How to trade games on CAG and not get burned..?

[quote name='freshzen']Only trade with long time members with established trading feedback?[/quote]

But how is that trading feedback established if no one has traded before? Isn't that circular logic?

I don't have anything to trade, but if you have trade/online sales history, maybe via another forum or eBay, you could link here to build your rep...
 
[quote name='zombiedictator']But how is that trading feedback established if no one has traded before? Isn't that circular logic?

I don't have anything to trade, but if you have trade/online sales history, maybe via another forum or eBay, you could link here to build your rep...[/QUOTE]

You need to make your first trades with people who have substantial feedback already, and they will require that you send your item first.
 
I've traded with people here. My recommendation would be:

Only trade things that you wouldn't mind losing (to start out).
Don't trust anything that seems too good to be true.
If you're selling, make sure confirmed addresses are involved.
Lots of people on here have Ebay accounts as well - check feedback there

Mainly though, don't try to turn a profit on here. When you're involved in fair trading, most people here have been surprisingly honest (I'm not a big internet-truster and am always pleasantly surprised). If you're trying to pull a profit, you've jumped into the pool where the sharks like to swim and are more likely to get bit.

So yeah, to answer your question, there is no guarantee. Another thing I would recommend is communication with the person you're trading with. You'll get a feel for the type of person they are through talking with them. At the end of the day though, you're dealing with people, and there are no guarantees when dealing with people.
 
[quote name='rodeojones903']You need to make your first trades with people who have substantial feedback already, and they will require that you send your item first.[/quote]

Yup! :D
 
I just started and you will have to ship 1st. So, with that in mind trade with people with plenty of feedback and longtime members. Though, contrary to this my 1st transaction was as a seller and the person paid before I shipped. Must have had a good vibe. Start small as it will be easier as well. Also ship 1st class w/ delivery confirmation. Bubble mailers will cost
 
i always check feedback. how many they have and what each person posts about their transaction experiences. and who each person traded with. then it all depends on how bad you want what they have. so far from all my experiences i havent been ripped off once and each person i dealt with has been an honorable seller or trader. one thing i always do though when doing business is use postal money orders.

that way you have proof you bought the money order and you can fill it out and photo copy it so you have further proof you bought it. and if youre super paranoid send it with signature confirmation ( basically delivery confirmation that includes having the receiver sign for said letter or package). sending cash is just asking for trouble because they can easily say you didnt send it and keep the cash. also if youre receiving a package ask for signature confirmation and insurance.


and you have to cash the money orders at the post office i believe and last time i checked they require id when cashing.
 
[quote name='lokizz']

and you have to cash the money orders at the post office i believe and last time i checked they require id when cashing.[/QUOTE]

Any bank will take a postal money order.
 
Also, most people will list their references from other sites i.e. ebay. If you have low to no feedback, trade only with someone who is the opposite of you and as others have said, expect to ship/pay first. Also, read this, it is the trade guidelines that everyone must adhere to. Good luck!
 
Keep your initial trades small. A game for a game, a guide for a guide, that sort of thing so you get used to trading.

Be wary of someone with a lot of new non-gaming items. It is quite plausible that a person hit up a Circuit City sale or something and bought multiple copies of games to trade. I have bought a few extra to trade to CAGs before. If people have mutilple IPod or Flash Drives or stuff like that, I would tend to steer clear because it is really unusual for some to have 6 IPods to trade. Look up the user TMACDaddy on CAG and you'll see.

Request pics of items you are interested in. Not everyone has a camera, but many do and are willing to give pics. I have done this many times.

Be thorough in asking about the quality of items you are interested in a be equally thorough in describing the items you have for trade. Don't say it is mint unless it really is. Let people know if the version of a game you have is Greatest Hits. People like detail.

Be prompt in using the CAG feedback system. I have had no problem with most users but some take their sweet time leaving feedback. It takes less that a minute to leave feedback after a deal is complete and both parties receive their items so there really is no excuse not to do it in a timely manner. Feedback is the backbone of trading on CAG.

Always use Delivery Confirmation. This should be self-explanitory.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']Keep your initial trades small. A game for a game, a guide for a guide, that sort of thing so you get used to trading.

Be wary of someone with a lot of new non-gaming items. It is quite plausible that a person hit up a Circuit City sale or something and bought multiple copies of games to trade. I have bought a few extra to trade to CAGs before. If people have mutilple IPod or Flash Drives or stuff like that, I would tend to steer clear because it is really unusual for some to have 6 IPods to trade. Look up the user TMACDaddy on CAG and you'll see.

Request pics of items you are interested in. Not everyone has a camera, but many do and are willing to give pics. I have done this many times.

Be thorough in asking about the quality of items you are interested in a be equally thorough in describing the items you have for trade. Don't say it is mint unless it really is. Let people know if the version of a game you have is Greatest Hits. People like detail.

Be prompt in using the CAG feedback system. I have had no problem with most users but some take their sweet time leaving feedback. It takes less that a minute to leave feedback after a deal is complete and both parties receive their items so there really is no excuse not to do it in a timely manner. Feedback is the backbone of trading on CAG.

Always use Delivery Confirmation. This should be self-explanitory.[/QUOTE]


good advice, but keep in mind (and not to be dreary) but theres nothing you can do to 100% prevent you from getting burned. sometimes it just happens, all you can do is follow the steps like guile pointed out and youll most likely be ok.
 
we should consider guile's reply an actual post on the trading forums and sticky it. those are some good advices. unless this was posted elsewhere?
 
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