Trade Point Exchange
TappedOut forum
Posted on Sept. 12, 2016, 3:18 p.m. by yeaGO
We are introducing a trade point exchange for members of this site. For the time being the restrictions will match current trading: only upgraded members with a binder may initiate these.
A new option will appear on the current trade initiation page for the sender to receive trade points instead of cards / cash in return. You both may go with the suggested price or you may negotiate with them to modify it.
Currently, you will be able to convert Feature Tokens into trade points (since you can get them currently at 25 for $20, that's the ratio we will use).
At some point in the future I would like to set up the ability to convert these points back into optional cash payments, however, there are many tax implications with that which will have to be worked out (it may not even be practical).
If you are not interested in being matched to receive requests for Trade Points in exchange for your cards, you may opt-out at your binder form.
grumbledore says... #3
So this would essentially be like pucatrade, but with somebody running it who actually knows wtf they're doing? Sounds awesome!
September 12, 2016 3:24 p.m.
MADMatt7777 says... #4
Would someone mind explaining to me How this is different from Pucatrade and why it may or may not be better?
September 12, 2016 4:18 p.m.
The goal isn't to be different or better or the same as PT, but rather to increase the amount of successful trades happening around the site.
September 12, 2016 4:25 p.m.
@yeaGO is this live? I really want to test this out!!!!!
September 12, 2016 4:45 p.m.
Almost. I want to make some improvements to the matching service first to consider geography better.
September 12, 2016 4:47 p.m.
iBleedPunk says... #9
Pucatrade is just bleh and i'm hoping T/O doesn't become the phoenix that tries to carry the torch since Puca has lost many users due to their terrible flashy website and countless bugs.
How will these points be monitored yeaGO?
September 12, 2016 7:19 p.m.
ToolmasterOfBrainerd says... #10
Faceless_Being Because you have to be upgraded and have a binder, there's a buy-in cost associated with it as well as a commitment level, so it would be impossible for people to simply run in, get their free sign-up points, then never return once they've gotten some free cards.
I am, however, curious as to how fractions of tokens would work. Probably handled on a case-to-case basis by the traders themselves, should it come up and be a problem.
September 12, 2016 7:23 p.m.
Well there aren't any free sign up points here :) This is simply a service to add liquidity to traders who are already here. I am not too familiar with the problems that PT is having so I can't really speak to them. But I consider Feature Tokens to currently have a value of about a dollar. This has been consistent for many years. I don't foresee trade points being any different.
September 12, 2016 8:41 p.m.
ToolmasterOfBrainerd, I believe the tokens will be saved to your account for use later when you get a full token worth, much like TIX and bot credit for MTGO.
September 13, 2016 4:40 p.m.
Also, I completely trust yeaGO with this. I'm all in for a new way to use feature tokens, but with a set system like this one, the worth won't depreciate like pucapoints are at right now.
Now my only question is if people will still be allowed to make posts in the trading post with pucapoints, as a "no outside beverages" type of policy might apply?
September 13, 2016 4:47 p.m.
Not if they use it, but if they post trade posts here requesting pucapoints instead of T/O points?
September 13, 2016 4:56 p.m.
Sollisnexus says... #17
He doesn't really mind either way it's just trying to make the trading more viable method on Tappedout rather than going to a forum without a system and hoping you get what they other guy offered and sent, etc. etc.
I used to trade on here and all my trades were successful (minus the one that I haven't received a reply from the guy as to this date) but add this point system creates less stress on either of the traders knowing that the points (Virtual Currency) are automatically obtained once the trade is initialised.
Not that this is similar to PT or this new system TO is implementing but cards shops including my own have started getting systems integrated with Tcgplayer for their rewards system for playing in tourneys, events and such. So I see this as a positive adaptation for here and someday might consider trading here again once I get some details on my end done.
September 13, 2016 7:24 p.m.
EpicFreddi says... #18
This sounds like a great idea. I would recommend adding the country on the profiles, so you can see with whom you can trade. (I wouldn't trade with an american, since I'm german).
September 14, 2016 4:41 a.m.
canterlotguardian says... #19
So am I just being a derpachus, or something? How are we supposed to be getting these points?
September 14, 2016 8:57 a.m.
Yes I want to create a better matching system first :) that's being done. You get the points by sending out cards but the system is not public yet.
September 14, 2016 12:58 p.m.
