Safe Trading Tips, Trading Etiquette and More

[savageamusement]

New to trading?
This is a good crash course-but please contact any moderators should you have any questions or concerns.


The basics:

Looking for a trade partner?

1)Don’t be shy about asking around!Good traders don’t mind being inquired upon.

2)Utilize search engines-
You can check by email address, postal address, user id’s often come up under google, and yahoo engines as well.
Post Trader Checks on any/all boards you are involved in.
Hearing nothing bad on one board, doesn’t signify the user has a good record.
It can simply mean they haven’t caused a problem on THAT board-

Yahoo Search Engine: http://search.yahoo.com/search/options

Google Search Engine: http://www.google.com/

Traders Report: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/traders_report/post

Reverse White Pages : http://www.whitepages.com/reverse-address

Check the Bad Trader list on Various sites such as our very own : http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=144384

3)Pay attention-Is their email address changing? When you look them up did they just sign up? Do they have a low post count? Do they have a large list, but no feedback?
These are all things to pay attention to.

4)Last but not least trust your intuition! There is not doubt at sometime the average trader will cross someone who is going to attempt to take advantage of them-So the bottom line is don’t risk high numbers and high disc counts until you have established some trust.

Bad Traders tend to be chronic liars, and dishonest from the beginning. So if the deal sounds too good to be true…..you might want to reconsider.
Bad Traders tend to take advantage of new traders. They contact them expressing they need to send first, when this is always negotiable.
They tend to set up uneven trades-Stating for example Vhs is worth less than DVD and other tactics
They tend to hide information about themselves, or change information.
You may set up the trade as they state they live in Ohio- and then suddenly, they “meant they lived in Ohio” but now reside in Australia.
Bad Traders often use their OWN email address as refrences-
So if you feel the need, check the IP, or email header information and compare notes.


Ready to set up the trade?:
1)Typically the newer trader, or the one whom initiates- Sends first.

2)Start Small! Until you are comfortable with trading, and trust it is always best to stay small. It can help keep you from being taken advantage of, as well as being frustrated.

3)Get a crash course in knowing grading of shows, and quality opinions.
More arguments occur over people disagreeing on quality, then most other subjects.
Be fair when you receive, and be honest when you describe.

4)Delivery Confirmation is often more than worth the money
In most areas, delivery confirmation is less than 60 cents.
It can provide proof your item was shipped if accused-
And give peace of mind, if delayed.

5)Factor in shipping!
A lot of people don’t realize shipping really adds up. Factor in, where you are shipping to- The cost, length of time-
UK shipping can be costly, Canadian as well. Both can can take longer periods of time as well
So please factor all that into your trade, to avoid grief later.

A great site to help with this is
Www.usps.gov

You can factor cost, length of time- and even the added features as signature confirmation, tracking, priority and so forth.


Once the trade is over:

Remember to be polite!
Did the trade go well? Then tell them that, and share the word- so they can build their reputation as well.
Did they go out of their way to do something, extra packing, details? Bonus disc- Make sure to thank them- Being polite goes a long way!
CHECK your discs- the best way to keep things running smoothly is to check your discs, and verify them-for your own inventory later-
Should you need a replacement it is far easier to get one in a week, then to discover you need it 6 months down the road.
No matter the reputation of the trader, check your discs.
You may have media incompatabilies, there might be damage along shipping-
Or simply a burn error that was missed. Checking right away, saves many problems later on.

Unfortunately not every precaution works-
And not every trade goes well-

If you find you are unhappy over the situation:

Contact the user first- Communication can prevent many problems often.
Don’t be intimidated, be polite state the problem and try to resolve it between you.
However, contacting a moderator can also be helpful to mediate the situation.
Try to be respectful, and be fair about the situation- Mistakes do happen, Mail does get lost-Things do get damaged.
So be kind when possible

If all else fails and or the problems seem to be purposeful:
1. Post their name, email address, and at least partial postal mail address on tape trading boards.
2-Contact a moderator, this assures that if there are multiple problems occurring something can be done sooner than later.

3-You can file a Mail Complaint Form
https://www.usps.com/postalinspector...dComplaint.htm

Why the post office?
Although the Inspection Service cannot resolve routine business disputes between companies and their customers, it can act against a company or individual if there is a pattern of activity suggesting a potential scheme to defraud. Completion of this form is voluntary, but the more information that you enter, the better the Inspection Service may be able to help.


For more information on Tape Trading, and Etiquette as well as beginner questions here are some fantasic links

http://www.tvofyourlife.com/tips.htm

DVD, Burning and Buying tips
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=173311

Converting, Copying, and your Basic guides for beginners
http://www.burnworld.com/howto/index.htm

[Lex Luthor]

Savage Traders Online

http://stoonline.proboards57.com/

[MrCleveland]

I may need some help because there's a Nickelodeon Thanksgiving Special I watched awhile back and I can't find it anywhere now.

[Brinkster]

I hope this is the right place for this post.

I need some advice about a pending trade. I initiated a trade with an infrequent poster here a month ago and immediately sent about 25 shows after we agreed on terms of the trade--he was to send me 22 shows of my choosing from his list. He did warn me beforehand that it would take him some time as he was somewhat busy but would send them when he could.

About a week later I received four shows that I had requested, so that reassured me somewhat. I waited another week and sent a polite email asking when he might send the rest of the shows I had requested and he said I had caught him at a busy time but would send them when he could. The same thing happened the following week. Finally, I asked if it would be better if I sent a blank USB drive and he agreed to that and I sent him that, plus a self-addressed envelope and postage to facilitate matters. Now a week and a half later, after a couple more emails asking when the shows would go out, I get a "I'll try to get them out Tuesday or Wednesday." I suspect he could have said Saturday and they wouldn't have gone out then either.

Honestly, I feel like I am being put off indefinitely for whatever reason and that this trade is failing or has already fallen apart. I think I have been more than reasonable in waiting more than a month and in bending over backwards to make it as easy as possible for him to get the shows to me. Am I missing something here? No matter how busy one is, a tape or DVD or file can be copied overnight or while at work and a trip to the post office doesn't take long, especially with a SASE. Something fishy is going on here. Should I just consider this a failed trade and move on or is there something I can do to work it out?

Thanks for any advice.

[MRPITT]

Hello, sorry you’re having difficulty with your trade. What you described sounds like you might be dealing with a scammer. It would help if you posted their screen name.

[Brinkster]

Originally Posted by MRPITT

Hello, sorry you’re having difficulty with your trade. What you described sounds like you might be dealing with a scammer. It would help if you posted their screen name.

Thank you for the reply. I don't want to unnecessarily impugn the reputation of a trader here at the board who does in fact have a positive trade review from another user, albeit from back in 2016. Especially since it could show up any time for all I know. And he did send me part of what I requested so it isn't like has completely ripped me off. Maybe he is swamped at work. But if a couple more weeks go by after sending the USB, I guess I will post a negative trade review disclosing the username if I have to.

[MRPITT]

Yeah well hopefully no one else is taken in by him while your waiting. Even if he eventually sends you everything it is still horrible trade etiquette and others should be made aware. No one wants to trade with someone who will take months to send their stuff and won’t respond.