FAQ

[MissMouse1928]

General FAQs and information

Part 1: How to use the forum

• a: Posting in the forums
• b: Group Buys
• c: Trading and Selling
• d: VIP / Donor / Member titles
• e: Personal Messages

Part 2: How to use the series list / create trade lists
Part 3: How to use the trade finder / trade tracker
Part 4: How to leave feedback
Part 5: Packaging techniques
Part 6: Why was my account deleted
Part 7: Reminder of forum / site rules


Part 1: How to use the Forum

A) Once you have registered for the forum and confirmed your account via e-mail you are set to post. Simply browse the forum for a topic of interest to reply or start your own topic in the appropriate board. Trading is only permitted in the trading forum and selling is only permitted in the selling subforum.

B) The second sub forum in the forums list is for Group Buys. If you are interested in getting figures from around the world, or even in the US from the parks, this area is for you. Figures may be slightly higher than retail due to the cost of the figures given to us, but prices are always better than eBay and our buyers have always been reliable. For US figures from the parks price is MSRP + Tax + shipping. We are always looking for more people to help out so in the future

C) There are a few different ways to trade on this site and one way to sell. It is first recommended that you make your wish list and trade list. Next you may use either the trade finder or look up a secific figure in the series list to see who has that figure available. The trade finder will scour the lists looking for everyone who has figures that you want and wants figures you have. If you click on a specific figure in the series list you can see how many people have that figure for trade. If you click on that number, you can then see who those users are and look at their trade lists. Finally you could post in the trading forum or the selling forum to try and get / find what you are looking for.

D) A lot of people ask how to become a VIP / Subscriber. The VIP/Suscriber program ended in October 2011 when the site was relaunched with a new initiative. In January 2012 we opened the site up to donations. There is less risk for us in accepting donations and as a result they are used to "Pay the bills" for the site. In July, 2012 a donation compaign for the holiday party was opened up in pursuit of getting $500+ for gifts for members to be given out in December. For a listing of other member categories and admin/mods, please visit here

E) Personal messages are the easiest way to communicate with fellow members about a trade. To send a PM, click on a user name to go to their profile and then click on "Send a Personal Message." NOTE: Do not reply to the e-mail notification about getting a personal message. It simply goes to my e-mail box and becomes a nuisance.

Part 2: How to use the series list / create trade lists

The series list / trade lists are the features that this site apart from all others on the web. To view the series list, hover over "Lists" in the menu and click on "Series List". From here you can browse figures based on the series (or Artist if you chose the Artists List). If you select a figure you cview a lis fmembers who want a figure and who are trading a figure by clicking on the appropiate number next to "Number of traders who want / have this figure: ".

To add a figure to your lists, check off the box next to the figure and then click the button that says "Add to _____ list."

You can edit your lists by hovering over the word "Lists" in the menu and going to the appropriate list.

Part 3: How to use the Trade Finder
The trade finder is very to easy but it requires that you a) Be Logged IN, and  Have your lists setup. The trade finder will scour all lists on the site for possible trades (ignoring value). It is up to the traders to understand the values of what they are trading before sending or completing offers.

The trade tracker is an underutilized tool to track trades you are making with other traders on the site, including sharing DC #s and just remembeing who and what you are trading.

Part 4: How to leave Feedback
When a transaction has been completed, it's important to leave feedback for the person you dealt with.  Go to the member's profile by clicking on their name in the member list or in a PM that you have from them. Click on "Submit Feedback For_____" Select whether you were a buyer, seller or trader.  Select Positive, Neutral, or Negative. Enter a "short comment" in the space provided such as "Great Trade" then enter information about the trade in the "long comment" box.  (You can ignore the "Topic URL")  It's helpful to include information on how the transaction went from start to finish such as communication, shipping promptness, and how well items were packaged.

Part 5: Packaging Techniques
Each figure should be individually wrapped to protect it from damage. A small zip bag, tissue paper, or bubble wrap works well.  Unboxed vinyls can be shipped in a padded envelope or small box.  Boxed vinyls need to be shipped in a carton to protect the vinyl packaging. Make sure you seal your package very well.
Keep in mind that your package is going to get tossed around during shipping.  Make sure there is no way your box/envelope can tear open allowing the vinyl to be lost.  Secure the shipping label well and use clear tape over the address so it can’t get ruined in rain or tear way from the envelope.

