For me, the online 1:6 message boards and fan sites are all about building a community of people with like-minded interests who help each other out. They're about sharing information, projects, and hobby tips and offering encouragement and inspiration. And while they're an outstanding place to buy, sell, and trade action figures, for me they're not about scoring the absolute cheapest deal or about making the greatest profit from your unwanted goods. That’s what eBay is for. If I'm in a position to help out a fellow Joe (or Jane), I will-- especially if it's someone who contributes to the hobby. That person may not have anything I need right now, but if I can help someone to complete an inspiring kitbash or diorama, it was well worth it to me.

Sellers/Traders: I won't post a sale/trade list unless I have the time and ability to reply to everyone who sends me an email. If I find that I'm not interested in an offer, I'll send the person a brief email saying so. To just blow someone off without explanation is discourteous. It also serves to handicap my future business, as that person will likely remember the slight and decide not to deal with me again.

Buyers: When emailing someone about a deal, I'll remember that I'm corresponding with a fellow Joe (or Jane), not a faceless retail store. I'll greet the person by their board handle ("Hey Pistol Pete") before launching into a list of what I want from them. If, after exchanging email, I decide that I'm not interested in a deal, I'll send the person an email saying so. Blowing off the seller by not replying to emails is rude. Also, many sellers operate on a first come- first served basis. Other potential buyers may have been told that a deal is pending. If the seller knows I'm no longer interested, he or she can contact other buyers and not waste time waiting for my reply.

Sellers/Traders: I'll take the time to describe what I have for sale or trade precisely so that there is no confusion. I'll list everything that I will be including in the deal. I won’t use words like "complete" unless I am sure that all parts the item originally featured are included. Buyers should rightly assume that, unless stated otherwise, all items I'm offering are in their complete, original, undamaged condition. If parts are missing, or if I have swapped out certain parts, I'll let the person know. I'll be upfront about any defects the item may have such as loose joints, dye stains, missing buttons, or broken bi-pods. And I'll be sure to note if any customizing work has been done to the item such as repaints, weathering, or insignia removals.

Sellers/Traders: I'll make every effort to conclude deals in a timely manner. It shouldn't take more than a couple of days to reply to an email. Once a deal has been concluded, I'll ship the items promptly. If I experience a delay or know that I will be out of communication for more than a few days, I'll email a heads up to the buyer. If I fall behind in getting out to the post office (hey, shit happens!), I'll be honest about it. I won't say I've shipped something if I haven't.

Buyers: if I reply to a sale/ trade post, I should have the time and ability to respond to emails quickly (within a day or two). Once a deal has been struck, I'll send payment promptly. If I experience a delay or know that I will be out of communication for more than a few days, I'll email a heads up to the seller. If I fall behind in getting out to the post office, I'll be honest about it. I won't say the check's in the mail if it isn't.

Sellers/Traders: A common, but optional, courtesy is to include free, extra items to your end of a trade or sale as a way of saying thanks. If I have a spare item that I feel that my partner may find useful, I'll throw it in. I won't use this as a chance to get rid of junk. And I understand that adding freebies does not reduce my responsibility to send what I promised. For example, if I send a broken item when the trader is expecting the item in good condition, throwing in a bunch of extras does not make it OK.

Sellers/Traders: To ensure that the goods that I am mailing arrive safely, I'll take care to package items securely. Letter envelopes are not sturdy enough to ship goods in-- they rip open easily and don't offer any protection to the contents. For a small number of loose items, a mailer padded with bubble wrap or insulation works best. These come in a variey of sizes. For larger loose part shipments and figures, a small box will probably be needed. The US Post Office offers free boxes of various sizes for customers shipping via priority mail. If an item has breakable parts, wrapping it in bubble wrap offers good protection. Taping long, thin items such as rifles to a piece of stiff cardboard will also help protect them from the rigors of transit. Marking the package "Fragile. Hand Stamp Only" will prevent goods from being crushed in an automated stamping machine. It's a good idea to include the recipient's address inside the package, in case the address printed on the outside of the box is rendered illegible.

Traders: Before going ahead with a trade, I'll reach agreement with my trading partner on how the goods will be shipped. For some folks, it's worth the extra money to get trade goods shipped quickly. For the economy minded, shipping by the cheapest method allows them to trade more often. Nobody likes paying extra for faster Priority Mail shipping only to find that their trade partner went the slow Parcel Post route.

Before going ahead with a trade, I'll reach agreement with my trading partner on who will accept responsibility for goods lost or damaged in transit. Below are the generally accepted customs that I follow:

Traders: Unless I agree on other arrangements beforehand, I am solely responsible for my end of the trade until it reaches the other trader's door. If the package I sent gets lost or damaged in the mail, it's on me to replace it or return the other person's end of the trade. When trading something valuable, purchasing postal insurance, which can cost as little as $1.30, is a smart precaution.

Sellers: If I take money from a buyer for insurance and the package is lost or damaged in transit, it's my responsibility to process that insurance claim at the post office and refund the buyer. If the buyer opts out of buying insurance, I'll be sure to keep the postal receipt when I ship out the package. That way, if the item gets lost, I can prove that I shipped it to the buyer's zip code when I said I did.

Buyers: Some sellers require insurance and others leave it up to the buyer. As a buyer, if I elect not to pay for insurance, I expect to take full responsibility for any postal mishaps. Unless I agree on other terms beforehand, if I opt out of insurance and the package never turns up or arrives damaged, I won't expect a refund or replacement from the seller.

Buyers/Sellers/Traders: I won't forget after the trade to leave a trade reference for the other person. Many forums such as OSW, the 6th Division, and Joe World offer their own trade reference areas where you can post kudos for the good Joes/ Janes and warnings about the bad ones. Green Leader's 21c Fan Page has a Hall of Honor, where the names of traders of proven reliability are enshrined. These references are the key to building my online trading reputation. Without them, other traders may hesitate to deal with me or may ask me to send my end first. Also, the system helps screen out the (thankfully few) thieves out there.