*** Database Trading Tips *** do not delete items mid trade, how to add items, YES you can include what stores you shop and other important notes. Do not forget to click "update post"

[bugface711]

First, how do you do make a database wishlist or havelist?

You click the resources tab on any HCW page. Next click DATABASE. You will use the many different search features to find coupons, rebates etc that you can use to add them to your list.

To add a coupon to your wish list select wishlist from the dropdown boxes to the left of the search field. It says "pick one". Next it will ask you low medium or high need. Choose one. Thats it. You just added an item to your wish list. Once you are done adding for the day, click wishlist. Then click update and it will post your new wishlist in the wishlist forum for you.


Here are some tips on how to find new things to add to your own list!

1. When you open up the coupon database before you even search for anything, there are coupons listed. These are the 200 most recently added coupons! If you have broadband, load time is quick, I suggest changing the # of coupons per page to 100 so you can look at a lot of q's quickly.
I check this recenly added list once a week, usually at the end of the week before Sundays inserts are added.


2. Check the database by an insert date like 02-22-09 and it pulls up all the inserts from that insert date. I do this every Monday. If I am only looking for say Proctor & Gamble info I type 02-08-09 P&G. Smart source is SS and Red Plum is RP. If you are just starting out, check out the last few Sundays of inserts to see what came out.


I also regularly serch by source to see whats new. Every few days I go into the database and from the source dropdown I select for example Mail In Rebates. No need to type anything into the search box. This brings up the most recently added 200 MIR's. You can do this with each source box if you wish.

As you find things you can use, add them to your WL. Do not forget to rank them by low medium or high need.



Make sure when you are done adding to your list, click the wishlist tab, then click update post. This will put your list "live" in the wishlist forum. If you forget this step, your post will not go into the forum where members can view it.



Deleting items on your list:

Trade conversations are attached to items on your lists. If you delete the item off your list, the conversation is removed with the item.

Do not delete the item until the trade is completed and feedback has been left. While you are mid trade you can add a note that the coupons are pending.

Instead, update your post using the edit feature. You can note "pending trade" in your notes.

adding your wishlist/havelist to your signature:
This is easier to do when you open more than one window.
In window #1 click user cp and click edit signature from your options.
Now, give a name like "wishlist" to the word you want to make into a link.

In window #2 either go into the database area, click the wishlist tab and then click update post, your new WL will pop up so you can grab the URL.
If your wishlist is already in the WL forum, go into the WL forum and open it up.
Whichever way you opened your list, copy the URL from the address bar.

Now, go back to window #1, highlight the word you just typed with your mouse. Next click the globe with 2 links icon (its under the smiley). A box will pop up. delete the http: and paste your copied URL into the box. Save that, and save your signature.

Thats it!


What other database tips do our traders have?

[tacatcon]

Hi guys
If you have suggestions for features you'd like added there is a thread for that here

this is more for tips so people know how to effectively use the database for trading. If you have a good idea for a new feature, I'd hate for it not to be seen.

[chrisandjaymommy]

how can you view all coupons that have recently been listed? as far as I can see you can only view the ones listed in the last 24hrs.

is there a way to compare you haves with another traders wishlist where it will just list all in one spot instead of just an individual cpn?...hope that makes sense!

[2mnyteens]

Is there a way to type in someone's screen name in the database so we can see their 'haves' list and then let them know we are interested in a trade?

Julie

[marrelam]

Keep your Have List updated, please! So many times I have been told "oh, I already traded those a couple of weeks ago..". Well, then please delete it from your HL.

Also, if you are going to have a WL & HL, then please sign on and check you notifications each time. I have trade requests that I've sent out and have waited days if not weeks for a response - and this is sometimes even after I've sent a PM...

[marrelam]

I would add a reminder to click the "complete" button when you mail your end.

I agree and click on "Accept" also!

[tori729]

Ok I just realized that you could initiate trades through the db so there are several on there that I didn't know were there because I didn't realize that was a feature. Is there any way you can receive alerts when someone initiates a trade through there?

[shelleyf]

In your notifications it shows you that you have a trade alert.

[bugface711]

bump

[lbrown1618]

I also with there was an "alert" feature for when you have pending trade requests. I don't always notice that drop-down menu. I usually only catch it when I use it to go into my PM's.

Anyway, I did discover a tip. IF you do accidentally delete an item from your list while working on a trade....the conversation WILL reappear if you add the item back into your list. HTH!