The Great Minivan Trade Up: 2008

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Minivan Trade Up YouTube Update #8

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Saturday, October 11, 2008

Minivan Trade Up Update

Ok, it has been a while since my last update but things are definitely still moving forward. We are working on trade number #7 and have a very nice package of items in trade number 6 waiting for someone to make an offer on, thanks suburban scrawl for offering such great things!

I have been getting more and more people following my progress on the Minivan Trade Up website as well as over on facebook where we are getting close to 150 people who are now members of the Great Minivan Trade Up Group!

I am asking all of my readers to consider joining the facebook group as well as subscriing to the feed over at the blog site for the trade up. I still plan on using Dad of Divas as a conduit to share information for those of you who do not subscribe or join the facebook group.

I am also asking everyone to share the Great Minivan Trade Up with their friends, family, acquaintances, etc. As I continue to say, the more people that I have connected to this group, the more fun we all can have and the closer that I can get toward the goal.

Speaking of goals, I have been thinking that I should expand my horizins to consider other models of minivans...what are your thoughts? I would definitely put down the Honda Odyssey, but might even consider the ChryslerTown and Country (the newer design). I would be interested in hearing your feedback on this...

I have been having people contact me to say that they might be interested in trading something, but they have been waiting for the next trade up, so if you have an item (or items) or a service that you would like to rtade up that is worth something near $270.00 which is the combined value of all items , please contact me as I would love to talk with you about this as I am committed to working on this until I meet my goal (I am persistent!).

If you have other ideas that could help this get even more publicity and more people interested, please let me know. As mentioned before I did get front page coverage in a local paper, but that was pretty much it. I had been contacted by a local TV Station, but they are waiting until we have moved a bit closer to the goal.... so again we have to move forward with the trading (it always comes back to this).

So now comes the fun part, as I have explained in earlier posts, it’s time for trade up #7. If you would like to own the items in this trade, all you have to do is trade up for the items. What do you have that can get me closer to my goal? I hope you all will get in on the fun and look forward to seeing what our next trade up will bring!

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up? Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Moving on Up - Minivan Trade Up #6

Yes you read it right...after a bit of a lull in the action we have our 6th trade up! Thanks to Melisa over at Suburban Scrawl she has put together a package she calls - "Money Can't Buy Happiness" for Weaselmomma's gift of Herself and Stuff. The pakage includes:

A practically new (still has the fill-it-in-yourself id card in it) Brighton knockoff wallet ($25)

A necklace from Coldwater Creek ($22)

Large assortment of new-in-package scrapbooking supplies, including a set of alphabet books, a book of layout ideas, stickers, and layout kits ($120)

Four CDs to use for working out (I am a group fitness instructor); one is 128 beats per minute all the way through and is great for ab work or resistance training; three are custom blends that can be used for spinning or treadmill work (or even housecleaning: vacuuming is awesome when done to these tunes) ($80)

For those who are not the workout type, I have a new-in-package Hallmark CD: "Relaxing Instrumental Music, Volume 1" ($10)

One hardcover, never-read copy of Anna Quindlen's "A Short Guide to a Happy Life". Never read because I'm both too busy and apparently plenty happy enough. ($13)

Total value: $270*The only thing she asks is if the person who trades up from this is outside of the continental U.S., she would request that we split the shipping cost: half each. If the person is in the U.S., she'll cover shipping.

As you can see this whole package is a great one, so my thanks to Melisa for her generosity!

So now comes the fun part, as I have explained in earlier posts, it’s time for trade up #7. If you would like to own this beautiful piece of artwork, all you have to do is trade up for the piece. What do you have that can get me closer to my goal? I hope you all will get in on the fun and look forward to seeing what our next trade up will bring!

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up? Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------New to the The Great Minivan Trade Up?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing you back here again!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Minivan Trade Up YouTube Update #7

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Minivan Trade Up YouTube Update #6

Monday, September 1, 2008

Week 3 Update - Waiting on The World To Change

Much like John Mayer, I have been waiting on a change this past week...maybe not the whole world to change (though there are many parts where that would be nice) but overall waiting for a change in the trading that has not been occurring.

