FAQ: ¨*:•.-:¦:- TRADING FAQ's ¨*:•.-:¦:- Please Start Here. Most trading questions answered in this thread.

[bugface711]

Q: What if I do not receive my end of the trade?
A: If you do not receive your end of a trade, after about a week, the fist step is to contact the other member to let them know.

It is a good idea to check the box to request a "read receipt" when you send your PM. That way you know if they received your private message.

It is possible they were not able to mail as planned. Try to work out the trade with the other member. If you are unable to do so, it is time to file a bad trade report. The report can be found in our Warning Bad Trader Listing Forum.

Q: Where do I go to see if a member I am trading with is on the bad trade list?
A: Use the link above to the Warning Bad Trader Listing forum. It is a good idea to check this in addition to feedback. A member is banned after 2 bad trades at Hot Coupon World. It is your personal choice to set up a trade with a member on our bad trade list.

Q: What if my end of the trade does not arrive to the other trader?
A: If your end of the trade does not arrive, it is time to think back. Has it been 2 weeks? It can take that long to arrive.
Did you mail the envelope? Did you bring it to the post office, place it in a dropbox, send it out from work, mail it from your mailbox at home?

If you did not actually mail the envelope yourself, please mail another. All too often members ask trusted family members to mail for them and all too often we hear that weeks later a trade envie is found under a husband or wife's car seat, or somewhere else. If you mailed it somewhere they may be unreliable, please re-mail. If you know your mail carrier has "issues" or it the kids in your neighborhood are known for stealing mail, be honest about it and remail. It happens, but the issue is on your end so remailing is the right thing to do.

It really is rare for an envelope to go missing without some human help.

[bugface711]

Q: What if my envelope arrives ripped, opened or destroyed?
A: In most cases, this is a chance you take when trading for coupons. Once the envelope leaves the hands of the other member she is not responsible for how the USPS handles it.


Q: I am unable to use the coupons the member sent me because the sale is over. Now what?
A: If the other member mailed the envelope on time, it is not the other members fault that the envelope took too long to arrive. You would leave feedback and the trade is over.
A: If the member did not mail on time and you are no longer able to use the coupons let them know. If they are not willing to work with you to make up the trade you can file a bad trade report. If you are hoping to make a quick trade because you want to use coupons for a specific sale, there's no harm in informing the other trader of that fact while you are negotiating so that they know time is of the essence and mail quickly.

Q: The store would not let me use the coupon, I want to return the trade, can I do that?
A: If the coupons are legitimate coupons sent to you as described, no, you cannot ask for new coupons or for yours back.

[bugface711]

Q: The coupons arrived. They were not as they were described. Now what do I do?
A: If your coupons arrive and are not as they were described, you would contact the other member and let them know. They should work with you to make the trade right. Sometimes members miss something, give them the opportunity to fix it for you.

If they do not, you can file a bad trade report.

An example of a coupon not being as described is, the coupon has a store logo on it and you are unable to use coupons with store logos. The coupon has state restrictions and you are not able to use them in your state, the coupon is for a specific product and you were told it was good on "any". You traded for .75/1 coupons that can double. The member sent you $1/1 coupons that you cannot double or use.

[bugface711]

Q: Can the other trader hold their end of their trade with me?
A: If you are a brand new trader with zero or only a few feedback ratings, or a long-time trader with neutral or negative ratings, the other member may want to hold their end until they receive your end of the trade.

This is not only OK, but is recommended.

[bugface711]

Q: What is a potluck?
A: A potluck is an envie filled with a variety of different coupons. It is a random assortment.

You would usually set up a number of coupons the potluck is to include.

You can also ask that certain categories be excluded like baby, pet, meds, cleaning etc. But it is truly a surprise envie.

Wishlist Potluck

Wishlist potlucks are based on a members wishlist. They are a little different because there is a list to go by, but you still do not know what you are getting.

Why set up a potluck trade?

There are so many reasons to set up a potluck.

Often its just because these are fun and easy trades. These are great if you don't have a lot of time for back and forth negotiations but you want to do lots of trading.

How do I set up a potluck trade?

You negotiate a potluck trade just like any other trade. It's always best to make sure the person you are trading with knows what they will be receiving and what they should be sending. An example is; I notice I have 25 coupons from SBP's wishlist. I PM her to let her know that I have some items on her wish list. I ask if she wants to set up a wishlist potluck. She looks at my WL and says GREAT I have 19 coupons from yours let's trade.

If you are looking to boost the amount of coupons you have on hand that you can use, you could post in the forum that you are ISO wishlist potluck swaps. Members who are interested can check your wish list before replying. If they have items on your WL, they can send theirs and you can see if you have anything on theirs.

