Difference between revisions of "Trading"

From Team Fortress Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(added some terms)
(See Community trading tips#Before the trade for the username trade lock. Trade errors from here: https://steamerrors.com/tradeoffers)
 
(962 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{Quotation|'''The Engineer'''|Another satisfied customer!|sound=Engineer_specialcompleted02.wav}}
+
[[File:steam trading.png|right]]
−
[[Image:Trading parcel.png|right]]
+
{{Quotation|'''The Heavy''', commenting on a proposed trade.|Everything you have is bad, compared to this thing!|sound=heavy trade 14.wav}}
−
'''Trading''' is an in-game system first introduced in the [[Mann-Conomy Update]] that allows players to swap [[weapons]], [[hats]], [[Miscellaneous items|misc items]] and [[tool]]s, with others in order to obtain items they desire.  
 
  
 +
'''Trading''' is a system that lets players exchange [[items]] with other players. Introduced with the [[Mann-Conomy Update]], this system allows players to swap or gift [[weapons]], [[cosmetics]], [[tool]]s, and more with other players. Valve later implemented the trading feature Steam-wide to encompass other games as well as within [[Steam]] itself.
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
 
{{clr}}
 
{{clr}}
  
−
==Mechanics==
+
== Steam Trading ==
−
[[File:Trading Screen Mann-Conomy1.png|thumb|300px|The trading screen, with an example trade in progress.]]
+
[[File:Steam Item Trading.png|Steam Trading Beta|thumb|300px|A screenshot of Steam trading.]]
−
[[File:Trading Screen Mann-Conomy3.png|thumb|300px|A successful trade.]]
+
'''Steam trading''' is a feature that was introduced on August 9, 2011 as an open beta.<ref>[http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=6202 Steam Trading: Out of Beta and available to everyone! - TF2 Team]</ref> The beta updates were added to the public [[Steam]] client on September 6, 2011. With Steam trading, players are able to trade their in-game items for other in-game items and/or gift copies of Steam games. Trade requests can be sent through Steam chat windows or via the Steam Friends List window. Trading will also be disabled for Free to Play (nothing bought from Mann Co. Store) players and for 5 days after a user resets their password, which was added for user safety. If the user resets their password 2 months after their last account activity, trading will instead be disabled for 30 days. When changing your password, as opposed to resetting it, no restrictions will be applied. Upon changing your Steam username, trading will be locked for 2 hours.
−
To reach the trading screen from the main menu, select the Manage Items button, and then the Trading icon.
 
  
−
A player may select a fellow user from their friends list, from the current game server or by entering their Steam Community URL. A trading request will be sent to that player, providing they are online and are currently playing Team Fortress 2. Should the receiver choose to accept the trade, the game screen will be replaced with the trading screen. Should the player deny the trade or not accept within the 30 second time limit, the trade will be canceled. There is a 30 second time period until you are allowed to send another trade request.
+
=== Steam Trading errors ===
 +
{{Trade Offer errors}}
  
−
Up to eight items of any kind can be traded from one player to another in a single transaction. The user's trading boxes are the upper eight on the right side of the screen. In order to offer items for trade, the user may either select and drag them from their backpack (displayed on the left) into any of their available boxes or double-click on them, which will automatically move them into the first available box. The lower eight trading boxes display the other user's trade offer. The trading window also shows the color of the item's [[Rarity]] as a background and outline. Both users can communicate and determine the trade using the provided private chat box visible under your backpack.
+
=== Trade holds ===
 +
In November 2015, Valve introduced an escrow<ref>[https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8078-TPHC-6195 Steam Support article about trade holds]</ref> system which - when trading items with other parties and only Steam Guard is enabled, the trade may be placed on hold for up to 15 days.<ref>[https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8078-TPHC-6195&l=english Steam Trade Holds - Documentation - Knowledge Base - Steam Support]</ref> If the users have been friends for over 1 year, the hold will last 1 day instead.
  
−
After reviewing the items offered in the trade, both users must click the "Ready to Trade" checkbox. If the offer is changed, the players will be required to click "Ready to Trade" again. Once both users are ready to trade, they must then click "Trade Now" to complete the trade.  
+
If Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator has been enabled for both parties for at least 7 days, trades will happen instantly once both sides have confirmed the trade, regardless of friends status.
  