It seems like I have been working on the Great Minivan Trade Up much longer than I actually have. We currently are working on trade #6, and Weaselmomma has a great trade up, and it not only promises to be a fun evening out, but I can now say from experience that her secret recipes that she is offering to trade up as well are definitely worth it.

As a part of the trade up I told the Weaselmomma that I would have to have some proof to the authenticity of the claim that her recipes were actually as good as she said they were. At the end of last week, I was pleased to have J-Mom letting me know that I had received a package and within were cookies and biscotti representing three of the recipes that she has offered in the trade up. As I mentioned earlier, she is not kidding when she states that these recipes are worth the trade.

Weaselmomma made a comment over at Creb8buzz the other day that stated "Around here they disappear like roaches in the light." I am also finding this to be the case and J-Mom and Diva-J love the cookies and Biscotti. If this doesn’t get traded up soon, I may have to trade up myself to get the recipes!

Outside of looking for trade up #6 there have been a few other things going on, primarily, I have been working on getting the word out to the media. The only bite so far is that my local newspaper has interviewed me about the trade up. I hope that the article is a good one and that it continues to push forward the fun, but you never know until you read it in print. I haven’t heard from any of my other attempts as of yet.

So what am I looking for the future:

1) I am looking to continue getting the word out about the Great Minivan Trade Up (If
you have ideas, please let me know)

2) I am looking to connect with further media contacts…do you have any that would be
interested?

3) I am looking to utilize my and other contacts to continue the trading up…. You know
the whole idea of six degrees of separation… I know there has to be some ways to
connect with celebrities, or other well known people that might be willing to put
something forward (such as dinner with ________ - you fill in your favorite celeb
or famous person). Can you help me with this?

As I have said in the past I started this process with a goal in mind, but not knowing whether the goal was actually attainable. Now I find myself doing this to not only work on my goal, but moreover I am truly enjoying the connections I am making with others and the fun I am having along the way as I work toward this goal.

I am always looking for ideas and ways to up the ante per se. If you have any ideas, please let me know by dropping me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com .

What do you have or an you do that can get me closer to my goal?

I hope you all will get in on the fun and look forward to seeing what our next trade up will bring!

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up?

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New to the The Great Minivan Trade Up?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing you back here again!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Minivan Trade Up YouTube Update #5

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Minivan Trade Up YouTube Update #4

Friday, August 22, 2008

Minivan Trade Up - YouTube Update!

Trade Up #5 - Weaselmomma to the Rescue

Ok... we are really moving forward this week! Today I received a trade up from Barb, better known as Weasel Momma by many who read her hilarious blog - World of Weasels. Earlier yesterday she even had a tongue and cheek way of looking at the whole trade up!

Anyway, for the awesome photo from Diana, The Weasel Momma has graciously offered the following that she states is priceless, but upon further pressing she states it is worth approximately $250.00: (I am going to be using her words below...)

Here is Weaselmomma's offer:
Framed 8x10 autographed picture of the Weaselmomma, so you have
a collectors item later in life to sell on e-bay when I am famous.

Drinks with the Weaselmomma(where you can take more pictures,appropriate ones) at a mutually agreed upon time and place in the Chicagoland area, up to a $50 bar tab. (Any Number of people, up to a $50.00 bar tab. Anything over $50.00, they pay themselves.)

Collection of some of the most kick ass cookie and candy recipes ever
created and greatly coveted (begged for by the masses) to include My Oatmeal
Chocolate Chips, Oatmeal Lace, Grandma's butter cookies, Pistachio cranberry
Biscotti, Chocolate cinnamon Biscotti, candied orange pecans and Irish
potatoes(coconut candy). (She is sending me some samples and I will let you know how wonderful they are!!!)

To recap:

Framed 8x10 autographed picture of the Weaselmomma, $15
Free drinks on Weaselmomma, $50.00
Kick ass cookie recipes to impress friends with $200.00

Chance to have an awesome fun time with an awesome fun blogging
chick who likes to get her drink on and stories to tell from now till kingdom
come while chomping on some cookies that you made yourself with Weaselmomma's recipes, Priceless

Transportation/hotel are not included, but are encouraged for out of
town participants and I reserve the right to bring an escort(in the form of Hubby for drinks-this does not take away from their bar tab.)

