As you disappear down the rabbit hole, you may find yourself hearing more about traveling groups and testers. These are both excellent opportunities to try out wraps and carriers, refine your own preferences, interact with other enthusiastic babywearers, weavers and vendors, and to learn more about wrap qualities and how to put those qualities into review form. While these are great opportunities and a true privilege, there are a few responsibilities that come with the territory.
Do your research: if you are entering a tester search, or have been approached to test, look into the company/weaver you will potentially be testing for. Are their ethics in line with yours? Is their image one you are comfortable with?
Know the expectations: make sure you know exactly what is expected of you in a tester group or traveling group. A lot of the time, these groups are secret. If you are testing a wrap or carrier, keep in mind you are possibly testing an unreleased product and its creator is likely to either want to release it to the world themselves, or give you a time and place to share it. Never, ever share images of a wrap or carrier until you are sure its creator is ready for you to do so, let's liken it to the cousin who makes your birth announcement on Facebook before you get a chance to! Likewise, with a traveler group, be sure that the owners of wraps/carriers have given permission to take a wrap to meets/gatherings. This protects you as well as them and the wrap/carrier. You don't want to find yourself liable for lost/stolen/damaged wraps! Be certain that your traveler group is not secret before mentioning it to outsiders, and never add friends without checking with the rest of the group!
Know how to handle the wrap/carrier: The absolute first thing to do when you receive a wrap/carrier is inspect it. Pay attention to any flaws/stains etc. Do not wrap with it until you have done so. If required, measure it too. Feedback to the owner that you have received it and it is in good condition. If it is not in good condition, report back to the owner/organiser immediately and privately. Do not use it without further instruction from them. Reporting back immediately prevents you from becoming liable for any previous damages. Should anything, no matter how minor, happen to it whilst in your care, let the owner/organiser know immediately. Do not wash it without their instructions. Many wraps and carriers require special care. Detergent allergies are common, and washing with the wrong product can have serious consequences. Most visits have a deadline. Be precise with it. Food, animals, smoking, anything that could potentially mark or scent a wrap are not appropriate, even if they seem fine to you, they may well not be to the owner! If it is a tester, it may be on a tight schedule to get through an entire group before release. If you won't be able to meet the deadline, let the organiser know! Be clear with shipping. Does it need to be sent tracked? Couriered? Couriered with signature? Insured? Make sure you use the correct method to ship to protect yourself! Take photos of the package and forward tracking details to the person you are forwarding it to, and if required, to the owner/organiser.
To spam or not to spam? If its a tester, are you allowed to show it off immediately? If so, in what spaces? Many tester groups have a tester album for you to add photos to, as well as a space for reviews. Use them! If the organiser has been clear about where/when to share then share, share, share in those spaces. If not, ask!! Don't accidentally leak an unreleased wrap/carrier! Most people sending wraps into traveling groups like to see spam, to make sure their wrap/carrier is being loved and cared for, so by all means spam within the group. Ask permission to share outside of the group, and don't mention the traveler group unless you are absolutely certain its okay to do so!
Reviews: be honest! Not brutal, but honest! Don't say anything untrue, don't say that a wrap is beautifully cushy if you find it thin and diggy, bring up its positives then raise any downsides later, constructive criticism helps both the creator and potential buyers. Being unnecessarily critical helps no one. If you don't feel knowledgeable enough to go into great detail about wrap qualities, don't! Tell people what you did enjoy about it instead of trying to talk a language you are still learning!
Final words: enjoy! Testing and traveling is a wonderful opportunity and a great privilege! Be courteous and respectful and enjoy this awesome adventure!!
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