Trading Tools - had luck?

[lowbucktruck]

Has anyone had a good experience with tool trades with fellow GJ members? I have some "extras" in my vintage tool stash that I wouldn't mind passing along to someone who is looking for that tool brand... tools I've picked up during my sweeps of estate sales. I would rather do a tool swap for something I'm looking for (like S-K or Proto to complete a set I have), and help out a GJ'er in the process. I'm sure there are others here that need a piece to complete a tool set they have.

I check the classified threads and most of them are tools for sale; very few classified postings for "looking to trade this for that". So I thought I would post the question, before making a classified post asking to trade.

Some of what I have in defunct tool brands:
Indestro/Duro
Baralo Buffalo
Powr-Kraft
Husky (USA made)

 

[scott37300]

I've never traded anything but I have sold a few items on here. Everything went very smoothly, much better experience than ebay.

Just place an add in the classifieds with your tools for sale and put a price on them and also state you would be willing to trade for whatever you want. Then you can either trade or get the cash and then place a wanted add for the tools you originally wanted.

 

[SMKS]

The problemwith trades is the double shipping cost. That always made it not worth it, for me at least.

 

[scott37300]

The problemwith trades is the double shipping cost. That always made it not worth it, for me at least.

Double shipping costs?

I've never traded before so don't know how it works but wouldn't each person pay the shipping to the other? Since each person is technically "buying" from the other. I wouldn't think one person would pay both shipping costs.

 

[gj67stang]

I've traded here a couple times, but it's kinda tricky 'cause we're either looking for very specific tools that the other party isn't likely to have or we're interested in everything and the other guy doesn't even know where to start to make an offer.

 

[SMKS]

Double shipping costs?

I've never traded before so don't know how it works but wouldn't each person pay the shipping to the other? Since each person is technically "buying" from the other. I wouldn't think one person would pay both shipping costs.

Yes, each person pays the shipping, but that still is a lot of shipping to pay for one transaction, in my opinion. It just never seems worth the hassle to me.

 

[RM209]

I've traded tools with several GJ members, and it's always worked well. However, it does seem to work best if each person has a group of tools to trade. In my case, I saw tools listed as 'wanted' on the top thread of the GJ classifieds, and sent the person a PM, followed by a picture.

I recommend you give it a shot.
RM209

 

[whelenfan]

pics sound to be very important when dealing with a trade.

 

[stricht8]

I traded here once before. Just trade a bunch of tools for a bunch of tools and it'll be worth it. The whole trading thing is much friendlier.

 

[spongerich]

I've done a few trades here and been very happy.

What seems to help is start with a few items, then send each other your list of extra stuff with the intention of filling up whatever size flat rate box you'll need for the 'must have' items. It's not worth the postage to swap a couple of sockets, but a medium FRB holds a lot of tools.

 

[lowbucktruck]

The flat-rate box definitely seems the best way to go for shipping hand tools. I have purchased tools from GJ members and been more than satisfied. The pile of tools I am thinking of trading are of decent quality (not beat-up, rusty junk), but I would think the more photos shared of the tools to be traded, the better the trade will go. (would want everyone to be happy with the trade, after all)

 

[JeremyManning]

I trade all the time and have been very happy with the experience.

 

[lowbucktruck]

I've recently traded and it worked out good.

What S-K / Proto pieces are you looking for?
http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=7800
http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=7801 http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=7832

I am glad to hear that you've had a good trade.

I don't have an updated wish list for Proto... but I am looking for Proto Los Angeles and Challenger standard combo wrenches (I have partial sets of both). I am working to fill in some incomplete S-K standard/SAE socket sets, mainly in 1/2 inch drive. Have an incomplete set of Proto sockets as well; if I can't make a full set, then I might trade them for S-K sockets. Have to be a bit practical about what I keep and what I trade away.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have with very good success, but they're guys that are friends.

