Dear Squee Vol. 8

Dear Squee,

I have an issue with a trade… I didn’t know what the card was and said it was good to be traded away. The guy has stuff to trade for but I realized the card is good for something I’m currently working on. Is it morally correct to go through and screw myself on a deck piece?

–LemonyLemmings (@summers_harley)

Dear Mr. Lemmings, 

I would like to discuss trades in more detail as it will help explain my thoughts on this subject.  Long story short, if you haven’t completed the deal then I would argue you should explain yourself and keep the card. 

While trading cards is my favorite way to acquire what I need for my decks to be successful… there is always a hesitancy from both parties after the fact.  

“Did I get Screwed?”

“Will the card I got rid of go up in value?”

Squee’s Ground Rules for Trades:

1. You won’t always come out on top monetarily, but the value of the cards depends on more than the TCG Market Price.  If you are going to use it, or think you may use it in the future be sure to take that into consideration.
2. When in doubt, think about the deal for a day or two.  In most trade situations you can discuss the terms of a deal and ask for some time to think about it.  
3. Recently printed cards need much less consideration when putting them on trade block.  With vintage cards, BE CAREFUL.  I repeat… BE CAREFUL.  Old cards(reserved list or not) are on a different level of collectibility, value, and long term upside.
4. If the deal has not been completed you can always change your mind.  By Completed I mean agreed upon, the cards are in hand, and(pre-covid) you shake on the deal.  
5. Win or lose there is no complaining once a deal is completed.  

Morals?

In your case, I think it would be morally wrong for you to trade the card you need for your deck. Some may argue if you told someone it was available for trade and take back your position, you would be in the wrong. 

As a professional sales veteran, I have learned that words are only fluff without a product in hand.  Signed contracts, verbal agreements, and positive indicators mean nothing until the deal is done and the money/goods have been exchanged.  Negotiation is designed to feel out both sides and come up with a mutually beneficial solution.  In your case I feel you are still in the negotiation phase.

Be Patient:

I am a huge proponent of Sittin’ Tight.  This applies to trades as well.  We have all been in a card shop looking through a binder dreaming of everything shiny we come across.  

I’M GUILTY.  

In the past I traded hordes of utility cards that I could have used.  Sadly it was almost always for big name foils that sat in my binder.  Not only did I put too much stock into the dopamine dump of impulse trades, but I would often ignore the price/usability of the card I wanted and the card I was getting rid of.  

This brings me to my last point of random advice.  I can’t say this enough, do your research when trading cards from the 90’s.  The scale of value for modern cards does not compare to the older cards.  My generally not scientific rule of thumb is to put a 4x multiplier on the projected value of a 90s card in comparison to anything from this millennium.  

I hope this helps you decide what to do with your trade, and how to be as efficient as possible in the future!

Love,

Squee

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