Guide to delightful transactions on the exchange

choombak

choombak

Gold Member
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Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
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After going through many deals on the exchange, I have a few observations - lot of this is common sense, nothing rocket science, but goes a long way into making the transaction an absolute delight for both parties. I'll break it down into five sections/steps: readiness, listing, packaging, shipping, followup - the order in which it happens. Hopefully it helps everyone make better use of the exchange.:thumbup:

The seller
  1. Readiness
    • A user knife does not mean it has to be dirty and fully of pocket lint and food particles. Take time to wipe it down, use a compressed air can to remove the lint, make sure the opening and closing is solid and the lock is free of grime/lint/food particles.
    • Many blades can simply be washed with mild soap and warm water. Use compressed air to remove water from the pivot, or employ the sun to do this job.
    • Inspect the NIB blade for obvious defects like play, dings/dents, edge - if there is a manufacturer problem, you'd rather take care of it now than leave it to the buyer. Or include a discount to compensate.
    • Look around for a street price - dealers, earlier sales, etc., and price your goods accordingly for a quick sale. A too high price will delay the sale, and a too low price would be a loss for you. Google search for "<knife name> for sale" to get an estimate.
  2. Listing
    • Include as many details as you can - blade length, type, handle color, lock mechanism, centering when closed, play when open in both directions, lockup, and availability of box and papers.
    • Indicate your usage - pocket carry, food prep, stuff cut, and number of times. An exact number is not required, but being truthful is.
    • Add photos showing the condition. If you are in a hurry, or don't have a camera, include as many details as you can.
    • Mention an email where you can be contacted. Registered Users do not have PM capabilities, but they can buy, so an email address is helpful. Or potential buyers may have queries.
    • Indicate the shipping method - USPS Priority, or First Class. Always add tracking, and insurance if shipping knives more than $200 (insurance if for the protection of the seller). If you print postage from paypal, tracking is added for free for US destinations via USPS. Indicate your willingness to ship to other countries. The best and cost effective shipping method to other countries is Registered First Class by USPS, which adds ~$25 (as of this writing) to the cost of shipping. It also gives an end-to-end tracking, provided the destination country has Registered postal system in place (most do).
    • Indicate your payment terms clearly - if you don't accept paypal, state that. If you do accept paypal, it is an advantage to indicate a final amount to be sent to you, factoring for handling and shipping fees. Paypal fees vary by country and can range from 2.9% plus $0.30 to 4% and everything in between. If you are unsure about the fees charged, please use the paypal fees calculator to get the numbers.
    • It is a good idea to indicate how long would you wait for communication and/or payment. 24 hrs. is a reasonable time before moving to the next in line, subject to how well the buyer keeps up the communication.
    • It is an excellent idea to ship immediately upon receipt of payment. Immediate here is "reasonable" - a day to two, or if payment received on Friday, ship on Monday. This can as well be stated in the sales thread.
    • If you are honest in the description, and provide enough photos, there should be no requirement for a return. However, it is a good idea to indicate that. Many sellers give a two day inspection period to the buyer.
  3. Packaging
    • For a user, and if shipping outside the US, tighten the pivot for a folder. This will ensure it cannot be flicked open.
    • Bubble wrap the knife, or the box. If you don't have bubble wrap, use newspapers. Make sure to have a thick wrap around the blade, so it cannot poke through.
    • Use packaging tape around the wrap to ensure it stays in place.
    • Fill the empty spaces in the package with newspaper or buffer, so the knife does not bounce around.
    • Do NOT merely toss the blade in the envelope/box, not matter if the envelope has a bubble wrap.
  4. Shipping
    • Have clarity on insurance, registration, and other reliable services beforehand. Understand services offered to you by the postal system. If shipping goods more than $200, definitely purchase insurance. Remember, insurance is for the protection of the seller. (I had someone ship me a knife w/o Registered shipping, even though he thought he did - turns out he did not know various services offered by the PO, resulting in confusion and premature panic).
    • Within country, shipping should not be much of a problem. No questions asked. Ensure you pay for tracking# if shipping at the PO.
    • Owing to different character sets used in various languages, and different formats of addresses, make sure to reproduce the destination address "as-is". Take a photo of the package and confirm it with the buyer before shipping if necessary.
    • If doing Registered First Class to international destinations, make sure you don't have plastic tape outside the envelope or box. USPS typically will cover all seams with their own tape, and stamp it, so they will make you take off the plastic tape. Avoid frustration at the PO. Also ensure you have the other mandatory forms filled.
  5. Followup
    • Send the tracking# to the buyer, whether he/she asked for it or not. You don't know the delivery conditions at the destination. Never assume.
    • Leave iTrader feedback after the buyer confirms receipt and is happy with the deal. Do not hound the buyer for feedback, or even request for it.
The buyer
  • Commit to purchase, only when you are ready to do so. Have all your doubts cleared with the buyer before you commit.
  • Pay as soon as possible - If there would be a delay, clearly mention it to the buyer. This *is* important.
  • When you receive the blade, ensure you are satisfied. Let the seller know you received it safe and sound.
  • Leave iTrader feedback for the deal. Do not hound the seller for the feedback, or even request it.