−
It is possible to continue playing, and leave the trading window in the background, by pressing the 'escape' key. Pressing 'escape' again returns to the trade window. A player wishing to block all trade requests can do so using the game options.
+
When a trade takes the form of gifts (someone giving items without receiving), only the gift giver needs to confirm the trade offer.
−
{{clr}}
+
 
 +
=== Demonstration ===
 +
{{youtube|ZT3j8pb_KyU|hd=1|width=640|ratio=16x9}}
 +
 
 +
[[File: Steam Item Trading -Trade Offer.png|Steam Trading Beta|thumb|300px|A screenshot of Steam Trade Offers.]]
 +
 
 +
=== Features ===
 +
* At first, the Steam Trading window only shows 8 slots to trade. When the 3rd slot on the last line is filled, more slots will appear. This allows for up to 256 items to be traded at once, eliminating the need for excessive trading.
 +
* Items can also be searched for by using the search bar, making trades quicker and easier to conduct. A chat box is also available for each of the traders to discuss, and items are color-coded according to their quality (Unusual, strange, etc.).
 +
* Once a trade has been made, any received items are placed into the user's in-game Backpack and Steam Inventory, ready to be used.
 +
* Items from other games can also be traded by clicking the inventory drop down menu and choosing a supported game's inventory.
 +
* On September 4, 2013, a new feature named "Trade Offers" was released. This feature allows users to send a pre-packaged trade to a friend, similar to regular trading, except the sender proposes the items for both sides. This feature includes the ability for regular traders to generate their own personal trade offer links, allowing other users to send them trade offers without needing to add them as a friend first.
 +
* Trade offers can be confirmed or declined through the Steam mobile application's "Confirmations" tab.
 +
 
 +
=== Trading inside ''Team Fortress 2'' ===
 +
In addition to sending trades through Steam, it is possible to send a trade to another player in ''Team Fortress 2'', though it still uses the Steam trading system to do so. The option for this is in the [[Customize items]] section of the [[main menu]], accessible through the "Items" button on the main menu, through the key set to open the menu {{DK|M}}, or through the console command {{code|open_charinfo_direct}}.
 +
 
 +
This will open a small window with options to select a trading partner from the friends list, the current server, or directly through their Steam profile. If the friends list option is selected, it will show a list of users on the friends list currently playing ''Team Fortress 2''. The current server option will show a list of users in the current server. Once a user is selected through any of the three options, a trade request will be sent to them, which they can choose to accept or deny.
  
−
==Trading Tips==
+
Once a trading partner has been selected, the Steam Overlay will open with a Steam Trade window, which can be toggled to return to the game and vice versa. If the trade is accepted, any items received will be shown in the in-game chat box, if the player is currently in a server.
−
Keep the following tips in mind for an enjoyable trading experience.
 
  
−
*Pay attention to the background color of the items being traded, signifying [[Quality|Rarity]].
+
It is possible to filter trade requests through the game's Advanced Options menu. This option can be set to ''Anyone'', ''Friends Only'', ''Friends and In-Game Players'' and ''No-one''
−
*Always re-check items being traded after seeing the "Offer is changing... Please wait" message.
 
−
*Take your time when conducting a trade. Don't give into the other player's pressure if they're pushing you into a trade you're not happy with.
 
−
*Keep your backpack tidy. A well-organized inventory will allow you to easily show a trading partner the items they're looking for.
 
  
−
===Scams===
+
Additionally, Free to Play players are not able to trade any items to other players; however, they may trade items that they have received from another player.
−
Due to the wide range given to trading, players may be subject to scam attempts and/or offer disagreements. It is advised to avoid the following practices.
 
  
−
*'''Multiple trade transactions:''' Trading more than 8 items over two separate trade transactions is a risky and best avoided practice. There is no guarantee the other trader will not simply disappear after the first trade.
+
Lastly, trading is permanent. If you trade an item that wasn't meant to be traded, you're unable to get it back unless the other person is willing to trade it back, so be cautious while trading with other people and double-check all trade offers.
−
*'''External trades:''' Trading in-game items for money and/or Steam games is extremely risky and not supported by Steam's Terms of Service.
 
