Trade the Right Way! Tips for Making a Good Trade

I recently had my first trading experience with an unknown.  That is to say, I had never had much interaction with the person outside of blog comments.  The entire process turned out to be one long, frustrating endeavor that left me soured on the idea of ever trading.  Lies were told as to the exact date the books had gone out and I was given conflicting mail dates.  Imagine my surprise when, as I neared the 2 month mark after mailing out my books, the books I had traded for finally showed up.  That is why you won't see the name of the person I traded with.  As it turns out, I was not the first one to have this experience with this person, so I decided that enough was enough.  I didn't want anyone getting the idea that trading with this person was a good idea just from seeing a brief mention in my weekly summary post.  What's done is done, the transaction is finally closed, and I now know to be more careful about who I trade with in the future.

However, this experience made me think.  What do other people expect out of a trade experience?  What quantifiers label a good trade?  I decided to ask around, as well as compile both my own thoughts and the thoughts of other book bloggers I speak with on a regular basis.  Hopefully these tips will be helpful to someone out there.

Marla's Tips & Observations

1. Have a clear idea of what you have for trade.  It makes the negotiations go much more smoothly.  Also, don't pull a switcheroo.  It hasn't happened to me, fortunately, but I've heard from others that have had that experience.  Just don't do it!  You'll lose any respect you might have earned from that person to begin with and you'll forever lose a trading channel.
2. Don't leave the person you're trading with hanging!  If they've already sent their books to you, don't goof around for a month or more.  (Yes, this did happen to me.)  It's irritating and pretty darn shady.
3. Always, ALWAYS get a DC#.  Being able to track the progress of the package really helps the person you're trading with know what's going on, plus it covers your butt if something should happen to the package in transit.  You want proof that you're on the level, don't you?
4. Communication is a good thing!  Whether you're on the receiving end or the sending end of your transaction, keep the lines of communication open.  If the person you're trading with has a question, answer it.  If you have a question, ask it.
5. Package the books well.  If you send out your books for trade in a floppy, over-sized envelope, chances are the books are going to get ripped or bent.

Advice from Fellow Bloggers

Be honest!!! Never put up books for trade that you don't have, even if you're expecting them.  Always ship w/ DC and make sure the other person does too. :-) Its cheap and allows you both to track each other's books.  If possible, find out if the other person has ever traded before and if they have a good or bad rep with sending books.  Check out their blog to get a feel for who they are.  Don't promise hot ARCs to more than one person in an attempt to find the best "deal."
 ~Shannon from Stalking the Bookshelves

I think the key to a good trade is choosing a 'mail-by' date for both parties involved in the trade.  It's also best to get Delivery Confirmation and a tracking number so that each party knows when the books will be delivered.  And don't forget to notify the other party once the books you traded for have arrived.
~Amy from Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
~ Megan from Book Brats

What do you think, readers?  Have any stories of trades gone wrong or advice you want to impart to make trade transactions better?