Addressing mistakes/issues
Sh*t happens, things don't go as planned, expectations on both sides of the pond may not tack up, communication errors due to poor language use crop up (non-native speakers of English, for eg.). We are not perfect. However, if things go south, there are a few things that can be done, apart from reversing the transcation.
Own up the mistake. Keep communication on possible resolution.
Many times, an additional discount from the buyer can make it up (for eg., the blade you sold had a dull edge, and this information was omitted from the listing by mistake. Or there was a noticeable play that you failed to detect, or
 
Last edited:
choombak said:
After going through many deals on the exchange, I have a few observations - lot of this is common sense, nothing rocket science, but goes a long way into making the transaction an absolute delight for both parties. I'll break it down into five sections/steps: readiness, listing, packaging, shipping, followup - the order in which it happens. Hopefully it helps everyone make better use of the exchange.:thumbup:

The seller
  1. Readiness
    • A user knife does not mean it has to be dirty and fully of pocket lint and food particles. Take time to wipe it down, use a compressed air can to remove the lint, make sure the opening and closing is solid and the lock is free of grime/lint/food particles.
    • Many blades can simply be washed with mild soap and warm water. Use compressed air to remove water from the pivot, or employ the sun to do this job.
    • Inspect the NIB blade for obvious defects like play, dings/dents, edge - if there is a manufacturer problem, you'd rather take care of it now than leave it to the buyer. Or include a discount to compensate.
    • Look around for a street price - dealers, earlier sales, etc., and price your goods accordingly for a quick sale. A too high price will delay the sale, and a too low price would be a loss for you. Google search for "<knife name> for sale" to get an estimate.
  2. Listing
    • Include as many details as you can - blade length, type, handle color, lock mechanism, centering when closed, play when open in both directions, lockup, and availability of box and papers.
    • Indicate your usage - pocket carry, food prep, stuff cut, and number of times. An exact number is not required, but being truthful is.
    • Add photos showing the condition. If you are in a hurry, or don't have a camera, include as many details as you can.
    • Mention an email where you can be contacted. Registered Users do not have PM capabilities, but they can buy, so an email address is helpful. Or potential buyers may have queries.
    • Indicate the shipping method - USPS Priority, or First Class. Always add tracking. If you print postage from paypal, tracking is added for free for US destinations via USPS. Indicate your willingness to ship to other countries. The best and cost effective shipping method to other countries is Registered First Class by USPS, which adds ~$25 (as of this writing) to the cost of shipping. It also gives an end-to-end tracking, provided the destination country has Registered postal system in place (most do).
    • Indicate your payment terms clearly - if you don't accept paypal, state that. If you do accept paypal, it is an advantage to indicate a final amount to be sent to you, factoring for handling and shipping fees. Paypal fees vary by country and can range from 2.9% plus $0.30 to 4% and everything in between. If you are unsure about the fees charged, please use the paypal fees calculator to get the numbers.
  3. Packaging
    • For a user, and if shipping outside the US, tighten the pivot for a folder. This will ensure it cannot be flicked open.
    • Bubble wrap the knife, or the box. If you don't have bubble wrap, use newspapers. Make sure to have a thick wrap around the blade, so it cannot poke through.
    • Use packaging tape around the wrap to ensure it stays in place.
    • Fill the empty spaces in the package with newspaper or buffer, so the knife does not bounce around.
    • Do NOT merely toss the blade in the envelope/box, not matter if the envelope has a bubble wrap.
  4. Shipping
    • Within country, shipping should not be much of a problem. No questions asked. Ensure you pay for tracking# if shipping at the PO.
    • Owing to different character sets used in various languages, and different formats of addresses, make sure to reproduce the destination address "as-is". Take a photo of the package and confirm it with the buyer before shipping if necessary.
    • If doing Registered First Class to international destinations, make sure you don't have plastic tape outside the envelope or box. USPS typically will cover all seams with their own tape, and stamp it, so they will make you take off the plastic tape. Avoid frustration at the PO. Also ensure you have the other mandatory forms filled.
  5. Followup
    • Send the tracking# to the buyer, whether he/she asked for it or not. You don't know the delivery conditions at the destination. Never assume.
    • Leave iTrader feedback after the buyer confirms receipt and is happy with the deal.
The buyer
  • Commit to purchase, only when you are ready to do so. Have all your doubts cleared with the buyer before you commit.
  • Pay as soon as possible - If there would be a delay, clearly mention it to the buyer. This *is* important.
  • When you receive the blade, ensure you are satisfied. Let the seller know you received it safe and sound.
  • Leave iTrader feedback for the deal.
Click to expand...

