q111111
06/21/2005, 14:08
I've been trading heroclix for quite awhile. I'm a "one of each" collector so I've done my share of running around getting what I wanted. Between many tradesites and Ebay, I've developed some sort of sense on how to trade. This probably won't help established traders but it may give some ideas to the newbies. There is nothing here that is earth shattering, just some points of experience.
1. Know what you need.
This is the easiest and least time consuming step. Either using some sort of inventory tracking (electronic or pencil and paper) to figure out what you want and have. As things move in and out of your collection, it saves time on refiguring out haves and wants.
2. Know the value of what you want.
Some traders follow market values and others do not. It does helpto know the value of the figures you want so you can get the most out of a trade. You can check a variety of sources and still get different answers but you kind of get the feel for value. Some the sources I check are Ebay (using completed sales in the search options), pricing guides, and other websites that sell individual clixs. I use the pricing to be able to make a reasonable offer or know how much to bid. Knowing which clix is more valuable for play and collecting can be key. Early on, I collected lots of LE Philip Masters because I noticed he was on lots of want lists for those who had the stuff I wanted. He wasn't a greatly valued figure and he was affordable to get. He did get my foot in the door for lots of later trades. I simply had to add one or two more clixs to seal the deal.
3. You have to have stuff to get stuff.
One of the strongest ways to trade for what you need is to have lots of extras to offer. So in my downtime between sets, I may trade or buy clix to get a better assortment of clixs.
4. Keep the look out for deals.
Sometime people leave the game or are simply selling their extras at a cheap price. Also, sometimes there are good deals to be had at certain times on Ebay for lots.
5. Passive and active searching.
I call it passive searching when you post a trade thread and let the offers come to you. Active is when you are looking for the trade threads. Not everyone reads your posting or you can't read everyones so you need to do both.
6. Ask questions and make an agreement.
Once you find a possible deal, make sure you know condition of the figure. Most people will tell you but not everyone. Some traders don't save or have the LE boxes and I consider it my fault if I didn't ask for it. It may take a few messages back and forth to solidify a deal. Some traders like to set the deal (pick from these
clixs for your clixs that I want) and some traders like for you to set the deal (this for that). Most deals are negotiable. Also settle on mailing date, type and conditions; first class and delivery confirmation are most popular options although some prefer priority mail. Delivery confirmation does provide proof that your package was sent and if it was delivered in case the other trader says your package never arrived.
7. Check ratings.
Please check feedback. I sometimes go lax in my checking and eventually I get ripped off. It takes like 5 seconds and will save you headache in the long run. The person who has less feedbacks is usually expected to mail first but not always.
8. Agree on a trade and keep it.
Once you agree on a deal, stick with it. There have been times when I thought the deal was set but the other person then says something like "I got a better offer, so nevermind" ... even after the agreed mailing date and my package is on the way. It is ok to offer the same figure in multiple deals, but just keep track of when a deal is set and the figure is no longer available.
9. Followup.
Once the package is mailed, report back with any info. A short "mailed" or "mailed with delivery conf #" is sufficient. It helps to show that you lived up to your end of the deal. Also, report back when you get their package.
10. Keep track of your trades.
When you get lots of deals going at one time, it is hard to keep track. I usually file messages away in seperate folders; one for trades made and one for trades in the process. Once a trade is done (both packages received) then you can delete the messages. There have been times when someone intended to mail a package but forgot. I then have record of what trades are overdue and then can do a followup.
11. Leave feedback.
Please leave feedback once the package arrives. Being honest in the feedback does help in the long run. I may say something like "fair trade but mailed a week late". Of course there is a chance for retaliation feedback. This allows future traders in their trading.
12. Help out your friends if you can.
For friends who are just starting the clix game and might not have that much to trade, I add some of their wants to my list. If my clix that are collecting dust can do some good for others then all the better. Sooner or later, they will have a piece you need and will return the favor.
1. Know what you need.
This is the easiest and least time consuming step. Either using some sort of inventory tracking (electronic or pencil and paper) to figure out what you want and have. As things move in and out of your collection, it saves time on refiguring out haves and wants.
2. Know the value of what you want.
Some traders follow market values and others do not. It does helpto know the value of the figures you want so you can get the most out of a trade. You can check a variety of sources and still get different answers but you kind of get the feel for value. Some the sources I check are Ebay (using completed sales in the search options), pricing guides, and other websites that sell individual clixs. I use the pricing to be able to make a reasonable offer or know how much to bid. Knowing which clix is more valuable for play and collecting can be key. Early on, I collected lots of LE Philip Masters because I noticed he was on lots of want lists for those who had the stuff I wanted. He wasn't a greatly valued figure and he was affordable to get. He did get my foot in the door for lots of later trades. I simply had to add one or two more clixs to seal the deal.
3. You have to have stuff to get stuff.
One of the strongest ways to trade for what you need is to have lots of extras to offer. So in my downtime between sets, I may trade or buy clix to get a better assortment of clixs.
4. Keep the look out for deals.
Sometime people leave the game or are simply selling their extras at a cheap price. Also, sometimes there are good deals to be had at certain times on Ebay for lots.
5. Passive and active searching.
I call it passive searching when you post a trade thread and let the offers come to you. Active is when you are looking for the trade threads. Not everyone reads your posting or you can't read everyones so you need to do both.
6. Ask questions and make an agreement.
Once you find a possible deal, make sure you know condition of the figure. Most people will tell you but not everyone. Some traders don't save or have the LE boxes and I consider it my fault if I didn't ask for it. It may take a few messages back and forth to solidify a deal. Some traders like to set the deal (pick from these
clixs for your clixs that I want) and some traders like for you to set the deal (this for that). Most deals are negotiable. Also settle on mailing date, type and conditions; first class and delivery confirmation are most popular options although some prefer priority mail. Delivery confirmation does provide proof that your package was sent and if it was delivered in case the other trader says your package never arrived.
7. Check ratings.
Please check feedback. I sometimes go lax in my checking and eventually I get ripped off. It takes like 5 seconds and will save you headache in the long run. The person who has less feedbacks is usually expected to mail first but not always.
8. Agree on a trade and keep it.
Once you agree on a deal, stick with it. There have been times when I thought the deal was set but the other person then says something like "I got a better offer, so nevermind" ... even after the agreed mailing date and my package is on the way. It is ok to offer the same figure in multiple deals, but just keep track of when a deal is set and the figure is no longer available.
9. Followup.
Once the package is mailed, report back with any info. A short "mailed" or "mailed with delivery conf #" is sufficient. It helps to show that you lived up to your end of the deal. Also, report back when you get their package.
10. Keep track of your trades.
When you get lots of deals going at one time, it is hard to keep track. I usually file messages away in seperate folders; one for trades made and one for trades in the process. Once a trade is done (both packages received) then you can delete the messages. There have been times when someone intended to mail a package but forgot. I then have record of what trades are overdue and then can do a followup.
11. Leave feedback.
Please leave feedback once the package arrives. Being honest in the feedback does help in the long run. I may say something like "fair trade but mailed a week late". Of course there is a chance for retaliation feedback. This allows future traders in their trading.
12. Help out your friends if you can.
For friends who are just starting the clix game and might not have that much to trade, I add some of their wants to my list. If my clix that are collecting dust can do some good for others then all the better. Sooner or later, they will have a piece you need and will return the favor.