billysilver

Who be there dealers thy speak of? 

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

Detailed Trading Guide
 
The following guide is provided as an example of how a trade between members may be conducted on The Silver Forum. The guide contains an outline of a trade and an example of how it may generally be conducted and includes some suggestions regarding best buying and selling practices and other information related to trading.
This guide is primarily intended to help new members understand how to initiate and complete a purchase as a buyer from another member acting as seller in the Buy & Sell trade section of the forum. In addition it may also be referenced as a guide for a member conducting a sale.

As a member you are limited to creating one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a Premium Membership here
Upgrading to either a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum PLUS Premium Membership provides a member with the ability to create unlimited trade listings and includes a whole host of other benefits such as access to premium trade listings three days earlier than all non-premium members. Premium listings are where the best deals are to be found. Purchasing a premium membership is a great way to support The Silver Forum. (Businesses need a Business Account available here)
Before reading the information contained in this guide please make sure you have read and understand the Quickstart Guide:
U.K Quickstart Guide
U.S.A & Canada Quickstart Guide
Please also ensure you have read and understand the forum rules, especially regarding trading and the risk of trading on The Silver Forum:
Forum Rules
Please pay attention to Section 7. Guidelines on Trading (Buying and Selling) and ensure you fully comprehend Section 7.4. Risk of Trading. It is essential that all new members read and understand this before trading on the forum.
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
 
 
A quick summary of how a trade may be conducted on The Silver Forum

1. A member acting as seller lists an item in the Buy & Sell trade section with a price, postage options and photos. Interested members leave a comment on the listing and then a private message will be generally initiated by The Seller. Some listings will state, comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for a place in the queue and The Seller will then send you a private message.

2. The terms of sale, total cost (item/s plus postage) and payment method will be discussed and agreed between The Buyer & The Seller via private message.

3. The Buyer makes payment and provides name and address.

4. The Seller confirms receipt of payment (best selling practice).

5. The Seller dispatches item and provides verification (best selling practice).

6. The Buyer receives item/s, fills bath with silver and/or gold and swims in their bullion like Scrooge McDuck.

7. The Buyer notifies The Seller that item/items have been received (best buying practice).

8. Members exchange trading feedback.

9. Trade is complete.

Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
 
 
Detailed Trading Guide

1. Items listed by members on The Silver Forum can be found by clicking/hovering over the Buy & Sell tab and selecting the region or category relevant to you.

2. If a region is selected you will be presented with two sub-categories separately listing items (Ungraded) & (Graded Only). Ungraded contains listings for bars, medals, coins (Bullion, BU, Proof, Ungraded) & other non graded precious metals. Graded contains listings for precious metal items that have been graded and slabbed.

3. Now that you have selected Ungraded or Graded Only you will be presented with Page 1 of the trade listings for your selected sub-category. On the first page you will find pinned posts followed by all trade listings created by members of The Silver Forum.

4. There are 5 types of Trade Listings: For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange, For Auction, Wanted.

If one of these tags is used on a listing by a top tier premium member, the tag will be followed with (by platinum member).

A tag is required for any item listed. We will discuss For Auction & Wanted listings later but for now we will only be concerned with conducting a trade for items tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange.
Listings tagged Completed, Withdrawn or Closed are no longer available. Please note that the Closed tag is only used when a topic is automatically closed or if it is manually closed by moderators and should not be used by members. Only use Completed and Withdrawn tags to end a listing you have created.