Good observations! I agree especially with the Buyer. I sell alot on the exchange and nothing drives me more crazy than having someone post they'll take it then no communication, no payment,etc. Especially when the member is a gold member and can easily pm the seller. I also inlcuded my email and payment info for paypal to make things easier. I will normally move on to the next in line if I don't receive promt communication and/or payment.
 
Very helpful and concise. Thanks for taking the time to post this valuable info.
Some "Seller" info you might consider adding, and a pet peeve of mine:
If you are going to put a knife, etc., up for sale, be prepared to ship it, as soon as funds clear.
More than once, have I gotten "later next week", or "as soon as I return from a weekend getaway".
That's poor service.
JS
 
choombak said:
After going through many deals on the exchange, I have a few observations - lot of this is common sense, nothing rocket science, but goes a long way into making the transaction an absolute delight for both parties. I'll break it down into five sections/steps: readiness, listing, packaging, shipping, followup - the order in which it happens. Hopefully it helps everyone make better use of the exchange.:thumbup:

The seller
  1. Readiness
    • A user knife does not mean it has to be dirty and fully of pocket lint and food particles. Take time to wipe it down, use a compressed air can to remove the lint, make sure the opening and closing is solid and the lock is free of grime/lint/food particles.
    • Many blades can simply be washed with mild soap and warm water. Use compressed air to remove water from the pivot, or employ the sun to do this job.
    • Inspect the NIB blade for obvious defects like play, dings/dents, edge - if there is a manufacturer problem, you'd rather take care of it now than leave it to the buyer. Or include a discount to compensate.
    • Look around for a street price - dealers, earlier sales, etc., and price your goods accordingly for a quick sale. A too high price will delay the sale, and a too low price would be a loss for you. Google search for "<knife name> for sale" to get an estimate.
  2. Listing
    • Include as many details as you can - blade length, type, handle color, lock mechanism, centering when closed, play when open in both directions, lockup, and availability of box and papers.
    • Indicate your usage - pocket carry, food prep, stuff cut, and number of times. An exact number is not required, but being truthful is.
    • Add photos showing the condition. If you are in a hurry, or don't have a camera, include as many details as you can.
    • Mention an email where you can be contacted. Registered Users do not have PM capabilities, but they can buy, so an email address is helpful. Or potential buyers may have queries.
    • Indicate the shipping method - USPS Priority, or First Class. Always add tracking, and insurance if shipping knives more than $200 (insurance if for the protection of the seller). If you print postage from paypal, tracking is added for free for US destinations via USPS. Indicate your willingness to ship to other countries. The best and cost effective shipping method to other countries is Registered First Class by USPS, which adds ~$25 (as of this writing) to the cost of shipping. It also gives an end-to-end tracking, provided the destination country has Registered postal system in place (most do).
    • Indicate your payment terms clearly - if you don't accept paypal, state that. If you do accept paypal, it is an advantage to indicate a final amount to be sent to you, factoring for handling and shipping fees. Paypal fees vary by country and can range from 2.9% plus $0.30 to 4% and everything in between. If you are unsure about the fees charged, please use the paypal fees calculator to get the numbers.
    • It is a good idea to indicate how long would you wait for communication and/or payment. 24 hrs. is a reasonable time before moving to the next in line, subject to how well the buyer keeps up the communication.
  3. Packaging
    • For a user, and if shipping outside the US, tighten the pivot for a folder. This will ensure it cannot be flicked open.
