After the trade
What to keep and how to handle problems, differences from the agreement or later disputes.
Understanding trades, swaps and cash adjustments
Before proposing a trade
Evaluating the item offered in trade
Calculating the cash adjustment
Managing the negotiation
Verifying condition and originality
Safety and documentation
Handover, meeting and shipping
After the trade
Trade and swap checklists
After the trade, keep at least:
- final agreement;
- photographs of both items;
- serial numbers;
- agreed values;
- cash adjustment;
- payment confirmation;
- receipts or tracking;
- relevant messages;
- disclosed defects.
An organised record is especially useful because, unlike a simple sale, both parties have handed over and received something.
If a problem appears after the trade, collect:
- a precise description;
- photos or video;
- the affected function;
- parcel condition if shipped;
- pre-handover documentation;
- any messages discussing the issue.
Then compare this information with what was disclosed.
A new problem, a previously disclosed defect and shipping damage are different situations and may require different procedures.
A dispute involving a trade can be more complex than one involving a sale.
To reconstruct the situation, consider:
- condition of item A;
- condition of item B;
- cash adjustment;
- any shipments;
- timing;
- changes made after handover;
- documentation from both parties.
Avoid improvised solutions that address only one half of the transaction.
If an official procedure applies to the transaction, follow it.