5. Trades for all listings tagged For Sale, For Exchange and For Sale or Exchange may be conducted in the same way.
Scroll through the listings until you find something you are interested in. Now that you have found a listing with an item/s that you would like to purchase you may wish to proceed as follows:
Leave a comment on the listing, stating your interest in the item/s listed and await a response from the member acting as Seller. A seller may have multiple items available on one listing, mention which one/s you have an interest in.
The seller will usually “like” your comment and/or send you a private message where the details and terms of the trade will be discussed. (The envelope icon at the top right of the page will display a notification if you have received a message)
Both members will agree upon the terms of the trade which will include the postage choice, payment method and total cost. You may also wish to verify expected dispatch time and clarify the intended measures a member will use to ensure the item/s are well packaged and protected. It is a good idea to establish that the seller can provide proof of postage. When agreeing terms, before payment is made, clarify who is responsible for any loss incurred in the unfortunate and unlikely event that a package is not received.
Once all terms have been agreed upon, the buyer will make payment to the member acting as seller. The seller will confirm the payment has been received. The buyer may wish to send a message to notify the seller that the payment has been sent. (A confirmation of payment is always to be expected from a seller)
Once payment has been received the seller will pack and ship your item/s. It is best selling practice for a member acting as seller to send a photograph of the postage receipt following dispatch and/or tracking information. Some sellers may also even include a photo of the package pre-dispatch. It is a good idea to confirm with the seller before-hand when agreeing upon the terms of the trade that they will send a photo of the postage receipt once your package has been dispatched.
Once you receive your item/s it is worth taking the time to notify the seller that the package has been received safely.
Now that payment has been made and item/s are received, both the buyer and the seller may exchange trading feedback. It is important to leave trading feedback for each trade completed, especially if the seller has provided a good service. The feedback system helps to facilitate a degree of safety and trust for members when seeking to purchase items from another member. If a member has received several positive feedback comments it is an indicator of how safe trading with them will be.
The trade is complete.
Please be aware that the steps provided are only a suggested example and it is entirely optional to follow them. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum are not liable for the use or disuse of suggested guidance. Not all trades will be conducted in the exact manner as described in this guide but most will include similar steps in approximately the same order.
6. To leave Trading Feedback, click on a member’s user image to navigate to their profile page or click their name in a message thread.

Click the Trading Feedback tab and click the Add Feedback button

Select the role you adopted in the trade: The Buyer, The Seller or Trading.
Select whether your feedback is Positive or Negative and leave a Comment.
In the Topic field type the title of the trade listing that you interacted with to purchase, exchange or sell an item/s.

7. If you wish to conduct your own trade in the manner described above, assuming the role of The Seller, click the Start New Topic button to create your own listing. Please note that as a standard member you may only create one trade listing every thirty days. If a member wishes to increase the number of sales listings they are permitted to create, you may upgrade to a premium membership here.

8. Enter a name for your listing in the Title box, click the +Add Tag button in the Prefix box and choose For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange.

9. Enter a full & detailed description including photographs, condition & price. You can use the Trade Listing Template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages to fill the description box. Simply replace the example information with your own.


10. Wanted listings are created in the same manner as described above. When clicking the Start New Topic button you have the option to select the Wanted prefix. Choose a title for the item/s you are looking for, select the Wanted prefix and fill the description with information relevant to what you are seeking.

11. For Auction is the final type of trade listing you may engage with or create. The information provided in the description of a For Auction listing is the same as any For Sale, For Exchange, For Sale or Exchange listing with the addition of auction terms, a start/end date & time and includes a starting bid instead of a total item/s cost. Some auctions may have a reserve. If you wish to start your own auction it is recommended that you use the auction template provided as a pinned post at the top of the trade listing pages.

