To Trade, or Not to Trade?

[Tom Stathes]

This is sort of an interview for all members- respond at your leisure, everyone!;)
Topic: Trading Tapes

1.How do you figure out who you want to trade with?
2.Do you trust someone who you don't know? If so, what are your regulations? If not, how do you give that person a chance to prove themselves?
3.Do you have any standards or requirements for trading?
4.Do logos or time codes bother you?
5.If you are trading with someone you trust and know, who sends the tape(s) first?
6.Regardless of knowing/not knowing/trusting your trading partner, how do you approach him or her if there is a problem? (tape quality etc)
What do you do if you don't get a response?
7.If you are the one who honestly presented the problem in a trade, do you runaway from it? If so, do you consider how your reputation will be affected, if your partner "blabs" about the experience? If not, how do you handle it?
8.Do you accept returns if your trading partner is not satisfied?Would you return the tape he/she sent you as well?

Here are a few of my answers:
1. I figure it out based on who publicly says what they have, or if someone chooses to contact me.
2,3.I am a trusting person. But just to be on the safe side, if it's someone I don't know about, they send their share first. No stranger is a "loser" in my book:mad:
4. Logos and time codes give me the creeps, enough said:bosko:
5. We mutually work it out.
6. I will email my partner if there is a problem. If I don't get a response in a good amount of time (a month or so) I'd consider posting a thread dedicated to the bad experience.:shame:
7.I do my best to recoup for any losses on my partner's part. What I usually do is send better copies of or different cartoons as a bonus in a future trade.
8. I would keep the tape that my partner sent me, and he/she can keep what I've sent them, regardless of how much they dislike it. But if I was the one who sent something distasteful (according to that trading partner's opinion), I'll send something else- but not a whole other tape. Probably a few bonus cartoons in a future trade.


-Tom

[Jeff]

I have to wonder if you started this thread as a result of any recent trades you're not happy with ;)

Anyways I'm curious to see what other people's answers are so I'll post mine. I'll state up front that I'm into this stuff because I enjoy the films and want to see them, not to make money off my collection at a future point in time, etc. To this end, I'm very forgiving in terms of trading.

1.How do you figure out who you want to trade with?

Sometimes by trolling with threads looking for trades, PM with some people and off we go. Other times by seeing someone's trade list (in their sig for example) and then PM'ing them. I'm not picky, I'm just after the films I'm missing.

2.Do you trust someone who you don't know? If so, what are your regulations? If not, how do you give that person a chance to prove themselves?

It's not too big of a deal for me. I just want to see the cartoons in the best form that I can and have the ability to watch it in the future. It's about 2-3 hours of my time to make a tape, it's under a buck for the tape, under a buck for the padded envelope and under two bucks to send it out. Of those three things, the time spent is the most expensive and if someone renegs on the trade I'll let folks know, but for the most part I'm pretty forgiving.

3.Do you have any standards or requirements for trading?

Something like the following (in preferential order):

Media: DVD, then VHS SP, then VHS SLP but no VCD
Cartoons: Complete/unedited, then original (vs. redrawn), then no video/static/tracking problems, then original color/B&W, then complete titles, then no network logos/time codes.

4.Do logos or time codes bother you?

Sure, but I can live with them until I get a better copy of the cartoon. I'm more interested in seeing and enjoying the film at first and I can overlook the logo for the most part.

5.If you are trading with someone you trust and know, who sends the tape(s) first?

Never bother working this one out. I just send it when I'm able to get the tape together. I assume the other side does the same.

6.Regardless of knowing/not knowing/trusting your trading partner, how do you approach him or her if there is a problem? (tape quality etc)
What do you do if you don't get a response?

If there's a problem I might mention it. But as before I'm usually pretty forgiving at this point in my collection stage. If it's something truly annoying I'll ask for such a problem to be avoided in the next trade. If it's something REALLY bad then I probably just would never trade with that person again. If I don't get a response then oh well...live and learn.

7.If you are the one who honestly presented the problem in a trade, do you runaway from it? If so, do you consider how your reputation will be affected, if your partner "blabs" about the experience? If not, how do you handle it?

If the person on the other end is not happy, we work it out - maybe compensate for something on a future trade. In the end, neither side has lost anything but a few bucks...

8.Do you accept returns if your trading partner is not satisfied?Would you return the tape he/she sent you as well?

In my mind, it's kind of pointless to return the tape and pay for postage again. But if the other side was really upset and bothered I'd probably go through with it...I don't want anyone to walk away feeling robbed and p.o'ed. This is supposed to be a fun hobby.

