msbarnes
Well-known
I have some items that I'd like to trade, perhaps.
Do people just mail eachother items and have trust that the other member will not cheat them?
Obviously it would be different if it were local.
Do people just mail eachother items and have trust that the other member will not cheat them?
Obviously it would be different if it were local.
kxl
Social Documentary
Post it in the classifieds under the "Want to Trade" option. Yeah, you pretty much have to trust each other, but the RFF members are generally good folks.
What do you have to trade and where are you in CA?
What do you have to trade and where are you in CA?
msbarnes
Well-known
Oh no, I understand that this is not a classified and I'm aware of the trading option.
I have some items but I was just wondering how the trading procedure usually goes.
I have some items but I was just wondering how the trading procedure usually goes.
kxl
Social Documentary
you just post it, and if someone's interested, they'll PM or email you... Then you just exchange emails and/or exchange photos of the items up for trade and go from there.
good luck!
good luck!
I Love Film
Well-known
You both get on a video chat on your smartphones.
When you see one another at the post office, you say "one two three....now!" and you both drop your packages into the mail box at the same instant.
Of course, one person just mailed a brick wrapped in newspapers.
When you see one another at the post office, you say "one two three....now!" and you both drop your packages into the mail box at the same instant.
Of course, one person just mailed a brick wrapped in newspapers.
rawhead
Established
I don't see why a "trade" option is any more or less risky than a straight-up Buy/Sell deal. The buyer always has to trust the seller that s/he has what they say they have in the state they say they have it in. Sure you get just a little tiny more "protection" if you use Paypal (and not use the Personal/Other option to save fees, which many people like to do), but all Paypal asks for is a tracking number, so yes, the seller could just send a box of newspaper and as long as the package is received, Paypal can't do jack.
So, like with any other transaction, you make sure the other party has a good reputation here and elsewhere, and you honor the honor system
So, like with any other transaction, you make sure the other party has a good reputation here and elsewhere, and you honor the honor system
msbarnes
Well-known
I don't see why a "trade" option is any more or less risky than a straight-up Buy/Sell deal. The buyer always has to trust the seller that s/he has what they say they have in the state they say they have it in. Sure you get just a little tiny more "protection" if you use Paypal (and not use the Personal/Other option to save fees, which many people like to do), but all Paypal asks for is a tracking number, so yes, the seller could just send a box of newspaper and as long as the package is received, Paypal can't do jack.
So, like with any other transaction, you make sure the other party has a good reputation here and elsewhere, and you honor the honor system
Very true. I didn't think about that. I guess it's all about trust.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Works pretty much how it's been described above^^^
I've done it several times in here and all has been good...I have offered to send pictures of the items but they were never needed...
Trust...if you screw up on your part you're ruining your own reputation...RFF is big but not that big...
I've done it several times in here and all has been good...I have offered to send pictures of the items but they were never needed...
Trust...if you screw up on your part you're ruining your own reputation...RFF is big but not that big...
Vics
Veteran
I traded lenses with a guy in Croatia, and he was worried about the trade, because when I mailed it to him I didn't get a tracking number. I was just trying to keep the cost down, but I told him to just keep his lens til he saw mine arrive. He was happy with that, and when my lens arrived at his home he went straight out and mailed his to me.
But to answer your question, yes it's just a matter of trust.
But to answer your question, yes it's just a matter of trust.
thegman
Veteran
I've done a trade or two, you just trust each other to send, and it's always been fine for me. I wouldn't do that with some with no history on the forum, but those with hundreds or thousands of posts have been here a while, and are almost certainly trustworthy.
Also you just have to go with your instincts, if a deal feels wrong, trust your gut. Does someone agree to something that's just a bit too good to be true? It may well be.
Also you just have to go with your instincts, if a deal feels wrong, trust your gut. Does someone agree to something that's just a bit too good to be true? It may well be.
gilpen123
Gil
You may opt to do this on both sides, I did this when I sold my LHSA M6TTL to an RFF member from Hongkong. Everything went very well and buyer was surprised when I sent him this. 1st time he ever dealt with a seller doing this.
Sparrow
Veteran
... that would have been better with a bit of bubble-wrap to stop it rattling round in that big box
gilpen123
Gil
Bubble wrap was placed inside prior to sealing the box. I had the pictures somewhere.
Sparrow
Veteran
Just joking, sorry I should have put a face at the end
panerai
Well-known
Don't just trust the other guy. Make sure you know who your dealing with. On this forum, you can see post counts, so someone with a high post count is someone who has been here a long time.
Another member may only have a few posts.
If trading on a forum. Ask for a PM (private message) reply. This way you can check the person on the forum out by the number of posts as you have to be registered in order to send one.
References mean little as most can be faked, so ask for forum member references. Check out their post counts and email a couple to see what they traded/bought from the person your dealing with (want to be sure he didn't sell/trade low priced items and your doing an expensive trade).
Better to be safe than sorry
DON
Another member may only have a few posts.
If trading on a forum. Ask for a PM (private message) reply. This way you can check the person on the forum out by the number of posts as you have to be registered in order to send one.
References mean little as most can be faked, so ask for forum member references. Check out their post counts and email a couple to see what they traded/bought from the person your dealing with (want to be sure he didn't sell/trade low priced items and your doing an expensive trade).
Better to be safe than sorry
DON