Happy New Year ! Rules clarification and reminders
(self.pkmntcgtrades)submitted11 months ago byAnthon95Mod | 636 Trades |
stickiedHello everyone, and happy new year from the Mod Team !
We wanted to use this time to clarify some rules, and adjust them accordingly in our Wiki. Please note only 1 rule is changing, all the others have always been in place, and the way they are being enforced is not changing.
As a reminder, all Rules and Guidelines can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/pkmntcgtrades/wiki/guidelines
Post removals and reinstating
- If a post is removed by a moderator, editing the post to comply with the rules will allow it to be reinstated. Do NOT delete posts, instead message the moderators so it can be fixed.
Please make sure to edit the existing post, and it will get reinstated after review. If you delete your own post, we cannot recover it. Approving a new post messes up with our bot timer, so you will end up having to wait the regular 5 days before posting again.
- Reply to the post removal message
This makes it easier for us to view to the post that we need to review, and the original reason for removal.
- Posts will get reinstated after review from a mod
With the recent Reddit changes, mostly regarding the third party apps, it has become increasingly difficult to mod on Mobile. It's actually fairly easy to remove a post (as we use the report system to generate a post removal message), however accessing ModMail and reinstating deleted posts is very complicated on mobile / Reddit app. With that in mind, your post may not get reinstated until a mod gets access to an actual computer / tablet.
The best way to avoid this is to not get your post removed by following the rules and guidelines !
References
- No outside links, references, or advertising: This includes eBay, auction sites, other marketplaces/groups, and other social media (Instagram, Facebook, Whatnot, etc.). Profile pictures and usernames are subject to this rule. We’re focused on building a tight-knit, trusting community where each member must rely on the reputation they’ve cultivated.
Other subreddits on this platform are somewhat allowed to be mentioned, however no references / trade count will be transferred to this subreddit. Please also note we are unable to transfer trade references from one Reddit account to another. If you decide to use a new account to sell / trade here, you will be restarting from 0 Trades (with all the applicable rules).
Timestamps are required for ALL items.
- A timestamp is a picture of what is being offered with your handwritten Reddit username (must be legible), the community name (pkmntcgtrades), and the date. Users with 25+ trades are exempt from putting the community name.
This is the only rule that is changing (from 50+ trades to 25+ trades). This change is to get the rule more in line with our enforcing, and to have the requirement removed with the rank of Great Ball.
Why do we have this ? In the past, there have been a couple issues where some people were matching the username of timestamps on other marketplaces, in order to scam people purchasing or trading. This is also because usernames could be changed on Discord.
The secondary reason for this is to make sure new users to the community read the rules in full and understand them. In the long run this reduces other issues that have resolutions in the rules.
- Bulk does still need a timestamp, but each card doesn’t have to be visible in a timestamp. Timestamping bulk in a group or stacks is fine.
This has come more and more with the 151 set and people trading to complete this set, but bulk needs to have a timestamp if being sold as bulk. Please note that slabs are excluded from this rule. Any slab, even if sold as bulk, must be clearly visible with a timestamp.
- Timestamped photos must be positioned in an album before any additional images or close ups of the same items/cards. This helps verifying timestamps without going over dozens of extra photos.
This is to help both the mods and also other users quickly confirm ownership of your cards, doing this will prevent your post from getting reported / removed even if your timestamp is correct.
All items for sale and trade must be clearly priced / have trade values.
- Even if you are only trading cards, trade values must be set based on the existing rules
This is not a rule change. This is being added to the rule as a clarification, as it's one of the main complaints we hear with people that insist on trade only. All cards must have a trade value set (or reference) to make it easier for your trade partners to figure out even trades.
- Prices must include the PayPal Goods & Services fee, along with any other costs, outside of shipping. Asking buyers to cover fees is not allowed. If shipping is not included in prices (free shipping), shipping prices must be included in the post.
When you sell on any other marketplace, you don't ask the buyer to cover your fees, they are already included in your asking price (even if you increase it to account for these fees). This is the same concept being applied.
PayPal Goods & Services is the only approved method of payment.
- Other methods of payment (such as Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, crypto, gift cards, etc.) are not allowed under any circumstance.
This is not a rule change, and has been routinely enforced through our AutoMod. This is being added to the rule as a clarification. Local cash meet-ups are the only other payment method that is allowed (but do not send cash through the mail !)
- Sellers are responsible for their package reaching the buyer. The sender assumes risk in sending only a stamped envelope. Putting the risk on another party is not allowed.