 
F.A.Q

1. Can I pay by paypal, what payment methods are accepted?
It depends on each individual seller and it is entirely the seller’s choice what methods of payment are accepted. Some members accept paypal friends & family payments. Paypal goods & services payments incur a fee for transactions, some may accept this method but will expect you to pay the fee. Some members may accept crypto payments. Most payments on The Silver Forum are made via bank transfer.
2. Do I pay for postage?
This is decided by the individual seller and the details will be described in the listing generally. If the listing says including postage then it’s included, the service for an included postage offer will be the seller’s choice. Most sellers do not include postage. Most listings will state the total cost of item/s plus postage of buyers choice and risk which is paid for by you the buyer. The service used is entirely your choice. If you use a postal service that is not insured you may be at risk of financial loss if the item is lost in transit.
3. Can I Contact a member about a trade listing directly in private?
Yes. If you are interested in an item/s listed in the Buy & Sell trade section you can contact a member directly via private message. Note that some listings will state that comments have priority over pm's, which means comment first for place in the queue and the seller will then send you a private message. On a listing with this term described it is best to follow the protocol if you want a chance to get the item/s.
4. What happens if I do not receive an item I purchased from another member?
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that an item purchased from another member is not received, the first steps to take will be to notify the member acting as seller and request a proof of postage if not already provided at the time of dispatch. If the member can demonstrate the item has been sent and it is clear that it has been lost in transit you could request that they communicate with the courier in order to identify if the package is lost or delayed. If it is lost then the seller will be able to claim a refund as long as the postage method chosen was insured and proof of postage retained. If the postage method chosen was not insured and the terms of the trade negotiated were that the buyer assumes all risk and liability if they choose a postal method that is not insured then your options will be limited. A seller may in this circumstance do all they can to aid you but they are under no obligation to do so, nor is the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum liable or responsible for item/s lost in transit. Ensure before any payment is made that it’s agreed that the seller can provide proof of postage to avoid issues if this situation were to arise.
5. What does it mean when a listing says the postage is of buyer’s choice and risk?
This means that if you the buyer choose the postal service and you choose a service that is not insured then the seller is not responsible for loss or damage. Ensure the terms agreed are clear before purchase is made. Although problems are unlikely, you may wish to choose an insured service if you wish to eliminate the possibility of an issue. Only you, the member acting as buyer are responsible for the choice made.
 
A final note on Trust
Making a bank transfer to someone who is essentially a stranger for an item/s unseen in person that one hopes will be shipped in good faith by an individual can be daunting in a world where we are used to ebay and paypal buyer protections and secure credit card transactions.
As individual members of The Silver Forum we find ourselves relying on community reputation, trading feedback and our own powers of discernment.
In my personal opinion @billysilver the manner in which trades are conducted on The Silver Forum is the best way to deal human to human, it is in accordance with our inherent nature. If trust can be developed and built between two humans trading, then that relationship can extend further.
Building relationships based on trust is a valuable and rare thing but certainly needed in the world we find ourselves living in today. Trust is especially needed between humans in general to be healthy and happy. We are social animals and we need to be able to trust one another, we are afforded an opportunity to do so here.
Reciprocal trust between humans is an incredibly powerful thing.
You can verify any member’s trading sales feedback by clicking a member name and viewing their profile. You can click the trading feedback tab on a member’s profile in order to view feedback for previous trades, this is an important part of instilling confidence when potentially engaging in a trade.
From a member’s profile you may also note the length of time a user has been active and you can view how many posts they have made and how many reputation points they have. Community Reputation points are built from members engaging a post made with a reaction(Like, Love etc).
Membership tier (silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus) can also be a factor to consider alongside reputation and trust but it's not a definitive reason to trust someone, just indicates how much someone has invested financially into the community.
Dependence on outside agents and financial protections are what we are used to generally as consumers, this dependence is not necessary.
How your interaction with an individual feels must certainly be one of the most important factors to pay attention to when trading. You are a capable human with your own mind. Trust your gut. Use your own powers of discernment and enjoy your stay at The Silver Forum.
Thank You
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither the founder @ChrisSilver nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. The founder @ChrisSilver and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.
All guidance contained within this document is suggested and is not mandatory instruction given by the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum.
 Neither the founder @ChrisSilver or The Silver Forum are responsible for suggested guidance followed or not followed based on information contained here in.
Opinions expressed are the personal opinions of @billysilver

2021 1 OZ GREAT BRITAIN THE GREAT ENGRAVERS COLLECTION - UNA AND THE LION .9999 SILVER BAR
1 oz gold mintage 4000
10 oz silver 6100
100 ounce   1200 
1 ounce 35000 
the mintage is low especially the one ounce bars 

