The Morals of Trading?

Economics forum

Posted on Jan. 5, 2015, 7:49 p.m. by Sparda1127

I recently came in possession of a playset of Hedron Crab and Mind Funeral, in return for an End Hostilities.

The cheapskate in me is telling me to keep the cards because sweet Jesus, the value. However; the friend in me is telling me to return the cards to my friend for a better deal.

The trade came about when I was raving about wanting to build a modern mill deck, but lacked the money to invest in good cards, so my friend just became pulling out what he felt were really great mill cards, looked through my binder, and only took the End Hostilities.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: What would you guys do? Would you keep the cards, or would you return them?

So your friend offered you those cards in exchange for the End Hostilities? if so, I think it is completely fine. you didn't have the intention of ripping off, and he is the one that made the offer. I think you are fine as is, especially if he didn't want the cards anyway

January 5, 2015 7:54 p.m.

-Fulcrum says... #3

Let your friend know the value of the cards and then proceed from there.

January 5, 2015 7:55 p.m.

If your friend was not aware of the value, then I'd make him aware and see if he cares. That's my only rule of trading: if both parties are aware of the value of their end and accept it, then the trade is perfectly fine.

We're only talking about $2 for $6 anyways, so it shouldn't be an issue regardless.

January 5, 2015 7:56 p.m.

Orcinbob says... #5

Is he happy with the trade? Does he care about the value of the cards?

If he got what he wanted and you got what you wanted, I'd consider that fine.

I've traded money away for shit that I wanted, and I've also traded crap for really nice things because I wouldn't be selling them, I'd be using them.

Cards have no value if you don't plan to sell them.

January 5, 2015 7:57 p.m.

Sparda1127 says... #6

Alright, thanks guys. I was also thinking that he was just giving them to me because he's not a big fan of mill, but I'll definitely ask just to make sure.

Thanks for all of your input and helping me reach a decision!

January 5, 2015 8:01 p.m.

Epochalyptik says... #7

The Trading Post is for organizing trades with other users. Moved.

January 5, 2015 8:04 p.m.

Arvail says... #8

Live your life trying not to be a scum bag. Make sure everyone trading knows to value of the cards. If they're still ok with an uneven trade, that's fine. People generally ought to exercise a little more tact. We're supposed to be a community...

January 5, 2015 8:55 p.m.

Sparda1127 says... #9

Sorry, Epoch! I wasn't sure where to put it. Thanks!

I asked him about it, and he said that it was because we were good friends and he likes seeing decks come together. I told him that he traded me a ton of valuable cards, and he said it was fine so long as I didn't turn around and sell/trade them. :)

January 5, 2015 9:04 p.m.

Arvail says... #10

See, that's fine. Now if you rob some newbie of ten bucks of value, you're a bit of an ass-hat.

January 5, 2015 9:06 p.m.

SpartanCEL says... #11

I have 2 friends that weren't the most knowledgeable in magic, one traded a foil Jace, the Living Guildpact for a Hythonia the Cruel. Foil jace was 30$ and hythonia was like 1$. They both were new to the whole idea of trading but I think they know now. (he eventually got the jace back somehow and ended up trading/giving(duno which) it to another friend) Also when I was a nieve little drafter drafting theros I traded my Thoughtseize for a bunch of cards, luckily he was kind and said how much it's worth(it was like 15$ then now it's still like 18 I recommend getting them soon) and used a site to reference. I thought it was terrible paying life for them to discard one card!!!???? Who would play that!!!??? Anyone with black as a color in control I'd say. Anywho he said they're are people that will rip off newbies but I haven't seen any yet

January 5, 2015 9:25 p.m.

Dalektable says... #12

Thats okay if he offered. Just last week some guy offered me his Elspeth, Sun's Champion for my Sorin, Lord of Innistrad. I made sure he knew the value (this guy is no noob, he's been playing since revised on and off), but he simply collects all sorin's and didn't really care for the value as he wasn't going to use the elspeth. As long as both parties leave happy, as happened with myself and both parties are informed, it is fine.

January 5, 2015 9:31 p.m.

showda says... #13

Exactly what Dalektable said is how I feel. As long as people are aware of the value, if they're happy with the trade, who am I to say no? So as long as both sides are happy, you're good dude haha.

January 5, 2015 9:43 p.m.

SpartanCEL says... #14

Dalektable I agree but why can't I have a elspeth for my sorin from the duel deck?:( haha jk that's sick though

January 5, 2015 9:45 p.m.

Didgeridooda says... #15

Just keep that friend in mind if you end up having stuff he needs later on. I don't really trade with my friends. I give them what they need, and if I need something they do that same.

When I do trade, I check values, and try to make them close. Then I toss in a little extra if I can.

January 6, 2015 1:37 p.m.

Korombos says... #16

if they are a good person that I hang out with abit and will trade with in the future, I would just remember the generosity and perhaps return the favor when the opportunity arrives.

January 6, 2015 1:54 p.m.

xzavierx says... #17

if this trade was made with a friend, like someone in your play group. i would 1) wait until he need a card and just give it to him 2) give him the cards back when you inevitably dismantle your mill deck b/c you like winning :)

if it's not a real friend and someone you see occasionally at FNM, let them know you looked up the values and it was in your favor and let him look through your binder for something else if he would like.

January 6, 2015 8:37 p.m.

This discussion has been closed