−
*'''Glim-Dropper:''' A common scheme made by multiple accomplices (most likely two). The main accomplice will offer a valuable item for another item that they desire to the victim. The other accomplice will be willing to trade that item to the victim for a lot of value. When the victim is done trading with the other accomplice, the main accomplice runs away with the valuable item the victim wants while the victim is stuck with the item the main accomplice "supposedly" desire. If a trade is too good to be true, don't buy it.
 
−
*'''Crate opening services:''' Some users may offer to open your crates in exchange for an item or a promise on return of the contents. Be aware that since you agree to the trade, they are not obliged to return any items found in the crates given.
 
−
*'''Raffle contests:''' These usually consist of the players giving a low value item, such as scrap metal, to enter a raffle for a chance to win a high value item, such as a hat. There is no way to guarantee the contest is carried out fairly; in all likelihood, the "random winner" is in on the scam. An alternative outcome to this scam is that the host of the raffle, i.e. the person receiving all the entry items, may simply leave the server with the low level items they have collected.
 
−
*'''Hat painting services:''' Some players may offer to paint your hats for you for the price of another item. The scammer might also promise that he/she will return the hat (or hats) after painting them. There is no guarantee that the scammer will return your item as they promised, so they could easily leave the server and take your hat/hats with them.
 
  
−
==Community trading glossary==
+
==== Untradable items ====
−
With the implementation of the trading system the community has started and since then continuously used specific terms describing items' specific attributes concerning their usability in trading and [[crafting]] as well as their trading value.
+
All items in the game are tradable, with the exception of items with a "Not Usable in Trading" suffix or an [[Achievement weapons#Weapons|achievement milestone weapon]]. If metal is crafted using any achievement weapon, it becomes untradable. Anything crafted using untradable items also becomes untradable. Likewise, you can not trade items that you get from other games via achievements.
−
; "Clean" items : Refers to [[hats]], [[weapons]] and [[Miscellaneous items]] that have not been gifted to obtain the "Gifted from" text. They can be directly used in the trading process (without requiring the use of a [[gift wrap]]). They are also generally craftable (with few exceptions).
+
Also, Free to Play players are unable to receive tradable items from a [[Item drop system|drop]]; they would have to get the item from someone else.
−
; "Dirty" items : As opposed to the "clean" ones, these are not directly tradable ([[Mann Co. Cap]] e.g.) and eventually not usable in crafting. Items that have been gifted or bought from the [[Mann Co. Store]] are neither tradable, nor craftable.
 
−
; "Crate hats" : These are hats that are obtainable by unlocking a [[Mann Co. Supply Crate]] with a [[Mann Co. Supply Crate Key]] (Note: [[Quality#Unusual hats|Unusual hats]] are not considered to fall under this category, despite originating from crates). Whether the hat was crafted or found via the [[Item drop system]], it is still considered a "crate hat" since it is one that could be obtained from a crate. Therefore, the value of it is severely diminished in the eyes of traders looking to make a profit.
 
−
; "Sweeteners" : Sweeteners are additional non-specific items usually added into a trade negotiation where the value on one side of the trade is perceived to be notably different in comparison to the other.  The goal of adding sweeteners is often to provide additional incentive to trade, despite the perceived difference in value of the original item(s). Sweeteners include, but are not limited to, paints, description tags, name tags, metal, or in some cases, even other hats.
 
−
; "Upgrading/Downgrading" : A term used to describe trading a vintage item for a corresponding non-vintage item plus extra material, or vice versa. In some cases, may also be used to describe trading for the same, but different level, item to attain a specific level item.
 
