Open up coop with instructions like this:
"Everyone interested in signing up for this coop should respond to this thread with the number of units you want. (Or use the store, however it is done...) The Coop registration will close in one week. There is no doubt that interest may exceed the ability to answer all requests. To provide fairness, selection will be based on the first letter of your user name. Randomly letters of the alphabet will be generated... and until all slots are filled, users will be drawn from the list based on their user name.
For example: when registration closes, the letters R-U-J-H-B-F-Z-I-L- .... are drawn. Users starting with 'R' (Rog, richola, ripsnortin, ...) are selected. Then users with 'U' (umberto, umbrellahead, ...) Until all slots are filled."
...this is just a way for people to feel that there is some fairness.
There is another benefit. When we fill up a coop we don't really get an idea of how many people were interested and didn't even get their names added. Keeping the registration open for a week might tell you that there is a desire by 307 users to have 1456 units. If you only satisfy 300 of those units, you know that there is pent up demand for another 1156 that could be acted up by another coop manager.
First let me say I am a newbie so you can take this with a grain of salt
I may not have the most valid opinions since I just happened to get in on this last coop as my first
In my opinion, this plan is neither more or less fair than the current system. And I can promise you, those that don't get their name pulled out of the hat will say it is unfair!! You also run the risk of some letter of the alphabet never getting pulled, or at least some letters pulled more than others.
There are guidelines in place that are probably about as fair as you are going to get it. First come, first serve is something we have to live with. Personally, I read all I could before I ever tried to get in on a coop. I knew what the rules were going in and "subscribed" to the coop forum to be notified of new posts. I was fortunate to catch it in time this go around after missing out the first time. And actually, I think the mere fact that the coops are closing within a couple of hours is good indication that their is HUGE demand. There may not be exact numbers but a coop that takes days to fill will give indication that demand is waning.
I personally don't have issue with the way the coops are run and certainly appreciate the countless hours and efforts that are extended by RJ and the managers voluntarily only to benefit myself and others like me