Regards,
Jeff

[Philo & Gunge]

1. Just go around looking for anybody willing to trade, or if they come to me.
2. I trust them! They don't need to prove nothing for me!
3. No, but I do ask if they can get the short whole, from first fade in to last fade out.
4. No, unless it's
CN
Cartoon Network
5. We sent our tapes at the same day.
6. No, having them on video is enough for me.
7. We get past it, just like the cartoon we "Hiss & Make Up".
8. No. I don't at all. Every trade I've done (in the 6 I've done) are succesful.

[Thad]

I don't trade nearly as much as I did 2-3 years ago. Mainly because it took up way too much of my spare time and money. When I trade usually these days, it's with someone I've traded with before (and trust...) and they've been able to acquire something incredibly rare.


-Thad

[Matt the Y]

This is sort of an interview for all members- respond at your leisure, everyone!;)
Topic: Trading Tapes

1.How do you figure out who you want to trade with?
2.Do you trust someone who you don't know? If so, what are your regulations? If not, how do you give that person a chance to prove themselves?
3.Do you have any standards or requirements for trading?
4.Do logos or time codes bother you?
5.If you are trading with someone you trust and know, who sends the tape(s) first?
6.Regardless of knowing/not knowing/trusting your trading partner, how do you approach him or her if there is a problem? (tape quality etc)
What do you do if you don't get a response?
7.If you are the one who honestly presented the problem in a trade, do you runaway from it? If so, do you consider how your reputation will be affected, if your partner "blabs" about the experience? If not, how do you handle it?
8.Do you accept returns if your trading partner is not satisfied?Would you return the tape he/she sent you as well?

-Tom
Well, I may as well participate in this too.

1) I don't usually trade with people unless I know who they are. Meaning, of course, I will trade with almost anyone on this board as I know they are people I can "trust".

2) Again, if they attend this board, I can trust them. As for people I don't know, well, perhaps I shouldn't take those chances...

3) The cartoons must be in good condition and, most importantly, unedited.

4) Actually, yes... but if it's the only copy of the cartoon that's available, I'll put up with it. Beggars cannot be choosers.

5) We usually send them around the same time.

6) I simply (and courteously) inform him of any problems his tape may have had.

7) No. Running away is for cowards. I apologize more than anything else and offer to compensate for the tape problem.

8) Well, yes, I would. Perhaps I could re-do the tape that way. If not, that's okay. I usually quite understand the other person's POV.

[cbrubaker]

I don't usually trade with people unless I know who they are. Meaning, of course, I will trade with almost anyone on this board as I know they are people I can "trust".
Don't trust Friz, from he old TTTP board (not frizfrelengfan, the other Friz). I sent him complete "Ant and Aardvark" shorts along with some black and white cartoons, and didn't sent the tape I was supposed to get.

[cbrubaker]

Sorry for double posting, but here are the answers to your questions

1. Well, that depends. Mods on TTTP I know to trust (although the only mod I traded with was Thad). Other than that, only other users I traded with are oldgreypole, The G Man, and Pietro (This was before he became a mod), and the trade was a success.

And if on some other websites, I usually check the message boards, if any, or search around some other sites and see what they wrote about the said site.

2. See question 1

3. Ummm...NTSC, SP mode, etc. Now, if its a cartoon I REALLY want, and it's only available on PAL tape, I will accept it and have someone to convert it to NTSC.

4. Logos, believe it or not, no, although I prefer none, but I don't mind much. Now for time codes, depends. If really tiny like in "Fox and Crow" cartoons, not much. Now, if big like in Cool Cat cartoon "Injun Trouble", might get annoyed.

5. Usually, I do first. I don't know why, though. The trade with Pietro I think was at same time.

6. Well, sometimes if it's questionable quality, I might make a note about it. Most of the time, no, unless they really want to know.

7. Hmmmm....never happened, so I don't know.

8. Again, never happened. However, if a tape gets damaged while on its way, I can provide a replacement copy.

BTW, to those who traded with me in the mid-2003 and annoyed by that screen jitter during the cartoons, that's because of the VCR I used to tape it. I switched the VCR to a better one, so you won't have to worry about that now. So sorry, Thad and G Man.

[Larry T]

1.How do you figure out who you want to trade with?I will usually only trade with someone that I am familiar with from either this board, or who I have met in person... and even then, I still have my reservations, depending on whether or not the individual carries a reputation for sour exchanges. Plus, there's usually got to be something in it for me (hey, why else would I go through the trouble? ;) )

2.Do you trust someone who you don't know? If so, what are your regulations? If not, how do you give that person a chance to prove themselves?See above, and if it's a new trader I'll usually give them a chance. If they agree to my initial negotiations, then I'll follow through, but I will ask them to submit first, because I feel that I am already somewhat established in animation communities (although I usually have their tape done and ready to send out when theirs arrives for me). If they have a problem with that, then maybe they have something to hide from me.