  
−
===Common Abbreviations===
+
==== Purchased items ====
−
{| class="wikitable"
+
* After the [[Manniversary Update & Sale|Manniversary Update]], all items purchased from the [[Mann Co. Store]] will become tradable after seven days, as long as the Steam account has made another purchase at least 30 days prior.
−
! class="header" | Term
+
* Additionally, items that are awarded in [[Genuine|Genuine quality]] upon pre-ordering a game on Steam are initially untradable, but generally become tradable once the associated game is released or the promotion period ends.
−
! class="header" | Meaning
+
* Items purchased from the Steam Community [[Marketplace]] can be put back on the market as soon as they are purchased, but cannot be traded within 7 days.
−
|-
 
−
! BP
 
−
| [[Items#Backpack|Backpack]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Beak
 
−
| [[Blighted Beak]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Bonnet
 
−
| [[Glengarry Bonnet]] or [[Scotch Bonnet]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Buds
 
−
| [[Earbuds]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! C+D
 
−
| [[Cloak and Dagger]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! CaC
 
−
| [[Crit-a-Cola]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Crown
 
−
| [[Prince Tavish's Crown]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! FaN
 
−
| [[Force-A-Nature]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! FT
 
−
| For Trade
 
−
|-
 
−
! Glove
 
−
| [[Respectless Rubber Glove]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Lid
 
−
| [[Lumbricus Lid]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Baker
 
−
| [[Ye Olde Baker Boy]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Jumper
 
−
| [[Rocket Jumper]] or [[Sticky Jumper]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! KF set
 
−
| [[Foster's Facade]], [[Stockbroker's Scarf]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! LF
 
−
| Looking for
 
−
|-
 
−
! Pimp hat
 
−
| [[Hustler's Hallmark]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Max set
 
−
| [[Max's Severed Head|Max's Head]], [[Lugermorph]], and [[Big Kill]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Merry
 
−
| [[Vintage Merryweather]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Meat/Steak
 
−
| [[Buffalo Steak Sandvich]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Medal
 
−
| [[Gentle Manne's Service Medal]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Mirror
 
−
| [[Otolaryngologist's Mirror]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! nv.
 
−
| Non-Vintage, i.e. [[Quality#Unique|Unique]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! u.
 
−
|[[Quality#Unusual|Unusual]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Phantom
 
−
| [[Le Party Phantom]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Proc.
 
−
| [[Physician's Procedure Mask]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Promo
 
−
| Any promotional item (ex. [[Max's Severed Head]])
 
−
|-
 
−
! Plunger
 
−
| [[Handyman's Handle]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Rack
 
−
| [[Exquisite Rack]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Ref
 
−
| Refined metal used in [[Crafting]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Rec
 
−
| Reclaimed metal used in [[Crafting]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Set hat
 
−
| Any [[Item set|Polycount Set]] Hat
 
−
|-
 
−
! Skull
 
−
| [[Spine-Chilling Skull]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Slug/Brain Slug
 
−
| [[Triboniophorus Tyrannus]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! SnS
 
−
| [[Safe'n'Sound]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Sombrero
 
−
| [[Old Guadalajara]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! UHHHH
 
−
| [[Headtaker|Unusual H.H.H.Headtaker]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Umbrella
 
−
| [[Hard Counter]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! v.
 
−
| [[Quality#Vintage|Vintage]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Whiskers
 
−
| [[Whiskered Gentleman]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! Wig
 
−
| [[Magistrate's Mullet]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! WTB
 
−
| Willing/want/wish to buy
 
−
|-
 
−
! WTS
 
−
| Willing/want/wish to sell
 
−
|-
 
−
! WTT
 
−
| Willing/want/wish to trade
 
−
|-
 
−
! WTG
 
−
| Willing/want/wish to gift
 
−
|}
 
  
−
==Untradable items==
+
== Trading tips ==
−
Due to the possibility of selling items outside of the Mann Co. Store for real money, some items are not tradable.
+
{{main|Community trading tips{{if lang}}|l1=Community trading tips}}
−
*Weapons and Hats bought from the Mann Co. Store
 
−
*Any items received from [[achievements]]
 
−
*Gifts bought from the Mann Co. Store
 
−
*[[Ghastly Gibus]]
 
−
*[[Cheater's Lament]]
 
−
*[[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]]
 
−
*[[April 29, 2010 Patch|119th Update Medals]]
 
−
*[[Dueling Mini-Game]] Badges
 
−
*[[Polycount Pin]]
 
−
*[[Golden Wrench]]
 
−
*[[Community Weapons]]
 
−
*[[Self-made items|Self-Made Items]]
 
−
*[[Developer Weapons]]
 
−
*[[Wiki Cap]]
 
−
*[[Enthusiast's Timepiece]]
 
−
*[[Iron Curtain]]
 
−
*[[Dangeresque, Too?]]
 
