Because we have to have them ... here are the RULES:
These rules are pretty generic among most traders out there. I've been trading for a long time, even without counting my extended hiatus. One thing I've always considered myself is I'm newbie friendly. Please don't feel overwhelmed by this. Send me your lists. Even if you don't have a single thing on my want list, I may have a friend who's interested in something you do have that might not be my cup of tea and be willing to trade for.
Trading Ratios:
1 full Audio = 1 full Audio
- Highlights Audio ratio depends on how extensive a highlights. Please ask if unsure.
1 full Video = 1 full Video (Regardless of media type.)
- Highlights video ratio depends on how extensive a highlights.
1 full Video = 2 full Audios = 3 Highlights Audios
- This ratio may be negotiable dependent on the length of the highlights audio. If in doubt, we will discuss it during negotiations.
- I DO make exceptions on my trading ratios in the right circumstances. If unsure, ask me.
- I may be willing to meet an unbalanced ratio for some items on my wants list. Please ask for details if you have any of the harder to find items.
Gifting:
I am not against gifting, it can be a beautiful thing. However, there are limits.
1. Don't demand I gift you something. That will get you an automatic NO. End of story.
2. Don't ask me to gift you my entire list. Not happening.
3. Use manners and common sense. Also flattery goes a long way.
4. DO NOT GIVE ME A TIME FRAME TO GIFT. If I choose to gift upon a request I'll do so at MY convenience and not yours. Remember you are asking me for SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. Also remember this is my HOBBY not my JOB. I get paid for my job and I work VERY LONG HOURS. I often go DAYS without having time to respond to emails. I go DAYS without being on my computer because I'm too tired when I get home from work after anywhere from 12 to 14 hours of mostly physical labor in the healthcare field.
5. DO NOT SEND MULTIPLE EMAILS ABOUT GIFTING IN A SHORT TIME SPAN UNLESS: perhaps you asked for two or three gifts but you found another source for one, and the second is to say, "Hey, I know I asked for audio 1, 2, and 3 but someone gave me 1 (or 1 and 3,) if and when you have a moment, I would still love to have audio 2, but no rushes no worries if you can't." That is called being gracious and is the only acceptable exception to multiple emails in short periods asking for the same thing.
6. Anything NFT is obviously not able to be gifted, no matter how much begging/flattery/manners are involved. Believe it or not, I don't LIKE the idea of NFT, unless it's stated that an item is NFT because it is currently missing from the trader's collection. As someone who has items that fit that description ...
Preparing / Sending:
This has changed a LOT in the last few years. Since I'm no longer playing the Snail-Mail game ...
1. The person requesting the trade should send links first, unless we've agreed to something different.
2. I'm pretty easy-going on where you upload things to, so long as they work. I do prefer Mediafire, Mega, and Google Drive. If you have an issue downloading from any or all of those, please let me know early on.
3. If there is a problem with the links you send me, I expect them to be either fixed or replaced. If there is missing video or audio you send me, I also expect a replacement.
4. Please please PLEASE do NOT make VOB's from online videos (IE: Ripped from Youtube. Yes, I can tell). If we are trading and I ask for something you suspect was an online video turned into a VOB, please let me know. I may still be willing to trade for it, I just like to know what I'm getting into.
---- That said, I'm not against other video formats, again information is key. VOB is PREFERRED, obviously. But for newer videos - and especially ones where the master released in a format other than VOB, sometimes the quality is such that it might even be better than a VOB.
5. Audios should be uploaded as some form of zip file (.zip, .rar, and I forget what the other are off the top of my head.) Please no separate tracks - I'll lose them, I guarantee it. There are plenty of free software out there to create zipped folders.
Moving on ...
A Few Things You May Need to Know:
1. No "This-for-That" trades. Please, send me your list. I don't care what format it's in. The reason for this is if there's been times when someone has said they have "X" from my wants list, sent me their list as well, and I've found stuff I've been looking for that wasn't written out on my wants list (typically stuff that I thought had disappeared.)
That said, if you do have something I've specifically stated I want, absolutely feel free to tell me you have it in the body of the email. ESPECIALLY when I'm in a "Limited Trade" period. But please still send your list, because there's always a chance I've already found "X" but might still find something else you have I'd like.
*ALSO AN ADDENDUM. ANY REQUESTS THAT DO NOT HAVE A LIST IN SOME FORMAT WILL BE IGNORED.
I don't care if your 'list' is only one or two items. List them in the email if you like. Something like this is absolutely fine and doesn't count as a "This-for-that":
"I only have Audio A with (Info), and Video B with (Info), would you be willing to trade with me? I'd love to have Audio D with (info) from you."
If you list absolutely nothing when requesting a TRADE you will get no response. And I'm not saying this to be a jerk. I just don't have the time as it stands currently to really do this trading thing the way I'd like.
2. Not everything I have is currently uploaded. Just as I have a backlog of things to update on my list, I also have an uploading backlog. Please keep this in mind especially if we are trading video, I may need extra time to upload. Obviously though, if you want something, I'm going to move it to the front of my uploading queue, but it might add a day or so to me sending links for larger files.