    • Bubble wrap the knife, or the box. If you don't have bubble wrap, use newspapers. Make sure to have a thick wrap around the blade, so it cannot poke through.
    • Use packaging tape around the wrap to ensure it stays in place.
    • Fill the empty spaces in the package with newspaper or buffer, so the knife does not bounce around.
    • Do NOT merely toss the blade in the envelope/box, not matter if the envelope has a bubble wrap.
  4. Shipping
    • Have clarity on insurance, registration, and other reliable services beforehand. Understand services offered to you by the postal system. If shipping goods more than $200, definitely purchase insurance. Remember, insurance is for the protection of the seller. (I had someone ship me a knife w/o Registered shipping, even though he thought he did - turns out he did not know various services offered by the PO, resulting in confusion and premature panic).
    • Within country, shipping should not be much of a problem. No questions asked. Ensure you pay for tracking# if shipping at the PO.
    • Owing to different character sets used in various languages, and different formats of addresses, make sure to reproduce the destination address "as-is". Take a photo of the package and confirm it with the buyer before shipping if necessary.
    • If doing Registered First Class to international destinations, make sure you don't have plastic tape outside the envelope or box. USPS typically will cover all seams with their own tape, and stamp it, so they will make you take off the plastic tape. Avoid frustration at the PO. Also ensure you have the other mandatory forms filled.
  5. Followup
    • Send the tracking# to the buyer, whether he/she asked for it or not. You don't know the delivery conditions at the destination. Never assume.
    • Leave iTrader feedback after the buyer confirms receipt and is happy with the deal.
The buyer
  • Commit to purchase, only when you are ready to do so. Have all your doubts cleared with the buyer before you commit.
  • Pay as soon as possible - If there would be a delay, clearly mention it to the buyer. This *is* important.
  • When you receive the blade, ensure you are satisfied. Let the seller know you received it safe and sound.
  • Leave iTrader feedback for the deal.

Addressing mistakes/issues
Sh*t happens, things don't go as planned, expectations on both sides of the pond may not tack up, communication errors due to poor language use crop up (non-native speakers of English, for eg.). We are not perfect. However, if things go south, there are a few things that can be done, apart from reversing the transcation.
Own up the mistake. Keep communication on possible resolution.
Many times, an additional discount from the buyer can make it up (for eg., the blade you sold had a dull edge, and this information was omitted from the listing by mistake. Or there was a noticeable play that you failed to detect, or
Click to expand...


I'll second every bit of that!
Only thing I might add is;
as the seller, clearly state your return policy in the listing.

Nice work indeed. Thanks for taking the time :thumbup:
 
FLymon said:
I'll second every bit of that!
Only thing I might add is;
as the seller, clearly state your return policy in the listing.

Nice work indeed. Thanks for taking the time :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Updated the original thread. Thanks for suggestions.

Rev: Sorry, missed your thread completely, else would not have put this together in the first place! :)
 
choombak said:
................
[*]Indicate your payment terms clearly - if you don't accept paypal, state that. If you do accept paypal, it is an advantage to indicate a final amount to be sent to you, factoring for handling and shipping fees. Paypal fees vary by country and can range from 2.9% plus $0.30 to 4% and everything in between. If you are unsure about the fees charged, please use the paypal fees calculator to get the numbers..........................
Click to expand...

Amen to this! I just backed out of a deal because there was no mention of fees in the ad, but was asked to add the fees after I said I'd take the knife. That annoys the crap out of me. :grumpy:
 
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