−
*[[Lugermorph]] (If acquired from Poker Night at the Inventory)
 
  
 
== Update history ==
 
== Update history ==
−
'''[[October 6, 2010 Patch]]'''
+
{{Update history |
 +
'''{{Patch name|9|30|2010}}''' ({{update link|Mann-Conomy Update}})
 +
* Added trading system.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|6|2010}}'''
 
* The Trading dialog now starts with the chat window having focus.
 
* The Trading dialog now starts with the chat window having focus.
−
* Gifted items are now craftable and tradable
+
* Gifted items are now craftable and tradable.
 
* Community, Self-Made, and Valve items are not tradable or usable in crafting.
 
* Community, Self-Made, and Valve items are not tradable or usable in crafting.
−
'''[[October 20, 2010 Patch]]'''
+
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|20|2010}}'''
 
* Added some anti-scam advice to the chat window.
 
* Added some anti-scam advice to the chat window.
 
* Increased trading slots to 8 slots per person.
 
* Increased trading slots to 8 slots per person.
 
* Added item rarity colors.
 
* Added item rarity colors.
 
* Added the item’s original name to the item description.
 
* Added the item’s original name to the item description.
−
* Made most tools tradable.
+
 
−
'''[[October 27, 2010 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|1|19|2011}}'''
−
* Gentle Manne's Service Medal is now tradable.
+
* Added a note in the trading dialog to let you know when your trading partner is typing.
−
'''[[January 3, 2011 Patch]]'''
+
 
−
* The Earbuds and Gentle Manne's Service Medal are now gift wrappable.
+
'''{{Patch name|2|24|2011}}''' ({{update link|Community Map Pack Update}})
 +
* {{Undocumented}} Fixed trades only displaying one of the items traded to the server.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|6|14|2011}}'''
 +
* Fixed Steam inventory/trading not showing the correct item level for some items.
 +
* Fixed Steam inventory/trading sort order not matching the in-game backpack.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|20|2011}}'''
 +
* Fixed "Not Usable in Crafting" text not appearing under certain conditions on item tooltips in the trading UI.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|11|16|2011}}'''
 +
* Fixed an exploit that allowed untradable items to be traded with Steam trading.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|11|23|2011}}'''
 +
* {{Undocumented}} Fixed a Steam Trading bug that allowed items to be duplicated.  
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|12|15|2011}}''' ({{update link|Australian Christmas 2011}})
 +
* {{Undocumented}} Players with [[Account types|free]] accounts can now trade items that have been traded to them.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|2|14|2012}}'''
 +
* Updated the in-game trading system to use the Steam trading menus.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|9|4|2012}}'''
 +
* Added a notification to Steam Trading when a user's backpack is full.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|2|22|2013}}'''
 +
* Fixed a problem where traders that send in-game trade requests would receive the error message "The other player is currently busy trading with someone else" when the problem was actually related to Steam Guard settings.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|2|23|2014}}'''
 +
* Fixed trade invites not working in-game.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|12|17|2014}}'''
 +
* Added a one week delay before items purchased from the Mann Co. Store or the Steam Community Market can be traded.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|7|4|2015}} #1'''
 +
* Fixed items that are removed from the Steam Community Market having the trade restriction removed.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
== Bugs ==
 +
* If a player is kicked from a server while waiting for a trade request, the timer at the home screen will show over 10,000 seconds.
 +
* Sometimes users in a trade will be unable to add items to a trade or click the 'confirm trade' button. This can typically be fixed by pressing the 'F5' on your keyboard to refresh the trade.
 +
* Often items in a trade will not display correctly for a short period of time after they are added. The picture is typically absent in this scenario along with the item's description and name.
 +
* Sometimes when a user adds an item into the trade, it will not be visible from the other user's perspective, even though the name of the item will be shown in the trade chat. This can be fixed if the other user puts an item into the trade and then takes it out again.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
−
*If you have been scammed, you can file a [http://support.steampowered.com/ Steam support ticket] and explain the situation. It helps to provide evidence of the scam, such as conversation logs of negotiations or screen shots/videos of the scammed transaction. Valve has clearly stated, however, that they will not do anything to recover your items if you are a victim of a phishing scam.
+
* If you have been [[Glossary of player terms#Scam|scammed]], you can file a [http://support.steampowered.com/ Steam support ticket] and explain the situation. It helps to provide evidence of the scam, such as conversation logs or screenshots/videos of the scammed transaction. ''See: [[Community trading tips#Trade Scamming|Trade Scamming]].''
 +
* There is a 30 second waiting period between unsuccessful trade requests.
 +
* If a player sends multiple trade requests to another player who declines them, there is a 2 minute waiting period between each trading request to prevent spamming.
 +
* You can not trade if your Steam account has been restricted and/or you have been trade banned on Steam.
 +
* Some ways that users scam others are by using external links outside the control of Valve (sometimes posing as fake steam sites) and/or by impersonating other users with high value inventories. Never enter your Steam login unless you trust the site! Only visit trusted links like the Steam Store/Community Hubs.
 +
 
