Trade Ethics: A Guide To Trade Morality OR The Basic Rules of Trading

[rock810]

Good day to all,

Recently the subject of trade aesthetics and basic practices. Hopefully, with this thread I will help to give a basic guideline on how to act in trade situations and the general expectations with most trades. So, on with the advice and basic practices.

1) If you have less than 5 references and you are trading with someone who has more references than you, you are sending first.

Trading is tricky and you put a lot of trust into others. We all don't want to be ripped, but those people with loose moral fiber are out there. The trade feedback is designed to help identify the good guys. I highly suggest that if a person is not willing to send first and they have between 0 and 5 references than don't do the trade.

Nothing personal to the new traders, but you have to earn a reputation and you can do so by trading with more experienced traders.

Currently this is a big issue with some traders. If you have a problem with this PM me or don't trade here. I don't mean to come down so harsh, but you need to establish yourself before DEMANDING people to send first.

2) 15 or up to equal Trade Feedback means a simul-send

Once someone has established themselves as a trader simul-sending is what should be expected. Again we are all nervous, but if a person has 15 or more feedback they have earned a reputation.

3) If you agree on a simul-send don't wait to send your figures

If someone waits to send on a simul-send then it is not a simul-send. It becomes a send first situation. If you both agree to send monday, then you should both send by monday.

4) EBAY REFERENCES DO NOT COUNT

They are too easy to fake and difficult to prove. Don't even bother putting down I have 1 billion references at ebay (no one cares because this is not ebay).

5) ALWAYS USE A BOX

The post office is trying to get figures to people as fast as possible and things get broken.

6) When sending across to other countries USE AIR MAIL

It is safe and fast, plus it is cheaper depending on where you go. The UK and Candada are the cheapest places to send to.

7) Use Delivery Confirmation Number

When you use DC# you protect yourself and make the other person secure. The package can be tracked from the time it is sent out to the time it is received. (this is only an option in the US, for out of country you need to use a VERIFICATION ID number). Also, DC only cost .50 cents I don't think it is going to break you wallet.

8) Don't Trade broken or damaged figures

If you are trading make sure to let the other person know the condition of the figure. If it has a slight smear on the base or is heat damage a person needs to know.

9) DON'T TRADE WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE

If a figure is not in your possession you can not trade it, even if it is coming to you. Simple.

10) Personal Value Does Not Make Your Figure Worth More

I own a KC Superman and it is worth the same as someone elses KC Superman. Just because I won a tournament with it (actually have never used my Superman) does not make it worth any more than another. If a figure has personal value you should not be trading it in the first place.

11) Once You Agree On a Trade, IT IS FINAL

If you have exchanged addresses and agreed on the trade the trade is final. It is not time to start asking for someone to add something in to the trade. If someone backs out and has no better reason than "I got a better deal" that person should get neutral feedback.

12) If you don't Feel Comfortable with a trade DONT DO IT!!!

Plain and simple guys and gals, if you don't feel comfortable with a trade just don't do it OR contact myself or K-NESS. I have an amazing amount of experience on the realms in terms of trading. I have done over 400 trade on All the realms and Wizkids, I know what I am doing.


Well everyone, this is just a basic guide to trading. I will be adding to it as time goes on so make sure to check back from time to time. If I forgot anything let me know. Also, if you have ANY trade issues feel free to PM me.

Good day and good trading!!!!

[thundertoad]

Hi well I've read your article and I just think you wrote the ten comandment of trading

I have just one question... Are good references prior to the new sistem valid?

the thing is that I used to trade a lot in the past (2003 2004) but lately I've been busy
so despite all the trades I made in the past I have only 5 good references (with the new sistem)

that's it
thanks
P

[thundertoad]

Yaaaayyy!!!

[rock810]

I would say good references from the old system (as long as they are from HCREALMS) are a valid marker. Under that system I had over 200 positive trades. I now have 130, still a good number, but many of the people I traded with in the past are gone.

[rock810]

This thread goes out to my international Trade forum fans :)

When sending out international trades make sure to get the GREEN CUSTOM FORMS

When filling it out make sure to do the following

Mark it as a GIFT

Put the Value of the Item as 5.00 or the person receiving will have to pay taxes on the item (not kosher)

In the description box- Mark it as " Heroclix plastic game pieces

SHIP AIR MAIL-Safe and cheap.

If I missed anything let me know

Good day and good trading!!

[thundertoad]

Put the Value of the Item as 5.00 or the person receiving will have to pay taxes on the item (not kosher)

Had no Idea about that!!
thanks for the heads up..
and I apologize to those whom I might have forced them into paying taxes

[tchipley]

Yeah I found that out the hard way a couple of years back.

I thought it was for insurance purposes when I filled out one for $200.

Needless to say the receiver about carped their pants when the package arrived:.)