---- I am aware that many traders use other people's links all the time. I don't simply because I'm too lazy to keep track of other people's links.
3. I currently have next to nothing uploaded to any site. If I agree to trade - I use either Mediafire or Mega dot NZ to upload my files to. Google Drive is an option in theory but I don't use it very often. If one of these three does NOT work for you, please advise me of any issues during negotiations. Also be advised that I may need the extra time to upload our trade if it is large - especially if using Mega due to their bandwith constraints.
4. Small files: We all know there's tons of videos floating around that are missing them. I have a ton myself - and I couldn't tell you without looking if they are there or not. At the moment, they're not a priority to me because I'm not burning to disk. But at some point that might change. That said ... if they are a priority to YOU, please ask me to check if they are available.
5. If for some reason you do not have working links to something I requested, I do have a drop folder on my MediaFire account (premium) that is usable.
6. I don't buy bootlegs. Period. End of Discussion.
7: Untracked audios: If I want the audio badly enough I'll consider it, but I very VERY much prefer tracked audios. Usually I'll only take untracked audios for shows I know VERY well - well enough for me to track them myself. That said.
Rare and NFT:
I seriously hate that we even have to go here buuuuttt ...
If I have something listed as NFT, there's usually a reason. For example there are a bunch of items on my Masters page that I have listed as NFT. That is NOT because I don't want to trade them or gift them or whatever. It is simply that at the moment, any tradable copy I had is MIA. For MOST of them (excluding some missing from my 2004 Orlando run), I still have the original master tapes or mini-disks. I am temporarily unable to re-transfer due to not having equipment.
Also, I had a massive loss of items I'd stored on Mega when I was between computers, because of my own stupidity (yes I admit it). I may list things as NFT until I get around to replacing said items, or ripping in the case of any I have hard copied DVD's of. Yes. I do have videos on DVD. Mostly Phantom.
If we are trading for something you mastered, and you wish it to remain NFT for a time to give you time to trade it, I understand and will abide by those rules.
That said, if I have something listed NFT, please don't badger me to give it to you anyway.
As for rare items: I am not adverse to trading for them. Quite frankly, I always hated people trying to promote things as rare just to get a better deal on a trade. If I say rare, it simply means either I haven't seen it floating around, or that there is only a small handful of recordings of a particular performer. And to be completely honest, (and this goes especially for shows like the Rhythm Club and Jane Eyre where there are only a handful of recordings extant) I'd love to see some of those 'rarer' shows gain some traction in the trading community again before they completely disappear off of everyone's radar. So yeah. Don't hesitate to contact me because something says 'rare'. It's not a note that says I need a higher ratio or anything.
I've also stricken the old 'limited trade' distinction from my site.
And now .....
Let's trade!
Trading Ratios:
1 full Audio = 1 full Audio
- Highlights Audio ratio depends on how extensive a highlights. Please ask if unsure.
1 full Video = 1 full Video (Regardless of media type.)
- Highlights video ratio depends on how extensive a highlights.
1 full Video = 2 full Audios = 3 Highlights Audios
- This ratio may be negotiable dependent on the length of the highlights audio. If in doubt, we will discuss it during negotiations.
- I DO make exceptions on my trading ratios in the right circumstances. If unsure, ask me.
- I may be willing to meet an unbalanced ratio for some items on my wants list. Please ask for details if you have any of the harder to find items.
Gifting:
I am not against gifting, it can be a beautiful thing. However, there are limits.
1. Don't demand I gift you something. That will get you an automatic NO. End of story.
2. Don't ask me to gift you my entire list. Not happening.
3. Use manners and common sense. Also flattery goes a long way.
4. DO NOT GIVE ME A TIME FRAME TO GIFT. If I choose to gift upon a request I'll do so at MY convenience and not yours. Remember you are asking me for SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. Also remember this is my HOBBY not my JOB. I get paid for my job and I work VERY LONG HOURS. I often go DAYS without having time to respond to emails. I go DAYS without being on my computer because I'm too tired when I get home from work after anywhere from 12 to 14 hours of mostly physical labor in the healthcare field.
5. DO NOT SEND MULTIPLE EMAILS ABOUT GIFTING IN A SHORT TIME SPAN UNLESS: perhaps you asked for two or three gifts but you found another source for one, and the second is to say, "Hey, I know I asked for audio 1, 2, and 3 but someone gave me 1 (or 1 and 3,) if and when you have a moment, I would still love to have audio 2, but no rushes no worries if you can't." That is called being gracious and is the only acceptable exception to multiple emails in short periods asking for the same thing.
6. Anything NFT is obviously not able to be gifted, no matter how much begging/flattery/manners are involved. Believe it or not, I don't LIKE the idea of NFT, unless it's stated that an item is NFT because it is currently missing from the trader's collection. As someone who has items that fit that description ...
Preparing / Sending:
This has changed a LOT in the last few years. Since I'm no longer playing the Snail-Mail game ...
1. The person requesting the trade should send links first, unless we've agreed to something different.
2. I'm pretty easy-going on where you upload things to, so long as they work. I do prefer Mediafire, Mega, and Google Drive. If you have an issue downloading from any or all of those, please let me know early on.
