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

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Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about trading.

To begin with, please note that these are FAQs.

You can find the rules for each of our trading forums in our Rules: Forums For Trading Share The Wealth.

The rules are also linked at the top of each trading forum.

If you are new to trading at Hot Coupon World, you should know that some members trade using the coupon database and some prefer to set up trades via private message.

Below you will find FAQs for both kinds of trading.



Getting Started:

Q: I would like to trade what is the first step?

Q: What are the trading forums?

Q: What is the difference between a Trader and Trader in Training?

Q: How do I organize my coupons for trading?

Q: What do all the acronyms mean?

Q: I cannot post in any of the trading forums what should I do?



Trader in Training Program:

Q: What is the Trader in Training Program?

Q: Where can I trade my coupons as a Trader in Training?

Q: Who can I trade with as a Trader in Training?

Q: When do I graduate to Trader status?

Q: Will I always have access to the TNT forum?

Q: Why can't I post in Auctions, Trains or Secret Pal?

Q: I am working on a trade with another member but they want to hold their end until they receive mine. Is that normal and why?

Ready to trade:

Wishlists (WL) and Havelists (HL)

One of the biggest steps to make trading easier is to create a wishlist (the items you are hoping to trade FOR) and a havelist (the items you have to trade to others).
You can create your lists using the coupon database.

Q: What are wishlists and havelists?

Q: How do I create a wishlist and havelist?

Q: Do I have to have a wishlist and havelist? Can I do just one or the other?

Q: How do I maintain my wishlist and havelist?

Q: What is the difference between a wishlist/havelist and a post in the Trades Current Coupons and Offers forum?

Q: How do I put a link to my wishlist and havelist in my signature?

Q: Can I use a link to a wishlist or havelist I created on another site?

Q: How do I quickly and effectively search the WL and HL forums?

Q: How do I find the wishlist or havelist of another member?

Q:Is it OK to pm a member to ask for a trade based on their WL or HL?

Q: Why can't I edit my wishlist or havelist?

Q: My wishlist or havelist is no longer in the forum, where is it?




Creating your lists using the coupon database:


Q: How do I create my lists using the coupon database?

Q: Why should I create my lists using the coupon database?

Q: What is the difference between the database version of my list and the list that is posted in the wishlist or havelist forum?

Q: I created a wishlist/havelist in the database. How do I make it post in the appropriate forums with the other lists?

Q: What is a keep list?

Q: There are thousands of coupons in the coupon database! How do I search them all to find what to put on my list?

Q: Why am I unable to update my list?

Q: How do I let other traders know what stores I visit, or what items I can always use, if I can double or any other details I like to include when I create my list in the database?

Q: How do I remove expireds from my list or coupons I no longer need or have? Should I delete items I am in the middle of trading with or for?

Q: How do I get the list I created in the database to post in the wish list or have list forum?


Putting a signature link with your wishlist/havelist is another key step to make trading easier. Here is more on how to do this.

Q: What links should I use in my signature?

Q: When I am in the database, I see all of my info, can I use this link in my siggy for others to see?

Q:How do I put a link to my wishlist and havelist in my signature?

Q: Why is my signature link to my lists dead?


Trading using the coupon database:

Full instructions on how to use the coupon database are found HERE

Q: How do I set up a trade using the database?


Q: How do I know if I have a pending trade in the database?

Q: Once I set up the trade, should I delete the items from my list?

Q: I was in the middle of a database trade, the trade is gone. Why did that happen and what can I do?

Q: Someone has an item on their wishlist that I want or I have one on my havelist to offer. Now what? AKA-Steps to Database Trading

Q: How do I initiate a trade for more than one item on a person's list?

Q: How do I check to see if a member has more matches to my lists?

Q: How can I check the other member's feedback when in the database?

Q: A coupon I have is not listed in the database and I would like to add it to my list, how do I do this?


