Just curious how people go about checking references for trades. I feel like I might be a bit more trusting than others, but typically I just check their join date and the references they list in their profile. If it looks like there is potential for a bad trade (on bad traders list, not active on the forums, recent join date) I sometimes check that the references also have the trader listed in their profile. Do most people cross check the references with each other, or message the users listed? For those who have ran BIFs, are you usually as careful, or more careful when checking potential participants?
Do as much as makes you comfortable and confident that they will follow through. If they are active in the community and have many trades listed that are also listed on the other trader's profile, I'm generally good to go. If they don't post a lot and only have a few references listed, I'll usually BM one of their past partners to check up. At times I've asked others to ship first since I couldn't confirm anything.
I usually fly out to their home town, interview neighbors, visit employers, run credit checks, criminal history etc. System hasn't failed me yet. But really, I don't trade Whales so I honestly have never checked a single reference on anyone I've traded with...I may be on the silly side of trusting.
I've noticed that I've gotten a certain sense of what they are like from their beer mails. I tend to not trade with those who misspell, use shorthand and abbreviations, and just sound generally like *****. I've been lucky so far.
Have only been trading for a short time but I tend to trust people. I mean come on, we are all here for the love of beer. If you can't treat a Brother ( or Sister ) right, you will be called out.. That being said, haven't shipped any whales yet so I'm just trying to help share Midwest harder to gets while at the same time get the Coastals...
Here's what I do: First I check the "Bad Trader" list. Then I see if they have any references. No references? I'll ask them to ship first. If they do have references, I do a couple spot checks. (If trader X says he traded with trader Y, does X appear in Y's list of trades?) Then I review their post history. Do they post only in ISO:FT or do they contribute to the community elsewhere? Are they an asshole, or do they sound like someone I'd like to have a beer with? Usually these steps are all I need. If I'm trading something that's difficult to replace, I'll send a quick note to 2 or 3 of their former trade partners. "Did the trade go well? Good communication and packing? Did they ship promptly? Would you trade with them again?"
I've never checked references because I think that would be a bit hypocritical. I don't list any trades/references in my profile so I can't fault others for not doing so either. I just don't think it's necessary. Rather, I look at people's join date, and activity on the forums. I don't bother with people whose content resides solely in the trading forum.
This X1000000, I actually do that first. If they are defenders of bad traders or the "life happens mentality", why bother with them. If they are trying to "win" every trade, why bother with them. If they constantly spout off bullshit ( stuff I do not agree with ) I make a judgement call. Then I look for references, and maybe check the bad traders list. I feel my list is more comprehensive than that one.
If I've seen a person around the forums a lot during the hours I waste on this site, I typically don't check. If I know little/nothing about this person, I check references. I usually pick people off the list that I've seen around the forums and would trust. No sense in asking one n00b if another n00b is a good trader, or asking a jackass if another guy is a good trader. Regardless, most scenarios can be handled if the less-experienced party ships first. Like jmarsh said, do what's comfortable.
I usually check references to find out if the person is a generous trader or not. If I know I'm going to get blasted with extras, I try to go the extra mile with mine. (Same goes for anyone who gives me a good deal on a trade. I once had a couple offers to send a Flaming Fury. One guy asked for the moon and one guy was kind of whatever about it as long as he got a few things he'd really wanted. Ironically, I ended up sending the second guy 3 more things in the trade than the first asked for (with a few more things on his end besides), because he wasn't being greedy and thus 'worthy' of the extra mile.)
I've checked references on a few traders before; after all, that's sort of the point of listing them. In those cases, I will usually scour to see if there are any BA's listed I know are active or I've traded with before. Sometimes I just like to get a feel for the person if they're newer, etc.
I click the profile, if they have "trades completed" or a link to a google sheet of traders, then I'm happy enough. If they have no trade history, they ship first. When I first started trading here, I always offered to ship first. I don't think it's an imposition that new traders should complain about. It gets you to trusted status. I haven't been burned yet, and I would happily and readily trade with any one of my prior trade partners
I really just look at the Bad Trader list and cross check against some names I recognize in their trade history from either past trades or other BA's that I recognize as having been on here for a while.