I did get it straightened out when I talked to the customs folks and told them they were worth that much but I wasn't selling them, I was giving them.

Also, at least around my area, the post office lets you take the forms home so you can fill em out at your leisure in advance. I do that with delivery confirmation too(Yes, I know I've revealed the secret to my fast shipping and awesome trader rating but that's ok. It's all good :))

[torontcollectr]

You have almost everything Rock...
In the description box- Mark it as " Heroclix plastic game pieces". Customs gets inquisitive when they see "merchandise, or toys"
:)

[rock810]

Thanks, updated it and stuck the thread so it does not get lost

[hail_eris]

You have almost everything Rock...
In the description box- Mark it as " Heroclix plastic game pieces". Customs gets inquisitive when they see "merchandise, or toys"
:)
One other *very important* point about that. Both general merchandise and toys can be subject to duties or tariffs, but (quoting myself from another thread in this forum) game pieces qualify as duty free in virtually every nation of the globe. In the US, they are covered under the customs classification 9504.90.6000, defined as "chess, checkers, parchisi, backgammon, darts and other games played on boards of a special design." So it shouldn't matter what the declared value might be (within reason) - HeroClix should skate right through without a second glance from the good folks at customs.

[CarlosMucha]

This thread goes out to my international Trade forum fans :)

When sending out international trades make sure to get the GREEN CUSTOM FORMS

When filling it out make sure to do the following

Mark it as a GIFT

Put the Value of the Item as 5.00 or the person receiving will have to pay taxes on the item (not kosher)

In the description box- Mark it as " Heroclix plastic game pieces

SHIP AIR MAIL-Safe and cheap.

If I missed anything let me know

Good day and good trading!!


wow, great adcice. I was very sorprising when I send a clix to hermany and actually he receive the box.

Yep, we live in the future. :p

[shadowchaser]

I've sent at leat 20 packages international, and I mark mine as

Plastic Figurines

I've never had a recipient that had problems due to this.

[RevOnline]

This thread goes out to my international Trade forum fans :)

When sending out international trades make sure to get the GREEN CUSTOM FORMS

When filling it out make sure to do the following

Mark it as a GIFT

Put the Value of the Item as 5.00 or the person receiving will have to pay taxes on the item (not kosher)

In the description box- Mark it as " Heroclix plastic game pieces

SHIP AIR MAIL-Safe and cheap.

If I missed anything let me know

Good day and good trading!!

For the record, it's better to drop the heroclix from the description because it's open to debate whether 'clix are toys or game pieces. Toys get a charge - and they are allowed to open them to check.

Game pieces doesn't.

Although as one of the people who has received from ShadowChaser above, I can certainly support the plastic figurines one as well. 3 very big boxes got through no worries.

PJCC marking figures as toys doubled the price though. Thanks...

[Cliff Stockton]

This seemed like a good place to ask these questions.


So, is Airmail the way to go when shipping overseas or to Canada? I've had questions about this when selling items on ebay. I have always been leary of shipping worldwide. I don't want to overcharge but I don't want to get shafted if I don't charge enough. Does this require any "special packaging" or do I just ask for a certain form once I get to the Post Office with my package?
Plus, is there any method that gives you any kind of tracking or delivery confirmation number? Paypal usually sides with the buyer if the shipper has no proof of delivery if problems arise, from what I hear.

I would really like to open up my shipping options to allow for more opportunities whether it is trading here or on ebay.


I figured since I'm not advertising any auctions or posting links to them that it would be ok to mention ebay in my post. Please inform me if this is not allowed either.

[torontcollectr]

This seemed like a good place to ask these questions.


So, is Airmail the way to go when shipping overseas or to Canada? I've had questions about this when selling items on ebay. I have always been leary of shipping worldwide. I don't want to overcharge but I don't want to get shafted if I don't charge enough. Does this require any "special packaging" or do I just ask for a certain form once I get to the Post Office with my package?
Plus, is there any method that gives you any kind of tracking or delivery confirmation number? Paypal usually sides with the buyer if the shipper has no proof of delivery if problems arise, from what I hear.

I would really like to open up my shipping options to allow for more opportunities whether it is trading here or on ebay.


I figured since I'm not advertising any auctions or posting links to them that it would be ok to mention ebay in my post. Please inform me if this is not allowed either.


Shipping from Ebay (as compared to Realms) involves protecting yourself more- as we are talking sales as compared to trades.
1)Great tips for shipping to Canada (even if we don't make a deal)- Good to know:

You will need to use a green customs tag (available at post office)
For item description write "plastic game pieces"
For value write "$15.00"
Mark as "gift"
Please use USPS airmail (not regular ground, and not Global Priority! and NEVER UPS

This applies to International as well.