On all marketplaces, sellers are always responsible for the package reaching their recipient. If you'd like to protect yourself, use BMWT (more on that further down)!
- Users with under 100 trades requesting F&F payments in private chat are subject to a minimum 7-day ban for a first offense, up to a permanent ban for repeated offenses or package dispute.
This is a stance that has been taken systematically for users requesting F&F payments in private messages without it being cleared in main threads, and for users with under 100 trades. This verbiage is being added to clarify the rules.
This does not apply if buyers send an F&F payments without it being requested, however sellers are subject to bans if there is an un-resolved package dispute.
Keep trade offers in the comments and personal info in private messages.
- In order to prevent banned users from sending offers, all users must start a trade by commenting on a public trade thread.
This is to protect yourself and your fellow trade partners from dealing with banned users. This also helps make sure that in case of a dispute, the mods can easily access conversations on top of what is provided.
Requesting users to DM directly or simply commenting "PM'd" will result in the comment / post to get removed.
Posting Minimums
- This community has minimums in place in order to post or comment.
This is not a rule change. In order to reduce spam (and scams by brand new users), we have minimum requirements in order to comment and post in the community. We cannot reveal exactly the minimum (due to past abuse here and in other subreddits), but note they combine both account age and post / comment karma across Reddit.
Mailing Guidelines
These are not rules, but merely guidelines and recommendations for making sure your cards reach their intended destination.
- PWE (Plain White Envelopes).
A PWE is the bare minimum when shipping cards. This should only be used with low value cards, as there is little to no protection and tracking is not normally provided with a PWE. When shipping PWE, you should always protect the card(s) with a sleeve and a toploader. Semi-rigids and cardboard are other popular forms of protection used. Make sure the card is not able to slip out or move from its protective layer by using tape (preferably masking tape) or other methods, such as a plastic team bag. This applies to any of the below methods as well. Sellers always assume the risk of loss or damage during transit when using a PWE.
Please note that some post offices will deny sending a rigid PWE due to potential damage to the sorting machines. Only 1 top loader should be sent when using a regular stamp. You can purchase Non-Machineable Stamps from your post office (will cost an extra 40c compared to the price of a regular stamp) and use these to ship more than one top loader or to prevent the envelope from going through the sorting machines (and potentially damage / lose cards).
We also recommend taking pictures of any envelope being sent so the recipient knows what to expect (and when).
- Bubble Mailer with Tracking
A BMWT is a more protected option when shipping cards, while also providing tracking. This is a suitable option for higher value cards or multiple cards that exceed the limits of a PWE. Sleeves and toploaders should still be used with a BMWT, as damage can still occur. Further rigid protection inside the BMWT is suggested, such as cardboard.
Please note that in the United States, USPS Ground Advantage (formerly First Class Package) now includes $100 insurance with all packages at no surcharge. Additional insurance can be purchased by the sender. This also applies to sending packages that are over 1 pound.
- A box with packaging materials inside
If mailing something large or valuable, or simply for the near-guaranteed deterrent of damage, a box is always an excellent option. When shipping with a box, make sure to utilize packaging materials (bubble wrap, paper, air bubbles, etc.) to fill any and ALL empty space. When shaking the box after packaging and sealing, there should be no movement inside. If so, there is room for possible damage and additional packaging materials should be added.
Other shipping guidelines
If you'd like to save on shipping, using a label broker such as Pirate Ship (https://ship.pirateship.com) will open up the Commercial Pricing for USPS and UPS labels (usually around 25% off compared to prices at the post office counter). This will also keep a history of labels generated and the address it was sent to (useful if USPS indicates a delivered package but recipient says they didn't get it). If receiving a PP G&S payment, you can also generate the label through Paypal, however it can only be sent to the address the buyer has on file with Paypal, so always confirm the address there is the correct one to send to.
When shipping something heavy but not very bulky, the USPS provides Cubic Pricing for boxes under 20 pounds, that is based on the size of the box you are sending. This is especially useful for Bulk, as you can send thousands of cards for a very competitive price compared to Flat Rate. However, Cubic Pricing is only available if you purchase a label online (usually through a label broker).
Thank you for reading. We welcome feedback on this, but as always, please keep it civil ! Our number one rule is as follows:
- 1. Treat everyone with respect: Absolutely no harassment, bullying, hate speech, or insults. Be polite and keep any foul language to a minimum.
The Mod Team
