I've been thinking about this lately, especially with all of the NST's that I've done, and I thought I'd start this thread to get input from everyone else on what you consider to be basic characteristics of a Good Trader.
--- Communication - This is key. Even if you are timely and are doing exactly what was planned, it's nice to know that the other person is doing their part. So many times I'll do a trade or purchase, send my end (and pm the person telling them that), and then their part just shows up at my house. Of course I assume that they've sent it, but it sure would be nice to know, huh? And if the trade goes sour, a majority of the time communication is a reason.
--- Good Packaging - If you're sending a check or MO, well that's easy (although the envelopes that are easy to see through are good to avoid). If you're sending smokes, then you ought to read this thread.
--- Timing - All to often (and I'm not singling anyone out) I'm surprised by how casually people will say, "I'll get your check/package out sometime this week", or "I got busy/forgot, I'll get it done in the next few days". I'm sorry, but that's just not acceptable to me. With newer folks, it's your loss because I'm not sending your smokes until I receive your end. However, often the NST is maxed out, and there might be someone who is more diligent waiting for their turn. And if I've sent you a check and you are being casual about sending my smokes, that's just not cool.
--- Accuracy - Be sure to send the right thing! Or the right amount! If you are posting a trade/ISO be specific about what it is you are offering and what you want in return. None of that, "I've got some Opus that I'd like to trade for something good". It's really quite simple. Say exactly what you want or what you are selling and state the price. That price may be a dollar amount or exactly what you expect in return. Avoid being vague.
Well, those are the three biggest things I can think of to make things go smooth. Here's a couple other thoughts I had:
--- Including a Bonus - Seems as though everyone has a preference on this. I feel it is given too much weight. One should never feel obligated to include a bonus, and doing so does not make you a good trader. Not including a bonus does not make you any less of a trader or BOTL than the next guy.
--- No Bragging! - This has been discussed before, and it is generally agreed that is very bad form to discuss the specifics of a gift or bonus or trade you made. If you want to start a thread (although it goes against the purpose of a gift) to say that someone is a great person because they sent you a bomb, fine. But it's lame to show pictures or state what was sent. If you have to ask why, then you might just not get it. Also, a member here might sell or trade you a very hard to find cigar, and the last thing they want is 20 others pm'ing them asking if they can get one too. If you're excited because you got something great, then feel free to post away about it, but leave the names out.
Anyone have any obvious ones to add that I missed?
--- Communication - This is key. Even if you are timely and are doing exactly what was planned, it's nice to know that the other person is doing their part. So many times I'll do a trade or purchase, send my end (and pm the person telling them that), and then their part just shows up at my house. Of course I assume that they've sent it, but it sure would be nice to know, huh? And if the trade goes sour, a majority of the time communication is a reason.
--- Good Packaging - If you're sending a check or MO, well that's easy (although the envelopes that are easy to see through are good to avoid). If you're sending smokes, then you ought to read this thread.
--- Timing - All to often (and I'm not singling anyone out) I'm surprised by how casually people will say, "I'll get your check/package out sometime this week", or "I got busy/forgot, I'll get it done in the next few days". I'm sorry, but that's just not acceptable to me. With newer folks, it's your loss because I'm not sending your smokes until I receive your end. However, often the NST is maxed out, and there might be someone who is more diligent waiting for their turn. And if I've sent you a check and you are being casual about sending my smokes, that's just not cool.
--- Accuracy - Be sure to send the right thing! Or the right amount! If you are posting a trade/ISO be specific about what it is you are offering and what you want in return. None of that, "I've got some Opus that I'd like to trade for something good". It's really quite simple. Say exactly what you want or what you are selling and state the price. That price may be a dollar amount or exactly what you expect in return. Avoid being vague.
Well, those are the three biggest things I can think of to make things go smooth. Here's a couple other thoughts I had:
--- Including a Bonus - Seems as though everyone has a preference on this. I feel it is given too much weight. One should never feel obligated to include a bonus, and doing so does not make you a good trader. Not including a bonus does not make you any less of a trader or BOTL than the next guy.
--- No Bragging! - This has been discussed before, and it is generally agreed that is very bad form to discuss the specifics of a gift or bonus or trade you made. If you want to start a thread (although it goes against the purpose of a gift) to say that someone is a great person because they sent you a bomb, fine. But it's lame to show pictures or state what was sent. If you have to ask why, then you might just not get it. Also, a member here might sell or trade you a very hard to find cigar, and the last thing they want is 20 others pm'ing them asking if they can get one too. If you're excited because you got something great, then feel free to post away about it, but leave the names out.
Anyone have any obvious ones to add that I missed?