And anyone who I currently have a restraining order against is not qualified to participate(just kidding, I think).

She promises that the cocktail hour will truly be a time you will never forget!

So now comes the fun part, as I have explained in earlier posts, it’s time for trade up #5. If you would like to own this beautiful piece of artwork, all you have to do is trade up for the piece. What do you have that can get me closer to my goal?

I hope you all will get in on the fun and look forward to seeing what our next trade up will bring!

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up? Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Thanks for the Link Love!

Another friend of mine, Kristi from Music Mom of 2 wrote a piece about the trade up today... just wanted to give her a shout out and encourage all of you to go over and check out her blog. She has a hillarious video of her youngest son dancing to ABBA that made me fall on the floor laughing... go check it out today!!!

Minivan Trade Up YouTube Update #2

Thank You Weasel Momma!

I want to give a shout out to Weasel Momma for writing a hilarious article about the trade up today... Give her some love and go check it out at the World of Weasels!

If any of you are willing to also write about about the Trade Up please let me know and I will add you to my link list as well as give you some public praise which is always good for something!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Great Minivan Trade Up – Trade Up #4 is here!!!!

You read it right, we have our fourth trade up, and it is a nice one! Valued at approximately $120.00, a friend of mine (and wonderful photographer) named Diana Ramirez (http://www.dianamramirez.net/) has traded up the following original – first print (one of a kind) matted photograph in a wooden frame (See Below!)

She explained to me that the image above is not the pest picture of her artwork as it was take with her camera, so I am sure that this would make a great addition to many of your households.
So now comes the fun part, as I have explained in earlier posts, it’s time for trade up #5. If you would like to own this beautiful piece of artwork, all you have to do is trade up for the piece. What do you have that can get me closer to my goal?

I hope you all will get in on the fun and look forward to seeing what our next trade up will bring!

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up? Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Great Minivan Trade Up on YouTube

I decided to bring the Great Minivan Trade Up to the Masses on Youtube... this is what I posted! I know its not too good, but it was with my camera... how good could it be, right?

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Week 1 update – The Great Minivan Trade Up!!!

I can’t believe it has been a week since the unveiling of The Great Minivan Trade Up! Over the past week I have been working hard to get people interested and knowledgeable over what I am trying to accomplish.

1) I have set up a facebook group for those of you that are connected. It can be reached by going to: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26677026713&ref=mf
(Hope you will come and join in the fun)

2) We received our first trade up from Charlie on the PA Turnpike (Thanks Charlie) which was traded to Jeff from Daddy’s Toolbox for an awesome book.

3) Our second trade up from Jeff from Daddy’s Toolbox was traded to Pat for an actual US Flag that flew over the US Capitol.So our trading continues and I wonder who will be next?

4) I have set up a website for the Great Minivan Trade Up – Please check it out - http://minivantradeup.blogspot.com/

5) At the website I developed a button that people can put on their own blogs – I hope that you will think of promoting it!

6) Speaking of promotion yesterday and today I have had people writing about this initiative so I need to spread the love!

- First was Joey from over at Daddybrain - http://daddybrain.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/can-one-dad-trade-up-to-a-minivan-for-free/

- Next was Hip_Mom from Happy, Healthy, Hip - http://happyhealthyhip.blogspot.com/

7) I did get 2 emails from 2 different Toyota Dealers that I had contacted about the initiative. The first said:Due to the possibility of conflict between developments from within the Toyota organizations and ideas submitted by interested persons, it is our policy not to accept unsolicited suggestions for new products, inventions, patents, testimonials, proposals, marketing or advertising ideas.The second dealer representative mentioned:I have been thinking about how I can help you through this, sometimes confusing, car buying experience. Believe me, I know you have probably received numerous emails and quotes from many dealerships, and it can be overwhelming. Whether you are looking for the best price, or perhaps a different make of car, or maybe a feeling of trust with someone, please know that I do understand and I am here to help. If you need anymore information about the benefits of buying a over any other vehicle, I can surely send you many valuable test ratings, not to mention a list of awards that have made a step above the rest. What I find humorous about these is that neither people read the email I sent which was actually the text from the initial post that I put up about the Trade Up. Oh well…they will keep on hearing from me in the future…

What’s next up? I couldn’t honestly say… I do have a few ideas though…

1) I will definitely keep on trying to get people to join the facebook site and become subscribers to the new website as well as to Dad of Divas to be able to keep people in the loop.

