Trading FAQ's Find the answers to many of your trading questions here.

Here we will try to help you find the answers to your most frequently asked questions about trading.

To begin with please note that these are faq's. 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.



Getting Started:
Q: What are the trading forums?
Q: I would like to trade what is the first step?
Q: I cant post in any of the trading forums what should I do?
Q: Why cant I post in Auctions, Trains or Secret Pal?
Q: What is the Trader User Group & the Trader In Training Group?
Q: What are wish lists and have lists?
Q: How do I put a link to my wish list and have list in my signature?
Q: Can I use a link to a wishlist or havelist I created on another site?
Q: What is the difference between a wishlist/havelist and a post in the Trades Current Coupons and Offers forum?
Q: Why can't I edit my wish list or have list?
Q: How do I organize my coupons for trading?
Q: What do all the acronyms mean?


Ready to trade:
Q: How do I set up a trade?
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: Is it ok to pm a member to ask for a trade based on their WL or HL?
Q: How do I quickly and effectively search the WL and HL forums?
Q: Is there an easy way to alphabetize my wishlit and havelist? remove expired's from it?
Q: How do I track my trades?
Q: What if I do not receive my end of the trade?
Q: Can the other trader hold their end of their trade with me?



Determining value of trade:
Q: How do I determine what a coupon is worth?
Q: What are Box Tops for Education & Campbells Labels for Education? What is their trade value?
Q: What is a wine tag and what is its trade value?
Q: What is unused stamps?
Q: What are My Coke Rewards, Pepsi Stuff Points, 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?

Trading:
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: What if my end of the trade does not arrive to the other trader?
Q: How do I maintain my wishlist and havelist?
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?


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?

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 join the Traders In Training Group. Read how HERE.

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

Warning Bad Trader Listing has 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 is 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!

Trades: Current Coupons & Offers 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 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 is where you can post your items for sale.
Please note, this is not a place for you to advertise your home business.

Have Lists: Have Coupons or Actuals for Trade is where your long-term ever evolving list of coupons and items you have available for trade is saved once it is created. It is also a great idea to put a link to your have list in your HCW signature.

Wishlists: Seeking Coupons or Actuals for Trade is where your long term ever evolving list of coupons and items you are in search of is placed after it is created in our coupon database. It is also a great idea to put a link to your wishlist in your HCW signature.

Need to create your Wishlist and Havelist? Instructions HERE

Coupon Trains: Hop on Board 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 ridden a few trains and want to run one? Read more about running a HCW train HERE.

Secret Pals & Gift Exchanges is 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 a monthly Birthday Secret Pal, and often there are holiday secret pals.

Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK's) Giveaways is the place with lots of give aways! 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.

Q: I would like to trade what is the first step?
A: The very first step is to read through all of the rules for the trading forums here.
Reading through all of these FAQ's is also a great idea. Many of the questions new traders ask are all here to help you get started.

Keep in mind, in order to post in any of the trading forums you first need to be approved as a member of the Trader User Group. Find out how HERE.

Q: What is the Trader User Group & The Trader In Training Group?
A: To become a trading member of the HCW community, we need you to first read and then agree to our trading rules. You can do that HERE.

Once you are approved you will become a Trader In Training member for 30 days. During this time you will have access to our Trader In Training forum where you can get one on one help to get you started in trades!
After 30 days you will be promoted to a trader user group member. At this time you will gain access to Auctions, Trains and Secret Pal's.

Q: I can't post in the trading forums what should I do?

A: To post in any of the trading forums you first need to join the Trader User Group. To join the Trader User Group go HERE and follow the instructions. Once you are approved, you will become a Trader In Training. This gives you access to most of our trading forums. After 30 days, you will be promoted to the trader user group and will gain access to the Auction, Train and Secret Pal forums.

Q: What are Wish Lists and Have Lists?
A: Wish Lists are a way you can let fellow traders know what coupons & actuals you are looking for. Have Lists are where you can keep an ongoing inventory of coupons and actuals you have available for trade.

These are intended as long term lists that you update as coupons, sales, needs and haves change. You can update your wish list & have list by using the edit feature as your needs change.

You can now create your havelist and wishlist directly from the coupon database. See instructions HERE.

Use the search feature to find the coupons you want to add and using the action menu, select the list you want to add it to. You can add a note, choose the priority for the item on your wishlist, and enter the quantity.

Do I have to create a Wish List or Have List to trade?

Creating a Wish List or a Have List is optional. You do not have to create both. Many members create a wish list only or a have list only.

Q: How do I put a link to my wish list and have list in my signature?
A: First you need to open up your wish list or have list page and copy the web address in the browser window. Next go into your user cp and click the edit signature link. In the text box, give your wishlist a name. Highlight the name and click the hyperink icon. (Looks like a globe w/ 2 links under it). Insert the previously copied wishlist page info into the hyperlink box and click ok.

Save. your wishlist is now in your signature!

Q: What is the difference between a wishlist/havelist and a post in the Trades Current Coupons and Offers forum?
A: A post in the Trades Current Coupons and Offers forum is about setting up an immediate trade for either items you have or items you are looking for, these posts are kept on the board for only a limited time.
Your wish list & have list are longterm lists that you can maintain, update and change regularly.

Q: Can I use a link to a wishlist or havelist I created on another site?
A: If you have a blog or another place where you maintain an online wish list &/or a have list, you need to first pm the link to SBP for approval. If it is approved, you will be given the "HCW Approved" smiley and you link will be put in your signature for you.

Q: Why cant I edit my wish list or my have list in the forums?
A: Posts in the Wish List & Have List forums can be edited for 1 year from its original posting date.

If you can no longer edit your list after a year, it is time to create one with the coupon database. Please PM the mod of the forum and ask for your old list to be deleted or change title to "Please Delete".