Tips for trading

[feizor]

Hey guys, I'm about to do my first trade on geekhack. Can anyone give me some tips, just around the process, how to have a smooth transaction etc. What are some of the pitfalls?

I am trading keycaps.

Mods, if this topic is better placed in another sub forum, please feel free to move.

Thanks.

[exitfire401]

Basically, make sure the person is established on the forums, if anything feels dodgy, don't go through with the deal, and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. This way, if something does go awry, you can report it to their local law enforcement and prove everything as it happened.

[SpAmRaY]

Make sure you both use trackable shipping.

[Xowie]

Hey guys, I'm about to do my first trade on geekhack. Can anyone give me some tips, just around the process, how to have a smooth transaction etc. What are some of the pitfalls?

I am trading keycaps.

Mods, if this topic is better placed in another sub forum, please feel free to move.

Thanks.

I am glad that you asked this question. I have also been thinking about trading a few keycaps but have been putting it off until I had enough time to look into how to do it safely.

[Beca]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53710.msg1199553#msg1199553

[Belfong]

Make sure you both use trackable shipping.

I just made a trade myself and because we were both international (I'm in malaysia and the other party is in canada), I often wondered about how international trades should work. The US folks made it seemed so easy and seamless.

[Vibex]

Really just what exitfire and spamray said. I just participated in my first few trades, and so far they have gone well. Just be careful who you trust.

[SpAmRaY]

Make sure you both use trackable shipping.

I just made a trade myself and because we were both international (I'm in malaysia and the other party is in canada), I often wondered about how international trades should work. The US folks made it seemed so easy and seamless.

Well international trades can get a little complicated, the biggest thing is double checking addresses, declaring things properly (i.e. use proper description), unless they need/want insurance I mark everything as gift and give it a reasonably low value.

Packing things well is also important. I've been surprised at some things I've received that they actually made it in one piece.

Also with international trades there can be language barriers and you also have to realize it could be a couple weeks to months depending on shipping speed and customs.

[Belfong]

Agree on the packing for international trades. I realize that our custom and post office still likes to use rubber stamp to stamp on the envelope or box so if it wasn't padded well with packing peanuts, items get damaged easily. I has a broken Gas Mask visor even though it was sent inside a bubble mailer. Bubble envelope is not enough. I suggest putting more packing peanuts or air bags.

Custom and import duty also varies. In Malaysia, we don't have import tax for anything IT related so as long there's a computer word in there eg computer keyboard, computer graphic card, it passes through custom pretty quickly.

[jalaj]

Risks are always present in trades. Even with established traders, there's are still risks that neither party can control, such as lost packages in the mailing process. You can counter this with purchasing adequate shipping insurance and tracking if possible.
Best to trade with established people to mitigate any shadiness.
Though in the event of trading with people with little to none feedback/reputation, then it's a good idea to have them ship the item first. After receipt of their item, then you'll ship your item. However if you're the one who is new, without any feedback/reputation, then you may have to send your item first. If one disagrees with this trading scenario, then it is not worth the risk. DONT DO IT.
Otherwise if both parties are trusting each other, cross shipping on both ends at the same time is okay.

[feizor]

Awesome, thanks for the responses guys.

[sth]

some people tape keycaps to packing peanuts or put them in drug bags with peanuts. you can also just roll it up in bubble wrap and tape it. it's a pain in the butt to free the keycap on the other side but hey, not your problem anymore.