The PC: An Insider's Perspective

Many people are wary about joining the PC at first because from an outside perspective, it can seem scary or even downright unfriendly. However, as many PCers would leap to explain, that is a common misconception. True, there are a few bad apples in the PC, but ultimately that is true of every neoboard. As a whole, the PC is actually filled with a staggering number of amazing and friendly people.

But of course, the purpose of this article is to offer an unbiased overview of the PC, so I cannot neglect to explain some of its faults while praising its merits. Though a wonderful place, there are a few things that could be changed or improved upon in the PC that would not only enhance the trading lives of those who frequent it on a regular basis, but that would enhance the outlook of the PC for newcomers and outsiders.

The biggest five improvements that could be made on the PC are listed below.

---

1. Considering Pets

When you set out to trade neopets on the PC, it is not uncommon for other users to consider your pets for trade, instead of outright accepting. Now what exactly is considering? It is actually quite a useful concept. I think we've all found ourselves pining after multiple pets before, but at the end of the day, we know that we can really only choose one or two to make permanent members of our neopets families. Considering pets (explaining that you can't accept someone's offer to trade right away, but will get back to them on your decision within a few days) allows us time to take a few steps back and really look at the pets we like, to decide if they would truly be a proper fit for our neopets families.

The problem with considering nowadays, however, is that many users never respond back to the owners of the pets that they are considering. It's one of the biggest areas that I personally feel the PC needs improvement on. It is one thing to offer on a pet and get rejected on it—then you can move on and advertise your pet again, without harboring any false hope on a trade that will never happen. When the owner of a pet "considers" you however, then never neomails you back, it creates a negative domino effect. The person hoping for a trade never realizes that they've been rejected (because they haven't been given any notice by the one who's supposed to be rejected them). They then refrain from advertising their pet more, because they think that they have a chance with another. That stops them from being able to get more offers that could potentially make up for the one that they've unknowingly lost. Then, weeks later when it finally occurs to them that the user of the pet they've offered on has no intention of neomailing them back, they've wasted so much time waiting that could have been used to advertise their pets that they give up hope in being considered by other users forever.

2. It's OK to say no!

While I have found that on the PC there are a few people who do not return neomails about considering pets because they are genuinely unkind people, overall my experience has shown me that those types of people are a minority. The biggest reason that people do not respond to the users of pets they are considering is because they are afraid of saying "no" to people. Instead of declining a trade and potentially hurting the feelings of fellow users, they prefer to just ignore the offer and therefor the confrontation innately involved with it.

However, I find that though it is always unfortunate to have to do so, saying no to a pet trade is perfectly okay. Many users, including myself, find it much more preferable to have someone say no to them on a trade, instead of getting zero response from the person who they've just offered to or getting a "Can I consider?" that is never followed up. While in an ideal world, we would love for everybody to always be happy, it is an unfortunate fact of pet trading that the word no is most likely going to come up more often than the word yes on a daily basis. If you ever find yourself in a position where you are uninterested in the pets that are being offered to you, do the right thing and let them know the truth. Leading someone on is often far more painful than the actual word no.

3. NTY, GLT

I don't think I've ever met a single user on the PC who isn't immediately put off but the use of the phrase "NTY GLT".

In a nutshell, that simple phrase is one of the most unfriendly things a person can type on the boards. While most users don't think the use of "No thank you, but good luck trading" is bad at all, people are instantly turned off by that in its abbreviated form. When people don't even bother to type it out, it implies that they don't consider you or your offer worth the extra five seconds it would take to do so, which can be exceptionally hurtful. We all receive offers that we do not like, or that we consider to be overly low, but we must always remember that there is a person behind each and every offer. Instead of using what is considered a rude phrase, a polite trader should always try to be friendly, wish others users luck, and most of all, take that extra five seconds to type out a more polite version of the rejection phrase.

4. Underoffering

This itself is probably one of the most divided issues on the PC. The arguments around it never seem to come to an end. Some users can downright have a fit if they feel that you are not making a proper or fair offer on their pet. And while I agree that it can be frustrating to receive low offers on a pet that you value highly, I think it is prudent to remind everyone that not all users may frequent the PC as much as others. Furthermore, people must keep in mind that pet values are EXTREMELY subjective. A pet that you consider worth an UC (unconverted neopet) might be valued differently in another user's eyes. And that's okay.

What is not okay is calling other users out on their offers, making rude remarks toward them, or starting witch hunts after them after they make what you consider a "low" offer. If you feel like an offer you receive is not worth your pet, simply tell the user that offered no and wish them good luck trading. Then move on. Above all, do not try to attack them. Not only does reacting negatively towards the offers of users that might not be aware of a pets value hurt them, but it also hurts how other users may perceive you.

5. Commit to your offer

The last issue that has been plaguing the PC in recent times is users who offer their pets on other ones, only to withdraw their offer (or not even respond to your neomails) when you decide to accept their trade offer. Or you may find yourself with a tempting offer on your pet, only to find the user who offered turn around and start considering your pet when you try to accept.

While it may be tempting to offer on each and every pet that catches your eye, you have to remember that by submitting an offer to another user, you are expected to follow through with that trade if the user accepts. Of course, there are always some exceptions, but overall, it is common courtesy to follow through on a trade if you are the one who initiates it.

If you are not sure if you want to trade for a pet, then do not offer on that pet. Only make an offer when you are 100% sure. If you want to consider pets and try to find the perfect offer, that is perfectly okay—but make your own advertising board to do so! Users who post advertising boards are generally looking for solid trades, not to be considered themselves!

Ultimately, though the PC does have some faults, it is a wonderful neoboard to be a part of, and is one of the most fun places on Neopets to hang out. If everyone could take some time to consider some of these points of improvement, then I feel that we could all greatly improve our experiences on the board. Furthermore, we might even begin to attract a few more new faces.