Trouble with hosting a catalog party

[Darkina]

I've only hosted a catalog party twice, but both times there was a problem. The first time, the person was new to the game and didn't realize what a cataloging party was. She thought it was a giveaway. We sorted that out and everything was fine. But the second time, someone took off with a jukebox and something else (I can't remember what it was), and someone else used the (-) to leave and glitched the crafting villager. I asked for in-game names and island names, and both the people that caused problems never posted these, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt. This has honestly put me off hosting cataloging parties.

When you host, how do you deal with this? And do you have a way to tell who may cause trouble? Do you have some process to weed out troublemakers? This is my first time dealing with this in this community. It makes me sad.

 

[Noctis]

I'm sorry this happened to you )))): There's always going to be people who take advantage of cataloging and its very disappointing.

While I've never hosted cataloging for others I've participated in many. I can point out some things host have done while I've visited.

If you're hosting random items do one person at a time or bring in two people at a time so you can keep an eye on them.

If you're hosting by sets separate them by using fences and or by using an item of that set so visitors know what items are on that section. Also check back and forth that everything is going smoothly.

If you have a sibling, friend, significant other with a copy of the game ask them to help you out to keep an eye out for your visitors if you're hosting large amount of items. They can be on one section and you can be on the other.

Also visitors should voice out if they see something out of the line. Once someone was hosting an all bear catalog. As I was cataloging I noticed a rattan stool within a set and I told the host. Quickly it was resolved but its best to say something right away while being in their island.

Hmm I can't think of something else but hopefully others can come foward and give you tips. Also types of cataloging I've had an amazing experience and I'm very thankful for these people who host but I honestly don't see why you would want to steal and replace that item with something (always empty your pockets!!!) else when you can order it later.

 

[Pyoopi]

When I used to host, I asked for a fee to enter.
However, the fee doesn't necessarily stop troublemakers.

You can be stricter where the person must post their IGN and island name. Don't quote them or tell them reread the post if they fail to do so. If they don't, no dodo code.
You can also use their feedback rating as a restriction, like you only invite those with 5 feedback and more.

This obviously takes out a lot of newcomers but I think it's justified. You're trying to be welcoming and XYZ, you're also putting a lot of trust into a stranger with 0 feedback.
It makes much more sense for a newcomer to build up their credibility by trading in Nooks Cranny first.

Also, leave negative feedback. I think this gives people a lot anxiety (I would agree) but it's such a necessity when you're giving trust to a stranger and they break it. We all want to believe in the good of others but that's not always the case.

Unfortunately, you can't really stop someone using the (-), maybe really bold a statement saying don't use it, leave through the airport only.

 

[kojuuro]

I'm so sorry this happened I've seen some hosts restrict catalogue trades to people with a certain amount of feedback to avoid troublemakers.

I think you should be more strict with the IGN and island name. It was literally in your rules, if they can't understand that or read they shouldn't be able to come. Maybe you were trying to do something nice by letting it slide, but by knowing who it was you can give negative feedback to them so people don't get blindsided by them again.

Also if you have friends who can help watch people catalog that should help a lot more, or only let in people 1 or 2 at a time because it can be really hard to keep track of if there's a lot of people at once.

 

[Licorice]

I participate in cataloging parties often. It's a small group and we're all trustworthy but sometimes we let random people in. We each have our own spot that has fences separating all of us. So if someone DID steal it would be very noticeable. Also try having one person with their phone out. That will prevent anyone from leaving randomly

 

[Cnydaquil]

ty for the info!

 

[Garrett]

Sorry that happened to you. I'd always check feedback first, insist on having their in-game and island name (I usually screenshot as they arrive lmao) and limit numbers so you can walk around and keep an eye on things.

 

[Darkina]

Thank you all so much for the tips! I am going to be much stricter about in-game name and island name. The majority of people who come are so nice and fun to interact with - I really enjoy meeting everyone. I don't want the tiny minority to ruin my fun of the game. I'm not sure who took the jukebox, so in all fairness, I can't leave a negative comment. I just have an idea who it might be, but I might be wrong. But I'm definitely putting more rules in place for the next time I do this. And I'm a giant squishy pushover, but I think I'm going to have to get a bit of a backbone if I want to keep opening my island.

 

[Luella]

For almost two weeks I hosted a catalog island with over 50 completed sets of items.

The most important question is: Where are you advertising?

I only used this site when I hosted. Also learned my lesson on Reddit super early into this game and never posted a public code. Always send a code through private messages!

Almost unknowingly invited someone with a super low rating (not new 0 feedback, but negative feedback) before I got some peeps who alerted me! So this site's rating system is super handy. Pay attention to it.

It also helps to space out how many people you invite. Only invite how many you feel you are able to keep an eye on/manage.