It is still a good idea to set up a # of coupons to include and how long the expiration dates should be so that there are some general guidelines in place.

If you have very small wishlists or only want to trade for very specific things, then posting a trade for those items works best.

[bugface711]

Q: What is an actual?
A: An actual is a physical item you have available for trade. Example, you can't seem to get a toothbrush stockpile going, but have tons of toothpaste. So you could post that you would like to trade toothbrush actuals.

[bugface711]

Q: How much postage do I need?
A: The amount of postage you need will depend on how many coupons are in your envelope. Keep in mind that cardboard or large coupons weigh more.

Information compiled from: http://www.usps.com/
and from chart found here: http://www.usps.com/prices/

We keep an updated postage rate thread in the current trades forum found HERE.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope

Same price, regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope provided by the Postal Service. This is a good choice for large #'s of coupons or whole inserts.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Box

Same price regardless of weight or destination. There are some weight limits for boxes but they are pretty generous.

There are three sizes available:

Small: 8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8"
Medium 11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"
Large 12-1/4" x 12-1/4" x 6"

Postal scales (or even a kitchen scale) are relatively inexpensive at office supply stores and are very useful if you will be doing a lot of mailings. However, if you are in doubt about how much postage is needed on an envelope, it's always best to have the post office weigh it and determine the correct amount of postage.

More hints for effective mailings:

1. Correct address affects efficient delivery of your mail. ZIP + 4 code helps direct your mail. http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

2. Print or type clearly with a pen or permanent marker so the address is legible from an arm’s length away.

How many coupons can you mail for one stamp? Here's a little bit of a guideline, but please note that that weight may vary depending on the coupons (especially if they are winetags, hangtags or from the outside/inside of a cardboard package) When in doubt, weigh!!

1 oz (approx 40 cpns) = 1 stamp @ current rate
smaller coupons or all thin insert coupons mean you can add more. Heavy, oversized or cardboard coupons mean less coupons for your stamp.

Each ounce after that increases by a lower amount, not a full 2nd stamp. Check the link above for all current rates.

[bugface711]

Q: What is unused stamps?
A: A brand new postage stamp. Traders like to be clear that they are looking for stamps that they can use as postage. Not used stamps.

Q: What is Concealed Cash?
A: It is cash sent for your trades. To help insure that the cash arrives to its destination safely, you should always conceal the cash between "junk" coupons or paper.

Q: I am paying/trading using Paypal why does the member say personal transaction and or existing funds only?
A: Paypal charges a fee for members receiving money in all but a few scenarios. Personal transactions paid with existing funds generate no fees.

How does this apply to trades?

1. Sellers and traders can specify in trade posts that payments must be personal and existing funds.

2. It has been decided that sellers in auctions and traders that are receiving money CAN ask the buyer/winner to pay all of, 1/2 of, or some portion of the fees associated with them receiving the money.
This must be said up front, either in the auction post, the trade post or at the beginning of trade negotiations. Only actual fees can be charged to winners/buyers. No handling fees, or fees for personal transactions.


Q: How do you send personal payments and existing funds

When you go to the send money option, it defaults to a Purchase tab where you select what type of purchase it is. The choices are goods, services & ebay.
ANY purchase is going to generate a fee regardless of how you pay or what type of account the sender and recipient has.

The second tab is called personal and the options are gift, payment owed, cash advance, living expense & other.
If your transaction is "personal" and existing funds are used or if the money is withdrawn directly from your bank, no fees will be charged. So, if a trade post specifies that it must be a personal transaction with existing funds you would select personal and whichever option you wish. The existing funds is just that, funds already in your paypal account, OR if you have your bank account linked to your paypal account, instant bank transfer is also considered existing funds.

[bugface711]

Q: How soon do I have to mail my end of the trade?
A: You should always let the other trader know when you plan to mail. Next day is best. If for some reason you are not mailing next day, make sure the member you are trading with is aware. Coupons are often traded for sales, so mailing in a timely fashion is necessary. Life does sometimes get in the way of mailing. Please be courteous and let the other member know if you did not mail as planned.

[bugface711]

Q: My post in the trades forum is no longer valid what do I do?
A: If you get the coupons you were looking for, traded away the ones you had, or the post is invalid for any other reason, you open your post and edit it. Change the title to DELETE. A forum moderator will remove the post for you.

This also helps to keep the trades forum up to date and organized.

All trade posts in the Trades Current Coupons and Offers Forum are deleted on day 7 of being inactive.