3. If there is a problem with the links you send me, I expect them to be either fixed or replaced. If there is missing video or audio you send me, I also expect a replacement.
4. Please please PLEASE do NOT make VOB's from online videos (IE: Ripped from Youtube. Yes, I can tell). If we are trading and I ask for something you suspect was an online video turned into a VOB, please let me know. I may still be willing to trade for it, I just like to know what I'm getting into.
---- That said, I'm not against other video formats, again information is key. VOB is PREFERRED, obviously. But for newer videos - and especially ones where the master released in a format other than VOB, sometimes the quality is such that it might even be better than a VOB.
5. Audios should be uploaded as some form of zip file (.zip, .rar, and I forget what the other are off the top of my head.) Please no separate tracks - I'll lose them, I guarantee it. There are plenty of free software out there to create zipped folders.
Moving on ...
A Few Things You May Need to Know:
1. No "This-for-That" trades. Please, send me your list. I don't care what format it's in. The reason for this is if there's been times when someone has said they have "X" from my wants list, sent me their list as well, and I've found stuff I've been looking for that wasn't written out on my wants list (typically stuff that I thought had disappeared.)
That said, if you do have something I've specifically stated I want, absolutely feel free to tell me you have it in the body of the email. ESPECIALLY when I'm in a "Limited Trade" period. But please still send your list, because there's always a chance I've already found "X" but might still find something else you have I'd like.
*ALSO AN ADDENDUM. ANY REQUESTS THAT DO NOT HAVE A LIST IN SOME FORMAT WILL BE IGNORED.
I don't care if your 'list' is only one or two items. List them in the email if you like. Something like this is absolutely fine and doesn't count as a "This-for-that":
"I only have Audio A with (Info), and Video B with (Info), would you be willing to trade with me? I'd love to have Audio D with (info) from you."
If you list absolutely nothing when requesting a TRADE you will get no response. And I'm not saying this to be a jerk. I just don't have the time as it stands currently to really do this trading thing the way I'd like.
2. Not everything I have is currently uploaded. Just as I have a backlog of things to update on my list, I also have an uploading backlog. Please keep this in mind especially if we are trading video, I may need extra time to upload. Obviously though, if you want something, I'm going to move it to the front of my uploading queue, but it might add a day or so to me sending links for larger files.
---- I am aware that many traders use other people's links all the time. I don't simply because I'm too lazy to keep track of other people's links.
3. I currently have next to nothing uploaded to any site. If I agree to trade - I use either Mediafire or Mega dot NZ to upload my files to. Google Drive is an option in theory but I don't use it very often. If one of these three does NOT work for you, please advise me of any issues during negotiations. Also be advised that I may need the extra time to upload our trade if it is large - especially if using Mega due to their bandwith constraints.
4. Small files: We all know there's tons of videos floating around that are missing them. I have a ton myself - and I couldn't tell you without looking if they are there or not. At the moment, they're not a priority to me because I'm not burning to disk. But at some point that might change. That said ... if they are a priority to YOU, please ask me to check if they are available.
5. If for some reason you do not have working links to something I requested, I do have a drop folder on my MediaFire account (premium) that is usable.
6. I don't buy bootlegs. Period. End of Discussion.
7: Untracked audios: If I want the audio badly enough I'll consider it, but I very VERY much prefer tracked audios. Usually I'll only take untracked audios for shows I know VERY well - well enough for me to track them myself. That said.
Rare and NFT:
I seriously hate that we even have to go here buuuuttt ...
If I have something listed as NFT, there's usually a reason. For example there are a bunch of items on my Masters page that I have listed as NFT. That is NOT because I don't want to trade them or gift them or whatever. It is simply that at the moment, any tradable copy I had is MIA. For MOST of them (excluding some missing from my 2004 Orlando run), I still have the original master tapes or mini-disks. I am temporarily unable to re-transfer due to not having equipment.
Also, I had a massive loss of items I'd stored on Mega when I was between computers, because of my own stupidity (yes I admit it). I may list things as NFT until I get around to replacing said items, or ripping in the case of any I have hard copied DVD's of. Yes. I do have videos on DVD. Mostly Phantom.
If we are trading for something you mastered, and you wish it to remain NFT for a time to give you time to trade it, I understand and will abide by those rules.
That said, if I have something listed NFT, please don't badger me to give it to you anyway.
As for rare items: I am not adverse to trading for them. Quite frankly, I always hated people trying to promote things as rare just to get a better deal on a trade. If I say rare, it simply means either I haven't seen it floating around, or that there is only a small handful of recordings of a particular performer. And to be completely honest, (and this goes especially for shows like the Rhythm Club and Jane Eyre where there are only a handful of recordings extant) I'd love to see some of those 'rarer' shows gain some traction in the trading community again before they completely disappear off of everyone's radar. So yeah. Don't hesitate to contact me because something says 'rare'. It's not a note that says I need a higher ratio or anything.
I've also stricken the old 'limited trade' distinction from my site.
And now .....
Let's trade!