Trade Rules
Rule #1
Play Nice, You Damn Dirty Apes!

I hate the idea of having to post a page full of rules for something like trading music, but as I am sure we all have a trade or two gone bad and can�t understand why this simple hobby can be such a pain in the ass......... Although this is only a hobby, it is something which does take time and money, the former being even more scarce than the latter, so lets hammer out a few ground rules and make this smooth and enjoyable for us both. I take care to give you an EXACT copy of my discs on high quality media, with no pops, clicks, gaps, skips, or fingerprints, and expect the same in return. Before sending your discs out, I listen to each disc to make sure it plays perfectly. Often, I have not experienced the same care in return. PLEASE, listen to the discs before sending them. I would much rather the trade take a few extra days and go smoothly than to have to ask you to re-burn one or more copies of a disc. I am only asking you to exercise the care and attention to detail that you should be expecting from me. Thank you.

   Trade Rules

No MP3 sourced shows, no matter how good you think they sound! They may be fine for listening, but they are not generally considered acceptable for trading. If I see an MP3 on your list that I want, I will ask for it, but please don't offer it (with the exception of live Yoko Ono, Thelonious Monster or Bicycle Thief).The few MP3 sourced shows I may put on my list will be labelled as such, and I will make it very clear to you that this is the case.

2:1 Policy

I have no problem with this, as long as I have the time. For trades requiring several discs, we can work out something more equitable.

Analog Tapes and Video

I do not trade for tapes, although I am willing to make tapes in exchange for blank cdrs. I am willing to trade cdrs for decent quality video, but have no means to make quality copies of the videos in my collection.

Communication, Communication, Communication!

Keep in touch and let me know what is going on with our trade. If you have questions, ask them, and I�ll do my best to answer them. If you have problems or delays, its fine, just tell me. My wife and job come before this hobby, and I should think the same is true of you. I don�t really mind the wait, as long as I know that I should be waiting.

Media

As I have been doing less trading, I tend to use Sony or TDK, since that happens to be what I can get off the shelf. The ONLY brands I want in return are: Kodak Gold, Mitsui, Sony or TDK. At least one of these brands is available at a store near you, or can be ordered online and delivered. Anything else must be discussed beforehand! Under no circumstances should you use Memorex, even for your own discs � they have a habit of skipping, sucking, deteriorating and then sucking even more. If they are all you can get then you should be shopping online.

Burn DAO (disc-at-once)

If your master isn�t in this format, let me know beforehand. You cannot simply take a TAO disc and reburn at DAO. This often gives a jumpy transition between tracks or results in clicks and pops, all of which take away from a relaxing experience.

Handle Discs Properly

I know they are durable, but handle the discs properly!!! Handle the discs by the edges and center hole ONLY. I am sick of cleaning fingerprints off of discs, only to find tiny scratches there also. My attitude is, if you are careless about the media, you are probably careless about the burn.

Quality Checking

As I said earlier, before you mail anything, listen to the disc and ask yourself if YOU would want to get this in return for a trade. I am willing to wait an extra few days while you check the discs. The discs will supposedly outlast us all - I can wait a few days while you check the quality. I listen to everything before I send it and double check all imperfections against my copy. Agreed, they are bootlegs and will inevitably have imperfections from the original recording, but I see no reason to add to the problem with a careless burn to be passed along to other traders. If the disc is not enjoyable enough for you to give it a listen, then please let me I shouldn�t be trading for it!

Packaging

There are two options here, listed in order of preference:

1. Plastic sleeves, such as Media Zone or Case Logic, which have a special cloth divider, allowing 2 discs to go in 1 sleeve without scratching. This saves considerable size,weight and cost. I wrap this in a layer of bubble wrap inside a bubble mailer, which is probably overkill, but better safe than sorry.
2. Jewel cases - only 1 disc per case, and all cases fastened into one large block with rubber bands and placed in an appropriately sized padded envelope or box. More cases seem to break from sliding around and banging into one another, than from postal mistreatment.

I hate to say this, as I am no fan of the Post Office, but more often than not, the damage is the fault of the sender rather than the carrier.

Mailing

Please try to be reasonably prompt. I have a wife and job and fully understand that one cannot just drop everything to burn discs or run to the post office. If there are going to be delays of more than a few days, e-mail me. A simple note saying you are sick or tied up at work or enjoying a few needed days at the beach is fine - wondering how many road miles my package is racking up when, in fact, it has not been sent, is not fine. For my part, I will try to prompt as well. When I am delayed, I will let you know.

1. I use 1st class mail � its much cheaper than Priority Mail and arrives in nearly the same amount of time.
2. For large trades I may be convinced to use Priority Mail. This will get you a free box, and as the weight begins to mount, the postage evens out.

What seems to be the accepted courtesy rule is that the one who initiates the trade should mail first. I usually mail as soon as I have finished the quality check, although I admit to the occaissional delay. I am less concerned with who mails first than I am with reasonably prompt mailing and Communication (see above). Unfortunately, this hobby must work on trust. Let�s make it work.

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