So far I haven't been able to reciprocate with the trade contracts I have entered - all have accepted my terms of later delivery since my tree had not gone dormant at the time.  I am expecting to be able to fulfill my end of the deals sometime within the next month.

Here's my question.  If you have been in this situation before, or think it possible in the future - or heck, even when you traded at the same time,  did you send the same quantity of cuttings in the trade?  Such as I received 5 so I will send 5?  Or did you base it on what you thought was an appropriate amount if the cuttings you received were large but only had small cuttings, did you send 9 when you received 5 to help balance it out?

Or, am I over thinking this?  I believe in the past transactions I have had with members, reimbursement for shipping, I added a little extra for time and effort - I think writing a check for $1.85 is not appropriate.  There was no mention of the extra $, I don't expect it and there wasn't a complaint either.  I know people don't always say what they mean and I may not read what is meant.

I want to stay within the customs that have been followed by the membership pertaining to trading.  It may also help people who haven't done this before - other then me;)

a trade is a trade. One cutting that is super special is worth more than 5 of another. What is special is up to that person receiving it. Also, one good cutting is better than 5 not so good.  

JoAnn,
    I have seen all those senarios that you mentioned in the course of my short involvement with the Forum.  Usually all those details about what is going to be traded, and who is going to do what, are worked out before hand ( or at least they should be to avoide misunderstandings later on ).
    I think the basic protocol of a trade is : you give me 4, and I give you 4, etc.  What happens after that is usually left up to the "good will" of the people involved in the trade.  I have experienced great generousity on the part of the people I have traded with. And after a while I "caught on" to the fact that, to the best of my ability, I ought to do the same. On the other hand, a trade is a trade and if the agreement is fulfilled as specified, then that's Ok too. There should be no guilt involved, only fairness.

Aren't there some Cajuns here who can explain the concept of lagnappe? (Excuse me if I've mispelled that.)

Me personally I like to match the amount given or give more then I received unless recipient doesnt need the same or more but if nothing was set in stone if it was just simple trade I match what I was given at a min and I always give 6in cuttings regardless of what was sent to me.....I hope that helps a little. Just ask the person your trading with if they need the same amount sometimes they dont I know I dont always need the same cause I have to many sometimes.

Right Tony, I'm with you. I don't know if this personal or cultural, but it's not like we are negotiating a big contract at arms length. And I agree with JoAnn: writing a check for less than the cost of the transaction seems a bit rediculous. My  thought is pleasantly surprise someone else and make yourself happy at the same time, keeping good relations all around. Everybody wins.

My trees aren't dormant yet either, so my trade agreements are also waiting for dormancy on my end.  With the big rain this weekend, and more expected through Tuesday, the mountains surrounding our valley are covered in snow, and when the wind blows, it is pretty cold!  Last night we had our first fire in the fireplace!

I am not sure if there are any specific custom rules for trades with or without shipping costs, or matching cutting for cutting.  Some have older, larger trees, and when they prune, they are able to send several cuttings.  Some have smaller, younger trees, and can only send 2-5 cuttings, so it's pretty hard to match.  If a cutting is on my wish list, I am happy to get one or two cuttings because I only want one actual tree of that variety, and if I accidentally root more than one, that extra will be shared as a bonus when I can't match cutting for cutting amounts.  But that's just me.  We are all different so we accomplish our trades differently.

Good communication through emails or PM's is key!

Suzi

Jo-Ann, there isn't any rule. It is a negotiation: my sofa and love seat for your table and chairs. It depends on what you have, and what you want, and what it is worth to each party. Generally, IMO, 3 cuttings is a nice number, about 8" long and of good quality. We all know that not every cutting is successful, so one only is probably a little "light", unless that is all there is. Then there is rarity, how much you want to offer the get that "spacial" variety, and vice versa. Throw is a bonus if you have extras, or something else that you have a large quantity of. Again, it is a negotiation where both parties are happy. I think the bigger issues is to send quality cuttings. This is often the issue with buying on Ebay: the cuttings were too small, dried out, too green, odd pieces with few useable buds, etc.

Edit: The point of trading, or selling for that matter, if for the recipient to have a successful experience. We can't always control their techniques and success rate at rooting, but we ought to send them enough material that the can be successful in rooting, and thus acquiring a particular variety.

When selling plants from the nursery, I un-sell a lot of plants. That is, I try not to sell a plant to someone for whom it is not suitable, because of location, season, climate, etc. I want them to have a good experience with their new plant, especially if they are new to figs or bananas. It is a bit of a fiduciary responsibility.

When in doubt clarify with a PM. Sending extras is always nice too.

PS  Jo-Ann dont worry about what you have to send me take care of the other members first you can put me last in line and if there's none left there's always next year. 

