I have always assumed that those with the least karma should ship first, unless other arrangements are made by both parties. I have noticed lately that some people think it’s the karma percentage that matters, not the number of positive comments you have for your trades. What’s the right way?

Burbank, CA

well, i’ve always thought it was the person with the least karma too. the majority of the time, i ship my items off first and have no problem with it.

if i were to swap with a person who had less karma than myself(i don’t have much..) then i would expect them to send first. :)

enid, ok

I think it’s pretty subjective. If someone has 100% karma and only 5 swaps, I’m sure you wouldn’t agree that the swapper with 50 swaps and a single negative should send first. For example, I’ve noticed a lot of people have spiteful karma that really didn’t reflect the trade. On the other hand, if the negative karma really is a cause for concern (e.g. – allegations of swaplifting / not upholding their end of the agreement), it’s understandable that the other person would be wary of sending first.

Just for a third frame of reference, there is a girl who has been accumulating positive karma. When she doesn’t have to ship first, she lets others ship, doesn’t hold her end of the deal, waits 2 weeks until she can cancel the trade and therefore never gets negative karma. Her karma is 100%, but it’s not to say she hasn’t scammed several people.

So I guess it’s really left up to your best personal judgement.

I’ve always tended to go with “If you have a lower percentage than me, please have the courtesy to ship first.” But if I’m trading with someone who has 100% as well, I tend to let the person with the least amount of positive feedback ship first. (Although in the recent past, people with plenty of positive feedback have suddenly gone rogue.) If it’s someone with a shinier 100% than me, or someone with whom I’ve traded before, I tend to ship as soon as I can.

But Kitty is right. You should go with whatever you’re comfortable doing and hope the other party understands.

Irvine, Ca