2) Paypal is brutal to deal with regardless how you ship, and are difficult to deal with when it comes to claims. We ship all International (USA & the world) via airmail which from Canada includes free insurance (up to $100.00- as per amount on form). For larger values we ship expedited post to the full value adding insurance to value. From USA- we would recommend Global Priority to insure at full value for higher priced items.
AS for DC to Canada- This seems to be a yes/no- some US post offices offer, some don't - we have received both. Obviously this raises the cost.

In over 3000 transactions on ebay- we have had to deal with paypal 3x (once as buyer, 2x as seller). We lost as buyer as customer emptied account. As seller we recouped from buyer directly as credit card was used (which paypal approves) was not authorized by sister. 3rd time we spoke to customer directly and he withdrew claim.

If you want to sell to Canada from USA be aware that shipping costs are very similar via regular AIRMAIL (about $1.00 more or less- unless a larger package). If you plan on being like some xenophobes on ebay who think Canada is the 3rd world and charge double for shipping (becuz they have to fill a form) than you will most likely not receive as many bids.

The USPS website should have an onsite calculator for shipments (we use www.canadpost.ca) for ours - however it is based on weight and size. Once you have shipped 1 or 2 to Canada you will know the prices. When we ship USA the cost is the same whether NY,FLA,CAL- all the same.

Good Luck :)

[torontcollectr]

Updated!

Just a thought- perhaps this thread needs to be a pop-up, not just a thread that many choose to read /or ignore.

In view of recent threads an extra caveat should be entered. With the creation of itrader one can view all the past trades and trade partners---> Contact a few of them (obviously the more recent) and see how a trade went. Better contact a high number trader and a low number trader and see if there was any problems. If you have doubts READ RULE 12 Updated.

As per rule 4- with the addition of ebay links to the profile- these CAN be construed as legitimate, HOWEVER be aware that these too can be faked. A simple method to verify an EBAY link is ASK the EBAY SELLER A QUESTION through ebay's internal mail system about HC Realms. If they answer and correspond then they are the same person.

As per rule 7. A confusing subject which has moderate value. DC shows a package was sent. Contents are unknown (and could be missing). Many USA to International currently will not send without DC (which only appears to be available at sporadic post offices and is pricey). From Canada DC is very pricey, however all packages have a customs form that is stamped by the post office (proof positive that a package was mailed). Unless you are requiring a signature- perhaps for larger value pieces- DC is CYA.

Most importantly have a time frame for delivery of figures- If there is a problem or delay CONTACT your trade partner. If there is no satisfaction, or response CONTACT a MODERATOR (Rock810, kitsushel, or Kness)--> send them all the PM correspondence. They will act on your behalf to the best of their abilities.

This site can be wonderful for learning, education, and amusement, as well as a method to acquire figures or trade/sell off other figures as such there will always be unscrupulous people who will want to take advantage.
Have fun, and be safe :)

[AlienFlanders]

A minor thing, but a PM saying you received the package is helpful.

[thepunisher27]

any tips on how long you should wait to give some neutral if they havent sent you an item yet for 1 reason or another?

[Zephyrpower]

Awesome Thread! Thanks for this Rock810.

I'm just curious though, how long should you wait before suspecting or inquiring about how or when your figs were sent?

I imagine waiting 1 week after the person claims to have sent them would be fair.

[rock810]

I would say two weeks and four weeks if it is canada. 6 if it is any other country.

[stevenrogers]

Thanks a lot brother Rock810...What you said holds true here in the Philippines. :cool:

[Xtriker47]

Thanks a lot brother Rock810...What you said holds true here in the Philippines. :cool:
i concur!!! more power to you!!

[xandman]

This thread goes out to my international Trade forum fans :)

When sending out international trades make sure to get the GREEN CUSTOM FORMS

When filling it out make sure to do the following

Mark it as a GIFT

Put the Value of the Item as 5.00 or the person receiving will have to pay taxes on the item (not kosher)

In the description box- Mark it as " Heroclix plastic game pieces

SHIP AIR MAIL-Safe and cheap.

If I missed anything let me know

Good day and good trading!!

I remember one US trade I had months ago when the trader sent his items/package here in the Philippines and declared it's full value at $150. I had to pay customs tax amounting to a whooping $60! :noid:

[flakbait]

I just wanted to add on here that people don't need to fear the cost of sending international. I shipped a box to the wild-lands of Canada and another to the Philippines and the total was less than $7. :)

The form is also very quick and easy to fill out. Cheers to everyone on this thread for the great advice.

[xandman]

I just wanted to add on here that people don't need to fear the cost of sending international. I shipped a box to the wild-lands of Canada and another to the Philippines and the total was less than $7. :)

The form is also very quick and easy to fill out. Cheers to everyone on this thread for the great advice.

For that you got a rep!:cool:

[Wade Wilson]

is it normal practice not to pm back to people who you are in a trade with when they pm you something about the trade? :S