 +
== Old trading system ==
 +
{{youtube|JRIt84itoJs|width=640|hd=on|ratio=16x9}}
 +
 
 +
== Gallery ==
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:News item 2011-09-06 Inter-Universe Trading!.png|In-game announcement of Steam Inventory.
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
* [[Gift Wrap]]
 +
* [[Account types]]
 +
* [[Trade Scamming]]
 +
 
 +
== References ==
 +
<references/>
  
−
== See Also ==
+
== External links ==
−
*[[TF2TP]]
+
* [https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9958-MJDG-3003 Official Team Fortress 2 Item Trading Guidelines page]
−
*[[TF2 Backpack Examiner]]
+
* [https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6748-ETSG-5417 Steam Trading FAQ page]
 +
* [https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-WRAH-9030 Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator page]
  
−
== External Links ==
 
−
[https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9958-MJDG-3003 Official Team Fortress 2 Item Trading Guidelines]
 
 
[[Category:Items]]
 
[[Category:Items]]
 +
[[Category:Trading]]

Latest revision as of 15:22, 4 August 2024

Steam trading.png
“
Everything you have is bad, compared to this thing!
Click to listen
— The Heavy, commenting on a proposed trade.
 ”

Trading is a system that lets players exchange items with other players. Introduced with the Mann-Conomy Update, this system allows players to swap or gift weapons, cosmetics, tools, and more with other players. Valve later implemented the trading feature Steam-wide to encompass other games as well as within Steam itself.

Steam Trading

A screenshot of Steam trading.

Steam trading is a feature that was introduced on August 9, 2011 as an open beta.[1] The beta updates were added to the public Steam client on September 6, 2011. With Steam trading, players are able to trade their in-game items for other in-game items and/or gift copies of Steam games. Trade requests can be sent through Steam chat windows or via the Steam Friends List window. Trading will also be disabled for Free to Play (nothing bought from Mann Co. Store) players and for 5 days after a user resets their password, which was added for user safety. If the user resets their password 2 months after their last account activity, trading will instead be disabled for 30 days. When changing your password, as opposed to resetting it, no restrictions will be applied. Upon changing your Steam username, trading will be locked for 2 hours.