Q:I initiated a database trade with another member, they did not respond. How long should I wait to initiate a different trade with these coupons?

Determining value of trade:

The values given are a general guideline for "like" items. These are NOT hard fast rules. A great trade is always one where you get an item you need and help another member do the same.

A coupon or form is worth nothing if at the end of the month you throw it away.

Q: How do I determine what a coupon is worth?


Q: Trading Formula checks. What is their value? Should I be asking what traders do with them?

Q: What are Box Tops for Education (BTFE) & Campbells Labels for Education (CLFE)? What is their trade value?

Q: What is a wine tag and what is its trade value?

Q: What are My Coke Rewards or Coke codes? What are they worth?

Q: What are Pampers Points? What are they worth?

Q: What are my freebie coupons worth?

Q: What is a Mail in Rebate? What is its trade value?

Q: What is a Try Me Free? What is its trade value?

Q: Formula checks, what are they worth? Should I be asking what traders do with them?


More trading FAQs:

Q: I have a coupon someone needs, or they have what I need. What next?

Q: I was in the middle of trade negotiations with a member and they stopped communicating with me. Can I set up a different trade or am I committed to the trade I was working on?

Q: I set up a trade with another member and we each agreed to what was being exchanged. I sent my address but he/she did not send theirs. What next?

Q: A member does not have Trader or Trader in Training under their name and wants to trade. What do I do?

Q: When is a trade considered finalized?

Q: How do I track my trades?

Q: What do I put in the title of my trade post?

Q: Can the other trader hold their end of their trade with me?

Q: I am paying/trading using paypal why does the member say personal transaction/existing funds only how do I pay that way?

Q: What is a potluck?

Q: What is an actual?

Q: What is concealed cash?

Q: How much postage do I need?

Q: How soon do I have to mail my end of the trade?

Q: My post in the trades forum is no longer valid what do I do?

Q: Is there a limit to how many of each coupon I can post for trade?

Q:The coupons I have for trade are for a specific store, or go well with a store's sale. Can I post my trade or mention I need a trade for in that specific store forum?

Q: Extra's in trade envies? Why are they in there, do I have to include them?

Q: Paypal and fees, how do they work, who pays the fees?


Troubleshooting - Mailing issues & bad trades:

Q: What if I do not receive my end of the trade?

Q: What if my end of the trade does not arrive to the other trader?

Q: Where do I go to see if a member I am trading with is on the bad trade list?

Q: What if my envelope arrives ripped, opened or destroyed?

Q: I am unable to use the coupons the member sent me because the sale is over. Now what?

Q: The store would not let me use the coupon, I want to return the trade, can I do that?

Q: The coupons arrived. They were not as they were described now what do I do?

Feedback:

Q: How do I leave feedback for a trade?

Q: I accidentally left the wrong feedback comment what do I do?

Q: Someone left me feedback I do not agree with, what do I do?

Q: I am hesitant to leave neutral or negative feedback, can the other member leave me undeserved negative or neutral feedback?


A huge thank you to both tacatcon & suesaving for all of the content they contributed to this post!!!

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Q: I can't post in the trading forums what should I do?
Q: I would like to trade, what is the first step?

A: To post in any of the trading forums, you must first become a trading member here at Hot Coupon World. Brand new trading members are called Traders in Training.

The very first step to becoming a Trader in Training (or TNT) is to read through all of the rules for the trading forums here.

Next, go HERE and follow the instructions.

HINT: It tells you in the first line what you need to type in the text box.

Once you are approved, you will become a Trader In Training. This gives you access to most of our trading forums including our Trader in Training forum where you can read lots of trading tips and have access to coaches who are on hand to answer questions.

The other trade forums you are able to post in as a TNT are Trades Current Coupons and Offers, Trades Expired, Classifieds and RAOK.

There are two requirements to "graduate" from Trader In Training to Trader. First, you must be a member of the TNT group for 30 days. Second, you must complete five trades with five different members and receive five positive feedback ratings from those members (see below for more details on feedback).

