Trade Question

I wouldn't necessarily say that you're "in the wrong." But...

If the OP already has several positive trades under his belt, I can see where they would expect you to ship after giving you tracking info. 5 completed trades with positive feedback (in 4 months) tells me the person is trustworthy. I also take into account how active they are as members. (blank avatar, blank beers reviewed/gots/wants and no minimal posting are all red flags for me)

If he was new with 0 feedback, I could understand waiting until their beer showed up on your porch.

Full disclosure: I stick to In Person trades and avoid the whole ridiculous process, lol.

 

I have found it's best to be as clear and explicit as possible to avoid misunderstanding. I usually tell the person who is shipping first that I will have their box out to them within 2 days of receiving the box they send. Simple and clear

 

To me if someone asked me to ship first it means simply that, once I ship and provide them with a tracking number then they would ship. I guess I have been lucky and have delt with a lot of cool BA'ers. My first trade my partner shipped first without even hesitating.

 

Under a year on site/less than ten trades, they send first, I send when I receive. All I can say is you can be more explicit, but sending after you receive is just logical precaution.

 

I have been a BA for more than a year but am not trading constantly. I have 7 positive trades and I have to ship first?

 

his box could be filled with tennis balls for all you know. probably should have been more explicit but you could explain how a tracking # really isn't what you need, it's the beer that was agreed upon that you need.

 

I have no problem shipping first to an established trader, and have been asked to do so for reasons other than "noobness". Shipping first to an established trader is a zero risk action to take. If you balk at doing it, well, that's your right, but I suggest it is pride rather than safety that is the motivator. For the established trader it is purely self protection. Why wouldn't you send first if asked?

 

Maybe I'm just really trusting of people, but I've never asked a new trader, even with 0 feedback to ship first. I had one that volunteered so I let him. The only time I got screwed over was with someone I traded with once already AND with 32 positive feedback so that factored into my behavior. I know one day I may get bitten, but I'm willing to take the risks because I want to start a trade relationship with trust. For the most part, I could get a sense for how a trader may be through the way they negotiate. If something is off, I'd probably be able to tell.

That said, if I'm going to ship something a bit more "precious", I'd be a little more cautious. But 1 or 2 feedback logged, I wouldn't worry too much about their shipping first.

 

I must admit that plenty of valid points have been raised. I was just wondering. I guess everyone has their own comfort zone when it comes to trading. I also agree that you definitely can get a feel about a trader when negotiating.

 

Of course, I failed to answer the OP's question. Yes, shipping first means shipped AND received. The whole purpose of shipping first is to make sure the other trader fulfill the commitment 100%. "Shipped" only fulfill 1/2 of the commitment.

 

At the end of the day...Move on its not worth your time.

 

I traded with a new trader last year, asked him to ship first, and that I would ship upon receipt of his box. He agreed, and shipped, provided tracking number. On the day of delivery, (which the tracking info confirmed it would be delivered), I decided to run down to FedEx and get my box off, even though I did not have his box in hand. Well, 6pm rolls around and no delivery. I check the tracking, and delivery was cancelled. I called FedEx and had my box held, thankfully. I contacted the shipper to find out what was going on, he said he didn't know. 1 week later, I get a message from him saying that I received his box, and he's waiting on my box. Which was bullshit because the tracking info said his box was in his hometown waiting for him to pick up. Another week goes by, and he deletes his BA profile. Gone. Fortunately I wasn't out any beer. But bullshit like this does indeed happen.

This was the only time I have ever had a negative experience trading. However, because of the way it went down, I am pretty careful with new traders. Trade with caution!

 

You should be more specific in the future but I will say that my understanding of shipping first is sent & received.

When I was a newbie, I sent 1st several times & didn't have expectations of them sending until they received my box. Since then I have asked some to send 1st (usually 5 trades or less) & always sent once I received their box.

I lost some beer back when I was a n00b & traded with someone that had 0 trades but had a profile pic, beers rated, etc & I sent but he never did. A million excuses but never got my beer so I don't hesitate to ask newbies to ship first.

I actually had a trade set up with someone & he said he had references & traded a lot on reddit but had zero trades on here. I asked him to ship first & he refused so I traded with someone else to get the w00tstout that I was looking for

 

I've been on the site over a year and have 19 completed trades. A few months ago someone responded to my FT and asked me to ship first. At the time i had probably 13-14 completed trades and had been on the site abiut a year. He told me he doesn't send boxes first with anyone under 15 trades and less than 100% rep. I said whatever and shipped to him. By the way he talked i could tell he was older and with his trade rep i felt ok with shipping first.

The only time i asked someone to ship first was with a guy who had never traded before on this site ( he said he had traded on other sites ) and had no posts of ticks or anything. He said it was cool, sent them out and waited patiently until i sent mine (i was getting them a few days later). And he was an overall great BA.

So numbers aren't always everything.