The Art of the Trade
 

I've recently completed my 4th successful trade with Net54 members. Before June, I hadn't done a trade for cards since I was a kid. I had a member contact me about a trade for one of my listings on BST back in June and it couldn't have been easier. I'm a convert. I've included the words "I'm also open to a trade" on several BST posts and had 3 more trades.

I'm sure it helps that I was dealing with great people who have been members for a long time.

I thought it would be interesting to know how frequent trades (e.g. not sales) are done between members.

Have you done a trade on Net54? Any lessons learned? Any advice? Any questions?

Because every thread needs a card...here's one that I was part of one of my trades.

I trade frequently.

One of my favorite aspects of working card shows is trading across my table.

Trades
 

I'm always looking to trade with folks, and never had a problem with anybody on N54. I would like to see more posts for traders, and maybe even a new section devoted to it. I'm one of the guys that traded with Gary and can say it was a very pleasant experience.

Take Care,
Geno

trades
 

Great topic! I too have traded with Gary, a fun and rewarding experience.
The key is locating folks who don't approach the trade like it's an opportunity
to mug you:) Good news is many net54 members are savvy people who
realize that, in order to get something good, you must give up something
good in return. Lots of wonderful experiences on this venue. Trent King

I'm approaching two years on this site and haven't yet completed a trade! I'm glad to hear it happens :)

Thanks for posting. I love trades, it's the best feeling to help another member with their collection while helping yours at the same time. I've set up trades between members, fun trades with Mac Wubben, blockbuster trade with Leon, and a pending trade with Ryan to name a few. The best trade though is sending a card to a member at no cost in exchange for the feeling you get from being a generous human.

Trades aren't easy, and the best trades are painful for both sides.

No, trades aren't easy, but they can be great for both sides if they are able to be accomplished. I always say though, it takes good to get good!

I've always struggled with trades. My cards are personal to me...most were hand selected by me for a specific reason. and it's hard not to think about future value which others may not consider. I have made a handful of trades the last few years...in most cases I feel sad afterwards!!!!

I was involved in a four collector trade described in this thread:

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=313955

It was fun to be a part of it, and see how the trade ringmaster made it all happen.

Brian

When I was smitten with baseball card fever, trading was the only method available to obtain highly, sought-after gems other than buying new packs, which was problematic due to meagre allowances. There were no card stores, Ebay, AH's, card shows, internet or, God forbid, TPGers. We knew how to grade our own cards.
I still remember one boyhood trade: I held a real nice '52 Bowman Stan Musial, deemed by my neighborhood gang special as he was not included in the '51 Bowman set nor those beautiful new '52 Topps. Well, I was a die-hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan and was offered a handful of '52 Bowman Dodgers for my Musial, Including a gorgeous Campy. Well, our trade talks were similar to the S.A.L.T talks many decades later. We were deadlocked until he threw in a Billy Cox and Preacher Roe and the deal was done. It was painful and exciting at the same time.
Maybe what goes 'round does come around, especially given the cost of desirable cards. nowadays.

Back in April 2017 a guy posted a thread called the Ultimate trade up were he wanted to start with a T205 Johnson grade VG and try to TRADE UP to a 52 Mantle. I was the guy that made the 1st trade with him. I gave him a good deal because I wanted the 1 Major HOF, more than the number of lesser T206s etc. Overtime the his effort petered out, but it was of the best treads of that year.

Link of that trade attemp
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=238153

PS—- my 1000 post

I feel the same. If I find a vintage card at a yard sale, it’s like a long lost family member. Very hard to trade.

I buy, trade, sell - can be a lot of fun! @shows and flea markets

Great post!

Thanks Jimmy

Thanks for pointing out that thread. It was a fun read. For me, trading is a great way to swap dupes. I'm less emotionally invested in duplicate cards so I can be a little more flexible.

I've done tons of trades over the years. I've done some great trades with people I didn't know beforehand, but the best ones are with long-time friends. Those are great because you've been helping each other out with stuff for years so I never feel like I need to be sure I'm getting an exactly even deal. Close is good enough because it will all even out in the long run. These trades also tend to come together quickly and easily.

Some advice I would give:

1. Make sure you feel comfortable with what you're giving up. For me I've always been able to differentiate pretty easily between something I would miss dearly, and something I wouldn't lose sleep over because of what I'm getting in return. If you're not sure, maybe hold off on doing the trade. If you know you have trouble letting stuff go, maybe trading isn't for you.

2. If you're making a trade with someone you don't know, make sure you feel 100% comfortable before sending your cards. Ask for references and check them. If the other person has a long term reputation and you don't, you should probably send first. And if you have the more established reputation, you can ask your trading partner to send first. If they balk at the idea, maybe you dodged a bullet. You can also send the trade in stages. If you're each trading 5 cards that are valued at $500 each, there's no reason you couldn't mail one card at a time so that you both aren't worried about losing all 5 cards at once.

3. For me the best experiences with trading and deals have always come with friends. So with that in mind, try to make some hobby friends. Put yourself out there a little bit, provide some value to people. If you're knowledgeable about a certain area of collecting, share with people, answer questions etc. Then keep an eye out for who returns the favor.

Some favorites that came in trades with other net54 members:

Trades
 

I've made about 5 or 6 trades with Net54 members. Always was a great experience!