The Official and ONLY Place to Discuss Negative Trade Experiences + Trade Blacklist

[cally]

No problem. I would look for at VWL (Virtual WishList) train to start. Look for ones that are looking for one or two riders(leaving soon trains!). That way, hopefully the list(s) will be posted and you can judge whether or not you can fufill the coupon request. Also, a good newbie train (IMO) should offer stamp(s) in replace of one or two coupons. (all depending on the train). Check to see what the conductor's ratings are like - how many trains they have done, etc. A little research can pay off big. We were all newbies at some point (me NOT that long ago even!Lol) and I think we can all see and hear your frustration. But hang in there, cause there's a lot more terrific SCer's on here than not. Good luck.

Thank you for your suggestion, cally.

I've been looking at joining some trains.. I'm a little confused by some of them and there are a lot of rules. Depending on the train you join of course... some that I've looked at yesterday want a lot of coupons that I haven't even come across yet I think I'll catch on at some point

[spiritedside]

Is there any way to make a list of people who say they did not receive there mail???? I have never had a piece of mail lost that another SC'er has sent to me but have had about 6 claim that they never received theirs and I always make it up to them. Once for a $25 GC that I had to send a cheque to replace because I was scared of negative feedback. I hate trading now! This latest trade should have arrived to another member within days but the SC'er waits weeks before telling me and after the coupons are all expired! I could have sent out more coupons had I known earlier. I think I'm done trading for a while!

[alyssa2011]

You are lucky that you have never had any envies you were expecting lost. I was on a train a couple months ago where the conductor didn't receive one of the riders envies and she had to resend another one and it really backed up the train. I didn't receive my envie until one week before half of the coupons were expired! It was my first vwt train and I was so dissapointed. But it happens and CP is a big culprit. I am waiting on another train right now as well. It's a traditional train from a conductor in Toronto and I still haven't received it, she mailed it out December 23rd, but even with the holidays, I thought I would of received it last Friday. I'm really hoping that I receive it today. So, in all, not trying to say that it's always CP, but just putting out there that it does happen. That's my 2 cents

[spiritedside]

You are lucky that you have never had any envies you were expecting lost. I was on a train a couple months ago where the conductor didn't receive one of the riders envies and she had to resend another one and it really backed up the train. I didn't receive my envie until one week before half of the coupons were expired! It was my first vwt train and I was so dissapointed. But it happens and CP is a big culprit. I am waiting on another train right now as well. It's a traditional train from a conductor in Toronto and I still haven't received it, she mailed it out December 23rd, but even with the holidays, I thought I would of received it last Friday. I'm really hoping that I receive it today. So, in all, not trying to say that it's always CP, but just putting out there that it does happen. That's my 2 cents

Have you ever had an envie sent to you that didn't make it? I don"t think CP is losing that much mail. CP had always delivered my baby bonus, important documents and such and none of it has ever gotten lost! But trades get lost ALL the time hmmmmmmmm.

[spiritedside]

Just a simple list and if the same people keep appearing on it over and over then maybe it is not CP's fault.

[FallenPixels]

Have you ever had an envie sent to you that didn't make it? I don"t think CP is losing that much mail. CP had always delivered my baby bonus, important documents and such and none of it has ever gotten lost! But trades get lost ALL the time hmmmmmmmm.

If it was just trades I may agree but CP loses mail we send between our Toronto and Ottawa offices on a regular basis, to the point we now keep everything non urgent and mail it courier once every two weeks and fax copies of anything urgent.

I find it depends a lot on your drop off location too, I had a lot of mail (not just trades, birthday cards, letters, and a bill that could not be paid online) go missing when using a certain mailbox - all mailed on different days. Then I went to the local post office, and while the mail got there, it took 5-7 weeks. Then I stuck a letter in the box near that post office, to the same person as it took 7 weeks to get to, and it took just 2 business days (getting there before the one that took 7 weeks which arrived just recently).

You may be lucky with your area, but some are not - I certainly noticed the difference in how long mail took to get to me when I moved in the summer, but since it happens at home and work (different cities) it is definitely a CP problem.

Having said that, most people do mention in feedback that it was a replacement etc, so check their feedback left for others and you can see if they mention receiving replacements

[alyssa2011]

No, I don't think I have ever had mail lost, keeping my fingers crossed, hope I'm not jinxing myself . But if you are seeing a trend, that really sucks. Especially for $25 that really sucks! I would prefer to just return my envie back to the person if I had to replace that much! That's $50 you had to pocket plus postage wow! I see your point.