Steam Trading errors

Steam trade offer errors
Error code
Internal name 		Encountered when Explanation
2
Fail 		Sending, accepting, declining, or cancelling trade offers. Generic failure, shown if a more specific error could not be determined.
11
InvalidState 		Sending, accepting, declining, or cancelling trade offers. The trade offer is in an "invalid state" and cannot be acted upon. Often requires a new trade offer to be sent.
15
AccesDenied 		Sending, accepting, declining, or cancelling trade offers. The trade offer cannot be send or accepted due to you being unable to trade with the other user.
Possibly also caused by an invalid trade token (when using a trade offer URL).
The other user is unable to send or receive one of the items in the trade (due to a VAC ban or having a full inventory).
16
Timeout 		Sending, accepting, declining, or cancelling trade offers. Steam's trade offer server took too long to reply. It is possible the trade offer succeeded anyway.
20
ServiceUnavailable 		Sending, accepting, declining, or cancelling trade offers. The trade offer service is currently unavailable.
25
LimitExceeded 		Sending, accepting, declining, or cancelling trade offers. You are over your limit of active trade offers (including those that require confirmation, but does not include those in escrow).
Users are limited to 5 offers to a single recipient, or 30 active offers total.
If this error occurs when accepting a trade offer, one of the items in the trade may exceed your inventory for that game.
26
Revoked 		Sending, accepting, declining, or cancelling trade offers. One or more of the items in the trade offer doesn't exist in the inventory anymore. Also used for revoked guest passes.
28
AlreadyRedeemed 		Accepting trade offers. Trade offer has already been accepted, also used for guest passes that have already been redeemed.
34
LogonSessionReplaced 		Sending trade offers. Trade offer cannot be send because you have recently changed your Steam username.

Trade holds

In November 2015, Valve introduced an escrow[2] system which - when trading items with other parties and only Steam Guard is enabled, the trade may be placed on hold for up to 15 days.[3] If the users have been friends for over 1 year, the hold will last 1 day instead.

If Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator has been enabled for both parties for at least 7 days, trades will happen instantly once both sides have confirmed the trade, regardless of friends status.

When a trade takes the form of gifts (someone giving items without receiving), only the gift giver needs to confirm the trade offer.

Demonstration

A screenshot of Steam Trade Offers.

Features

  • At first, the Steam Trading window only shows 8 slots to trade. When the 3rd slot on the last line is filled, more slots will appear. This allows for up to 256 items to be traded at once, eliminating the need for excessive trading.
  • Items can also be searched for by using the search bar, making trades quicker and easier to conduct. A chat box is also available for each of the traders to discuss, and items are color-coded according to their quality (Unusual, strange, etc.).
  • Once a trade has been made, any received items are placed into the user's in-game Backpack and Steam Inventory, ready to be used.
  • Items from other games can also be traded by clicking the inventory drop down menu and choosing a supported game's inventory.
  • On September 4, 2013, a new feature named "Trade Offers" was released. This feature allows users to send a pre-packaged trade to a friend, similar to regular trading, except the sender proposes the items for both sides. This feature includes the ability for regular traders to generate their own personal trade offer links, allowing other users to send them trade offers without needing to add them as a friend first.
  • Trade offers can be confirmed or declined through the Steam mobile application's "Confirmations" tab.

Trading inside Team Fortress 2

In addition to sending trades through Steam, it is possible to send a trade to another player in Team Fortress 2, though it still uses the Steam trading system to do so. The option for this is in the Customize items section of the main menu, accessible through the "Items" button on the main menu, through the key set to open the menu (default key: M), or through the console command open_charinfo_direct.

This will open a small window with options to select a trading partner from the friends list, the current server, or directly through their Steam profile. If the friends list option is selected, it will show a list of users on the friends list currently playing Team Fortress 2. The current server option will show a list of users in the current server. Once a user is selected through any of the three options, a trade request will be sent to them, which they can choose to accept or deny.

Once a trading partner has been selected, the Steam Overlay will open with a Steam Trade window, which can be toggled to return to the game and vice versa. If the trade is accepted, any items received will be shown in the in-game chat box, if the player is currently in a server.

It is possible to filter trade requests through the game's Advanced Options menu. This option can be set to Anyone, Friends Only, Friends and In-Game Players and No-one

Additionally, Free to Play players are not able to trade any items to other players; however, they may trade items that they have received from another player.

Lastly, trading is permanent. If you trade an item that wasn't meant to be traded, you're unable to get it back unless the other person is willing to trade it back, so be cautious while trading with other people and double-check all trade offers.

Untradable items

All items in the game are tradable, with the exception of items with a "Not Usable in Trading" suffix or an achievement milestone weapon. If metal is crafted using any achievement weapon, it becomes untradable. Anything crafted using untradable items also becomes untradable. Likewise, you can not trade items that you get from other games via achievements. Also, Free to Play players are unable to receive tradable items from a drop; they would have to get the item from someone else.

