:

So, I get this chain letter from my friend Karyn. It’s unlike her to send me snail mail chain letters, so instead of immediately throwing the letter away, I read it. The bottom line is, for the purchase and mailing of one pair of flip flops, you can end up with 35 pairs. I was intrigued. It’s much like recipe chains I have gotten in the past.

I did the math, for $6.50-I can get 35 pairs of flip flops:
Flip Flops $2.50 (Originally 7.50. Old Navy has one heck of a sale right now.)
Postage $2.00 (flip flops are inherently light!)
5 snail mail chain letters $2.00 (postage)

A work friend asks, “What are you going to do with 35 pairs of flip flops?” I thought about it and my answer was, “pick over the good ones and give the rest to the YMCA or something like that.” I also thought it would be fun to blog this “experiment.”

So, if you want in-let me know and I will snail mail you the form.

Kris

The Chain Letter

I got a chain letter from Karyn the other day. What is she doing sending me this nonsense? I read on...fast forward 3 days and I'm sucked in.