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Connecticut, USA

In an attempt to help us fund the new server purchase we are having a Seed Raffle. We decided to do a raffle instead of an auction so that everyone has a chance to win (not just the grower with the biggest wallet).

We are still putting together the details but here is what we have so far:

- Four lots with numerous seeds in each
- Seeds are won individually (except where noted)
- Tickets are $5.50 each (assigned to a lot when purchased)
- All purchases must be made via PayPal
- Tickets cannot be moved from one lot to another
- We will list the contents of each lot in drawing order
- Once a ticket is pulled it does not go back into the "can" (unless there are more seeds than tickets for that lot)
- After the drawing we will contact the winners via email
- After the drawing we will post the names of the winners on the site
- Drawing date: 3/20/04 or 3/26/04 (in Niagara)
- Tickets expected to go on sale by 3/01/04

Thanks to the Dill family and Howard Dill Enterprises for permission to hold this raffle!

2/19/2004 1:53:19 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

sounds good!

2/19/2004 2:58:21 PM

Greene County, Pa.

sounds good except i dont have paypal..

BuddyG

2/19/2004 3:28:57 PM

Webster, NY

I don't use a credit card and therefore can not use pay pal. I guess I'm out of luck. Good luck to everyone else...

Dave

2/19/2004 3:35:21 PM

French River,P.E.Island, Canada

Sorry,,I won't use a credit card over the internet no matter how safe they say it is,,I'll send a donation..
Addy please,,,,,

2/19/2004 3:43:45 PM

wilmington,ma.

Same here with the credit card and internet.

2/19/2004 3:49:20 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I don't use paypal either, hope we can send in our money by mail.

Phil

2/19/2004 3:54:16 PM

Connecticut, USA

PayPal has something called an E-Check as well as Credit Card payments.

You don't need to "have" PayPal. You can sign up when you purchase your tickets.

2/19/2004 3:55:12 PM

Edmonton, Canada

I've used paypal before, and have never had a problem.

2/19/2004 4:11:43 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Sorry John, If I can't do it by mail, I will not be participating. I just don't trust the internet that much. I will send a donation as well if it helps. Email me with your address.
Phil

2/19/2004 4:13:17 PM

ipswich, ma usa

Just trying to settle a few nerves. If you have ever used your credit card at Wal-mart a gas station or out to dinner you are using the "internet" to pay. No need to be afraid to use it with paypal. Whether you enter your credit card into your computer or some 15 year old "swipes" it at a gas station it makes no difference. It all goes over some type of electronic media. You are probably better off doing it yourself than someone at one of the above locations. :) Just tryin to help a bit.

John (5150)

2/19/2004 4:19:57 PM

canal winchester ohio

Same as some of the above about pay-pal, I'll skip on tickets. I will send you guys a check as a donation though. I do it for Nepereny's site & as much as I'm in here I have no problem sending you guys some as well.
I've missed on a few items on e-bay because the only method was pay-pal........Paul

2/19/2004 4:26:20 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

My experience with paypal has been outstanding. It's a great tool. It's also nice for Ken and John too, because it allows them to outsource payment handling. They do enough for us already. I do a lot of technology consulting, though, and I understand it is a perception and comfort thing, and some people who don't understand the internet and don't feel comfortable navigating their way are leery about doing monetary transactions regardless of how much more secure it is than other forms of payment. While it is an inevitability that one day all monetary transactions will occur on the internet, until then, I would hope Ken and John would not turn away a mail-in order from those who need some additional time to adjust.

2/19/2004 6:09:07 PM

Sterling, MA

Sounds like a great idea.

I have had a PayPal account now for about 3 1/2 years, and I have had no problems and super, easy service. You can have the money withdrawn against a checking account, or charge it. It's simple, easy and safe.

It will make it much easier for the Auction Holder (manager) to manage the money also.

Dave

2/19/2004 6:16:55 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

This is true. I have a Pay Pal account that is set up against a seperate checking acct from our "house acct". My wife usues it for her eBay store. People pay into it or she can pay out from it. There are no fees that I have noticed & since we keep the balance low, there is no threat to our regular finances.

Credit cards can of course be tied to Pay Pal as well.

Navigate to PayPal for a free sign up. Link to any checking acct with a blank check in hand for the account & tracking numbers that will be needed.

https://www.paypal.com/

2/19/2004 7:04:00 PM

Rockford,il

It sounds like an interesting way to get seeds at a reasonable price.You could end up with a seed thats a winner but would never had tried otherwise.Then again,
with my luck ,I could end up with the worlds skinniest pumpkin.

2/19/2004 7:05:35 PM

Hayes, Virginia

sorry i closed my paypal account... but i will be more than happy to send check or money order to help raise money for a new server.this site has been a great help to many of us..more than happy to help..but i hate paypal...

2/19/2004 7:08:52 PM

Malibu Calif. Usa

Read about paypal at www.paypalsucks.com before you sign up for it.

2/19/2004 7:11:24 PM

Webster, NY

I agree with Mr.D&Me, I don't have a credit card and won't get one (I don't like them). I don't have to participate in the raffle, but will be happy to send some cash to help with the new server.

2/19/2004 7:21:06 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

We must have a Pumpkin Brainiac Banker out there among us who can put this all together...How can we make $ite support checks count towards the raffle w/o having to sign up for Paypal or any internet/credit card scheme, and not have John or Ken have to chase after a bad check ? Any ideas ?

