The Etsy Trade-a-holic Team’s purpose is to trade amongst it’s members and other interested shops. Thru trading, we self & cross promote, receive feedback and build our sales plus gain wanted or needed items. We also strive to maintain an organized and updated list of people willing to barter for what they want & need.

One important aspect of being on this team, is tag the items you are willing to trade with "team trade on". This allows people to easily search for our members and items.

Come and chat with us! We have a monthly chat thread. This month's thread is
http://www.etsy.com/teams/6490/etsy-trade-a-holics/discuss/9071835/

We want to hear from you! This is an anonymous way to make suggestions to us. Let us know what you like, what you don't like, and what you would like to see!

Tradeaholics Suggestion Box

Starting in July, it will cost us $20 a month to keep our home here at Ning. We love it here! To help us stay here, some members have been sending donations through paypal to tradeaholics@gmail.com . There is also now a way to donate on this site. Use the donate tab at the top of the page. At the beginning of every month, we will post screenshots of the paypal account so that you may all see what we take in, and how much we pay to Ning. All donors names/emails will be blacked out on the screenshots because we value every donation equally! Every little bit helps :)

We are working very hard to get the list on the trade blog updated. As new member join this site, we are making sure that the shop is listed on the trade blog. Please take a look at the blog and make sure your shop is listed as you want it to be listed. If you want a shop description, or trade wants added next to your shop, just send SalutationsCrochet a message. Also, if you come across a shop that does not exist or is no longer active, let SalutationsCrochet know. Thanks so much!

This is the link to the blog to which we're referring:
Etsy Traders

Trading is fun and wonderful and hopefully this helps people negotiate the wild world of trade-a-holism safely!!!! You'll get addicted, just like we did!

Rule 1 - Approach your prospective tradee (the person you want to trade with) via convo. Tell them that you like their stuff (obviously you do, LOL) and ask if they are willing to trade. It helps if you already have an item from their shop in mind. Be clear as well about what in your shop you are willing to trade for. You DON'T have to open your whole shop to trades!

Rule 2 - Wait for a response - and don't get your knickers in a knot because they say no. I've gone on a trading break when I get a little "traded out" - and that's okay. If you are the tradee, be nice about turning someone down. It's kinda like dating - let them down easy! :)

Rule 3 - If you both agree to trade, make sure that the trade is fair, and don't forget to include your shipping costs! So, for example, I choose $4.95 in fudge from Hillside Bakery, and the shipping on the fudge is $5.00, then Hillside gets to choose $9.95 worth of items from my shop, including shipping. I usually make sure that if there is a difference of $2 or more, I pay the difference via paypal. Fairness rules!!!!

Rule 4 - "Purchase" the items from each other's shops - Use the "other" "money order" or "check" option when checking out. This way it does not take you to the paypal site to pay.

Rule 5 - Ship at the same time – or as soon as possible if its a custom order!

Rule 6 - When you get your item, leave feedback!

And voila! Both parties gets something fabulous, both parties get a "sale", and both parties build up their positive feedback! Everyone wins!

What NOT To Do:
- Don’t forget your manners. Please respond to all trade requests, even if it’s a “no”.
- Don’t forget to ship your trade item. This is not donating. It’s trading.
- Don’t forget to leave appropriate feedback. If you are happy with a trade, let them know! Subsequently… if you are NOT happy, let the seller know before leaving feedback and try to work things out. If you are still unhappy – or if you never receive your item – we suggest that you leave feedback stating this. Although no money is exchanged, you’re trading goods, which is just as valuable. Treat it just like a sale.
- Don’t change your prices to 0.20. This is called fee avoidance. If etsy catches wind of fee avoidance, the whole team is in jeopardy of being shut down. We are lucky to have a venue like etsy. Don’t bite the hand that feeds us!
- Don’t avoid feedback by cancelling a sale. If you aren’t going to trade in good faith, don’t trade.

The bottom line - Any trader who doesn’t trade in good faith will be banned from the team. Trading is based on trust and we will defend that trust. be good to each other!

we hope these made sense and helps make your trade experience easier! It's so great to be able to own a great piece of handmade artistry by trading one of your own!!!!!!!!!!

Addicted yet? we are!!!!!!! if there are ANY questions, please let us know!

xoxoox muffin & raevyn