The trader speaks

[Rickybulldog]

I have always wanted to discuss this, but have never had the time. Trading/Bartering has been going on since the earliest of civilizations. Every walk of life has some sort of bartering taking place (prisons, collecting world, children's lunches, etc). In our hobby, many of us trade stuff in order to get things for our own personal collections. The way we trade differs from collector to collector. For some of us it is quantity or value that determines the trades. While others work with "piles". So, my questions are: How do you trade? Are there some trading etiquette guidlines that you follow? Why do/don't you trade?

For me, trading has always clicked. I find great enjoyment in finding items for my friends and enjoy the process of doing a trade with them. Most of my trades involve "piles". In which several items are put together in a package deal and the hemming and hawing begins over the piles. I have also done a glove or a glove single item trades. These types of trades are the easiest, but are not as earth shattering. Many of the items in the "piles" trades are items I like, but do contain items for future trades with other collectors. Like the great chess players who usually think 2-3 moves ahead, I do my trading that way. I may pick up a nice full web and one inch web for myself, but also get a Stall & Dean for Rob or an OK/Sonnet for Brett. This is what keeps things fresh for me and my love for collecting strong.

As for etiquette, each trade is always agreed upon. Any problems are always corrected or the items are sent back. For local trades, the deal is always sealed with a hand shake.

As to the reason why I trade, it's because it's fun and it makes sense at times. Perfect example, I got a Pioneer league baseball (color stitched) from a trade from my friend Joel Tobillo. Just a side note The Pioneer league started in Montana. Later, the ball with cash was traded to BJ Ayers, from MT, for 2 one inch webs. The reason why this one makes sense is because everyone got a piece that they love. Sure I loved the ball, but it meant more to BJ than me.

Would love to hear from others and their experiences. This discussion doesn't require a lot of knowledge in gloves so the newer guys/gals don't have to feel intimidated about posting.

[vintagebrett]

I like trading but I'm usually a 1 for 1 type trader - I've never gone the pile route and don't expect that I would unless there were some things I really, really wanted.

When buying gloves on eBay or from auctions I usually buy them for my collection because they fit what I collect. The ones I find at shows I put up for sale but have no problem trading them if that the other person has something I want.

My collection seems to be pretty static - I don't really subtract all that much because I like the stuff I have. Some collectors like to continually add and subtract but that is not in my blood - I'm more of a hoarder I guess.

If I find something that I know a fellow collector would appreciate more than me I let them know and we try to work something out. It is funny when you're walking around a show and you find something so you say to yourself, "I bet (insert name here) would really like this glove."

Some collectors are easier to trade with than others. I would consider myself on the more difficult end based on my collection needs/wants.

I've not had any trouble with any trades I've made but I'm sure that if either I or the recipient were unhappy, we'd undoubtedly be able to work it out.

[mittmutt]

I've never done any trades but I keep thinking that I want to. My hesitation isn't that I don't trust other collectors but I worry that I don't know the value of my items so I don't know what to ask for in return. Also, if someone is not happy do you just ship it back. I have a list of things I'd love to trade but where do I list them? Part of the fun of this and any hobby is making friends with others with like interests and also being able to "show off" your items. I'll make a list of a few gloves I'd like to trade and see if there is any interest.

Wilson A2965 Juan Marichal rht vg
Rawlings T70 trapper George McQuinn rht excellent
Nokona BM81 George Cox rht excellent
Reach snapback strap catcher Bennie Bengough rht good+
Sonnett H4F Eddie Miller lht vg+
Nokona J952 softball pre war rht excellent+++

This is just a start but it let's me know if ther is any interest

[GloveCrazy]

I'm a trading machine. Unfortunately, it's sort of to the point that I get a little down when something isn't in the works for an extended period of time. Some of you may find this sort of strange given the number of gloves in my collection, but I need a certain amount of new arrivals to help keep it fresh, and I just don't get the same longterm joy out of buying something -- and especially outbidding someone on ebay -- that I do out of coming up with a deal that works for both sides. For me, it's a similar feeling to finding something cool at flea market. I remember the story as much -- or more -- as the glove itself.

My most visible display doesn't contain my best or most valuable gloves, it contains mostly gloves with a cool story/memory behind them. I have great memories of trades that spanned multiple years (Mark, Jack, and Jim come to mind) to come up with the right items and trades that were done in a matter of minutes (Ricky whenever we are in the same zip code).

And yes, I agree, Ricky, a big part of the fun is tracking down something that you know the other person will really want. Not because you can maximize value but because it's just cool to see them light up a little, and maybe part with something they may not have otherwise parted with (but are happy to do it). That just doesn't happen very often with cash offers.

My humble tips are to not go after someone's favorite item, to realize that you are going to have to give up something nice to get something nice (no pain, no gain), to use the same value reference criteria (ebay value, price guide, etc), and to not get too hung up on getting the dollar amounts to balance exactly (though sometimes we'll write a small check or throw in something small). I've tried one-to-one trades but find that including other items (or piles) helps balance out value a little more and helps build the win/win.

Why should trading work for everyone? Because collectors hoard most of the the good stuff and won't sell it, but usually have holes they are looking to fill. It's just a matter of finding the right item where you like it a little more than the other person, and vice versa. It takes time and work but can be quite rewarding in terms of filling holes. Have gloves will trade!

[Rickybulldog]

Well said Rob. As our trades go, we don't mess around.