Random Question - how do you keep track of trades

[squidget]

I try to keep track of trades, keep the emails and pp messages until pins are received. However I'm not sure I'm keeping very good track lol
I sent out 4 packages last week and can only remember what 3 of them were LOL
Anyway just thought I'd ask others what their systems are for keeping track of things, in case any of the suggestions can help keep me more organized.

 

[Poohlady5]

A lot of people have spreadsheets. I am old school so I keep track in a notebook.

 

[squidget]

spreadsheets eh... i don't think I'm technically inclined for that. a pin notebook would be good I'm a little embarrassed by my lack of organization

 

[Mcgilligan]

I use a notebook and I write down the date, name of the person and / or the pinpics id, the pin I traded, and the pin I will receive. i do not record trades I make in the park.

 

[Mcgilligan]

spreadsheets eh... i don't think I'm technically inclined for that. a pin notebook would be good I'm a little embarrassed by my lack of organization

Don't stress abiut being unorganized yet! Now is the time to develop a system that works for you. It becomes more difficult later to change these habits.

 

[elaw]

Most of my trades are made in the parks and I also don't record those but I generally rely on The correspondence/emails from PP's and PM's from DPF which are few and far between due to my very limited wants.

 

[squidget]

Do people keep track of what they paid for pins? I bought most of my collection on ebay and I was really good when I started, keeping all the packages and keeping track of what I paid for each pin... and now my whole system fell apart lol. Its hard because my pins all get sent to Florida to save on shipping so I get bundles of them randomly and then I get so excited to just see all my pins that I haven't been keeping track at all

 

[Jabberwocky]

I use a notebook and I write down the date, name of the person and / or the pinpics id, the pin I traded, and the pin I will receive. i do not record trades I make in the park.

I don't regularly trade anymore since no one has the pins I'm looking for lol but when I did, pretty much this.

PP or forum i.d., email address, pin I was trading and pin I was getting in return - then a notation when trade was completed.

 

[momin.ator]

If you want a copy of my spreadsheet, let me know. Then you can just fill in the blanks.

 

[squidget]

If you want a copy of my spreadsheet, let me know. Then you can just fill in the blanks.

Actually that would be good Could you please send me a copy

 

[tiggermickey]

I use index cards ,I write the trades ,the date ,and trade date shipped ,and when we both recieve ,I marked recieved
leave feedback and file the card
judy

 

[Vixy]

I do two things: I use a spreadsheet, where I note the person, my pin(s), their pin(s), and the date we agreed, and whether or not I've sent it yet. (So that if I need to it will be in bold and all caps SEND MONDAY or whatever.)

Also, I created folders for PMs here on DPF: trades pending, trades complete, purchases pending, purchases complete. I put the PM with the most recent info in the pending folder, which lets me delete the rest of the PMs if there've been several, so it doesn't get too cluttered. When the trade is complete I move the PM to complete. That also helps me remember whether I've left feedback or not. Then I delete the old ones out of the complete folders every so often.

I know it seems like a lot of work but it's the only way I can keep track since I'm rather forgetful!

 

[docfish2u]

I print all of my trades out on paper and them put them in a file folder until they are received and I have left a reference. I send the same information with the trade. I do reuse my hard copies so I get two uses out of them.

 

[squidget]

These are all wonderful suggestions thank you for the help

 

[njpaulc]

Since I have two kids in school, I have plenty of half full notebooks LOL. I keep a list of all the trade offers I send out on PinPics in a notebook, then I try to migrate any active Pinpics trades to email, and keep them in a email folder. Any trades I make on this forum I use the PM foler to keep track.

 

[GreyWyvern]

The "Small Packet" form I fill out when I send a package makes a carbon copy of itself. I keep it out and then file it away once the corresponding trade is received. That's how I keep track of them.

 

[OlafOlaf]

I don't really have a system, the only thing I do keep track of is a list of what I still need to receive. I use listography.com for that, or I just write it down. I write down the name of the trader and what they're sending me. As for what I send, I always send something with tracking and I just keep all the receipts and notes with tracking numbers in two drawers. One drawer for "done, received" and one for "still needs to be received". So whenever someone asks "hey do you know where my package is" I can easily get the number from the drawer and look it up.

That's it. It's simple but I usually don't have many trades going on, maybe like five at a time.

 

[figment919]

The system I have used for years is this:

I use my e-mail system (AOL account) to keep track of Trades. I send the Trader my address information AND put the Trade details into the SUBJECT line of the e-mail. EX: Pin Trade (your pin / my pin). I wait until I receive the the pin and then do a Reference entry and delete the e-mail. I also keep an Excel sheet with all of my pins on it since it is sorted by Character and its easier to reference than anyhting on Pinpics nowadays.

POST NOTE: The e-mail system and Trade (TA) system under the "new" PinPics is terrible!! If I get a TA from this system I tell the Reader to contact me via my AOL account. Almost impossible to keep track of a Trade under the NEW system IMHO.

Mike S.
Figment919