 

[Pug}{maN]

i trade here all the time, keeps the wife from knowing whats going on...in fact heres a list of stuff i have to trade with for gearwrench stuff....lol...

stuff i have to trade...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89708
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90893
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90889
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90897
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90896
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90852
..

 

[bart1]

I've never traded on here, but if you find two people who have what the other wants, it usually comes out cheaper than selling and buying.

 

[JSBriggs]

I like trades. I look at it as a win-win. Get a list together of what you have and what you want. Post up in the classifieds and see what teh responces are. If you find someone close enough (like me) you might be able to trade in person.

-Jeff

 

[lowbucktruck]

Okay guys... thanks to your encouragement, I took the plunge and posted on the GJ classifieds today to see if anyone wants to trade! Sorted out my Thorsen USA stuff in a pile, took some good photos and "threw my cards onto the table". Let's see what happens.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate you all giving your two cents worth.

 

[scott37300]

Okay guys... thanks to your encouragement, I took the plunge and posted on the GJ classifieds today to see if anyone wants to trade! Sorted out my Thorsen USA stuff in a pile, took some good photos and "threw my cards onto the table". Let's see what happens.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate you all giving your two cents worth.

Another thing I see alot on here is guys will list what they are looking for in their signature so everytime they post people see what they are looking for. Or putting a link in your signature to your post in the classifieds.

I was going to do this to fill some empty spots but money is tight and need to only buy what I need right now.

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Another thing I see alot on here is guys will list what they are looking for in their signature so everytime they post people see what they are looking for. Or putting a link in your signature to your post in the classifieds.

I was going to do this to fill some empty spots but money is tight and need to only buy what I need right now.

Has anyone had a good experience with tool trades with fellow GJ members? I have some "extras" in my vintage tool stash that I wouldn't mind passing along to someone who is looking for that tool brand... tools I've picked up during my sweeps of estate sales. I would rather do a tool swap for something I'm looking for (like S-K or Proto to complete a set I have), and help out a GJ'er in the process. I'm sure there are others here that need a piece to complete a tool set they have.

I check the classified threads and most of them are tools for sale; very few classified postings for "looking to trade this for that". So I thought I would post the question, before making a classified post asking to trade.

Some of what I have in defunct tool brands:
Indestro/Duro
Baralo Buffalo
Powr-Kraft
Husky (USA made)

I have had tremendous luck with trading on this as well as other sites. I have found with the economy being in terrible shape as it is, some people are very receptive to swap instead of buying. You may have to lower your expectations on some brand or quality and be flexible or otherwise it will not work. Everyone acquires tools from various sources/prices therfore some tool swaps might go for cheap swaps or high swaps. It also depends on the members standards. I know from past experience that some guys want pristine stuff and expect to swap their junky/engraved tools. Sometimes you may never get a reply back due to whatever? I strive to be honest and list the swap tool/s to the best of my ability and it is up to the swapee to decide if they are satisfied with the exchange. I think some members just want to see a bunch of pictures to see what you have and have no intensions of swapping.
Maybe we should ask the mods if it would be feasible to add a "SWAPS ONLY"
section?? It would save a lot of time crusing the classifieds and asking the SWAP question. It might have some merit??? Some members may or may not agree with swaps, but we are a diverse group here and reach all over the globe, so the opportunities are unlimited. Just my two tools worth!

 

[Hank McMauser]

I've had a trade or two that started from one of my "hey look what I just scored from a yard/garage/estate sale" posts, and the interested party p.m.'ed me. & we worked out a good trade.

 

[lowbucktruck]

I've had a trade or two that started from one of my "hey look what I just scored from a yard/garage/estate sale" posts, and the interested party p.m.'ed me. & we worked out a good trade.

I do hit the estate sales on a regular basis, when time allows. Someone mentioned a dedicated thread for tool scores from garage/yard/estate sales and flea markets, which I thought was a good idea. But not everyone wants to part with their newest tool finds!

A dedicated section in the GJ classifieds for tool swaps is a great idea! Oh, mods...