Some good comments here. I agree that B/S/T is a use at your own risk situation. I would never expect YYE, which sells new throws, to spend any time and energy making the trade system for used throws any more reliable. If I ran the store, I would take the position that you buy new yo-yos from me, and do trading at clubs and contests face to face, or use an auction that is set up with a ton of rules for buying and selling used goods (collector stuff). When I really want something that is discontinued and the right deal comes up, I take the risk, but limit the risk by the following:
- I never trade yo-yos, I only buy or sell via Paypal, never send as a gift but will cover the fees.
- I check the feedback and quality of the posts.
- I ask a lot of relevant questions about the item, before buying, to get straight answers about the condition of the throw.
- Hope for the best, and if not satisfied, I can be refunded through Paypal.
Those who use the system can set their own rules, as I have, but I learned with experience. If someone does not use Paypal, feedback is insufficient or bad, or they refuse to answer my inquiries, I just would not deal with them. All those BST throws are tempting, but some people want the yo-yo without taking the effort to safeguard making transactions safer for themselves. I would rather a seller get upset at me giving him the third degree about a throw’s condition, than end up dissatisfied in the end because I didn’t want to ask. I learned to set my own rules to make transactions safer. While nothing is perfect, I just set it up so I limit the risk.
For those who like to trade yo-yos, and try lots of different new products, without always buying new, build up feedback (through buying), only deal with people with sufficient flawless feedback, and when your feedback is better, require them to ship first. I don’t trade yo-yos, but if I had a mind to, I would do it that way. Start asking people to ship within 48 hours, and if they have no tracking number in the time alotted, deal off! Set the rules to go with the pet peeves you have. If you don’t like people who ship slow, set the rule to ship fast with proof, or deal off. If people think the rules are too strict, don’t deal with them and move on. Never fall in love with a yo-yo you find on the BST, to the extent you put yourself at high risk of being scammed. I see all BST throws as take it or leave it, if we can work something out, fine, but I don’t compromise my trade principles for any yo-yo.
As SR stated earlier, I also keep all yo-yos, never trade them away. But I will give them as charity or gift in some instances where I think I have too many. I may sell someday, but haven’t felt the need yet.