How long do you wait?

[69oddbitz]

I tried to see if this has been asked before, but I didn't see it.

Per BT etiquette, I set up a trade with someone, and as I have the lower rating, I shipped first. Now, when we set up the trade, I listed what I had, and he said send it on over. After we agreed, I mentioned that I had some bits sprues I could send along with. Well, in trying to make sure everything was packed nice and snug, I forgot to put the sprue bits in. Wasn't a lot, but just was something a little extra.

I've been sending a lot of stuff out lately, and I THINK about a day after I sent, I realized I hadn't sent the sprues. They were too close to some marine sprues and I couldn't tell the difference from a distance. Sent they guy a message as soon as I realized that, and asked him if he still wanted the sprues, and if he did, to let me know so I could box them and ship then right away. While technically they were extra as I brought them up after we agreed, I DID say I'd send them, so I felt bad.

I followed the tracking, and the package was delivered two days ago. Sent a message the day the package was delivered, letting him know I had hoped to hear from him since the package was delivered. Technically, I haven't heard from him since the 6th, as that was the last time he sent a message to me, and that was the "go ahead and send them" message. So, I guess what I'm asking is... if I've sent the package, and I know it was delivered... AND I sent a message after the package was delivered, waiting to hear from him - how long do I wait before I start to worry, or start sending more serious messages? I don't want to be a pest... but I don't want to blow it off too long either.

I try to stay in real good contact with whomever I'm trading with, sending multiple messages in a day if I have to. His BT rating is 52, with only 1 neg for bad packing in 09, so I figured I was all good.

So what sage advice to the vets have for this noob?

[Dakkar98]

I try to give people about 48 hours to respond, before I message them again. Some times real life gets in the way of trading, and anyone of us might need a little nudge to bring us back around.

If he hasn't read your last message, wait for him to do so.
If he has read your last message, see when he was last on. If it was recent, drop him another line.
If he reads that and doesn't respond (within about 48 hours of reading it), Then you may want a staff member to check in with him.

Hope that helps.

[Ironhide]

I wait 45 minutes after I eat, before going back into the pool.

[69oddbitz]

Thanks for the advice. Me, I only wait 30 mins before going in.

As to my trader, I don't know how to see if my message sent has been read. I did figure out how to find when he was last on, and he was last on yesterday, so by all rights, he should have read the message. I did send one today asking him to drop me a line and let me know what was going on, on his end of the trade - so I guess if I don't hear from him by Monday, I'll ask a mod for a polite nudge. And then, (unfortunately) if I don't hear from him by Wednesday the 20th, which would be seven days out from delivery of the package - is that an acceptible window to file a BTR, or do I need to wait longer?

Thanks.

[locust]

As to my trader, I don't know how to see if my message sent has been read.

If he hasn't read your message, it will still show as being in your Outbox. Once a message is read it goes from the Outbox to your Sent box.

[69oddbitz]

Thanks for that info, that's awesome. I had wondered why my outbox had stuff from time to time. Never checked it, until now. Thanks again.