GeminiSpartanX says... #21
I'm one who actually disagrees about going this route. I know that it will be a source of revenue for this site (which is perfectly fine), however I'd recommend watching the Alpha Investments video on youtube titled "I want to Short PucaTrade into the ground". You're essentially creating a new monetary system and will inherit all of the headaches of keeping it consistent with a real currency (the US dollar I'm assuming?). Lots of people are jumping ship with PT due to recent devaluation, which can be confirmed if you've noticed the increase of trading post threads offering over-valuation if you're trading for pucapoints. I'm just not sure if you want to deal with those kind of headaches on this site yeaGO. I'd make sure to do some exhaustive research on previous electronic currencies before making this jump.
September 15, 2016 6:11 a.m.
The main issues with puca trades devaluation is the free points that they were flooding the market with in order to get people signed up, and their trade guaranteee (which could easily have been abused especially early on - they even mentioned having to ban some accounts). I do not think yeaGo will be giving points to people just cause they signed up (he has already said as much), and this site provides no guarantee that the trade will go smoothly (but they do monitor issues when they are brought up to the admins attention).
Also, I have seen people in real life trades offer/request more value for highly sought after cards. So just adding a bonus to the puca amount offered for cards is not a real stretch, as I would gladly give someone 200 $1 rares for their $150 cards (that's a 33% bonus), and have done trades in real life like that. Cause when it comes down to it, the cards are worth whatever the person receiving them is willing to give for them.
Another thing about puca trade, is that it is a market for "selling and buy your cards". It is not a trade site. Yes, they use points instead of money, but if you need more points you can buy them. As most times you are not sending cards to the same person who your are receiving them from. Is puca trade a good way to trade your cards for cards you might be able to use (well it used to be, I have not sent anything since the new site is so much "visual sparkle", and not even remotely efficient), but puca trade is not trading, its closer to tcg buying selling.
What is being added, is an additional way to trade. I don't like to trade if the value is under $25 or so, and sometimes there is nothing I want/need from someone to get the value that high. This would be a way to accomplish the difference in value.
Also, if this leads to a better matching system then it will greatly benefit the site.
September 15, 2016 10:32 a.m.
GeminiSpartanX says... #23
I suppose that I'm a little more risk adverse than some when it comes to investing in online currencies. If PT kicks the bucket, there will be a lot of people who are suddenly out a LOT of $$. I've only been hearing negative things about PT lately, but it seems like more is going on than just a visual change to their website. I'm not disagreeing with over-valuing trades when you're trading up (I've often done that myself), but I was under the impression that PT was undergoing some sort of currency devaluation that was leading lots of people to jump ship with whatever they can get away with before it sinks.
I also wouldn't be unhappy with a better matching system for the site. I'm just hoping that those who opt not to use the points won't be left out in some way.
September 15, 2016 2:27 p.m.
Yea, I never bought points, but I did upgrade when they were giving the points equal to the upgrade costs. I did send lots of cards, and still have about 600 points left in the account, but not sending much until the chaos that was made when they "upgraded" their site. Although the site has some needed features, it npw has too many "bells and wistles" for me (prefer a site that works as intended, than one that looks pretty). So will wait for them to work the kinks out before I send much more, as I know alot of people have bailed out due to issues such as the devaluation of points which was caused by the free points the site was throwing at issues, and the fact that stores were/are off loading their "bulk" on the site then selling the points (which has now been made a site violation), or going after cards that will move faster by offering extra points.
But I have sent 306 cards worth an average of $5.27 and received 60 cards worth an average of 29.51, which included 5 ABUR dual lands. So to me the upgrade cost was worth it.
September 15, 2016 3:57 p.m.
"Closest" now appears under "Matches" on your binder. Shows you the 10 closest users to you.
September 15, 2016 5:11 p.m.
@yeaGO, Say I wanted an RTR Overgrown Tomb. Currently they're at $8.28, Would I convert some feature tokens to T/Opts, and trade those points (which I assume will be 8.28) to someone in exchange for the card? Am I forgetting something or is it a pucatrade without over valuation of points and inflation of card values?
September 16, 2016 7:25 a.m. Edited.
You can also use the points to help even a trade. Sometimes I can't find $25 worth in someone's binder, this gives me another way to make trades worth doing. And it gives us the flexibility to determine how much the points the cards are worth for things like condition.
September 16, 2016 9:58 a.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #29
So this is why you asked me if I did any trades ... I might start using my godly amount of points for free cards. Or rather ... "payment" for my past services on this site.
:D
October 10, 2016 5:10 a.m.
canterlotguardian says... #30
I need to see how many points I have now... Lol
ToolmasterOfBrainerd says... #2
Interesting. Point to cash would be tough, especially since you can earn feature tokens by doing stuff on the site. Seems like a nice option for trading though.
September 12, 2016 3:22 p.m.