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NC TRADING 101

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Neopets FAQ Terms Basic Rules Etiquette Things to Remember Some Observations Want to Contribute? Useful Links Neomail Me credits

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This pet page was made by superflyest. Get your own here.

Welcome!

Hello! Are you new to NC trading and want to learn more about it? Then this is the place for you! This guide is aimed to inform anyone of the basics of NC trading and some reminders.

Take note that this page is a product of opinions and advice from various people on the NC Mall boards.

Once again, I give a big THANK YOU to all those who helped on this project and just everyone who has shown interest in it enough to give advice. :)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I trade neocash items?
--- NC items can be traded using gift boxes.
2. Where do I get gift boxes?
--- You get boxes whenever you redeem a neocash card. You get 1 box per $5 on the card. For example, you get 2 boxes for a $10 card, 3 for $15 and 5 for $25.
3. How many items can I put in one box?
--- One item per gift box only. Superpacks cannot be put in one box either.
5. Can I send a gift box inside a gift box?
--- No, unfortunately, we cannot send boxes to someone else for their use. :(
4. What do NC food items do?
--- They are superfoods that make your pet bloated and happier, but that's all. Once your pet eats it, it's gone. Some people just like to collect them.

Feel free to neomail me if you have a question that I can add to this section.

Abbreviations and definitions

Listed below are common terms and abbreviations used by NC traders in the NC Mall Boards:

NC = Neocash
NH = Neohome
VPC= Virtual Prize Code
EB = Elite Boutique
RE = Retired item
LE = Limited Edition
MC = Mystery Capsule
NTY = no thank you
GLT = good luck trading
OTB = offer to beat

*Limited Edition items refer to the bonus items from mystery capsules.
*Elite Boutique items cannot be traded or gifted. The EB is a special shop exclusive to users aged 49 months and up.
*Retired items are those which can no longer be bought at the NC Mall. However, seasonal items always have a chance of coming back or being released in a future capsule.

Basic Trading Rules and Neocash Policies

Quoting from Editorial #376, TNT has stated the following rules on trading:

These things are okay:
Trading an NC item for an NC item.
Trading multiple NC items for an NC item.
Gifting an NC item as long as you don't accept a "thank you" gift in return that is not an NC item.

These things aren't okay:
Trading an NC item for an NP item / Neopet / some other service.
Agreeing to trade items and then running off with an item without completing the trade.

In Editorial #397, TNT has put up a notice on the expiry of Neocash, NOT neocash items.

There have been lots of questions about the expiration of Neocash. Please remember: Your Neocash expires one (1) year from its purchase date. If you've earned Free NC, then your Free NC will expire one (1) year from the day you received it. Upon expiration, your unused Neocash will be automatically exchanged for a Neocash item(s) of equal value. The item (or items) will be placed in your Inventory.

Etiquette

Some advice on etiquette by people on the board. You may or may not follow these. This is also a short elaboration on the #4 advice in the next section.

1. Be nice!
2. Don't advertise your trade list on someone else's board. You may simply neomail the person and tell them that you are also interested.
3. Don't be offended if you get rejected. Don't be afraid to say "no" either, but put it in a nice way.
4. Send your item first before accepting the item you're trading for. It shows that you trust them.
5. Unless you have express permission to post other's trade lists, please do not do so. Instead, you may say that this person is looking for the item UFT.
6. Ultimately, treat others how you want them to treat you.

Things to Remember

Please take note that the below pieces of advice are merely suggestions by various people in the NC Mall boards. It is still ultimately up to you whether you will follow them or not. Once again, these little notes are useful for both new and experienced traders.

1. Don't be afraid to make a board. I think that this is important to do when you're unsure about a trade. Make a board, ask for second and third opinions. There will always be people happy to help.
2. Have an understandable and effective trade list or wish list. It's always easier for traders to offer if they know what you want. I have seen (and also applied to my own lists) people who divide their lists into top priority and secondary priority. That way you can quickly see which items the person wants to get soon and can offer accordingly.
3. Be patient. This cannot be stressed enough. Remember that it's your item. You don't have to take the first offer you get right away. Decent traders will let you think it over and accept or reject. NC mall items involve real money so they should be understanding.
4. Respond to people. Being patient is all well and good, but don't forget to at least respond to all offers that you get. That way, you don't leave anyone hanging.
5. Be polite. Sometimes we forget this at times in the pursuit of certain "rare" items. However, remember that being polite shows maturity and class and will make more people want to trade with you or if not, be good friends. Also, saying "gl" to bump or "nty, but glt!" is just as appreciated as a good trade and a thank you.
6. Don't let people hassle you. Likewise, don't hassle people to trade with you. This is simply a general "don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you" and lots of things apply to this, obviously. Traders who hassle you to the point of harassment will probably make you not want to trade with them. I have known people who have experienced this, and it was ugly. Likewise, don't be too aggressive to the point of forcing the person to trade with you. Or just think about this: it's a virtual item, and thus not worth risking your reputation over.
7. Trade for items YOU want. This does not mean that you have to accept a trade you feel unsure about. It simply means that it is always better to trade for items you like and will use rather than items you feel will get you "better" items. After all, what use are "better" items if you neither like nor will be able to use them?
8. Make sure you know what your items are worth before trading. People are quick to take advantage of newbies or when they suspect that you are not really set on your item's value. This goes back to the first advice, which is to make a board when you're not sure.
9. Make sure that you are ready to trade. Double-check that you have the item and the required number of boxes (or box) before agreeing to a trade.
10. Make sure that you actually want to trade. When in doubt, make a board.
11. Be decent and remember that both of you are human beings. Just because it's on the internet suddenly doesn't make everyone mindless drones with no emotion whatsoever. Do remember what your items are worth AND be reasonable. Don't over-ask for an item BUT at the same time, don't ask for too little either. It's more likely that the person you're trading with will tell you when you're over-asking than when you're asking for too little.
12. Be happy and have fun. Neopets is a game that should be played for fun. So what if you didn't get that sought-after item? The NC Mall is still there and more fantastic items will be released in the future. It's no fun either when you regret a trade, so for a trading life without no regrets, be sure to think twice before committing to anyone.

Some Observations

Just some trade suggestions from what I've seen on the NC Mall boards. Nothing really specific, since after all, the concept of "worth" is subjective. Sometimes it just depends on who you trade with.

*You can easily find a 1:1 trade if both items are buyables.
*Likewise, you can get a 1:1 trade if both items are retireds. But sometimes it also depends on which retireds.
*Retireds can also go for multiple buyables, though the number might depend on who you trade with, and what items you want. Red Mystery Capsules cost 1000 NC and make good trading items since it's more value for your item and only uses up one gift box.
*Gift Boxes are highly valued. This might change if TNT makes boxes buyable, but we'll see.

*A trader also shared their technique of how they determine whether their trade is good or not through rating. They first rate their own items (on a scale of 1-100) then watch for offers that match the "value" they have given their own items. That way, they are sure they are both getting items they want and like.

Want to Contribute?

I'm always open to contributions to the petpage such as advice and other statements you feel should be added to some of the sections. Constructive criticisms and comments are also very much welcome. Feel free to neomail me.