Dale the custom of lagniappe is to give something extra when someone purchases a product. Thus if someone purchases 5 cuttings you would include an extra cutting or one of another variety as lagniappe. I often give lagniappe of extra money when covering the cost of shipping if the amount is small, like 10 dollars to cover a 2 or 3 dollar shipping.
"gene"

The one thing I would like to see in all trades is that the top of the cutting be cut at an angle and the bottom square/flat, no biggie but since you asked.  As to the cost, I will send anything I can at my expense, even gift cuttings, my way of saying thanks.

Wow,  there's something you don't hear alot these days' "un-sell" and "fiduciary responsibility".  How refreshing.

Oh, and a great topic and comments for newbies like myself.  Thank you Jo-Ann for starting this thread.

Most of us don't sweat it but definitely PM the people involved.  I told one guy who offered me 2 cuttings that I never ship fewer than 3 and he was all worried.  I had cuttings I wanted to get rid of and he had a very limited number.  I told him that and he let me trade anyway.  So I was grateful  :)   If he has more than he needs he can trade with others.

My two cents... I don't do too much "trading".  I have greatly benefited from the generosity of the forum members (both F4F and GW) over the past seven years, and even now as I am typing.  When I send out cuttings, air-layers (my preference) or extra trees, it is an extension of and an homage to that generosity.  I get as excited about someone wanting plant material that I have as I do when I find a source for a variety I have been looking for.  I generally do not ask for anything in return other than to extend this generosity forward.

There are times when I do trade.  I don't find most of the trades (or even exchanges which involve money) that I am involved with to be "even".  I do hope that everyone ends up happy, but I don't really sweat it.  Sometimes I come out ahead.  Sometimes not.  Somewhere down the road, I believe it all will be close enough to even.

I am glad to see responses to this post.  In the wake of recent discussions pertaining to decorum, I don't recall what was discussed after a trade had been initially agreed upon and the how's and what's for fulfillment.

I try to exceed the expectations and go for the "wow - look what I got" response even if I don't get the response directly.  That being said, with one tree that may not be as possible as I would like lol.

Danny K - I'll make a note of that in the new spiffy spreadsheet ;)

TONYSAC- Don't be silly!  I'm sure I'll have enough to fulfill my obligations.

Steve - Your welcome!  I have been on a "get out my comfort zone" way of thinking.  Like so many great people have said before - asking the question isn't stupid, not trying to get the answer to the question is - or did I just say it lol.  If I want to know something - I'll research it or ask someone.  Knowing is better than not knowing.

Gene - can you phonetically spell out"lagniappe"?  I assume it is of french origin and have no idea how to pronounce it! lol

To those of you I have entered into a trade agreement, I will contact you pertaining to the fulfillment when I have what I need - it won't be too long for some of you  :)

Call me what you want Jo-Ann but like I said last is fine by me make sure everyone esp the newbies get a shot first.

Lagniappe=Lan'yap

It is simple for me. If I initiate a trade for some cuttings that I desire, I tend to give more than I receive in terms of the numbers of cuttings. The actual value of exchange in terms of "rare or common" is a bit relative. I tell upfront what I am sending in exchange and send only if accepted (or suggested otherwise).

In case of fig friends with whom I exchange often, it is not always one to one trade in both directions the same year. Some years I send less and receive more and vice versa. Some years I receive and I don't send and vice versa.

The idea is to be fair and not take advantage of one another so at the end there will be possibilty of trade in the future.

I have simple rules. If it's a trade, I agreed to trade condition. Send best air layer or fresh cutting off the tree I cut before the day of shipping.. Usually 3 cuttings. My cuttings are short. 4-5". Air layer, I want to make sure it makes it before shipping. I don't prune to fit the box. I build a box to fit the tree.

If it's something I'm just giving away, I try for 3 cuttings. But if I have less, I'll state it.

I try to make sure my cuttings are thicker than pencil.

I do not sell cuttings or plants... Yet. This might change in future. I do not want shipping back only because if I'm giving something away, I'm giving it freely like other members have done for me in the past.

I have never really traded with anyone. I have received material and sent material out. Sometimes I have contacted members with what and how many of a particular type I have, just to see if they wanted any of them. I feel giving someone cuttings, in a way, is to enlarge my collection. Just in their yard. When receiving material from others, I have never been concerned with quantity or quality. I have always felt their gift was a gift from the heart. Let your heart be your guide.  

Charles,

     I have altruistic streak, too, but also another agenda at which  your post hinted. I figure if I share my figs, I have an insurance against loss. I can always go begging to the person to whom I gave a start.

I feel when I get, I like to give something back. When I buy, then it is an exchange of money for a service or product.
If my cuttings are not ready yet, I wait so I can offer the best possible product and if hey are not good, I prefer not to send them than sending something inferior.
If they are send to me free, I consider it a gift I inquire about the sender taste and  try to reciprocate by sending  other fruits that I grow and ship, like papaya, mango or sapodilla.
I figure if someone makes me happy, it makes me feel good to reciprocate!
Sal