2) I will keep trying to solicit ideas from others to get ideas on how to best reach out to get people talking about this initiative. I know there are others out there that may have ideas about how I may be able to reach my goal even sooner.

3) I will continue working to get people to trade up and have fun. Remember that items do not need to be tangible. For example think about your profession…what do you do that others may find valuable. Are you a family lawyer? How about doing a will, trust, etc for a family. Are you a web designer, How about a complete web design for someone? Do you work at a travel agency or for an airline… can you put forth a trip or airfare to somewhere??? Do you have a timeshare??? All of these are things that don’t specifically have to be sent or shipped.

4) Keep using twitter and other social networks to keep people updated with my progress.

This is my update for this week… hope that you will get involved!

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up?

Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

Friday, August 15, 2008

The Great Minivan Trade Up - Trade #3

Woo Hoo!!!!! Things are really starting to ove forward...we have our third trade! I was excited this morning to have our second trade up waiting for me! Jeff from Daddy's Toolbox has traded an awesome book: Flawless Execution.

By this afternoon, I got my 3rd trade up from Pat, who has offered a very patriotic and unique trade up...

This evening's trade up is a US Flag that was flown over the US Capitol. These flags are able to be purchased through the help of a US Congressman/Senator. The flag is worth approximately $30.00.

So who among us is Patriotic? Who would like to have this special keepsake? If it is you... it is time again to trade up!

(The above picture is not of the actual flag - used only for impact)

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up?

Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

The Great Minivan Trade Up - Trade #2

I was excited this morning to have our second trade up waiting for me! Jeff from Daddy's Toolbox has traded an awesome book:

Flawless Execution, by James D Murphy $25.95 http://snurl.com/3fvg9

From the above link the book is described as:

According to former U.S. Air Force pilot-turned-management guru James D. Murphy, businesses need to take a lesson from the American military's fighter pilots. While F-15s, F-16s and F/A-18s are the ultimate aerial combat machines, they are entirely dependent on the men and women who fly and maintain them. At Mach 2, the instrument panel is screaming out information, the horizon is a blur, the wingman is occupied, the pilot's busy, the jet is hanging on the edge- and yet fighter pilots routinely handle the stress. It's not much different in today's fast-paced, unforgiving world of business. One slipup and the company is bankrupt before the employees know what hit them.

What works on the squadron level for F-15 pilots will also work for your marketing team, sales force, or research and development group. By analyzing the work environment and attacking its centers of gravity in parallel, you'll begin to utilize the Plan-Brief-Execute-Debrief-Win cycle that makes up Flawless Execution. The results will make a rapid impact on your business's future success. Developed over the course of nearly fifty years, the rigorous practice of Flawless Execution has helped U.S. fighter squadrons reduce their mistake rate, cute casualties and losses of equipment, and rack up an envious victory record. Through Afterburn's multimedia seminars conducted by "Murphy" and his fellow pilots-turned-businesspeople, business have benefited by adopting the techniques, systems and strategies of America's Top Guns. Now, with Flawless Execution, you can too.

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up?

Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

The Great Minivan Trade Up Day 3 - Waiting on Trade 2

As I hope all of you read on Friday I started a new initiaive that I am calling The Great Minivan Trade Up (read this if you need more background to the project). Here is how it works… What I am looking for is for people to offer trade ups that have some value to others. Seeing that I live in Northeastern Wisconsin and have a more limited travel budget, I am looking for things to be somewhat transportable (yet again, of value). If items are products, please make sure that items are in working order. If trades are for services, events, vacations, etc, please specify the parameters that must be followed.

So what do you get in return, well first, you get some items that may be valuable to you. Second you get to be a part of history! Third, you will get notoriety and free publicity as I will make a big deal regarding my trade ups! Fourth, for the person, company, etc, that does finally get me to my goal, I will promise you praise beyond compare on this site, and if you would like a continual product review (a year in the life per se of a Toyota Sienna owner)

As of Friday thanks to Charlie On The Pennsylvania Turnpike we have our first trade!!!!
For the Kodak Ektralite that I mentioned earlier, he has offered a trade up of the following:
A SanDisk USB 2.0 CompactFlash Card Reader/Writer .Ebay lists one at $16.http://cgi.ebay.com/Scandisk-USB-2-0-Compact-Flash-Card-Reader-Writer-Adobe_W0QQitemZ180274311820QQihZ008QQcategoryZ18871QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It is in the original packaging (while it was cut open, the device was never used.) Driver CD, documentation included.

