Pin trading etiquette

[Cruise]

Hi all,

I wanted to try to get some input on the best way to go about communicating with a trader what you expect from a trade.

A little over a week ago, I received a trade request through pinpics. I agreed to the trade and said in my email "Let me know your details and I'll get the pin out in the mail to you." Which I think is pretty clear in stating that as soon as I have that information, I'll send out the pin. When the trader sent back the address, there was also a note that said "please let me know when you ship the pin." So, I mailed the pin the next day and sent an email saying I had done so alone with a note that said I'd also appreciate it if they'd let me know "when you ship/shipped the pin." I haven't heard a word back.

I mailed the pin on the 19th and, according to the delivery confirmation, it arrived on the 22nd. So now I can only assume this person is either 1) not intending to send their pin at all, 2) just really bad at communication, or 3) waited to get my pin in the mail before sending their own to me. What might not make sense is that, of the 3 of these options, number 3 really bugs me the most. I feel it's in really poor taste and very unfair that they expect to receive my pin before sending out their own. Especially since they were the one that approched me about the trade in the first place. It's not like I don't have any references and they're just protecting themselves.

So, I'm not giving up hope on the pin - I'll definitely give it a few more days to arrive. But how would you guys handle the whole "shipping arrangement" thing? I can't think of a way to say "ok, so are you going to ship out my pin the same day I send yours?" without sounding really suspicious and like I'm trying to pull one over on them. But to tell you the truth, this is one thing that's really starting to turn me off pin trading by mail since it's not the first time it's happened.

Thanks for letting me vent....

Julie

 

[OfficerChipmunk]

Julie,
Give it a few days then try emailing the person and asking if they got your pin and when they mailed their pin. Sometimes people get really busy and don't have time to read/reply to emails or mail pins right away. If you don't hear back from them after that, then contact pinpics.
In my experience if someone is going to wait to receive a pin first they normally say so before hand. Either that or they are new and don't know better.
Personally, I normally tell people that I will mail their pin in a few days. I do try my best to do so even though it sometimes doesn't happen. I think that's what most people do. If you are concerned about someone you can always ask them to email you when they ship it.
I hope that helps,
Becky

 

[chef's wife]

Or they may just be a schmuck!...and intended to wait for your pin to se if it was in good shape and all that other good stuff!!!!
Maybe he/she were burnt before, or they are burners themselves?????
Or like Becky said, could just be busy or domething!!!!!!
Let us know what happens!!!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I know of a website similar to pinpics except it's for trading comic book trade paperbacks. SOP on that site is -- person A contacts person B, A and B agree to trade, A sends their books first since they initiated the trade, B sends their books when they've received the books from A, and warm fuzzies are posted on a mailing list letting everyone know about a successful trade.

In pin trading, however, it's always been my understanding that traders send their pins at about the same time. Things happen that can keep someone getting to the post office, but if someone's going to wait until they receive a pin to send theirs, it should be the person approached (B in my example above, you in your case, Cruise), not the person that initiated the trade.

The postal service can be a finicky animal. I once sent a pin to the Raleigh area that took 3 weeks to get there. I could have driven to Raleigh in 3 hours! Give it until after the mail runs on Saturday. If it doesn't come, e-mail them again. If you don't hear anything, best bet is to contact the folks at pinpics and see what they can do.

 

[Cruise]

Originally posted by OfficerChipmunk

In my experience if someone is going to wait to receive a pin first they normally say so before hand. Either that or they are new and don't know better.
Personally, I normally tell people that I will mail their pin in a few days. I do try my best to do so even though it sometimes doesn't happen. I think that's what most people do. If you are concerned about someone you can always ask them to email you when they ship it.
I hope that helps,
Becky

Hi Becky,

Thanks for the calming words I know the person isn't a new trader because they have several references on dizpins. And I did actually ask that they email when they send the pin - in response to their own request that I do so (which I did).

Hopefully it'll show up this weekend.

Julie

 

[Cruise]

Chef's Wife and Matthew,

Thanks for the different points of view.

I guess I wish the reference center on dizpins was a little more like ebay too where you could leave actual comments rather than just positive feedback. 15 positive feedbacks don't mean much if there's 200 other people who couldn't post at all because there's no option for negative feedback.

I'll keep waiting

Julie

 

[Luv2Roam]

Or they may just be a schmuck!

Thank you! I am glad someone said it!

 

[Goofy4Pluto]

Occasionally, I myself get busy, and I have had
many issues with the post office in my 4 years
trading online... (2 years via pinpics)
once I did not realize one of about 20 lbes fell
behind the seat in my truck (til several MONTHS later)
and I too have had my share of bad excuses
(used over and over by the same traders
no less... but I want the pin really bad, so
I will still trade with the person!) And I have
never used a moderator for a trade.

I guess I just have overwhelming faith in people.
And especially people I have seen on different
boards. I know they are more "hard core" and
"serious" that way.

Give it thru the weekend and then email!

Best of luck!

 

[Cruise]

The pin came in the mail today. I actually got an email yesterday saying they had received my pin and had left feedback and asked if I would do the same when I received their pin. And, wouldn't you know it, the LBE stamps haven't been canceled so I can't tell when it was mailed! Just my luck I think I'll just save my pin trading for my next visit to the parks.....

Thanks for all the help, guys

Julie