How to ship an empty case:

1. Stuff the inside until the closed case feels firm and can resist crushing. You can use paper from a shredder for this but BE SURE to put the shredded paper inside plastic bags (such as the kind you get from the grocery store) and tie the bags tightly so the paper can't come out and make a mess. Alternatively, you could use crumpled newspaper or something similar.

2. Wrap the firmly stuffed case in a layer of bubble wrap and then in a layer of thick paper or plastic. Brown paper grocery bags, paper shopping bags, or heavy duty plastic bags (such as lawn & leaf) work well.

3. Tape securely and it's good to go.

Note: During the extremely hot summer months, please view this thread: FYI - Use Cuation shipping Vinyl during Summer

E) Personal messages are the easiest way to communicate with fellow members about a trade. To send a PM, click on a user name to go to their profile and then click on "Send a Personal Message." NOTE: Do not reply to the e-mail notification about getting a personal message. It simply goes to my e-mail box and becomes a nuisance.

Part 6: Why Was My Account Deleted or Banned

Accounts are only deleted or banned for two reasons:

1) Accounts are deleted when they remain inactive for over 30 days effective the 1st of every month.  Being active simply requires logging into the forum at least once every 30 days and checking your messages, browsing the forum, and best of all, POSTING.

2) Accounts are banned when a serious violation has occurred (false feedback, verbally attacking members, etc.)  A single bad trade will not get you banned though it is strongly discouraged.  If you find your account banned and you do not know why please e-mail me at admin@vinylmationconnection.com and I will look into it.  The most common reason is that a friend, family member, etc was on the same internet connection (IP address) and was banned and as a result causing your banning.

Part 7: Reminder of Forum Rules

Please remember the rules you agreed to when signing up.  They can be reviewed here:

#1 - The purpose of this forum is to prompt a family friendly environment and educate people of all ages about Vinylmation and Vinylmation trading, both in person and online.  Offensive languange and discussion is not allowed.

#2 - All trades taking place online and not in person are between the traders themselves and as a result Vinylmation Traders are in no way liable for any problems resulting from the trade.  As always please trade with caution and ask for feedback references before making an online trade.  If any trades with members do result in a problem please let one of the admins know so the appropriate action can be taken.

#3 - Vinylmation Traders is in no way associated with Walt Disney, Disney Store, DStreet, or any other Disney properties and organizations.  We are a group dedicated to the promotion and trading of Vinylmation figures and promoting the cause of collecting.

#4 - Posting of information such as exclusive trade dates as well as pictures from other websites with their logos on them WITHOUT proper credit to the original site is prohibited.  Information from our partner sites which is posted on this site should have the proper credit associated with the information.  If you have any questions about this rule please contact an admin.

#5 - Trade discussions should be limited to the Trade Forum.  There should be no discussion of trades in the individual topic pages of the forum.

#6 - There is absolutely no selling of any kind permitted anywhere on this site EXCEPT in the designated selling area. 

#7 - RESPECT OTHER MEMBERS!  There is to be no badmouthing another member on the site.  There is to be no criticizing another member on the site.  If you disagree with what a member is asking for on a trade, don't make the trade.  We are a family friendly forum and REQUIRE all members to act as adults. If you have a personal issue with another member\Admin please take it private with that person. If you are not able to work it out with that person, you are welcome to let us know the issue and who with, we will contact that person to also hear their side of the issue. At that point your issue will be reviewed and our recommendation made at that point. However, please be clear we are by no means getting involved but just providing a third party recommendation based on the facts presented us.

Failure to follow the rules can lead to your being kicked out of the chat or banned from the site.

Please do not flood the chat with requests to "trade me now" and asking "who wants to trade."  If you are on this site the odds are good that you want to trade.  Repeatedly posting things like these (or a flood of smiley faces) will aggravate your fellow traders as well as the admin staff and you may have chat permissions removed from your account.