Once you are promoted to the Trader user group, you will gain access to the Auction, Train and Secret Pal forums.

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Q: What are the trading forums?

A: The trading forums are all of the forums included in Forums For Trading Share The Wealth category found HERE.

Please note: In order to post to these forums you must be a Trader in Training or a Trader. See the post above to learn how to join as a Trader in Training.

Below is a list of the various forums within this group:

Rules & Guidelines. Find the rules for all of the trading forums here.

Warning Bad Trader Listing. Guidelines for reporting a bad trade. It is also where traders who have not fulfilled their end of a trade are posted for all members of the Trader User Group to see.

Auctions Coupons and Actuals . Hot Coupon World's very own auction forum. You can host an auction of coupons or actual items right here. There are no fees to buy or sell! You do however, have to have the user rank of Trader to host or bid on auctions. You will be a Trader after 30 days as a trader in training with 5 positive trade feedbacks.

Trades: Current Coupons & Offers. This is where you can post to set up trades. You can post a "have", (often listed as H). These are coupons that you do not need, or have extra's of that you would like to trade. You can post an "in search of" (ISO) for coupons that you are looking to trade for.
You can also trade actuals in this forum as well.

Trades: Expired Coupons. This is where you can post all of your expired coupons for trade. Some of our members living in certain parts of the country can use coupons after they expire. Many military families living overseas can also use coupons after they expire.

Classifieds. This is where you can post your items for sale. Please note, t his is not a place for you to advertise your home business.

Have Lists: Have Coupons or Actuals for Trade. This is the forum that houses your long-term ever evolving list of coupons and items you have available for trade. You can create your have list using the coupon database HERE. Each member is only allowed to have one have list thread in this forum. Short-term offers can be posted in the other trading forums.

If you maintain your have list through the database and click the "update" link in the database, your database havelist automatically becomes a post in the Havelist forum. Please note: each time you hit update, your old post is replaced by the newer updated post. This keeps the forum neat and organized.


Wishlists: Seeking Coupons or Actuals for Trade Similar to the havelist forum, this is your long-term ever evolving list of coupons that you would like to trade for. As new coupons come out, you add them to your list. Again, each member is only to have one wishlist thread in the wishlist forum.

You can create your wish list using the coupon database HERE. When you click the "update" link, your database have list becomes a post in the wishlist forum. Please note: each time you hit update, your old post is replaced by the newer updated post. This keeps the forum neat and organized.

Coupon Trains: Hop on Board. This is where you can catch a ride on many types of coupon trains. If you want to ride a train but are not sure what they are all about, read more HERE.

Have you been a rider on a few trains and want to run one yourself? Read more about running a HCW train HERE.

To ride a coupon train, you must have the user rank of Trader. You will be a Trader after 30 days as a trader in training with 5 positive trade feedbacks.

Secret Pals & Gift Exchanges. This is the forum where you can join a fun mystery swap with small gifts and coupons. You are assigned a secret pal to mail to and someone else is assigned to mail to you. We have different themed Secret Pal swaps regularly.

You do however, have to have the user rank of Trader participate in a Secret Pal swap. You will be a Trader after 30 days as a trader in training with 5 positive trade feedbacks.


Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK's) Giveaways. This is the place with lots of giveaways! If you have coupons to share, and want nothing in return, post them here. You can offer to the first to reply, make it a contest, be creative!

Check in often for new posts and contests.

Please remember you can not make a post requesting a RAOK. That takes the "random" out of RAOK.

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Q: What is the difference between a Trader and a Trader in Training?

Q: What is a Trader in Training (aka TNT)?

A: There are two trade user ranks here at Hot Coupon World. One is Trader and the other is Trader in Training.

Trader in training:

If you see Trader in Training under a member's name, it means this trader is new to trading at Hot Coupon World.