2/19/2004 8:05:27 PM

Indiana

Paypal requires you to sign up with a bank account. So you don't have to have a credit card. You can get $5 for signing up, its a wonderful tool for all types of purchases. If you have a credit card your credit card info is on the internet already. All of your billing is done on a server connected to the internet. All of your bank transactions and account numbers are connected to and transmitted across the internet. So unless you keep your money stuffed in a mattress and only pay with cash all of your info is already in cyberspace. I can understand with the possible amount of mail this raffle could generate why Ken and John prefer paypal.
Steve

2/19/2004 8:05:37 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

I like the Idea! This could be the only way some growers could obtain some highly sought after seeds.

2/19/2004 8:56:13 PM

Greene County, Pa.

Well I hope a check or money order will be granted because it seems as though pay pal may be scaring people away.. Plus i wanna raise money too and i cannot get a credit card to do so . I am a poor pumpkin farmer..

BuddyG

2/20/2004 12:15:08 AM

Salt Lake City, UT

Sounds great. I am in. Paypal has worked well for me in the past. I hope it will be my lucky day.

2/20/2004 1:00:31 AM

Usa

I have used paypal. But I also have had Paypal take money out without my permission. So, you really have to watch what information you give them.

2/20/2004 3:03:14 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I just went to www.paypalsucks.com and got the crap scared outa me. I'm cancelling my account.

2/20/2004 6:45:36 AM

Great Concept. Too bad this has turned into Paypal bashing thread. They need a new server. Hello!! These guys provide a great service for FREE. They have chosen to have a Raffle to give everyone an equal chance of winning. They could have chosen an auction which may even be easier and perhaps raise more money. They could become fee based. I'll support this site and participate.

2/20/2004 8:47:26 AM

Webster, NY

I'm not sure it's become a paypal bashing thread. Some people just choose not to use it. It doesn't mean they don't appreciate this site and wouldn't participate if they could. I for one will just send in a donation. They will get extra money and that will leave more seeds for everyone else who can participate.

Dave

2/20/2004 9:01:59 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

I have had a Paypal Account for over 3 years, and at least a 1000 transactions, never a problem.
And as Livebait said, we're here to support BP not bash paypal. If you send me your $5.50, I'll buy your ticket for you, and I'll take the risk.

Eddy

2/20/2004 9:08:47 AM

Indiana

What are the seeds? What are the seeds?
Steve

2/20/2004 9:21:06 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

WE HAVE NO PROBLEM SUPPORTING Ken and John, I just don't what to use paypal. This site is great and I have learned alot since joining this site. I JUST CHOOSE NOT TO USE PAYPAL. If they would send me their address, I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to send in a DONATION to help pay for the server. I don't know why some people are insinuating that we don't appreciate the work they have done, we do. Its time to quite bashing us and understand its our choice not to use it.

Phil

2/20/2004 10:18:30 AM

Connecticut, USA

Listen,

There will be a time in the future where we will accept checks again. We are in the process of actually forming a company and that will allow us to accept checks in the name of BigPumpkins.com.

As for this event, we realize some people will not participate because of the way we are setting it up. This is regrettable, but it isn't like we are making this a mandatory thing. There are real tangible reasons why we are running the raffle the way that we are. It is not our intention to make people that would shy away from online payment feel badly. It is up to you to participate. If you choose not to, that’s Ok too.

This is supposed to be a fun thing.... let's keep it that way.

As far as donations go, right now, we cannot accept checks. If you send us one, we will have to return it, so please don't send one. According to Postal regulations, we cannot ask people to send cash in the mail.... but we wouldn't return that because two wrongs don't make a right ;-)

Regards,
    John

2/20/2004 10:47:35 AM

Commack, NY

so how many 846's will there be in this raffle? :)

2/20/2004 11:02:45 AM

Webster, NY

John, no problem here. I totally agree. Have a great time and I hope everyone gets something great.

2/20/2004 12:51:57 PM

Connecticut, USA

In an effort to allow as much participation as possible we will be selling tickets in person at the Niagara conference (cash only in US$) prior to the drawing.

2/20/2004 1:50:36 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Eddy...I'll send my money to you buddy :0)

2/20/2004 8:59:10 PM

Hanover,Ontario,Canada

Great News Ken - It all justifies having Niagara - Count me in - Dave McCallum

2/21/2004 5:36:29 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Thats great Ken, now I'll be able to participate in the raffle.
Phil

2/21/2004 9:28:53 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Just a heads up. When Ken & John needed cash for the Pumpkin-Cam last year my wife wasn't home (Checkbook "Guardianess extraordinaire! LOL) so I carefully wrapped a $20 in paper & stuffed it into a Hallmark greeting card. This was thick enough so the currency went un-noticed by potential prying eyes.

Probably not the smartest thing I do, but it hasn't failed on me yet. Yet!

Plus you can TRUST Ken & John. So I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

4whatever it's worth.

Steve

2/21/2004 11:46:46 AM

California

I'm a 4-H mom, and my son is into growing giant pumpkins. I'm so glad you guys are here. We're really excited about the seed auction and the raffle so he can get some really good seeds. Our ground isn't great (sand) but he's really excited about all the tips and information on your site.

2/25/2004 11:33:46 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Have fun Zeb! This is a fine hobby. Lot's of fun. And you'll have some fine help when ever you need it. Good folks here.

I hope you have as much fun with it as we have! We got our whole elementery school involved & they're looking forward to doing it again this year.

Steve

2/25/2004 10:12:32 PM

Rome,PA U.S.A.

Excuse my ignorance, but I know nothing about Pay Pal, nor do I use my credit card on the internet, but will support the cause by puchasing raffle tickets at the Viagra Falls seminar. See ya there. Len

2/26/2004 8:36:49 AM

Indiana

I have had more problems with my local bank making mistakes than i have had with paypal or using my credit card on the internet.
Steve

2/26/2004 8:55:27 AM

Massachusetts

So go ahead... what are the seeds to be raffled?

2/29/2004 8:44:01 AM

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10/27/2004 3:09:36 PM