Toronto No-Ship Math Trade
Local no-ship math trades are an opportunity to trade away boardgames and other geeky items for new items without the hassle and cost of shipping. Arrangements are made online in advance with successfully traded items brought to a central location for the physical trade.
The Basics
Links if you're new to math trades: Links for this Trade:
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Step 1: Posting Items
Monday, February 21 until Thursday, March 10 at 7 pm
After reading through the rules on this page, submit the items you would like to offer to the BGG Geeklist.
Acceptable Items:
Complete Postings include the following information:
Combining multiple objects into one item can allow more valuable trades, since items trade one for one. When using bundles, sweeteners, or a choice of objects, ensure your description is clear and use the "Insert Geek Link" drop-down to add items within the scope of BGG. Use "Outside the Scope of BGG" as the item, with altname tags in the description, for example: +altname+ Pick 3 promos -altname-
Acceptable Items:
- BoardGames are the main purpose of this trade
- VideoGames and RPG items can also be added as BGG items
- Other geeky items can be added using "Outside the Scope of BGG" as the item, with altname tags in the item description, for example: +altname+ Firefly Wall Decal -altname-
- Gift Cards or e-cash offers may be added on the final 2 days of submissions, starting on March 9 at 12:01 am. Gift cards may be for any vendor, but we encourage supporting 401 Games.
Complete Postings include the following information:
- Version, based on the game's BGG page
- Box condition, using the BGG standards to describe any wear or damage
- Content condition, using the BGG standards to describe any wear or damage
- Content completion, itemizing any missing or replaced pieces
Combining multiple objects into one item can allow more valuable trades, since items trade one for one. When using bundles, sweeteners, or a choice of objects, ensure your description is clear and use the "Insert Geek Link" drop-down to add items within the scope of BGG. Use "Outside the Scope of BGG" as the item, with altname tags in the description, for example: +altname+ Pick 3 promos -altname-
Duplicate Items must be added using the copies command, including gift cards of the same value, by including the following text in the item description:
%Options%
Copies: 3 %End% |
Edits can be made to your items, including adding sweeteners or deleting items, anytime during the submission period. Including a note indicating the changes is helpful for people watching the item. If an item on your want list changes, you will receive details about the change in the OLWLG.
Questions: If you notice incomplete postings, please ask for more information before adding those items to your want list. Subscribe to your own items to receive notifications about any questions, responding to them before the end of the submission period.
OLWLG updates are manual so the list will rarely match the Geeklist during the submission period. Allow up to 24 hours for submitted items or changes to be visible on the OLWLG. You can modify your OLWLG settings if you want to receive notifications when the list is updated.
Want Lists can be worked on during the submission period, though they can't be submitted yet. This is encouraged since it can take a while to go through the offered items and decide what trades you'll make.
Questions: If you notice incomplete postings, please ask for more information before adding those items to your want list. Subscribe to your own items to receive notifications about any questions, responding to them before the end of the submission period.
OLWLG updates are manual so the list will rarely match the Geeklist during the submission period. Allow up to 24 hours for submitted items or changes to be visible on the OLWLG. You can modify your OLWLG settings if you want to receive notifications when the list is updated.
Want Lists can be worked on during the submission period, though they can't be submitted yet. This is encouraged since it can take a while to go through the offered items and decide what trades you'll make.
Step 2: Want Lists
Thursday, March 10 at 8 pm until Sunday, March 13 at 2 pm
Want lists are how you declare which of your items you are willing to trade for which other items. They are created and submitted through the Online Want List Generator (or OLWLG). Logging in with your BGG account allows the site to detect which trades you are participating in and which items you have offered.
During this want list submission period, you may not add to or edit any items on the geeklist.
Valuing the items in a trade is one of the hardest parts of the process. Since the trade software prioritizes making the most trades possible, it's basically a bidding game where each item will go to the person who bid the most valuable item, with values determined by how many people want each item. Having only a few items on your want list means that you are less likely to trade your items, but make sure each check box represents a trade that you would be happy to make. Overall, about 30% of submitted items trade.
Duplicate protection allows you to specify that you don't want to receive more than one copy of a particular item. This is one of the more confusing aspects of the trading process, but including it can save you a lot of disappointment. This image can help explain the different parts of duplicate protection.
Arbitrage of any kind is prohibited, such as including a gift card in the want list for another gift card or including a game plus sweetener or expansion in the want list for the same game.
Gift Cards and cash transactions are considered a sale and subject to BGG's sales commission of 3%, payable by the recipient, as explained in this thread: Cash Value Trades in Math Trades.
Check your want list multiple times and review the description of items you want, as you are committed to making the indicated trades once your want list is submitted.
Submitting your want list is a manual process:
Tech Support is available by messaging me on BGG to coordinate a Zoom call.
During this want list submission period, you may not add to or edit any items on the geeklist.
Valuing the items in a trade is one of the hardest parts of the process. Since the trade software prioritizes making the most trades possible, it's basically a bidding game where each item will go to the person who bid the most valuable item, with values determined by how many people want each item. Having only a few items on your want list means that you are less likely to trade your items, but make sure each check box represents a trade that you would be happy to make. Overall, about 30% of submitted items trade.
Duplicate protection allows you to specify that you don't want to receive more than one copy of a particular item. This is one of the more confusing aspects of the trading process, but including it can save you a lot of disappointment. This image can help explain the different parts of duplicate protection.
Arbitrage of any kind is prohibited, such as including a gift card in the want list for another gift card or including a game plus sweetener or expansion in the want list for the same game.
Gift Cards and cash transactions are considered a sale and subject to BGG's sales commission of 3%, payable by the recipient, as explained in this thread: Cash Value Trades in Math Trades.
Check your want list multiple times and review the description of items you want, as you are committed to making the indicated trades once your want list is submitted.
Submitting your want list is a manual process:
- Click on "How to Submit Your Lists" which is highlighted dark green in the OLWLG's Step 4
- Click the grey button "Submit My Wants" near the top of the window
- Confirm receipt of a geekmail message, which is a copy of what you are sending
Tech Support is available by messaging me on BGG to coordinate a Zoom call.
Step 3: Physical Trade
Drop Off: Thursday, March 17 to Saturday, March 19, 9 am to 9 pm
Pick Up: Sunday, March 20 to Tuesday, March 22, 9 am to 9 pm. Other dates and times are possible by appointment. Location: Our home near Jarvis & Carlton. Full details will be provided to those who have successful trades. Transit: 10 minute walk from College subway station Driving: We'll meet you curbside so no need to park Appointments will not be required within the windows above, but please provide 20 minutes notice of your arrival. COVID Protocols: Everyone is required to wear a mask if we have to meet indoors to avoid rain or darkness. |
Tentative Results should be available within an hour of the want list deadline. Once uploaded, new links will appear on the OLWLG home page allowing you to view the results summary and other statistics. Please review the results and message me with any concerns. The trade will be rerun and new results will be posted if any rules breaches or technical errors are found within the tentative results.
Final Results should be available the following day.
Side Trades and sales of untraded items are encouraged. Once the trade results are finalized, the OLWLG will show you which items didn't trade, who wanted your items and what they were willing to trade for them. If you make arrangements for any side trades or sales and want those items included with your physical trade items, be sure to message me with the details before your scheduled drop off time.
Direct Trades: You are welcome to make arrangements to trade any items directly, especially if you know each other in real life or live close to each other. The recipient of each item traded directly must message me to confirm receipt of the item(s) before your scheduled pick up time.
Check the description of your successfully traded items. The results summary will show only the main item or altname tag, so be sure to check the original post for any included sweeteners or expansions.
Label each of your traded items with a no-residue post-it note or painter's tape identifying:
Final Results should be available the following day.
Side Trades and sales of untraded items are encouraged. Once the trade results are finalized, the OLWLG will show you which items didn't trade, who wanted your items and what they were willing to trade for them. If you make arrangements for any side trades or sales and want those items included with your physical trade items, be sure to message me with the details before your scheduled drop off time.
Direct Trades: You are welcome to make arrangements to trade any items directly, especially if you know each other in real life or live close to each other. The recipient of each item traded directly must message me to confirm receipt of the item(s) before your scheduled pick up time.
Check the description of your successfully traded items. The results summary will show only the main item or altname tag, so be sure to check the original post for any included sweeteners or expansions.
Label each of your traded items with a no-residue post-it note or painter's tape identifying:
- the name of the item or game (in case it falls off)
- BGG username of the person receiving your item
- your BGG username
Trade proposals can be created through BGG if you want to track your trades and receive feedback. This step is optional, but often required in trades that involve shipping. If you receive any trade proposals that match the final results, please accept them and provide appropriate feedback after the trade.
Concerns about your Received Items
Most participants are careful about checking the components and condition of their games and accurately posting their items, but it is possible that you receive an item that is substantially different than described. In these rare cases, contact the original owner directly to resolve the concern. If you are not able to resolve the issue directly, contact the trade organizer.
Most participants are careful about checking the components and condition of their games and accurately posting their items, but it is possible that you receive an item that is substantially different than described. In these rare cases, contact the original owner directly to resolve the concern. If you are not able to resolve the issue directly, contact the trade organizer.
Trade Organizer: Sara VanderWal
This is my 20th math trade as organizer, including ones at 401 Games, Snakes & Lattes and local conventions. We've never held one at home but hope the flexible drop off and pick up times allow more people to participate. Message me on BGG with any questions or comments.
Duncan McGregorDuncan is my primary proofreader and sounding board, and helps with the on-site logistics of all of our events!
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