[DianneS]

I have never mailed an envelope that didn't arrive and have only been on the receiving end of one that did not arrive. However I am hesitant to do a $25 gift certificate trade for several reasons including having it go missing. The largest GC I have traded was $10. Anything larger than that potentially disappearing would be too much for me personally. I guess I am saying that it's about 'risk management'

[bargain_hunter_lola]

I have never mailed an envelope that didn't arrive and have only been on the receiving end of one that did not arrive. However I am hesitant to do a $25 gift certificate trade for several reasons including having it go missing. The largest GC I have traded was $10. Anything larger than that potentially disappearing would be too much for me personally. I guess I am saying that it's about 'risk management'

I totally agree. $10 is also the most I've ever sent. $25 would be too high for me. Especially when you take all the factors into consideration (ie, possibility of having to resend if it goes missing, etc).

Dont forget to always write down your GC #'s. That way you can at least see if it's been used or not.

Out of all my trades/trains, I've had 1 trade not get to me and 1 that I sent go missing. 2 out of over 950 overall is good odds and I really can't complain.

Sending GC's always make me nervous. I always make sure to put cardboard in the envie so that it's not obvious it's a GC. I also never put my username or train name on the OUTSIDE of an envie. Just makes me nervous someone will see it and decide it's either not important or want to see whats inside. I know, paranoid. lol.

Another good tip I've learned is that putting the City, Province and Postal Code all on the SAME line seems to make things go faster. At least in my experience.

[Allis154]

Just a simple list and if the same people keep appearing on it over and over then maybe it is not CP's fault.

I like this idea

[Tweetybird999]

I've had a couple of trade envelopes go missing, but also my phone bill went missing a few times too. Didn't know about it until I got one for two months plus interest. Also had other important mail never arrive, such as WCB and credit card bills. Doesn't happen much, but I also get mail for other addresses, as our carrier can't seem to tell which avenue she's on.

[hogama]

I do the same thing in regards to feedback as you do.. I spent about 25 minutes opening envies today and leaving feedback for my trades (whom left feedback for me too). I think your idea (and others mentioned) of declining to trade with those who don't leave feedback is probably a good idea. Thank you and the other posters who have responded to my post in a friendly, informative way.. the system for feedback on here reminds me a bit of eBay. I've used eBay for years and it's just a given that people leave feedback. It's frustrating that some don't leave feedback but it's not a perfect system

Sometimes, I find, if you leave a trade rating/feedback for any trade you've received, the person you traded with will then leave you one back. Sometimes it slips our minds, etc and a gentle reminder never hurt anyone!

[grannyg]

I totally agree. $10 is also the most I've ever sent. $25 would be too high for me. Especially when you take all the factors into consideration (ie, possibility of having to resend if it goes missing, etc).

Dont forget to always write down your GC #'s. That way you can at least see if it's been used or not.

Out of all my trades/trains, I've had 1 trade not get to me and 1 that I sent go missing. 2 out of over 950 overall is good odds and I really can't complain.

Sending GC's always make me nervous. I always make sure to put cardboard in the envie so that it's not obvious it's a GC. I also never put my username or train name on the OUTSIDE of an envie. Just makes me nervous someone will see it and decide it's either not important or want to see whats inside. I know, paranoid. lol.

Another good tip I've learned is that putting the City, Province and Postal Code all on the SAME line seems to make things go faster. At least in my experience.

When sending GC's I always put PLS DO NOT BEND BABY PHOTOS.. works for me

[Brynhilde]

No, I don't think I have ever had mail lost, keeping my fingers crossed, hope I'm not jinxing myself . But if you are seeing a trend, that really sucks. Especially for $25 that really sucks! I would prefer to just return my envie back to the person if I had to replace that much! That's $50 you had to pocket plus postage wow! I see your point.

Same.

Things happen at CP and I don't always blame CP. I've had good experiences with them.

And if I ever send some kind of GC in the mail, I send it with tracking and record both the GC number and tracking number. It's more expensive but I have made trades where I asked for a little more to cover for shipping. I REFUSE to send something of that value in the mail to someone I don't know without tracking. Any item going out that's worth more than $10 needs to be trackable somehow.

Then again, I personally don't trade to receive GCs on here because for all I know, someone has already used it. Not sure if anyone has experienced receiving a bad GC but I'd rather be on the safe side.

[EdmontonGal]

When sending GC's I always put PLS DO NOT BEND BABY PHOTOS.. works for me

Oh, I like this one. Great tip!