So again, the trading continues…what can you trade up?

Follow the trade up also on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26677026713&ref=mf

Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

Follow the Great Minivan Trade Up on Facebook

Seeing that I also use facebook...I have started a group for those of you that are using it. Please come by and join up in the fun!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26677026713&ref=mf

The Great Minivan Trade Up - Our First Trade!

Thanks to Charlie On The Pennsylvania Turnpike we have our first trade!!!!

For the Kodak Ektralite that I mentioned earlier, he has offered a trade up of the following:

A SanDisk USB 2.0 CompactFlash Card Reader/Writer .
Ebay lists one at $16.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Scandisk-USB-2-0-Compact-Flash-Card-Reader-Writer-Adobe_W0QQitemZ180274311820QQihZ008QQcategoryZ18871QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It is in the original packaging (while it was cut open, the device was never used.) Driver CD, documentation included.

So again, the trading continues...what can you trade up?

Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

-------------------------------------------------------------
New to the The Great Minivan Trade Up?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing you back here again!

The Great Minivan Trade Up - Day 1!

Ok.... I was reading recently about Kyle McDonald who traded one red paperclip to eventually trade up (14 trades later) for a home in Kipling Saskatchewan , Canada . I even found that now they are trying to trade up the house!

For those of you that have been following me for a while, you know that J-Mom and I have been looking at getting a minivan for quite some time, but for us it has been an issue of money (being on one income and all).

In reading about Kyle and his project, I have decided to try something a bit unconventional. In our research, J-Mom and I have decided that we really would like to get a Toyota Sienna. We chose this based on our test drives, safety features, reliability and overall value for the product.

Why a minivan you may say...well, if you have ever tried to lug around kids, family members, the kids' friends in vehicles that only hold 5-6 you may now understand our dilemma.

What I am offering is to try a new trade up project for a new (or very gently used - preferably new) Toyota Sienna. The specs we are looking for include: At least an LE version, automatic with tinted windows, side airbag and automatic features, air conditioning. If possible we would like some color choice (but I know beggars can't be choosers) Would I love the XLE package - you bet, but I am not trying to shoot for the moon (or maybe I should!)

Do I know whether this project will work, no. Do I hope it does work, sure thing!

I will promise this to all of my readers, if this does go anywhere, you are sure to hear more about it along the way no matter what happens (it should be fun). (I wonder how quickly something like this could potentially happen???)

So to start off the trade, I have decided to start with something vintage - a Vintage Kodak Ektralite camera! (See I am not starting SO small as a paperclip)

What I am looking for is for people to offer trade ups that have some value to others. Seeing that I live in Northeastern Wisconsin and have a more limited travel budget, I am looking for things to be somewhat transportable (yet again, of value). If items are products, please make sure that items are in working order. If trades are for services, events, vacations, etc, please specify the parameters that must be followed.

So what do you get in return, well first, you get some items that may be valuable to you. Second you get to be a part of history! Third, you will get notoriety and free publicity as I will make a big deal regarding my trade ups! Fourth, for the person, company, etc, that does finally get me to my goal, I will promise you praise beyond compare on this site, and if you would like a continual product review (a year in the life per se of a Toyota Sienna owner)

So don't call me crazy, just call me industrious and creative... I look forward to what happens!

So be a part of history as I have never found anyone that has done this type of trade up... and help me to achieve my dream of becoming a minivan family!

Even if you don't want to trade up, please share this with friends, colleagues, other blog networks. Please stumbleor Digg this to get the word out. Thank you for your support!!!!

Please send all offers to: dadofdivas@gmail.com

Look forward to working on this project with you - and to your comments!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Friday, September 19, 2008

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Monday, September 1, 2008

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Friday, August 22, 2008

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Friday, August 15, 2008

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