Trade etiquette these days

[hanes1111]

Been on here a while but haven't done much trading in a LONG time. I was thinking of getting back into it recently but have reservations about it. Especially when dealing with higher value cards. What is the norm these days? Is there a mod to send to or back when I used to trade on here the guy with the lower feedback sent first. I haven't seen this discussed in some time and I'm sure others or new traders have similar questions. Thanks in advance.

[crazy4kinsler]

Not very many people trade for whatever reason, so it's good to see some getting back into the habit. I absolutely love to trade, but nobody trades/collects anymore, and it's all about the money and buying/selling. So glad to see you back.

That said, I typically will ask the other trade to mail first if they've got less than 25 feedback. And I know your feedback is only as good as your last feedback. But, if you've got 25 or less, I will ask you to send first. If it's someone with more, typically they're going to be okay. But I'd start with smaller trades until you feel comfortable.

Along those lines, the last couple of times I've traded, the other trader has waited until they've gotten mine to ship out. That was never agreed upon or talked about, but it is what it is. I don't think that's right, but nothing you can do as long as your card gets mailed and delivered. But typically if feedback is about the same, you will mail on the same day. And always mail with tracking. Never PWE unless it's like a $2 card.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Whoever actually wants the trade more sends first. If someone approached me about a trade, and was the more enthusiastic about it, and then asked me to send first because of my low iTrader score… I would just say “nah”.

[timber63401]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

Whoever actually wants the trade more sends first. If someone approached me about a trade, and was the more enthusiastic about it, and then asked me to send first because of my low iTrader score… I would just say “nah”.

There are several takes about this topic and that is definitely one...

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by timber63401

There are several takes about this topic and that is definitely one...

Haha


I don’t trade often. Can you tell?!

[Quake]

For bigger trades with higher-end or rarer cards, such as ones you only see a handful of times per year, I really, really prefer to have the exchange done in person in one way or another. This means that I will talk with the other trader to find a common area where we both know friends, family, or other trusted people who can complete the trade on our behalf.

I most recently did this less than two months ago with a member here. We talked for a bit about states and cities where we both knew people, worked to schedule the trade with all parties, and then mailed our cards out. The two intermediate traders met up locally in a public place, and the whole process went smoothly. I included a picture of all cards to be exchanged just as a reference point so there would be no confusion.

[gresh87]

I love to trade, as I often buy non-PC cards for the purpose of a quick flip or trade bait.

[jduds]

I like trading but find the process normally futile as one side normally struggles to find something they actually want. I've been on both sides of that equation. I do the most trading for sets as it is easier to agree on what each side wants. I don't bother with the who sends first game when trading for sets and haven't been burned there. I also only trade with folks on here or a few other groups on FB that I trust most of the folks in. I'm leery of high-dollar trades not done in person and would only do those with people I interact with on a regular basis.

[JeffG1954]

I find that the majority of sellers do not leave feedback on BO....maybe 1 out of every 5 make the effort and take the time.....about the same ratio that I receive as a seller on eBay. As a seller I leave feedback when payment is received.....as a buyer I leave feedback when item is received and seller has left feedback. For these reasons I don't use feedback as a reason for who sends first in a trade.

[Crosby 87]

I used to trade a lot. But it's no longer cost efficient now. So I've taken to basically selling off everything extra now. But I still occasionally do the team lot trade with some established people.

[rms13]

I gave up trying to trade here a long time ago. Even the few trades I made for low value cards just took so many messages back and forth that it was too much work. And finding someone who wants what I have and has something I want is impossible. I just sell what I don't want and use money to buy what I do want.

[hanes1111]

all good points , seems like its really sell or meet up at shows or etc..

[akaus21]

I haven't traded a ton on Blowout, but it can be done. I trade on a few different sites and always had really good luck. I will send first or second depending on what is agreed upon. It seems like Blowout is more buying/selling, but trading can still be done. Good luck!

