New Member, Want to Understand Etiquette

[russ_c]

Hey Bartertown community,

I'm new to the concept of Bartertown and have a couple questions about how to handle trades.

1.) Should I edit my "for sale" posts as items are purchased to reflect what is left? I noticed in the particular forum I'm in people aren't necessarily doing this.

2.) When I want to purchase an item and send a PM, do I need to respond to the post with "PM sent" to have a public time-date stamp. It seems some members do this.

3.) Should I expect people to share pictures of what they are selling and should I post images inline with my sale postings? I don't really see many images.

4.) If I solely use paypal to get paid should I expect a member, even one with a strong positive history to pay me prior to shipping the goods?

I'd like to get this right to help build my record since I'm starting at a zero sum game of trust with the community.

Thanks,

Russell

[osloco]

Hi and welcome!
Answers (IMO):
1.) You can edit your posts when things are officially gone. Some people leave them up and write sold next to them in red, but I find that annoying. If its gone delete it (Hypocrite alert, I always forget ).

2.) PM sent is really only a way to get your post count up. I did it when I was new, but realized its kind of meaningless, besides showing you have been around for a long time, and changing your user level.

3.) Pictures are usually asked for, I'm lazy and only provide them if people ask. If you post pics in your thread it may result in more interested people, because they don't have to ask to see said model.

4.) If you have a very low rating, expect to pay/ship first. Look at peoples ratings for bads and neutrals. IMO its better to buy/trade with established traders while you are building your refs. I have bought something off a zero ref person once, consider myself lucky it didn't go horribly wrong, and won't ever do it again.

[HarlequinZero]

Hey Bartertown community,

I'm new to the concept of Bartertown and have a couple questions about how to handle trades.

1.) Should I edit my "for sale" posts as items are purchased to reflect what is left? I noticed in the particular forum I'm in people aren't necessarily doing this.

2.) When I want to purchase an item and send a PM, do I need to respond to the post with "PM sent" to have a public time-date stamp. It seems some members do this.

3.) Should I expect people to share pictures of what they are selling and should I post images inline with my sale postings? I don't really see many images.

4.) If I solely use paypal to get paid should I expect a member, even one with a strong positive history to pay me prior to shipping the goods?

I'd like to get this right to help build my record since I'm starting at a zero sum game of trust with the community.

Thanks,

Russell

Hello and welcome to Bartertown! Let me try to answer your questions.

1. It's not necessary to update posts with pending or sold status, but it is polite and makes it easier to deal with you.

2. Posting "PM sent" in a thread is fairly useless in my opinion. In my experience, most traders wait for PMs and/or emails so they're far more likely to see the actual PM before they ever see your topic reply. As far as time stamps, that's already on all PM headers so it's not necessary to have a post to confirm the time.

3. Pictures are always a good thing. They help prevent misunderstandings during trades. That said, most people don't post pictures directly in their ads, but will provide pics if an interested party requests them.

4. This is a thorny issue. The standard practice on Bartertown, (note I said standard practice and NOT rule,) is that the lower rated trader ships first regardless of whether it's a trade or sale. But, like I said, it's something some users disagree with. If you want to ask for payment upfront from a higher rated trader that's your right, but expect to have a lot of people refuse to deal with you. As you are new, I'd recommend trying to deal with a few higher rated, (50+~ feedback,) users until you get at least a couple of trades under your belt.

If you have more questions feel free to ask!

-HZ

[MagickalMemories]

HZ did a SPOT ON job of giving you the official unofficial word on these issues.

+1 internet for you, Harlie!

One thing I'd like to add... If you have not already done so, please read the RULES of posting on Bartertown. You may be surprised what's in there:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=45470

Hmm... something else to add...
If you ever have a question or need help, you have 2 options. Option 1 is to post in one of the discussion threads, like you did. Option 2 is to PM a staff member. Red and Green user ID's denote staff.
Red are Administrators (highest rank)
Dark Green are Moderators (second highest rank)
Bright Green are Watchmen (they get our coffee and massage our bunions)

LOL

I kid about the Watchmen, of course. I don't even drink coffee.

You can PM any one of those people. They're all veterans of online trading and/or this site.

Eric

P.S. Ignore anyone who tells you not to click on any links I send or post. They're liars.

[reegsk]

I would agree with everything above, and just like to add one thing. I find that it's always good to include an in-post picture of a mini if it's a) painted, or b) rare/OOP (out of production). I can't tell you the number of times I've gotten pumped over thinking I had found a very rare mini I've long sought. . .only to discover a day or two later that I was mistaken. A lot of people link to the sole ledgends website (http://www.solegends.com/) if their particular mini is on there.

And definitely don't hesitate to PM a staffer, they're pretty friendly around here. And don't believe MM. . .I still have nightmares after that last link. . .

[MagickalMemories]

See what I mean, russ_c? A bunch of damned libelous liars!

Eric

[connivingsumo]

Bases have been covered - by pros even! So, all I have to say is,

WELCOME TO BARTERTOWN!!

