• Pojo Home Page
  
• Message Board
  
• Contact Staff
  

Guide to Trading Online
By Dark Marik

March 30, 2009
Article #6: Designing Your Own Wants List

Having a good wants list is very important in getting cards you actually want, and also good offers. By having this list posted on your thread, it allows you to sometimes get those great deals everyone desires to receive from others. So the question is how do I build a successful wants list to post on my trading thread?

It is not hard to build at all actually. As a new trader it is not best to post long lists of the most expensive cards you can think of, especially if you cannot afford to trade for those cards, however just because you cannot afford it, does not mean you cannot post it. Now, once you begin listing cards that you cannot afford, those are more “Dream Wants,” so lets be more realistic, typically your going to trade for lower value cards.

What I do is make a list of as many decent holo-cards as I want, most of them are actually in-fact, extremely cheap cards. If is good to know the true value of everything you list on your wants list so you will not end up getting ripped off. Good places to find this out include Ebay and Tollandtoad.com, which are both excellent price-checkers for cards.

Keep in mind that the more cards you list on your wants list the more chance you have of someone making you a good offer. So if you list a huge list of many good cards, or tradebait, you have more of a chance of completing a trade successfully.

Tradebait are cards that typically everyone wants, and will trade decently to obtain. What these cards are is determined by the state of the game, and the rarity of those cards. Typically trading for something you list as Tradebait is something you are trading for, for the sole purpose of trading off again.

Prices of cards are important in making a list, because when you list something on your wants list, typically you are expected to value it slightly more then what it actually goes for because you want it, and you are supposed to trade slightly more for it. Tradebait, is classified as the opposite and you are typically going to value it of lesser value then you would if you needed the card. While this is not required, this can easily help you find what you are looking for.

There is a popular rule, and a rule I feel is the most ineffective rule people can post on their rule lists. This rule is known as the “I don’t CML” or “I don’t check lists.” Checking lists is the equivalent to looking at someone else’s binder and exchanging cards with them. On the message board, it is where you click someone else’s link and look for something you want in exchange for a card they saw while looking at your list. Many people just want you to offer from your wants….and honestly typically those people’s wants are actually breaking the board’s rules and have five cards on it (all of which are worth A LOT). This will not help you get started to being a successful Trader, because negotiation is an important part of making a trade, so be kind and actually check other’s lists.

Organization is another key factor to designing any part of your trade thread. In your wants list it will help others if you list cards by how much you desire to own them. Normally it is done in three tiers or levels. The first level are cards you absolutely need right now, or your High Wants. The second level is typically called “Medium Wants,” and as you guessed the third level is “Low Wants.” After that you can even list the cards in each category by how much you want them or how much you are willing, or just in alphabetical order. It may also help to list the prices you value cards at, but it is typically best to let your trade-partner state their price later and then you reply with your own price and negotiate a price listed.

Keep in mind there is a ten-item or more requirement for your wants list. This ten-card requirement must be followed or you will get your thread locked. Money, electronics, clothing, playmates, and whatever else you list DO NOT COUNT towards this requirement. Cards from other card games such as Magic The Gathering, Pokemon, and Naruto can count if they are not the only thing on your wants list. If they are, it is best to go trade in their respective trading forums.

Trading is enhanced by the wants list, and it can make you a very successful trader if you complete a good wants list. Just keep these key facts in mind, and you will be on road to being a great trader:

·         The More Cards You List, The More Chances You Have

·         Value your wants slightly higher then they go for.

·         Be willing to trade for other cards then you have listed

·         Organize your wants list

·         Don’t only list money and electronics

Thank you, and hope you have learned something here today. I invite you to read my next article, which will go over building your rules section of your trading thread.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at mrh40@uakron.edu or contact Dark Marik 07 on the Pojo message boards.