How To Trade Pens?

[xwingrox]

Hello all!

I have a vexing question. How do people trade pens over the internet? I bought a clear Pilot Custom Heritage 92 with a Fine nib from a reputable ebay seller in Japan. However, I'm now over my love affair with clear demonstrators and badly want to get a colored version of the C92 with a Medium nib. I've never seen a smoke or blue colored C92 on classifieds within the $135 I paid for mine and I haven't been able to snipe a C74/C91 off of ebay (*to change the medium nib) without enough margin to break even when I inevitably sell off the other pen.

So comes the conundrum If I can't sell and buy, how do I trade my pen for one that I want? Post a wanted ad in the classifieds and hope? When I buy a pen from a member, I have a chance to recoup my loss via Paypal if things go south. How do total strangers establish enough trust to send each other pens through the mail?

 

Any suggestions?

 

I know this is a slightly dumb question to ask but I think others might be wondering the same thing...

[hari317]

I have traded quite a few times, cross country both pens and watches. it is a question of mutual trust since both sides are taking a leap of faith. Have trust, give the benefit of doubt and do the right thing and all will generally be fine in the end.

[DriedUpBob]

Agree with Hari...FPN is a big community and I have never been treated anything less than stellar with my transactions here. Yes you do take a chance but no more than any other ecommerce transaction that are so prevelent today.

 

I do wish you luck on recouping all your money. I don't find that the case in my meager 3 year experience. When I buy a pen that I read great reviews about and learn it's not for me it's usually after one ink fill and I sell it as such. Personally I don't want to send it back to the seller when there is nothing wrong with the pen and it was exactly what I ordered. I usually sell it on FPN for slightly less than I paid for it. The buyer gets a near mint example for less $ than new. The money I lose I chalk up to experience and find some joy that someone got a good deal on a nice pen.

 

Good luck on your trades