Bartertown.com

Hello BTowners.

I set up a trade at the beginning of April with a trader in the UK. I'm in the US. I shipped out my side of the trade promptly (April 4, after confirming the trade April 1). The trade included a large number of bits on sprue from me, for some bits and several NIB/NOS items from him.
I didn't hear from the recipient at all, until I saw all the stuff I sent him appear on his new trade posting, cut-and-pasted from my PM to him. So, I sent said trader a PM on 17 April, asking if he'd received the items. He confirmed that he had, and that he'd "get your items of to you shortly." I received that PM on 18 April. That's 13 calendar days from my shipment to his receipt, max. Not unreasonable considering the overseas travel time for mail.
I have yet to see anything from this trader. I got impatient, and sent the trader another PM on 1 May (Friday), asking for some sort of confirmation of shipment. That PM moved from my Outbox to my Sent box the same day I sent it. I have not yet received ANY form of response. Not so much as a "Yep, sent, thanks." Today is 4 May (Monday).
I understand that weekends are typically busy for folks, and many go away from the computer for that time. But, the length of time involved in this trade is beginning to bug me. Also, the trader still has some of the items he'd confirmed with me listed on his trade sheet ion one way, shape or form. Obviously, I cannot be sure he did not own duplicates, but it just makes me nervous.

So, how long do I wait for a response to my latest PM before I progress beyond polite askings to a BTR? I've saved all of our PMs, to make sure I have enough proof of bad form. I just don't want to jump the gun on the BTR, and have the package arrive the next day or something.

Thanks for any advice you can provide, all.

It's been about 2 weeks since he received your stuff.
You haven't received HIS side, and he hasn't confirmed sending it.
You PMed him and he read the PM, but he didn't bother responding.

Those are absolute SH** trading practices.

My opinion: I say to give him FIVE (5) DAYS from the date of the PM (which would be May 6). if you don't have ABSOLUTE PROOF of shipping in your email or inbox by then, post a BTR. Better safe than sorry. I'd say to post the BTR at about 5 PM, your local time, if he hasn't gotten to you by then.

I'd also say to PM him a link to this thread with the advisement that you plan on following my suggestion.

Eric

Thanks, MM. I will take that advice.

To me, it sounds like you're dealing with a scammer who took your stuff, wanted to make a quick buck, and pay you out of the profits.

You've cut him way too much slack already. Demand tracking number / payment within 3 BD, and plan to post BTR in 5 BD.

When you end up BTRing, follow-up with a reply linking each of the auctions of stolen goods to the BTR until he makes good.

He *owes* you.
____

BTW, feel free to foward my reply here to him.

The individual in question has now contacted me via PM, and I continue to wait for my items.

Sounds like you have already been very patient. Did he answer anything in his PM or did he just string you along more? It is probably time to make a stink, and do a BTR report like MM indicated above. You are helping out other Bartertown folks too by making it apparent they aren't a good trader.

osloco wrote:Sounds like you have already been very patient. Did he answer anything in his PM or did he just string you along more? It is probably time to make a stink, and do a BTR report like MM indicated above. You are helping out other Bartertown folks too by making it apparent they aren't a good trader.

No, nothing more was revealed in his PM, beyond indignation about being "hassled" for the items, and a statement that I hadn't waited long enough for the postal transit time.
*shrug*

TheRhino wrote:

osloco wrote:Sounds like you have already been very patient. Did he answer anything in his PM or did he just string you along more? It is probably time to make a stink, and do a BTR report like MM indicated above. You are helping out other Bartertown folks too by making it apparent they aren't a good trader.

No, nothing more was revealed in his PM, beyond indignation about being "hassled" for the items, and a statement that I hadn't waited long enough for the postal transit time.
*shrug*

I say send another PM about providing proof of his shipping to you. Even if it is only a scan of the receipt. If he reads it and does not respond with proof within 24 hours, I would leave a BTR. Not only have you waited long enough for proof of shipping but getting a reply about him being hassled is ridiculous.

George

govannon wrote: I say send another PM about providing proof of his shipping to you. Even if it is only a scan of the receipt. If he reads it and does not respond with proof within 24 hours, I would leave a BTR. Not only have you waited long enough for proof of shipping but getting a reply about him being hassled is ridiculous.

George

I continue to wait, unfortunately.
I don't feel right leaving a BTR, as he did at least contact me. It was a snippy, indignant response to valid concerns, but I'm not sure that warrants a BTR. Neutral feedback, at best, but not a BTR.
But, every passing day makes me that much more cranky.

Qualifications for a negative ref are, basically, that the guy had SOME SORT of horrible trade practices (lied about his stuff, didn't send something [or anything], took way too long to send, etc.) and that you'd NEVER trade with him again.

Whomever this guy is, if he meets that criteria, he earned the negative. Think about people who come AFTER you. Do you want them to have to deal with the same hassles you are?

Eric

MagickalMemories wrote:Qualifications for a negative ref are, basically, that the guy had SOME SORT of horrible trade practices (lied about his stuff, didn't send something [or anything], took way too long to send, etc.) and that you'd NEVER trade with him again.

Whomever this guy is, if he meets that criteria, he earned the negative. Think about people who come AFTER you. Do you want them to have to deal with the same hassles you are?

Eric

I see. I guess I'm confused about the difference (if any) between a BTR and a negative ref. Could you clear that up for me?

A BTR is a documented series of PM's detailing the transaction, and why you felt you had a valid gripe. It is laid out for the members to see, but is NOT actually tied in with someone's Trade Rating.

When you click on the number next to a Member's name, it pulls up their trade history, and shows any Bad References as a RED line, and Neutral References as a Beige line.

When a transaction is completed, a Good Reference bumps up your rating by 2, a Neutral is a 1 (or a Zero, not sure at the moment), and a Bad Reference is a whopping -10. So, 5 good experiences can get wiped out with one poorly handled trade.

Leaving a Negative Reference is a fairly serious thing, and does send up a flag for future traders that there have been issues.

Not everyone reads the BTR area, but most traders SHOULD check their potential partners ratings.. and there is a reason for the Bad ones to be red.. stands out!

I'm STILL waiting for these items. We're coming up on a month waiting now.
However, I see that the individual has received feedback from others in the meantime. Am I allowed to PM those that left him feedback and ask them when they completed their deals, and how long the items took to arrive at their location? I figure it's the same as checking refs, but don't want to violate anyone's privacy, lol.

TheRhino wrote:I'm STILL waiting for these items. We're coming up on a month waiting now.
However, I see that the individual has received feedback from others in the meantime. Am I allowed to PM those that left him feedback and ask them when they completed their deals, and how long the items took to arrive at their location? I figure it's the same as checking refs, but don't want to violate anyone's privacy, lol.

By all means.

Consider it "Due Diligence."

...it's looking like a BTR might be needed to get this guy into gear.

Eric

MagickalMemories wrote:
By all means.

Consider it "Due Diligence."

...it's looking like a BTR might be needed to get this guy into gear.

Eric

I've sent off two PMs to his most recent feedback providers, and another to him asking for the date of shipment AND confirmation of my address to which he shipped. Back to waiting...