why do trades on HCW go thru PM and not e-mails?

[cpnmaniac44]

I've made 100's of trades on another site, and having become a member here in recent months, it seems everyone trades thru PM only.
They take so much time compared to e-mails.
I just got through with a trade over two days and come to find out the expiration dates on the post were not seen, and it was no deal. It took 6 PM's, opening and closing HCW mail box, with the popup that ask you if you want to view the message on the same page or not, etc.
Why is everyone reluctant to post their e-mails on their trade listing?
The other site I came from it was the exact reverse.
Lot's of traders play keep away with details, address, etc.
I had a trade by mail, coupons for coupons and I had to "insist" on the other's address.
Here it is 90% plus by PM and the other site it is 90% plus by e-mail.

Why is the culture different here?

I can get used to trades by PM, but it sure is more convenient and quick for both parties by e-mail unless people just stay on this site all day.

I have my Outlook Express open all day. I can not stay on HCW waiting on PM's.
Things won't ever change, but many traders, who frequent different boards, have made me aware of this PM trading, cloud of secrecy or something with e-mail addresses. They have to be given any way if paypal is being used, so why the PM front?

I know I can like it or leave, no problem there. Just wondered why it started that way in the beginning. It makes trading so.......is the word difficult.....or slow......or.......?

[kaylaledford]

I think that it is so if something goes wrong in the trade a moderator can review PMs and see what the original deal was. Then he/she can decide who is at fault. However, I didn't realize this was the case.

[summermay]

I only trade thru pm. I don't like giving out my email address. No real reason, just don't do it. I do get an email alert that I have a message on the board. Most of my trades are done in 3 pm's or less. Fast and easy are always the best trades.

[kval07]

I don't want my email clogged up with trading conversations. Plain and simple.

[rebate_queen]

I have done a few trades via email when the other person wanted it that way, but I always trade through PMs. That's the way I've always done it and it works best for me. It doesn't have anything to do with giving out my email address, because alot of my trades are for paypal so I have to give it anyways. It's just what I prefer, since I'm on here so much anyways :)

[zoeys_mom]

I get an email alert when I have a pm here so I don't see the problem on that front.
I don't like to trade through email because it would get lost in the amount of emails I get and might get sent to spam or not get opened as quickly if I don't recognize the email address.

[joshmamabear]

I prefer to trade via PMs in any board because it helps me see at a glance where the trade was made. If its via emails, some people just put their NAZ without saying the site the trade was made/userID. It makes it more difficult for me just to trace the person and leave proper FB.

Also, if the trade goes wrong, the board mods where trade happened can intervene for me if I don't get my end. If its via emails, that is considered a private trade so I'm on my own if I don't get my end.

M2C.

[jwahlton]

Originally Posted by kval07 I don't want my email clogged up with trading conversations. Plain and simple.

Ditto

[gctattoo]

I trade via PM for all the reasons listed by previous posters. I personally find it easier to NOT do it through email. I only check my email once a day, but I'm here off and on for a good part of the day. And trades are only as complicated or drawn-out as you want them to be. If you've noticed, some traders request all of the info for a trade (what you have, what you want for it, etc.) in the first PM to save any extra time and energy. If you want fast trades, just say so. ;)

[cpnmaniac44]

Originally Posted by zoeys_mom I get an email alert when I have a pm here so I don't see the problem on that front. I don't like to trade through email because it would get lost in the amount of emails I get and might get sent to spam or not get opened as quickly if I don't recognize the email address.

I get the alert too in my Outlook Express which is opened all day while I work. I can read the content of the PM but have to click on the link, open HCW, then get the popup to read the message (I've already read it but I have to reply) in the existing window or a new window. Finally open the PM and reply.
But, then other end is not sitting there at HCW, they closed their HCW mailbox and now I got to wait for them to reply back with a PM that is "again sent to my OE" and "the process to reply starts again".

It is just amusing, I guess, that another site
about 100% of the trade postings contain an email address,
and close to 0% here contain an e-mail address.
It was the first thing I noticed when joining here and it seems to be the norm.

All of you who have done it by PM from the beginning are used to it.

I'll live with it but:

if "quick and easy" is the goal, e-mail is it.

I can not leave my browser open to HCW waiting on a PM that might not come until tomorrow. One trade a couple months ago took 15 PM's (back and forth), as too little info was being provided to me, expire dates, what did they want per coupon, address, on and on). As if they were afraid to give the darn details of the trade. Do you want to trade? or do you want to play PM games? That was the impression.

Let me tell you how PM's are used other places. For discreet communication with another member....such as gossip or to say things they wouldn't dare post on the board. That is what PM's there are used for. Another way they are used is to inform 'friends' of a bad trader without going public with it.
Trades are done by e-mail, PM is for "confidential" discussions.

No one will agree from this site, so I'm fine with that. If you have used PM's for dozens or more trades and never use e-mail then you are used to PM.

I've even put my e-mail in HCW trade listings and asked them to respond by e-mail and no one will. Some fear factor.

facts:
You can not send me paypal without my e-mail addres.
I can not send you paypal without your e-mail address.

I used e-mails only, for trades, for several years.
Those here have always used PM.
It's a very different culture of habits.