However, sometimes I am approached by an individual with a very serious and pleading request, which I usually honour, and the recipient is extremely gratituous. On the other hand, believe it or not, I have received Emails before from people asking me the likes of "Hi. I love old Hollywood cartoons. Please send me tapes of all your uncut and rare cartoons, I would really like to see them because I enjoy them a lot. Thanks, Bye".... :rolleyes: I have contacts all over the world with film collectors and traders who never participate in any online forum activity at all... these are dedicated individuals.

3.Do you have any standards or requirements for trading?Yes. I WANT TO KNOW OF EVERY CONCERN IN DETAIL ABOUT THE CARTOONS YOU ARE SENDING TO ME, especially because I ask out front about them. There are individuals on my blacklist with whom I will never trade again because I am tired of sending high quality, rare stuff that cost me time and money to track down and restore in exchange for barely-watchable garbage that I'll end up taping over later anyway, because they knew from the beginning that if they told me about how lousy their prints were, I wouldn't have sent them what they wanted in the first place.

4.Do logos or time codes bother you?YES. Unless otherwise specified, none of my cartoons have them and a result I will rather pass up obtaining certain titles than to own them with blemishes. As I mentioned before, because of my involvement in the animation world and training in the sweatbox, I look for details and nuances, and having those things scrolling onscreen either gives me a headache or causes me to constantly look at them during the entire cartoon's runtime.

5.If you are trading with someone you trust and know, who sends the tape(s) first?I have no problem sending out a tape first, which I often do, when I can trust that the other party will do the same when mine are ready. A few regular traders at the top of my priority list often send me stuff without worrying about a one-for-one negotiation, because they know I will come across good stuff in the future which I will share with them.

6.Regardless of knowing/not knowing/trusting your trading partner, how do you approach him or her if there is a problem? (tape quality etc)
What do you do if you don't get a response?Generally I operate on a "3 strikes" rule... Third time you piss me off, no more trade action... easy as that. As a result there are only a handful of individuals remaining that I will even consider exchanging tapes/DVDs with. The way I figure it, unless you are able to provide me with the same quality/rarity/collectibility/accessiblity as the material I send to you, why should I participate at all.... unless I need to feel good about myself at that moment by performing a selfless charity, which isn't often :p .

7.If you are the one who honestly presented the problem in a trade, do you runaway from it? If so, do you consider how your reputation will be affected, if your partner "blabs" about the experience? If not, how do you handle it?I believe I'm at the point where I don't really care how someone might perceive me after their problem with trading, because I know that the contacts I maintain are worthwhile and reputable. However, be ready for my feedback if you try to stick it to me in a trade.... Often I will tell the person directly- if I've already said something to them, and I get ignored, then I prepare my other trading contacts by alerting them to be wary of activity with the person in question.

8.Do you accept returns if your trading partner is not satisfied?Would you return the tape he/she sent you as well?No, I usually just leave it at that, unless there is a serious concern with what I've sent, which there usually isn't, as I make everything clear before entering into an exchange agreement in the first place.

[Cdawg]

Before answering your questions, my basic attitude toward trading cartoons is: This is a passion which we all have in common & I ENJOY SHARING CARTOONS WITH OTHERS - SOMETIMES EVEN FOR FREE - JUST FOR THE LOVE OF THE CARTOONS! I have no wish to make money off of these trades. That's not love - that's commerce! I see anyone I trade with as a brother (or sister) in that great fraternity of Toonheads. The golden rule & basic judeo-christian values should rule my conduct in a trade (or any acvtivity).
1. I trade with someone who says that they have something I want. It helps if they post on this board & seem sincere, But I've traded with people who were just starting out and didn't have much to offer. Everybody is a worthy trading partner unless proven otherwise.
2. Yes, I will trust a stranger.
3. Standards: Give me the best you have. - Standard play speed. - Good quality tape. I don't have record to DVD technology yet, so I miss out on DVD trades.
4. Logos & time codes are a drag, but I'd rather see some version of a cartoon than none at all. I'll take the CN version or wahtever untill a better version comes along.
5. It doesn't matter who sends a tape first unless I'm really suspicious of the other guy. I have been burned on trades in various ways, but I try to give people a break.
6. I got burned on a second tape trade with a newbie (no longer around), and I emailed asking how the taping was coming along several times. At first they assured me that they had'nt found the time, but would soon etc... They were making my tapes from laser discs that a friend owned & it didn't work out time-wise to go back & make another tape. Anyway, after 6 - 9 months they finally emailed an apology and a blank tape, and that settled it for me. If I get burned I probably won't trade with that person again.
7. I wouldn't raise a fuss over minor problems w/ tape quality (Hey, my tape library is getting old too!), but I'd confront a problem like not receiving my tape in a trade. I don't worry about my rep, because I give the very best I have and my technique has improved with experience.
8. Like others have said, I don't see much point in returns. Do over tapes, or "make it up to you" tapes seem like the best remedy for complaints.