[sportzking]

I trade but not on this site, and even when I do it’s low end base or inserts. If you like to open boxes/ packs you end up with hundreds or thousands of base cards. It gets to a point that you either trade them for set/ player card wants or toss them in the garbage they take up so much space.

[Hallco]

I was able to complete a trade last year here and it went fine. Not all that high end(each card were valued at a couple of hundred dollars), but before that, it's probably been 8-10 years since the last. Good luck!

[Philthy]

I have only done high dollar trades in person at card shows.

However, I have done a couple trades online with stack resellers. Basically they had big cards ($200 & $350, respectively) that fall outside their normal clientele. Both times I was trading a handful of $10-$100 cards for their one big card. We sent the next day and both trades went off without a hitch!

[pete2345]

Using BO for trades has always been great in my experience. Have made high value trades and never an issue both parties agree to ship out the same day and wait until cards are received and leave feedback. I would ask someone to send first if they had never done a trade on here. Or have a low feedback and have not been registered for at least a year.

[ThoseBackPages]

trading online is tough, its easier to just trade money for cards

trading in person is FUN though! Highly recommend it

[lemmer]

As a set collector, I really enjoy trading to complete base sets. Reminds me of what we used to do as kids. The sets I collect now have a small checklist so I can buy a few boxes at release and then trade to get what I'm missing. I wish I was more connected to people that collect minor league sets so I could expedite that process.

I don't mind sending first since the cards are usually next to worthless, and the value of trading away my dupes and making more room is enough for me. I just spent the last few months trading away all my pre-2022 MLB base dupes. Got very little in return but it was a great way to cut down on the 4-row boxes in my office.

Not sure I'd feel the same way about sending first if it was a higher value trade. I've really only done that in person and would probably want to find a 3rd party that we could both send to in order to feel comfortable.

Also, this thread is a good reminder I need to go back and leave itrader feedback. It's not important to everyone, but it's one of the only indicators we have that someone is active and trustworthy.

[Stifle]

Originally Posted by JeffG1954

I find that the majority of sellers do not leave feedback on BO....maybe 1 out of every 5 make the effort and take the time.....about the same ratio that I receive as a seller on eBay. As a seller I leave feedback when payment is received.....as a buyer I leave feedback when item is received and seller has left feedback. For these reasons I don't use feedback as a reason for who sends first in a trade.

Communication is the key in trading. I don’t trade with anybody who are not willing to swap phone numbers. Blowout has great members to talk with and it’s not just sports related and nobody has ever abused this option.

I attempt to send first because I trust Blowout members. Another reason is I would rather have feedback in personal communication to better understand what the other member is looking for. The feedback by communicating with the other member gives me a much better indication of the trade.

I’ve traded 97 PMG cards to base commons and in each case each trade I want the other member to feel they received a great trade. I’ve helped members with their want lists and they have reciprocated with mine. One super collector received a 1/1 mistake card that actually had 0001/???? and was caught in quality control. It didn’t cost me much but the other member was astounded.

If you are concerned about doing a trade, I would rather trade than open a $200 box and hope to pull something I might be searching for.

[Sonnys88]

Trading is usually too cumbersome to deal with. And not worth chancing doing online. If you want to trade - do it in person.

And based on experience, trade offers are usually lopsided - feels like every person asking to trade offers something worth less than half of the value of the item they're trying to get. It is rare to see a trade that actually makes sense for both sides.

[jlzinck]

I used to do a couple hundred trades a year over many forums.
Because you are dealing with an unknown entity tracking is a must.
At $4 a package it isn't worth it.

WOuld need to be something I really want to do a trade.

[rainmaker]

I’ve had a fair bit of success with trades on here. It seems to me when you get into higher value exchanges the quality of trade partner increases quite a bit.

With a $40 card it’s silly back and forth and nickel and diming to the point it’s a waste of time. With a $4,000 card the exchange is much more intentional. You either see something of interest and the art of the deal begins or you don’t.

My experience high end collectors gravitate together and read between the lines of communication.