This is going to be a short guide on how to trade. Sometimes your first trade can be a bit rocky because you've never sent mail before, or because you don't know how to ask for what you want. This guide serves as a way to alleviate those who have yet to complete their first trade.
Things you will need:
- Pens (Obviously)
- Money
- Packaging Material
You can't trade without pens. Well, no. 99% of the time, you can't trade without pens. It doesn't matter if they're rare or common, having a good stock of items (or mods) increases your chances of successfully completing a trade with someone.
You need money because you need to pay for postage. Simple as that.
You need packaging material because you need something to send your stuff in. 10x7 bubble mailers are my favorite to use because I can buy them in bulk and package my items at home rather than at the post office. If you don't have any, the post office or your local office supply store should have them available. Envelopes are also okay to use, although they have a bit more risk. Using envelopes, you can do smaller trades that don't require you to drive to a post office because all you need to do is apply some stamps and drop it off at your mailbox. However, they are not as protective as bubble mailers and can potentially rip, causing the items to be lost. (This can still happen to bubble mailers, although it's not as common)
So, now that you know what materials you need to have to trade, let's address how you would go about setting up a trade in the first place. Most of the time, getting a trade started comes down to luck. Someone is going to want a pen, and you're going to have it. (or vice versa) Privately message that person and ask them if they're interested in trading. Come to an agreement with them over which pens will be exchanged, then exchange shipping information. Try to send the package as soon as it's possible for you as to not worry the person you're working with. If you have to delay when you're sending your part of the trade, be as communicative as possible. Don't hesitate to send them a message along the lines of, "something came up, I can't send the package until next Saturday." You don't need to be overly specific with what causes the delay, but at least communicate the fact that there will be a delay. The inclusion of freebies is also something I support. Personally, I try to include freebies that match or exceed the total cost of what the person I'm trading with paid for shipping. This is not mandatory, as it's supposed to be a gesture of kindness, so even if you include a few extra pens or parts, don't feel upset if you didn't receive any yourself.
Now that we know how to set up a trade with another person, let's learn how to package and ship your items. I cannot stress how important it is to properly package your items. As someone who works in a package fulfillment center, I can tell you that no one really cares about the condition of your package. So it comes to you, the sender, to properly protect the items inside from danger. For envelope trades, place all your items into a plastic bag, roll it up, tape it, seal it in the envelope, and tape the envelope seal closed. I also recommend using clear tape on the edges of the envelope for extra security. For bubble mailer trades, place all your items into a plastic bag, roll it up, tape it, seal it in the bubble mailer. If you are applying your own shipping label (because you printed it out at home or used your local post office's self-checkout kiosk) try to use the label's adhesive on the seal of the bubble mailer for extra security. Notice how both of these shipping methods involve the use of plastic bags. This is because even if your bubble mailer has a small rip in the corner, the pens inside won't fall out because they're secured in a plastic bag. Taking this one extra step almost guarantees a successful trade with no flaws because unless there is a scumbag worker with a larceny problem or the mail truck crashes, you're going to get your items.
Once your item is packaged, take it over to your local post office and talk to the worker to pay and have them prepare it for being sent.
So, those are the basics of trading. The more you trade, the more people will recognize that you're a trustworthy person to work with, which most of the time leads to more trades.
Briefly, I would like to speak about international trading. Some common differences to domestic trading that I've come to learn over time are as follows:
- You need to fill out a customs form to send the package. Ask your local postal worker about this.
- Addresses are formatted differently per country. Research how to properly label packages based on which country you're sending it to.
- International packages are most likely going to go on a plane, which means they are going to be significantly more roughly handled compared to domestic trades. Package your items accordingly.
With that, I believe I've hit all the bases that I wanted to cover. Trading is a fun part of the hobby that lets you experience more pens and mods, as well as build friendships with other ps'ers. Making sure that you communicate thoroughly and properly package your items will guarantee that your first trade won't be your last and help you enjoy a different aspect of pen spinning.