I do have one pet peeve. I hate it when I've symbolicly shaken hands with someone on the details of a trade, & within a day or two they have changed most of thier "Want" list because they worked another trade after the fact. This has killed a trade in the past with one of the posters on this thread. Enough said.

[Tom Stathes]

Cdawg, you are a golden man. I admire your posting that judeo-christian values are important. This is just another lesson that imposing your beleifs on another person can help, not hurt. I beleive that as humans, we owe it to eachother to be forgiving and understanding. Honestly, when a person (and don't get me wrong, I'm not naming anyone nor do I aim to insult) seems to not give another person the time of day just because the other, or what the other has to offer, does not meet up to that person's standards, is when that person has become enrolled in the "old crotchity" process. It's so sad to see fellow cartoon fans torn apart from eachother over seemingly unimportant events in the grand scheme of life (In retrospect, what do you gain from ignoring one, rather than forgiving and forgetting? Sure, you no longer have to trade with a person that burns you, but what comes around goes around, treat your neighbor kindly.) May God bless you fellow brother and sister toonheads...:bosko:

-Tom

[rodney]

I haven't traded in a long time as there's not much that I'm interested in that's still circulating, but generally, I trade with people who's posts I enjoy. If you come off in your posts like you don't know what's going on, or have a bad attitude, the odds are, I won't bother with you. Usually, I'll send the tape when I get a chance to finish it up. Sometimes I'll be a little slower than others, and I don't mind if the person I'm trading with takes their time, as long as they don't hassle me about the same thing.

That said, I have been known to just send a person a tape of cartoons if I get the urge. There's nothing wrong with just doing something nice.

[David Gates]

Most of my "trades" so far have been transferring cartoons from VHS to DVD with menus and sending copies of them (and the source tapes if necessary) back when they're done. I've gotten a ridiculous amount of rare stuff from Thad and Pietro that way. In fact, I've never made a tape for trade! I only make DVD's because the shipping is so much cheaper and It's much faster to dupe a DVD I made or even compile a new one than working for hours with dual VCR's. I've made some uneven trades before and sent an extra disc or sneaked in something special on a disc like the letterboxed version of "One Droopy Knight". I'm even willing to trade 2 to 1 for blank discs for those with nothing to trade yet. I've never gotten burned yet trading with anybody here, so I just send my part in when it's ready. I expect if a deadbeat trader shows up here, it won't take too long before everybody finds out anyway.

[cpdavison]

Hey, David!

Do I understand from your post that you do VHS-to-DVD conversions of tapes that people send you? That, indeed, sounds like a great way to assemble a library of off-the wall stuff. Sometimes a "barter" rather than tape-for-tape trade can yield interesting results. (OK to contact you off-line?)

Craig D.

[The G Man]

1.How do you figure out who you want to trade with?
If I find someone who has what I want, then I contact them to see if they'd like to trade.

2.Do you trust someone who you don't know? If so, what are your regulations? If not, how do you give that person a chance to prove themselves?
It varies from time to time. Usually, my rule is: if I haven't traded with you before, you do your part first.

3.Do you have any standards or requirements for trading?
My website says it all. I'm not too picky about quality, but I still like to know what I'm in for. I only accept tapes recorded in SP (there are some who have broken this rule, but I won't name names).

4.Do logos or time codes bother you?
TV logos don't, usually, but I prefer my cartoons logo-free and timecode-free whenever possible. If the only circulating copy of something has a logo or timecode then I may make an exception.

5.If you are trading with someone you trust and know, who sends the tape(s) first?
It doesn't matter.

6.Regardless of knowing/not knowing/trusting your trading partner, how do you approach him or her if there is a problem? (tape quality etc) What do you do if you don't get a response?
I approach them very politely about it, knowing how much time and effort it takes to make tapes/DVDs. I wait about a week or so after I contact the person, and then do it again. If they don't respond, I just look for someone who has a better copy of it ...

7.If you are the one who honestly presented the problem in a trade, do you runaway from it? If so, do you consider how your reputation will be affected, if your partner "blabs" about the experience? If not, how do you handle it?
I don't worry about my reputation being at stake. I am polite to all the people I deal with, and I have enough references (http://boobergorg.tripod.com/mypeople.html) who can vouch for me.

8.Do you accept returns if your trading partner is not satisfied?Would you return the tape he/she sent you as well?
I would accept the return only if:
A) The tape was damaged in the mail by the postal service
B) There was a problem with my recording equipment itself when I recorded the tape (like say, the tape I record on gets glitchy when the source tape looks perfect).
I wouldn't send back the tape that I received, unless it was literally unwatchable (i.e. no visible picture - I've had cases like this before).