My advice would be to go for the 1kg furnace. 
Remember this is measured in total potential weight of GOLD so the silver weight is just under half, about 450 grams. 
Pouring molten metal is VERY VERY dangerous and the 3kg furnace with a capacity of making 1kilo silver bars is INCREDIBLY dangerous if something goes wrong. Having the physical skills to handle crucibles that weigh over 1kg and control it/move it safely is really critical and if you have never poured silver before starting with the biggest is not going to end well in my opinion. 
Also, as you say the smaller the furnace the more efficient it is so you would not have as long between pours. 
This is the one I would recommend 
http://www.technicalsupermarket.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,742/category_id,386/manufacturer_id,0/Itemid,4/

Buy from the UK supplier I use
http://www.technicalsupermarket.com/

Backyard bullion I think to. 

https://stackerqueenshop.co.uk/shop/ols/all
This is someone active on here I believe

Hey guys, 
Would any anyone be able to direct me to UK supplier who sells melting furnaces for circa £250?
I can only find Europe or China suppliers and they are all on eBay.
Cheers guys
 

Cheers @Connor
That's a nice pile of the shiny stuff you got there mate!
🤩

So the delays I have in getting post often lead to a build up and bag log of post, usually running into weeks. The plus side is when I eventually get my hands on it all I revert back to my childhood when I was tearing into Christmas gifts 😂😃
 
@Jamesd @Jimmock @billysilver @Fifer @silverroller @Mox @BullionBob absolute gentlemen the lot of you. Got to love this forum.

Please also read the following topics 

Commenting in sales topics - No unsolicited posts 
 
Sale of Silver Shield Items on TSF
 
Quickstart Guide

I can’t see the "start new topic" button - Can I list an item for sale? 
Yes you can. In order to stop spam on the forum a minimum amount of posts are required before you can post items for sale in the trade section. Although the amount of posts is not disclosed it is a very small number, we suggest that you introduce yourself in the welcome new members section if you haven’t done so already. Alternatively upgrading to Premium Membership will give you immediate access to list items for sale.

Trading limits**:
Premium members can list an unlimited amount of trade listings in the Buy, Sell, Trade section.

Standard members can list 1 trade listing per 30 days.

All Premium Member groups can post an unlimited amount of listings. To upgrade to Premium Membership please  see: https://thesilverforum.com/store/category/2-premium-membership/

To see all of the benefits of Premium Membership: https://thesilverforum.com/premium-member-package/


Insurance - sending precious metals items in the UK
Just so everyone is aware, the standard £50 insurance on Royal Mail signed for does not cover precious metals items such as coins etc as they are classed as money. Please send via Royal Mail special delivery if you would like your items insured, they will be insured by default up to £500 but you can increase this if needed. Sellers please also clarify in your listing who assumes responsibility if item is sent by an uninsured delivery service and lost (It is assumed that the buyer assumes responsibility as they are choosing the shipping method, but it is also good idea to state this in your listing) Information correct as far as we are aware and at time of writing, however it is advisable to check on the Royal Mail website. https://www.royalmail.com
For sale listings
All topics listing items for sale must state an asking price. (Apart from when you are solely looking to exchange, then please state your asking exchange)

Topics listed in UK & Europe section are for items located within this area. For items located in other areas please use the appropriate other trade forums.

Including a photo of your items for sale is very useful, it is also helpful, especially for new members, to include a piece of paper with the date and your forum username on it in the photo.

Trade Prefixes:
Please use the appropriate prefix for your trade topic. Once you have completed your topic, or if you decide to withdraw your topic please update your listing with the appropriate prefix. To do this use the edit button and select the approbate prefix from the drop down menu.
For Sale For Exchange For Sale or Exchange For Auction Wanted Completed Withdrawn - for if you want to withdraw your listing
  Closed - this prefix is used by Admin/Moderators either when a topic is automatically closed after 30 days, or if needed to be manually closed. Info - this tag is for Moderator/Admin use only and is intended for the pinned topics that provide info such as this QuickStart guide here. Trade incentive - for moderation use only, for when running trade incentive promotions to promote the trade section further.  Wanted topics 

In general wanted topics are placed in the location the member posting the wanted topic is located in. Members from different regions can still view your wanted post in your region and offer you their item if they wish to ship internationally.
However, members can also post wanted topics in other regions to where they are located IF they have a shipping address in that region and indicate it in the listing. E.g. a member in the U.K. can list a wanted topic in the USA & Canada section if providing a USA shipping address and indicating that the shipping address will be to a USA address in their listing.
 
