1. Check their references on Dizpins.
-Go to this website:
http://www.rnrcollectables.com/referencemain.htm
-Click on "Check References"
-Type their email address into the search box (use the address they responded to the trade request from).
If they don't have any references, email them back, asking if they have any references under another email address (some people have different email addresses for different things).
If they reply that they don't have any references, you have to decide if you want to try to go through a third party (This is where each of you mail your pin to a third party, who then mails the pins to either person. That way, if one side doesn't send the pin, the third party mails the pin back to the person who sent it. But you each would have to pay the third party for shipping.), or if you want to just go ahead with the trade without one.
*For future reference, another option when trading with someone who has no references, would be to ask that person to send their pin first, and once the pin arrives you would mail your pin. But this is only to be done when one of the two traders has many references, and can be trusted (as much as possible) to send a pin after they've already received one.
2. Once you decide you want to proceed with the trade, email them with your address, and let them know what day you will be able to mail the pin. It is best (if you are unsure) to overestimate, rather than shipping after the date you said. That could cause them not to leave a reference. Also let them know that you will be sending their pin with delivery confirmation, and you hope that they will do the same with their pin. That way, if the pin gets held up in Nebraska for two weeks, you will both at least know why it's taking so long.
3. Go to Walmart or somewhere cheap, and buy a 5 or 10 pack of bubble mailer envelopes, and a roll of bubble wrap. These are a lot more expensive if you wait to buy them at the post office.
4. Package the pin. Wrap the pin in bubble wrap (at least a couple of layers thick), and put it in the bubble envelope. Include a little note, thanking them for the trade, and asking them to please leave a reference for you, and give them the website above. Be sure to include your email address in the note, in case they lost it or don't have time to look it up, so you will be more likely to receive a reference from them.
*If you negotiate the trade here on Disney Pin Forum, ask them to leave a reference for you here.
5. Mail the pin (by the date that you told them you would mail it). When the postal worker asks, let him know that the package is fragile, but the item has been wrapped in bubble wrap. He should then stamp "FRAGILE" on the envelope. Let him know that you will be sending the package first class (this is the cheapest), and ask for delivery confirmation.
6. Email the other trader, letting them know that you shipped their new pin today, and give them the USPS (United States Postal Service) delivery confirmation number.
7. Receive your new pin in your mailbox. Stare at it with amazement, as you reflect on the awesomeness of Disney pin trading.
8. Leave the other trader a reference.
- Go to the same website I linked above
- Click on "Referral Form"
- Fill out the referral form, carefully reading all of the instructions
9. Email the other trader to let them know that you received the pin in the mail today, and thank them again for the trade. Tell them you have left them a reference, and you hope they will do the same for you when they receive their new pin. Ask them to please let you know when their pin arrives, so that you won't worry.
10. Congratulate yourself for making your first trade!