I've made some awesome friendships here, and there's a ton more of great people!

[russ_c]

Thanks for the welcome and the answers guys! I've got two trades in the midst and hoping to have happy customers by the end of next week.

Thanks again,

Russ

[EVIL INC]

1. It is a good idea to do so as things are sold/traded off. It keeps your list updated and keeps people from sending offers for items that are already gone. I recommend it.
2. Not needed at all. As someone said, it boosts your post count but more importantly it lets others know that they are not the only one offering/interested. If someone has a post saying "I need one plastic melta gun" and there is a post saying "pm sent", I know that someone is likely already hooking them up. This helps more if the person does not update their post to let anyone know they have it. Not a big deal either way so I cant recommend it or not.
3. If you want to see a picture of what your getting, dont be afraid to ask for it. Many dont have cameras or have slow connections ect so dont post the pics. So I recommend that if you want to see something, ask to see it. If you are not interested in making a trade,buy, dont bother asking for it.
4. Totally up to you and the other person and the trade you two work out.

[MagickalMemories]

2. Not needed at all. As someone said, it boosts your post count but more importantly it lets others know that they are not the only one offering/interested. If someone has a post saying "I need one plastic melta gun" and there is a post saying "pm sent", I know that someone is likely already hooking them up. This helps more if the person does not update their post to let anyone know they have it. Not a big deal either way so I cant recommend it or not.

This is the exact reason I can't STAND "PM Sent" posts. they scare people off.
If you see a "PM Sent" post in a thread, and the thread's for one thing (buy OR sell), you don't bother with it.

What if I'm selling a pro painted (REAL pro, not feebay "pro") model? Someone "PM Sent's" my thread and makes me a ridiculously small offer. Suddenly, nobody's PMing me, because they think this guy's probably going to buy it. Meanwhile, I'm sitting around twiddling my thumbs.
Now, *IF* I saw that the guy "PM Sent" me, I can post in the thread that it's still available. What if I don't monitor my threads, though?
Same thing with the melta. if the guy offers it to me for $3 and shipping? I think that's a crazy price. Nobody else is offering me one now, though, because they think that other guy already hooked me up.

Sorry. To me, all "PM Sent" is used for is a way to try to scare people off from something that you might have to, otherwise, compete with them for.
I'm not saying EVERYONE does that but, (a) I *KNOW* some people do and (b) that doesn't mean it doesn't still have that effect.

Eric

[govannon]

This is the exact reason I can't STAND "PM Sent" posts. they scare people off.
If you see a "PM Sent" post in a thread, and the thread's for one thing (buy OR sell), you don't bother with it.

What if I'm selling a pro painted (REAL pro, not feebay "pro") model? Someone "PM Sent's" my thread and makes me a ridiculously small offer. Suddenly, nobody's PMing me, because they think this guy's probably going to buy it. Meanwhile, I'm sitting around twiddling my thumbs.
Now, *IF* I saw that the guy "PM Sent" me, I can post in the thread that it's still available. What if I don't monitor my threads, though?
Same thing with the melta. if the guy offers it to me for $3 and shipping? I think that's a crazy price. Nobody else is offering me one now, though, because they think that other guy already hooked me up.

Sorry. To me, all "PM Sent" is used for is a way to try to scare people off from something that you might have to, otherwise, compete with them for.
I'm not saying EVERYONE does that but, (a) I *KNOW* some people do and (b) that doesn't mean it doesn't still have that effect.

Eric

I have done it before, but I do it so that I can just click on "View your posts" to make the post easier to find later. Lazyness on my part I guess.

[kturock]

I view the 'PM sent' posts as a dog marking his teritory. He's just pissing around hoping a bigger dog don't make him leave.

[EVIL INC]

I never considered it that way (likely because I would never consider doing for that reason). It could indeed scare others away, if the item is still there and still for sale. Also, Some, like myself, turn off pop ups so can easily miss a pm unless our attention is drawn to it by the post letting us know we have one (yes, I know a lil 1 shows up next to private messages but that is easily missed).To the O.P., MM is right on the other issue as well. Read the rules of the site. That can help you keep up on things and keep you from breaking the rules.

[fitterpete]

I sometimes do the PM sent thing if it's a new trader.Just because I'm afraid they might just be watching their post for replies and not know about PMs.
I never thought of it as way for guys to keep others away.I don't really care if someone else responded to a item or not.That's like not going into the store cause other people are there.It takes 5 seconds to PM "Are these still available?"
Pete

[Stanislav]

"PM Sent" is the mark of lesser Post Whores for the most part. Some have evolved past that stage...others wallow in it.

I think it is a waste of time. I have done it a few times mainly like someone stated, because I saw someone was new. Other than that, it's a total waste of my time. I get an email message on my phone that says I have a reply to my thread, AND I get a "ding" saying there is a new private message. It really annoys me when I go to the post just to see "PM'd you". Put some pertinent information there, and that I have a PM waiting for me in my inbox is not that pertinent by that time.