Rash of difficult trades

[Massawyrm]

Sure - but if you read his specific complaints, each one could have been avoided if he had requested photos beforehand.

To a point, someone says they have 5 guys with lasguns, then you get 2 lasguns, 1 grenade launcher & 2 guys with no arms, the person sending should know better. I will start asking for pictures before each trade, but when it's a basic model and I'm not looking for paint quality there shouldn' be that many surprises. But, there seems to be, so yes, I do need to get pictures first.

-Ryan

Absolutely. Didn't mean it to come across like you were in the wrong - just that there is a method to seriously cut down on errors in your trades.

[MagickalMemories]

One of my recent trades ended up being painted and the figures were clipped off of the tabs, while another had some detail clipped off for some reason. I had made an assumption that the figs would be bare metal and/or undamaged, but I didn't specifically ask, so some of the onus is on me. That said it should be common courtesy to let folks know if there are any 'issues' with any of the figures in a lot, if not in the trade posting, then during the negotiations.

That is actually covered, specifically, in the new rules:
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=45470

Rule 4a: You are also responsible for accurately describing all items in your ad.
That includes version, condition, assembly status, converted or not, painted or not, any missing pieces and any other information you think might be helpful. Failure to do so may result in the other party filing a Backout Trader or Bad Trader report against you.

IMO, it IS a big deal. Prior to it being in the rules (and I still will), I always asked SPECIFICALLY about condition, etc. A couple of my early trades were... less than wonderful... due to me presuming that my trade partners would be as forthcoming with details as I was. Now that I ASK about it, if I get something of less quality than I'm expecting, the BEST ref they'll get out of me is a neutral.
Fortunately, I haven't had to do that, though.

The other thing I find occasionally bothersome is folks not being timely with trade references. I know that there is no obligation to post them, but references are one of the ways that Bartertown works and it would be nice if folks could be more timely about posting them. For instance, if I send goods/money first, I should be getting a positive post upon reciept and not have to wait for until I recieve and post a reference for them to get mine. The reverse is true, and if someone sends me stuff first, I feel an obligation to give them their reference at that time. Trade references only take a moment and one should be especially mindful after a trade has been completed to post references for folks who have already posted on them.

It is annoying, but ref's are NOT a requirement.
Also, it's a better trade practice NOT to leave a ref until the conclusion of the trade.
If I ship to you first and everything's fine, then you leave me a positive but I turn into an a-hole after I get your stuff or while waiting for it to arrive (maybe you shipped on time, but the USPS is being slow, but I accuse you of being a thief & liar and trying to rip me off)... Was is REALLY a positive trade experience?

Finally, one of my pet peeves is folks not responding at all to PMs. If you are soliciting for something and you recieve a response, at least be courtious and respond with a 'no thanks'! I know some folks are slow about responding or are not on often, but even if you are considering other offers, it is always nice to let folks know.

Agreed.

Eric

[blackspade]

That is actually covered, specifically, in the new rules:
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=45470

Rule 4a: You are also responsible for accurately describing all items in your ad.
That includes version, condition, assembly status, converted or not, painted or not, any missing pieces and any other information you think might be helpful. Failure to do so may result in the other party filing a Backout Trader or Bad Trader report against you.

IMO, it IS a big deal. Prior to it being in the rules (and I still will), I always asked SPECIFICALLY about condition, etc. A couple of my early trades were... less than wonderful... due to me presuming that my trade partners would be as forthcoming with details as I was. Now that I ASK about it, if I get something of less quality than I'm expecting, the BEST ref they'll get out of me is a neutral.
Fortunately, I haven't had to do that, though.

Thanks, I hadn't caught that.
I didn't actually catch the first one until after a week or so after the trade was concluded. I should have inspected them more closely.
The second incidence was not a huge deal since the figures were fairly well painted and easily rebased. I also didn't ask about condition, so as I said some of the onus was on me.
It was mainly just annoying.
I am going to be much more diligent about asking those questions in the future!

It is annoying, but ref's are NOT a requirement.
Also, it's a better trade practice NOT to leave a ref until the conclusion of the trade.
If I ship to you first and everything's fine, then you leave me a positive but I turn into an a-hole after I get your stuff or while waiting for it to arrive (maybe you shipped on time, but the USPS is being slow, but I accuse you of being a thief & liar and trying to rip me off)... Was is REALLY a positive trade experience?

I fully realize that there is no requirement, but return feedback is just common courtesy. You do make a good point about waiting for the trade to complete to post references. I guess I've been lucky in that regard. I may have to rethink my reference timing.
Thanks!
Dave

[MagickalMemories]

The way you were talking about is definitely not a bad theory. It's a very trader-friendly way of doing things. I used to do that very same thing.
Then, there was a BTR thread or a conversation thread or something and someone mentioned that, basically, the hypothetical scenario I referred to above had happened to him... then, I saw the light.

Eric