My island was also fenced off completely other than the areas I wanted people to be in. And I made sure to request that everyone leave through the airport to cause less issues all around.

Think as long as you follow this you should generally be good.

 

[Aliya]

I had people over today to grab a wreath DIY and checked feedback, made people list their name etc and still had people not follow rules by running in places no where near my villager’s house. I’m not doing it again without an entry fee and fencing everything off. It’s sad how a few people can ruin it for everyone.

I would be even more pissed if stuff was stolen. I share similar feelings since a lot of people here are super kind. I don’t have any advice besides maybe having a second person around to help watch and keep their phone open so no one can leave but I feel your struggle!

 

[telluric]

I've had mostly good experiences in when I host cataloguing, so I'm sorry that happened!
In your original post, I recommend making something to verify someone has read the rules. For example at the end of the rules, have something like "write [x thing] in your comment so i know you've read these". Clearly outline how you want stuff to proceed (ex. should people pick stuff up one at a time, boundaries of where they should be going). You can also indicate that you are only letting people in who have less than a certain amount (for example, 5 or so) of ratings on here (I don't do this, but I've seen people who do and completely understand). Maybe you could also get a partner to be on the island with you in case you have to go AFK or otherwise leave the cataloguing area and can't supervise.

Hopefully these bad experiences don't discourage you too much from continuing, as catalogue events are so appreciated! I feel great to give back to the forum and let people catalog stuff for free. However, there has been experiences (i.e. I indicated that you must pick up an item one at a time, reminded someone in the PM with the dodo code, yet they still picked up items in bulk) that have soured things just a bit. In the end though, I'm happy I was able to be such a big help to people, and they may not have known better.

 

[wearebap]

Im glad this thread was made!
I wanted to open up my island to let people catalog the cute set and the Sanrio posters but now i have a better idea on how to make sure nobody causes trouble!

 

[Darkina]

I never check feedback - never felt like I had to before - but I'll start checking feedback now. That's a very good suggestion. I never had any problems like this with AC:NL, but AC:NH is so crazy popular right now. I think things will calm down in a few months and we'll have core AC players left and there (hopefully) will be less problems.

 

[Miharu]

I host a lot of catalog parties and I also offer catalog services. During the beginning of when ACNH came out I offered free catalog services to over 200 people and usually let 4-5 people in at a time. I'm really sorry this happened to you, it's definitely frustrating when people don't read the information/rules you post! The best advice I can give you are:

• Fence off each set separately and fence it enough to where every furniture piece will fit inside that fence, so if you see a spot is empty you'll know right away if someone forgot to drop something down
• Be firm and strict with your rules, adding a password will 100% help in determining who actually read everything vs who haven't. I usually post passwords somewhere in my rules and if they don't read it, I just ignore their post. Usually if they see that, they'll double check the posts to see if they might have missed anything or they'll ask. You can also just let them know to reread your rules/info if you don't want to ignore their post.
• Always ask for IGN and island name to know who's who and to determine who's the trouble maker if something ends up going wrong
• When sending DMs with the dodo code, I always like to emphasis in the title and info that it's for cataloging. You can also put a FAQ where you can mention what cataloging is for those who don't know/understand.
• Before each person leaves, I always have them DM me first before leaving, then I'll ask them to double check their inventory for me, and once they do they can leave via airport.
• ALWAYS DM people the dodo code and never post publicly. Usually when I DM them the dodo code I'll put in extra information I don't have! Such as "Once you are done cataloging, please double check your inventory before you leave! Once you have checked there's no furniture/etc then you can leave via airport." You can also mention to leave via airport only and not through "-"
• I always have a rule where if they are coming to catalog, they need to have an empty inventory to prevent any accidents, so as accidentally mixing up our furniture together or not realizing which furniture belongs to who.

I hope this helps! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions or if you want to see examples of my past threads or instructions I usually give to my groups via DMs c:

 

[DewDrops]

In my thread, with every rule, I have a secret phrase that corresponds to it. Sort of like the idea of a password, but for several rules. I like to make them quirky, and occasionally change them up if I make some sort of big change in how the thread is set up. Has helped me tremendously.

And the wifi ratings are really a godsend on the site. I've seen only a few users with especially negative reviews, but it's saved me from sending a dodo to someone with a low rating.

Knowing the IGN and Island name also helps to know who is arriving. Sometimes with so many people in and out, it can get to be a blur. But there has been past occurrences (for others, thankfully not with me) that someone secretly sends the dodo to another person. I keep a google doc running on the side with three columns. Who's been invited, who is currently there, and who has left (so I don't forget to leave them a wifi review).

If I see a name I don't recognize, I'm prepared to end session soon as they land.