As I start with every post about trading, I will always say that it is an under appreciated art form. Because there is such a wide variety of people in the community, there are so many ways that you can be successful. Because there are so many new cards, I want to write a bit more in depth about a few things I have noticed as of late. Is my list of trading pet peeves.

Pet Peeve #1 – DONT BEG

If someone sends me a trade, or counters one of my offers with a note, I expect the worst. There is nothing more annoying than someone expecting you to accept a lopsided trade because they say “please bro, u have 4 of these!” If you do this, stop now as it is a complete turn off for just about every experienced bunter out there. Not saying dont write a note with your trade, but dont beg for acceptance.

Pet Peeve #2 – ONE WORD NOTES

Playing off the previous item, I really dont support adding notes for a trade unless there is something you absolutely need to say, or just want to say thank you for considering the offer. Sending a note with “Counter” or “Please” is only going to get you on my ignore list. At that point, just leave the notes blank.

Pet Peeve #3 – ANGER OVER DECLINED TRADES

If I decline your trade, its for a reason. Usually, and I mean this with all sincerity, usually it isnt personal. However, if you send a trade blasting me for declining your trade, that’s not okay. Its the prerogative of each bunter to decide if they want to accept. If they decline, just move on. Dont even bother going further than that. This is a community that is close knit, and you will only hurt your reputation.

Pet Peeve #4 – SENDING THE SAME TRADE MULTIPLE TIMES

Do not send a trade more than once, especially if the first one was declined or still pending. I cannot stress how likely it is for you to be ignored by that person if you do. If your trade offer wasnt good enough the first time, it wont be good enough the next five times either. Similarly, adding one base card or two base cards isnt going to get me to reconsider most of the time.

Pet Peeve #5 – LEFT FIELD TRADE OFFERS

I always post a specific thing I am trading in the fan feed when I want to trade. Most of the time I will say what I am not trading as well. If someone says “NOT TRADING XXXXXX CARD” – dont make an offer on that card(s). Its only going to get declined, and likely get you on their ignore list. Yesterday I posted a card I was looking for and also posted which cards were not for sale. Guess how many offers I got for those cards I said were off limits? Yup, dont be that guy.

Pet Peeve Bonus Round – BASE CARDS FOR RARE INSERTS

Its one thing to make an offer of a rare insert for base cards, but definitely not the other way around. If you are only offering base cards for a card like a signature series or top insert, 99% of the time you will get declined or ignored. The other 1% will get you a counter offer, but its not worth doing that to your reputation over that small chance. If you are looking for ways to obtain rare inserts, but only have base in your collection, I would look at it from a red paperclip type of mentality. You will have to start at trading for the non-rare inserts and making your way up to the rare ones. Its going to take time and patience, unless you are going to get extremely lucky opening packs, or spend some money. That’s just the way it works.