Auctions:
Please feel free to list Auction style listings if you wish.
State your terms your starting price the auction end time/date Shipping info etc. Members can bid on your auction by commenting in your thread.
  Note that for transparency, all bids must be public in the topic. Private auctions with hidden bids are not possible, you can of course list a standard 'for sale' listing if you prefer where members can make offers via private message, please just state your asking price.

Hidden reserves are no longer allowed, please see this topic for more details:
 
Be sure to clearly state your rules as to avoid any confusion. Including the minimum bid increasement allowed.

Emojis and capitals in topic titles (what's allowed)
 
 
 
 
 

Bumping topics - and abuse of this feature  

The Silver Forum has been active since 2014 and all forum members have so far traded without excessive bumping of their trade topics. Without instruction forum members have followed etiquette and have not abused bumping their topics. However, we have decided to add this bit into the QuickStart guide to avoid any potential future abuse by new members as the forum grows. Should you have a trade listing that has not had any recent posts in it; you may, a maximum of once per day, post the word “bump” in order to bump your listing to the top. Note that every time a member comments in your topic, your topic is bumped to the top, therefore there is no need to use the word “bump” if your topic has already been posted in on that day. 
 
Disclaimer: The following applies to all Members/Sellers on the forum. Members trade at their own risk. The Silver Forum does not vet any members/sellers on the forum and neither myself nor the forum is liable for any loss(es) that may result from trades. Myself and The Silver Forum also can not mediate any trades, this is between the two parties to discuss and resolve any issues that they might have.

Members may wish to use PayPal for added PayPal buyer protection. Note that PayPal gift payments are not covered under the PayPal buyer protection. You may also wish to take advantage of @BackyardBullion Intermediary service, this service is aimed at reducing risk and is especially useful if you are a new members without any trading reputation on the forum.
 
*FREE listings are for private individuals. Those operating as a business in the eyes of the forum are required to have Gold or Platinum Premium Membership. Unlimited trade listings in the USA & Canada trade section and Australia & New Zealand section are for individuals. Commercial/business users or those who are deemed to be operating as a business in the eyes of the forum need Gold or Platinum Premium Membership to post trade listings.

**The UK & Europe trade section has a limit of 1 listing per 30 days for standard members. Silver, Gold or Platinum Premium Members can post unlimited trade listings in the UK & Europe Section. Please refer to forum Terms & Conditions and pinned topics in the trade sections before listing items. Please post in the location your items are located in, you can still offer shipping to international buyers, just say so in your description. Those in the USA & Canada, all  member groups can post unlimited listings currently in the USA & Canada, the standard rules around commercial/business users still apply.


Please also note this topic when buying on the forum:

Businesses on the forum require a Business Account
Business on the forum require to maintain an active Business Account, you can do this buy purchasing the relevant business account in the forum store here. 
 


Optional Listing Template:

Please feel free to copy this template example and to use for your listings if it helps  Please just edit out the sample text below for your own applicable text


Item: 2013 Libertad 3 silver coin proof set. 
1oz
1/2oz
1/4oz 

Box/COA: Yes, both box and COA + outer sleeve 

Condition notes: Never opened from the capsules by me, but looks like there is some some sort of hair or something in the 1/4. And possible marks on the 1/4. All others look in good condition apart from slight dust. 

Price: £100 + £7.50 P&P Royal Mail Special Delivery. ONO

Item Location: UK

Shipping destinations: Will ship worldwide to anywhere that Royal Mail ships to, at cost and buyer to assume risk if outside UK.

Payment Terms: Payment by bank transfer in GBP only

Dispatch Time: Aim to dispatch on Monday 16th August if purchased over the weekend. If purchased afterwards please confirm with me prior to payment. 

Photos: