General Forum

Back when my want list had cards on it that I could trade for, my favorite type of trade was the 'everything I've got that you want for everything you've got that I want' type of trade.  It was always too much work trading with someone who nit-picked over getting the book values equal.  I think the perfect trade is one where both people think they're getting the better deal.

-Tom

 could not agree more,

This is the way I look at it. The cards I have for trade...I don't want. I have traded many times where the "value" or amount of the cards going out is not "equal." I look at it this way. What I am recieving...is the price of shipping out comperable to the cost and time searching at a show to find the cards I am going to get? If it is remotely close deal done. If you have them for trade by definition you don't want them...why squibble over things when you have the opportunity to get something you do want?

Now just need for this situation to pass so trading can amp up again!

I don't price anything but I do look at the eras that the cards are in.  If they are similar, then a quick comparison of the players and usually I accept card for card. I have had some who have asked for one for one when asking for vintage while offering late 80s or newer.  Those are the ridiculous that I usually don't respond to other than Decline.  When offers come in with a price comparison, I always wonder what guide is used to do that comparison.

Have to agree....In most cases, If I have the cards, I'm OK to trade/sell whatever. As said if I need cards to complete something...Why would I hang on to 10 higher valued cards, just for hanging on?? Recently I received a request for Aikman RCs, I must 10 per maker, Not doing me any good, BUT the 10 semi-valued cards offered would have completed a set. NO BRAINER to me !

If you look at my signature you'll see that most of the time I trade card-for-card. And I function pretty much like Bru does in matching eras and type of player (HOF for HOF, Common for Common, etc.). I've also been on both ends of trades where it's boatloads for prime cards. Lately I've accepted less than 20 cards each way because trading slowed to a trickle, but my usual threshold is at least 20 matches each, but prefer larger deals.

If someone comes with an offer and states a valuation, I'm like Bru and wonder what's their source. I can work with just about anyone even if they look at prices because the bottom line for me is filling needs. I have set up guidelines (seen on my profile) because I do prioritize certain cards, and certainly some deals look so much more enticing to me than others, but if it's on my Want List, that means I want it. But I do have a lot of vintage wants and few matching vintage available that I need to be strategic, so I've posted ratios on deals involving modern for vintage. That's where it can turn into a boatload for one type deal.

No matter how a trade is structured, I try to communicate at all times even sending scans of cards that I believe will be questionable without being asked, and I appreciate the same. 

  I usually decline the "Book Value" trade proposals.

I'll usually smile and counter if needed when it's someone new to TCDB. Sometimes I'll explain my thinking on the matter. There are a couple of guys who I've not been able to connect with on offers as apparently a counter offends them and they decline with no explanation. So anytime I see their ID on a match I just move on.

As a new member to this site, it makes me extremely happy to see so many people voicing displeasure with "book value" trades.  When I'd receive those on other sites, I would typically decline outright because I knew it was going to take far more negotiating than the trade was likely worth to me.

My thought process around "book value" is that it is just another measure if percieved value. 

After all, let's go back and look at some old issues of Beckett from the early 90's and compare those cards to their "book values" now... at the time, Beckett was arguably the most highly reegarded, go-to "book value" source, but the "market" (book value) did not appropriately consider the production runs or market inflation by the manufacturers.

I'm fairly new also and have not done any trades here.  When I traded on Beckett, I really didn't look at book values. I sent extra if I really wanted a specific card.  I have also received extra cards.  I guess as long as both parties are happy and agree, everything should be good to go.

I’m with dodgydave.. I don’t look at any values. If I see a card I’m getting is worthy, I’ll offer more cards or a meatier card. But I never really look at any dollar value unless it’s an expensive card.. as for shipping. It cost a lot more to travel places, take up my time.. so a little postage is worth the trade. I collect . For fun of collecting. Others are in it as a business. They have to watch their $$.. I spend more money on a bottle of beer during happy hour than mailing out cards. Lol lol.  And yes, I seen declined trades because maybe a card added and response was “ not equal value”. Oh well.. maybe next trade then..