Purchased items

  • After the Manniversary Update, all items purchased from the Mann Co. Store will become tradable after seven days, as long as the Steam account has made another purchase at least 30 days prior.
  • Additionally, items that are awarded in Genuine quality upon pre-ordering a game on Steam are initially untradable, but generally become tradable once the associated game is released or the promotion period ends.
  • Items purchased from the Steam Community Marketplace can be put back on the market as soon as they are purchased, but cannot be traded within 7 days.

Trading tips

Main article: Community trading tips

Update history

September 30, 2010 Patch (Mann-Conomy Update)
  • Added trading system.

October 6, 2010 Patch

  • The Trading dialog now starts with the chat window having focus.
  • Gifted items are now craftable and tradable.
  • Community, Self-Made, and Valve items are not tradable or usable in crafting.

October 20, 2010 Patch

  • Added some anti-scam advice to the chat window.
  • Increased trading slots to 8 slots per person.
  • Added item rarity colors.
  • Added the item’s original name to the item description.

January 19, 2011 Patch

  • Added a note in the trading dialog to let you know when your trading partner is typing.

February 24, 2011 Patch (Community Map Pack Update)

  • [Undocumented] Fixed trades only displaying one of the items traded to the server.

June 14, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed Steam inventory/trading not showing the correct item level for some items.
  • Fixed Steam inventory/trading sort order not matching the in-game backpack.

October 20, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed "Not Usable in Crafting" text not appearing under certain conditions on item tooltips in the trading UI.

November 16, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed an exploit that allowed untradable items to be traded with Steam trading.

November 23, 2011 Patch

  • [Undocumented] Fixed a Steam Trading bug that allowed items to be duplicated.

December 15, 2011 Patch (Australian Christmas 2011)

  • [Undocumented] Players with free accounts can now trade items that have been traded to them.

February 14, 2012 Patch

  • Updated the in-game trading system to use the Steam trading menus.

September 4, 2012 Patch

  • Added a notification to Steam Trading when a user's backpack is full.

February 22, 2013 Patch

  • Fixed a problem where traders that send in-game trade requests would receive the error message "The other player is currently busy trading with someone else" when the problem was actually related to Steam Guard settings.

February 23, 2014 Patch

  • Fixed trade invites not working in-game.

December 17, 2014 Patch

  • Added a one week delay before items purchased from the Mann Co. Store or the Steam Community Market can be traded.

July 4, 2015 Patch #1

  • Fixed items that are removed from the Steam Community Market having the trade restriction removed.

Bugs

  • If a player is kicked from a server while waiting for a trade request, the timer at the home screen will show over 10,000 seconds.
  • Sometimes users in a trade will be unable to add items to a trade or click the 'confirm trade' button. This can typically be fixed by pressing the 'F5' on your keyboard to refresh the trade.
  • Often items in a trade will not display correctly for a short period of time after they are added. The picture is typically absent in this scenario along with the item's description and name.
  • Sometimes when a user adds an item into the trade, it will not be visible from the other user's perspective, even though the name of the item will be shown in the trade chat. This can be fixed if the other user puts an item into the trade and then takes it out again.

Notes

  • If you have been scammed, you can file a Steam support ticket and explain the situation. It helps to provide evidence of the scam, such as conversation logs or screenshots/videos of the scammed transaction. See: Trade Scamming.
  • There is a 30 second waiting period between unsuccessful trade requests.
  • If a player sends multiple trade requests to another player who declines them, there is a 2 minute waiting period between each trading request to prevent spamming.
  • You can not trade if your Steam account has been restricted and/or you have been trade banned on Steam.
  • Some ways that users scam others are by using external links outside the control of Valve (sometimes posing as fake steam sites) and/or by impersonating other users with high value inventories. Never enter your Steam login unless you trust the site! Only visit trusted links like the Steam Store/Community Hubs.

Old trading system

Gallery

  • In-game announcement of Steam Inventory.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Steam Trading: Out of Beta and available to everyone! - TF2 Team
  2. ↑ Steam Support article about trade holds
  3. ↑ Steam Trade Holds - Documentation - Knowledge Base - Steam Support

External links

Retrieved from "https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/index.php?title=Trading&oldid=3779933"