These members are granted access to a special TNT forum, where they are given help from coaches in a TNT forum to learn the ropes of trading.

Traders in Training are able to trade in the Trades Current Coupons and Offers, Trades Expired, RAOK and Classifieds forums.

They are not able to ride trains, participate in secret pals, host or bid on auctions yet.


To get the user rank of Trader, members must graduate from the Trader in Training program by being a TNT for a minium of 30 days and receiving 5 positive feedbacks for completed trades.


Trader. Members with the user rank of trader do not have any restrictions. They can post in all of the trading forums. They have either graduated from the TNT program or became a trader before 8/20/08 when the TNT program started.

Please remember if you trade with a member that does not have either user rank described above under their member name, HCW will not mediate bad trades for you. If a member PMs you with a trade offer and they are not a trading member yet, just direct them to the rules and guidelines forum here in the trading area of the board so they can become one.

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Q: How do I organize my coupons for trading?

A: There are quite a few ways to organize your coupons. In boxes, envelopes, binders and more!

Organization can be further broken down by either date, category, expiration, for trade, for use, hot and the list goes on!

You may have to try more than one to find which best suits your needs, but many members have shared their systems HERE.

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Q: What do all the acronyms mean?

A: We sure do have a ton of acronyms! HERE is where you can find many of them.

In the trades forums you will see a lot of these:

H) have
W) want
ISO in search of
IDSO in desperate search of
IVDSO in very desperate search of
CC concealed cash
PPHF paypal handling fee
RAOK random act of kindness
MIR mail in rebate
TMF try me free
NAZ name address zip
NED no expiration date
WT's wine tags
PLMK please let me know
YHPM or YGPM you have private message

Other acronyms you will see on the board:
AC - After Coupon
Actuals - The actual item as opposed to a coupon for it (an item from your stockpile)
ADDIE = Address
AR - After Rebate
Blinkies - instore smartsource coupon dispensed near product, usually from red blinking box
BOGO or B1G1F - Buy one get one free
BOLO - Be On the Lookout
BTFE - Box Tops for Education
BTW - By the way
B&M - Brick & Mortar, as opposed to an online store
Catalina - coupon dispensed at register after purchase, usually has a red border
CBAD - Chef Boyardee
CLFE - Campbell's Labels for Education
C/O - cents off coupon
COH - Cut Out Hunger
CRT - Cash register tape
CYE - Check your email
DB - The HotCouponWorld database
DCRT - Dated cash register tape
DCRTC - Dated cash register tape with the price circled
DD - Dear Daughter
DH - Dear husband
DIL = Daughter-in-law
DS - Dear Son
DW - Dear Wife
DND - Do Not Double (the coupon is not supposed to be doubled)
Double coupon - coupon that a grocery store doubles in value
ECB - CVS Extra Care Bucks earned for purchases
ENVIE = Envelope
EPOP - Each pay own postage (trading term)
ESR - EasySaver Rebate (Walgreens Monthy Rebate)
ETA - Edited to add
FAR - Free After Rebate
Free Item Coupon - A coupon that allows you to get the product completely free
FSOT - For Sale or Trade
GDA - Good Deal Alert
GG - Grocery Game
HBA - The health and beauty aid section in the grocery store
HCW - Hot Coupon World
HDA - Hot Deal Alert or Home Delivered Ad
H/L - Have list
HT or HgT- Hang tags for refunds or coupons hanging on a product
HTH - Hope this/that helps
IMO - In My Opinion
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
ISO - In Search Of
IDSO - In Desperate Search Of
IVC - Walgreen's Instant Value Coupon (Found in the monthy EasySaver Catalog)
IVDSO - In Very Desperate Search Of
IP - Internet Printable
KWIM - Know what I mean?
LFE - Campbell's Labels for Education
LMK - Let Me Know
MIR - Mail In Rebate
NAZ - Name, address, zip code
NED - No expiration date
NP - No problem
NW(B)PN - No wine (beer) purchase necessary
OAS - a coupon that is good on one purchase, any size
OOP - Out of Pocket
OOS - Out of Stock
OP - Original Poster; Author of a thread
OSI - On a single item
OYNO - On your next order
OT - Off Topic
P&G - Proctor & Gamble Sunday supplement coupons
Peelie - coupon that you peel off the package
PITA - Pain in the ***
PLMK - Please Let Me Know
PM - Private Message
POP - Proof of purchase
PP - purchase price
PPHF - Paypal handling fee
PPEF - Paypal existing funds (some members request paypal payments from "existing funds" rather than credit card or other types of funding to avoid fees from Paypal)
PSA - Prices Starting At or Public Service Announcement
Q or Qualifier - The POP required for a refund offer that is physically taken from that package
RAOK - Random act of kindness
RC - Raincheck
SAHM - Stay At Home Mom
SASE - Self Addressed Stamped Envelope
SCR - Rite Aid Single Check Rebate
SD - Store Display
SF - Store form
SMP - Specially Marked Packages
SOL = Son-in-law
SS - Smart Source or Sunday Supplement coupons
Stacking - Some stores allow the use of more than one coupon per item, IF the coupon itself does not restrict such usage.
Super doubles - coupons that are doubled $1 + in value (ie, a $1 coupon = $2, etc)
Tear pad - A pad of refund forms or coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display
TIA - Thanks in advance
TMF - Try Me Free
Triple coupon - a coupon that a grocery store triples in value
TYVM = Thank you very much
V - Valassis Sunday supplement coupons
Wine Tag - coupon, usually for $ off any meat, cheese or produce.
W/L - wishlist
WPN - Wine purchase necessary
WSL - while supplies last
WT - winetag
WYB - When You Buy
YGEM - You've got a email
YGPM - You've got a private message!
YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary= success of the attempt may vary at your store
YVW = Your very welcome

