Trading Forum Tumbleweeds

[MattWRog]

I can remember a time maybe 10 plus years ago or so that the trade forum was very active. If you were looking to trade a “moderately desirable” (tough to define I realize) folder or fixed of some sort for a reasonable, fairly common trade in return, you’d find several interested members willing to talk trade in short order.

Maybe it’s my 1/1064th Elizabeth Warren in me but I’ve always preferred a good trade over selling. Both parties get something they were potentially looking to try out with no money changing hands. Lately however, it seems like there is little interest in trading.

Over the last year I’ve had CRK, GEC and Spyderco/Benchmades up for trade; knives that I’d consider “moderately desirable”, not looking for the rare or unique in return. They often languish there for weeks or months with little interest.

So what’s the consensus these days? Do you visit the trade forum frequently when looking for something new to potentially try out?

 

[kreole]

Too many scammers to risk trading for me. I just expect to be out a knife

 

[Kettleman]

Personally Ive never understood the knife trading community. When I got involved here back in 2015 originally I remember thinking how strange it was that people would send one another knives to exchange. I ve since realized what a time honored tradition its is in the community but not one I have or will partake in.


EDIT, And in todays world why not just toss your knife in the trash, you'll probably get as much out of it.

 

[jfk1110]

I've done a few trades..Been a minute though....You know who to deal with nowadays right......Only someone you. "THINK" you know..........

I'd trade with you Kettleman .

 

[Kettleman]

I've done a few trades..Been a minute though....You know who to deal with nowadays right......Only someone you. "THINK" you know..........

I'd trade with you Kettleman .

And I with you good Sir!

 

[Blues]

I'd trade with people I've known and established a relationship with here on the forums...or those I don't know who have developed a strong reputation beyond simply selling in the Exchange.

Otherwise...I'm unlikely to go that route.

 

[MattWRog]

Too many scammers to risk trading for me. I just expect to be out a knife

I agree you have to vet people carefully, now more than ever. I always felt like with a trade you know exactly what you’re getting. Expectations can be high when you’re spending your hard earned money on something.

In my nearly 20 years here I’ve never had a trade go south. I’m fairly particular about only dealing with well established members.

 

[Mustacheben]

It is funny this is the case because if you list something for sale and in big bold font put “no trades please” you still always get sometimes 1-3 trade offers with the comments “I know you said no trades but….” I have been guilty of this myself if I am low of funds or out of funds I will try if it wasn’t specified. I enjoy trading if both parties are happy with the deal but I’ve found that can be harder to come to sometimes.

 

[Pàdruig]

Blues articulated my stance on this quite nicely. I've done a trade or two with some unknowns in the past and haven't gotten bitten but I reckon it's playing with fire though, especially in the current climate. I've cultivated enough friendships amongst the groups I tend to hang out with here that trading with complete strangers is no longer a risk I'm comfortable with.

 

[jlauffer]

I'd trade with people I've known and established a relationship with here on the forums...or those I don't know who have developed a strong reputation beyond simply selling in the Exchange.

Otherwise...I'm unlikely to go that route.

Blues articulated my stance on this quite nicely. I've done a trade or two with some unknowns in the past and haven't gotten bitten but I reckon it's playing with fire though, especially in the current climate. I've cultivated enough friendships amongst the groups I tend to hang out with here that trading with complete strangers is no longer a risk I'm comfortable with.

Same. Think I've done 3 trades so far, with longstanding members, and that's the only way I'd consider it. And moving forward, with all the scamming craziness lately, I will only be selling to paid members, so correspondence can be handled privately via PM.

 

[hhmoore]

It is funny this is the case because if you list something for sale and in big bold font put “no trades please” you still always get sometimes 1-3 trade offers with the comments “I know you said no trades but….” I have been guilty of this myself if I am low of funds or out of funds I will try if it wasn’t specified. I enjoy trading if both parties are happy with the deal but I’ve found that can be harder to come to sometimes.

I love the ones that try anyway, then get upset/annoyed when their trade offer is declined.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I've traded several times, most recently with longstanding members with good feedback. I'm fortunate to have had only positive sale and trade transactions based mostly on trust. Perhaps that time is ending, when unaquainted members can transact with each other, even withlow feedback on one side. Hopefully that time is not yet over.

 

[AntDog]

I’ve traded lots of times here. Never been burned, but I tend to trade with people I trust due to past interactions, reputation, or feedback stats.

I’ll sell to Joe blow just joined yesterday with no feedback, but only ship once money is transferred and physically out of the ether and in my hand. I do not trade with that type.

I’ll only buy from paying members with good feedback (Which is the way it’s set up anyway).

 

[LastRodeo]

MattWRog I noticed you limit members from being able to view your profile. Don't know how long you have been doing that, but personally that is a no-go for me to buy, sell, or trade with that member.

 

[Fire King]

There’s a lot to like about trading. I’m sure that many or most members here have more knives than they can use and sometimes desire the look or feel of something different. I have an expression I use with friends and family when they show me a knife: “That looks like a knife that could do the job forever”. I think that is the case with most knives that will cut. But does that knife interest you?

Trade posts don’t usually work out, but they have for me a couple of times. I’ve never been ripped off and have met some good folks. And I usually have received an interesting knife that replaces a knife that I wasn’t that interested in anymore.

Edit: If the idea is to maximize value and get every inch of value out of a knife then a deal is hard to make, but with a little give and take a trade can be beneficial.

Edit, Edit: I would feel more vulnerable buying a knife nowadays with the FFPP model that with trading. I haven't bought off the forum in some time due to that new lack of protection model.

 

[MattWRog]

MattWRog I noticed you limit members from being able to view your profile. Don't know how long you have been doing that, but personally that is a no-go for me to buy, sell, or trade with that member.

I actually just started doing that recently to prevent non paying members from soliciting on my visitor wall.

I believe if you hover over my screen name you can still see that I’ve been a supporting member here for nearly 20 years in good standing. Which should be all the vetting one might need.

 

[MattWRog]

There’s a lot to like about trading. I’m sure that many or most members here have more knives than they can use and sometimes desire the look or feel of something different. I have an expression I use with friends and family when they show me a knife: “That looks like a knife that could do the job forever”. I think that is the case with most knives that will cut. But does that knife interest you?

Trade posts don’t usually work out, but they have for me a couple of times. I’ve never been ripped off and have met some good folks. And I usually have received an interesting knife that replaces a knife that I wasn’t that interested in anymore.

Edit: If the idea is to maximize value and get every inch of value out of a knife then a deal is hard to make, but with a little give and take a trade can be beneficial.

Edit, Edit: I would feel more vulnerable buying a knife nowadays with the FFPP model that with trading. I haven't bought off the forum in some time due to that new lack of protection model.

I agree being realistic with a trade is probably one of the most important things to attract someone. Trying to trade up 2 Swiss Army knives, a Kabar and a Spyderco Military sharpened down to nothing for a Sebenza is going to leave you hung out to dry.

 

[LastRodeo]

I actually just started doing that recently to prevent non paying members from soliciting on my visitor wall.

I believe if you hover over my screen name you can still see that I’ve been a supporting member here for nearly 20 years in good standing. Which should be all the vetting one might need.

Viewing profile and being able to leave messages are two different settings.

 

[MattWRog]

Viewing profile and being able to leave messages are two different settings.

I’ll have to go back and play around with it then. I must’ve missed that

 

[Quiet]

I don't trade with folks unless I know them, and the folks here I would trade with, it's because I've known them for years and would feel comfortable sending 'em the knife. Noobs or unknowns, absolutely not.