Bound and Gagged

[Hetemti]

I'm going to the Prerelease. (<—too many "e"s in that word.)
I want to do some trading.
I need to know what to bring!
And so I ask:

Which cards? T2, Extended, T1, Casual FUN cards, or a mixture.
How many? I've 70 pages in my binder now...too much? Not enough?
What kind? Should I bring only the good stuff, or is mid-range viable as well?

If you don't know or feel it's simply up to me, then what are you bringing?

Okie, your turn. Make with the clickie and the typeïe.

 

[olwen]

There's usually a wider range of player types at pre-release looking for a wider range of cards, so I'd bring anything that you're willing to trade. There's also some people trying to trade to make up the new set.

 

[Duel]

I'd bring all but casual cards, if you're looking to trade, not play.

 

[Hetemti]

Oh, I plan to play, bomb, find a side event (other dropees) and play some more. But I do have some wants I've been looking for and I want to maximize my possibilites.

What about the possibility of theft? Is it a major issue, or just another good reason to stay alert?

I guess if anyone tries anything, I'll have Goku (Yes, there are two CPA members in Florida! Not that I didn't send him here...but...) beat the living tar out of him. Nothing like senseless violence to liven up a card game.

 

[Spiderman]

I'd also say bring a mix. You never know what another person might want...

I'd say keep a close eye on your stuff. I don't think theft is a major issue, but if you're hauling around a bunch of rares, why be careless?

 

[Mr_Pestilence]

I bring an assortment of rares, foils, "tradeable" uncommons like Invasion dual lands, Flametongue Kavu, etc., and "set completers" like older commons or funky stuff like foreign cards or Unglued tokens.

And, m personal pet peeve with traders - Don't put it in your "trade binder" if you don't want to trade it!

 

[Killer Joe]

I take a 1/2 inch binder with me. It has seven pages (nine slots) and I only Include extremely rare cards. I never put a card in it that I couldn't part with, but I also won't trade a Masticore for a Forest either .
I also have a box of uncommons and and rares that I use in my decks but I offer it to a potential trader with the knowledge that not everything in it is for trade, so ask before you pull it out (It's NOT a trade box, just an added thing I sometimes offer).

 

[Landkiller]

Last time I went to a prerelease, 4 Academy Rectors, Squee, Obliterate, and possible more I didn't notice was stolen from me. I'd say be careful who you trade with...if you think they're stealing they probably are.

 

[Major Crime]

If you have some of the realy hot cards, only put one in your folder, have the rest in a box or in a hard sleeve in your pocket, if someone is interested, ask how many they want and then get the copies out.

 

[Killer Joe]

Trading Ettiquette and Protocol:
*=It might be best to only trade with someone who has specific card(s) in mind. That way you won't be wasting your time.
*=Remember that card value is based on the OWNER'S opinion, not someone else's.
*=Don't interfere with someone else's trade conversation.
*=If you don't see something you like in another person's trade binder, avoid being rude by stating they've got NOTHING of value but instead, just say, "No Thanks, maybe some other time." or something polite like that.
*=If you feel up to it, compliment them on what a good trade it was, (only if it really was a good trade, don't blow sunshine up their butt's ).
*=If a very inexperienced player/trader comes to you with half a binder filled with crappy commons/uncommons and rares only a mother could love and want to trade for your Morphing, be gentle about letting them know you're not interested, you were THAT person at one time . (okay, maybe not, but you get the idea .
*=Don't be bullied into a trade, if you feel at the very last second that you're being taken advantage of, then STOP THE DEAL RIGHT THEN!!!!!! Say, "No Thanks!" smile and walk away.

 

[krichaiushii]

Unless I know a person well, I don't let people go through my binder if I am playing -- it gets to distracting, both for the game, and if the person should be less than honest, its easier to watch him/her.

Playable uncommons are great!

If you can fit the good uncommons either in a separate binder, or the same binder, with the rares, do so. Some people don't care to rifle through boxes.

Also, people really enjoy getting a set of 4 cards. One or two is nice, but with four, I can build a deck!

Many trade based on border color. If you bring the original black border versions of 7th edition cards, people will suck them up. The same goes for foils (ALWAYS good trade! Especially foil land).

When trading, the fellow whose cards you are looking at may not have anything you need for YOUR decks, but may have other useful cards that someone else will want (granted, its all perceptions, but still). This effectively makes you a middle man. So bring a list of cards that are always in demand in your regular group (or with you if you keep a large stable of decks of the same color schemes). Or just print a few netdecks to find the popular cards and trade for those!

A technique I've seen when trading is to not tell your trading partner what he has that interests you until you've seen everything he has. Just keep good mental notes.

Yellowjacket's right, be polite and pleasant.

Its possible to save time if you can keep a mental record of the cards you generally have (this is dependant on your memory and number of cards you own, granted). A quick verbal confirmation or denial allows you and the other guy to go find others to trade with.

That's about it.

 

[Mikeymike]

Do yourself a favor and watch other traders. You'll get a good feel of who is going to be a fun/fair person to trade with and who is going to be the hardball Type 2 know-it-all. You can also pick out the shady individuals much easier, unfortunately there are usually more than you'd expect. Ethics are such a foreign concept to some people, but I digress.

If you want to trade, trade. If someone offers you a game while you are trading; politely decline and say you want to focus on trading right now but if you want a game later you'd be interested. Same thing goes if you are playing, as krichaiushii mentioned. Don't let someone you don't know look at your binder while you're looking at your hand. Ask them to wait, if they get snippy or continue to look after repeated warnings, rip the @%#$ing out of their hands. If they can't respect your wishes its best you don't trade with them anyway.

If you feel like bringing a price guide that's fine. The only people who will really care are those who prey on ripping people off. KEEP IN MIND play value and book values of cards aren't identical so its best to have a idea of what is currently hot/being played in Type 2 (also mentioned already). If you want to use a price guide use Scrye.

Also, you'd be surprised about the amount of 'Trade Bullies' and 'Trade Cons' around.

Trade Bullies - Traders who crap on all your cards, even the ones they aren't interested in. They over value their cards and have an all around unpleasant nature. If you're game you can usually bring these people down to earth rather easily by picking your words carefully.

Trade Cons - They are sweeter than candy and use this politeness (i.e. try to make you feel obligated and guilty to force a deal) to manipulate the trade values of the cards involved. Be careful b/c when your back is turned they'll also seduce your Lin-Sivvi and take her home with them.

Final note. Yellowjacket mentions not to interfere with someone else's trade. Overall I agree with this, but there is an exception to this rule. If you see a young kid/or a rookie being ripped off (like a Avatar of Will for a Cursed Scroll) step in and say something. Those rippers only hurt the game and you'll never be out of line for doing something about it. Generally, you'll be the kid's new hero and other people who notice will realize your character.

 

[arhar]

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said. I just want to add that NEVER leave your stuff un-attended. For example, Neutral Ground NY is a friggin' snake pit - you look in the other direction for a second, and when you turn around, your trade binder is gone. Ah, the joys of Prereleases