thanks mrsP for the acronym list!

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Q: Why cant I post in Auctions, Trains or Secret Pal?
A: When you first become a trading member at Hot Coupon World, you are a Trader in Training. This means you have the opportunity to get one on one coaching from some fantastic traders & moderators!

We want you to start slow, learn the ropes and gain some feedback before riding trains, offering or bidding on auctions or signing up for a secret pal exchange.

Once you have been a Trader in Training for 30 days and have reached your goal of 5 positive trade feedbacks, you will be promoted to the user rank of Trader and will be able to post in all of our trading forums.

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Q: Where can I trade my coupons as a Trader in Training?
A: Traders in Training have several forums where they can post trades. Trades Current Coupons and Offers, Trades Expired Coupons, Classifieds, Random Acts Of Kindness RAOK's and also the Trader in Training Trader Room found in the TNT forum.

You can also create a wishlist and a havelist in our Coupon Database. These are for your long term needs.

You maintain only one wishlist and one havelist. Once you add items to your list, make sure to click the tab with that lists name from the database like wishlist and then click the update post tab to put your post live into the forums.

More on database trading below.

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Q: Who can I trade with as a Trader in Training?
A: You are able to trade with your fellow TNT's and also any member with the user rank of Trader.

Please remember, as a new trader, you may be asked to mail your end first by our veteran traders. When members both have small feedback numbers neither party should be holding their end.

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Q: I am working on a trade with another member but they want to hold their end until they receive mine. Is that normal and why?
A: Yes, this is normal.

We actually suggest to our veteran traders that they ask this of any trader with less than 5-10 feedbacks. Some traders have a different # they use as a guideline when holding their end.

As a TNT you are new to trading here at HCW and probably have under 5 feedbacks. Long-term traders have a history here and an Itrader score you can view to see their trade history to help you feel confident that you will receive your end.

They do not have that same assurance when trading with a new trader. Holding their end ensures that they are trading with a member who is going to fulfill their end of the deal.