July 2007

How to Trade Successfully - Derek Semeraro

The target audience is everybody.  This will teach the reader how to trade and get good deals without ripping other people off.

1) Look professional and sound confident.  Buy some good looking gear.  It will make you look important, which will subliminally gain you respect, and it will wash away thieves.

2) Research the price values on websites such as Ebay.

3) A value of a card is popularity x scarceness x price value (divided by sentimental value).

4) Be careful when mentioning things like "My brother needs this card." It doesn't help you. In fact, it hurts you. If they know you need it more, their standards will rise. If you say "This is my brother's card. I don't know if I should trade it.", then you just raised your standard.

5) Know how much you value your cards and never let a haggler change it. Personal story of mine. I very minorly wanted a Berserk Dragon. Someone looked through my cards. They raised their standard and saw nothing. As the trade made my want for Last Turn subliminally went up, I had wanted it a lot. So I traded my Torrential Tribute for it. Wrong of me to do, but I had learned a lot from it. So, don't be eager to trade just because it is there.

6) You don't HAVE TO trade with the person next to you, if you are getting a bad deal. Go to another person and trade with them. By saying that to them, you will see if the trader is playing games with you or really wants a deal with you.

7) In connection to number 5. Make a list of cards you want in 5 categories. Very High. High. Adequate. Minor. Fun Want. That way you KNOW what you are looking for and know your values. And you will not get distracted.

8) One trade should not consume more than 5 minutes because you will know what you want and only accept worthy cards. Trading will not consume too much time, if you are straightforward with it.

9) No matter what they say, don't be convinced to trade from your deck unless you are getting Destiny Hero Malicious, or something.

10) If you are building a collection, not a deck, don't settle for the first deal you get. You will have plenty of chances to build up the collection.

If you want to ask me questions, give me comments, or just plain chat with me, you may E-Mail me, sending the message to Newlightink@aol.com.  I also use AOL Instant Messenger, screen name is New Light Ink.