So, I had a disappointing experience today - and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
I got to thinking, and the more I did, the more frustrated I became - but then I wondered, how do other’s handle this sort of thing?
Here is the exchange - name blurred since I don’t intend to “out” this person per se.
(you have to click on the image to see my last few words in the last response)
Now, just looking at that, you’d think I was being a little curt at my initial response - but this person has offered me multiple trades over time - most times just picking a random print to offer, so most I’ve either had to counter or decline. For this trade, I didn’t want to trade the piece he wanted - so I declined. A month later I get the message “no counter” - so I again remind him to look at my bio when offering me trades.
And I get that response - and it took me two hours to just reply - due to the initial shock I felt reading it.
I thought “Really, you want something from me, and you want me to look through your collection, so I can find something I might want, to help you? Why do I have to work to help you, when you have no interest in helping me by taking the time to even look at my bio and try to offer something I might accept?”
Then I thought - is this what other users expect? I sure hope not, as that’s not how I was “taught” when I joined by the “old timers” on the site.
When I make trade offers - I do my best to make them mutually beneficial.
- We’re both collecting “X” and we both have a duplicate rare that the other needs - trade!
- You’re collecting “Words As Image” and I’m collecting The “Inkforest” and we have extra very rares each need - trade!
- You have something I want - and I can offer you a print of comparable value on your wish list - trade!
And so on - the point is, I’ll look at your sets, I’ll look at your profile and see what kind of trades you’ve accepted - and I’ll even try to make sure I don’t let one expire on you. I’ll read your bio and try to take your tips to heart - you took the time to write them, to help others trade with you after all - so why would you overlook such a handy tool?
Anyway - I’m curious of how you, fellow users, trade - your offers, how you handle declines, tricks you’ve learned while here, or has something similar happened to you and how you handled it.
Side thought - also wondering if there is any crafted trade etiquette anywhere in the FAQs