[Guide] Trading 101: Basic Trading and Avoiding Scams

Today we're going to go through the very basics of trading, before transitioning into tips that will help you avoid getting scammed. I will also place a video of a sample trade (Thanks to GarudaInd for helping with this!)

The Basics

Who Can Trade

Any player who is Mastery Rank 2 (MR 2) or higher can trade.

You can check your rank by looking at the number inside brackets beside your name when you pause the game or hit "esc". You can also check it by going to your profile.

How often can I trade?

You can trade as as your Mastery Rank. For example if you are MR 10, you can trade 10 times per day. You can rank up to increase this number.

In case you run out of trades you'll be able to trade again after it refreshes at midnight PST (US) or 8 am Hong Kong/Philippines (GMT+8).

Finding Someone to Trade With

There are 2 ways of fining a trade partner, someone to buy, sell things or barter with you.

First there are websites like the official Warframe forums (Here's a link to the Recruitment section where you can find the Trading Post). Websites like this will allow you to arrange trades with other players. Once you' have agreed on the terms of the trade (what you'll offer and get in return) you can Add each others as friends in-game and set up a time when you will do the exchange.

This method may take some patience especially because you cannot just send a message to the person in game without being friends or being in the same chat room (Dojo,trade, recruitment, etc). If you need to make the trade ASAP then you might want to check the other method of initiating it.

Trade Chat is the Last Chat Tab in the Picture

The other way of going about it is to go to the Trading Section of the in-game chat system. Most people, myself included, find this very convenient since it's built in the game and you can message the person you want to trade with and negotiate real-time. it also makes the next phase of the trading easier.

Note: If you cannot see the trade chat tab you might have to set the options. For PC it's Options>Chat then make sure Trade Chat is ticked.

Executing the Trade

Once the terms of the trade are set, you can start the process by either inviting the other person to your Dojo or by accepting their invite to their Dojo. (Trades can only be done in Dojos as of update 17.3).

Once in the Dojo, either you or your partner needs to initiate the trade by going to the Trade Kiosk and selecting the trade partner.

The Trade window allows you trade up to 5 items at once.

You will have to choose what to put in the trade slot once you click on it.

Once both are in the trade window, you choose the slot you want to use and select the type of object you want to trade.

Once the items re set, make sure to inspect the items or platinum for the correct amount. Once satisfied, select "Ready to Trade" and it will turn green. If you need to make any changes to the trade, item, simply untick the "Ready to Trade" box and click the trading slot you want to modify.

If your partner has the "Ready to Trade" box ticked, they will see a red notice saying that changes were made. if this happens, wait for your partner to make the change and tick the "Ready to Trade" box again before reviewing the item type/s or platinum amount. Only after making the necessary review should you tick the "Ready to Trade" box again to avoid getting the wrong item or amount after the trade.

To view the Kubrow Imprint, click the "View Offered Imprints" button at the lower right corner of the screen.

The "View Offered Imprints" screen allows you to see the features of the parent Kubrow.

In case you are trading Kubrow imprints, you can view each imprint by clicking the "View Offered Imprints" button at the lower right corner of the screen.

You will be able to view the following details about the Kubrow: bulk, height (may be hard to determine based on just looking at it), patterns (may not be clearly visible on certain color combinations), colors, gender and breed can be viewed (gender and breed are represented by symbols at the right side of each imprint icon.. this data will help you verify the trade items before finalizing the trade.

Once both "Ready to Trade" boxes are ticked (green) another button appears, the "Accept Trade" button. inspect the items one last time, then click the box to finish the trade.

Post Trade Rituals

Once the trade is done, show your appreciation by thanking your trade partner. Some Tenno would go to you and perform a bow, but it's not necessary and will happen rarely. If it happens though make sure to return the bow. This unnecessary ritual might make you smile during the rare times it does happen though.

Trade Video

Here a Video of me buying Kubrow imprints. The trade was set up the day before but did not go through because 1 imprint was missing. We agreed to meet the next day and finalize the trade.

Avoiding Scams

Scams are basically designed to cheat you, most of the time, out of your hard earned or purchased platinum. It's a sad reality but every game has scammers and the best way to avoid being scammed to become aware.

Here is post about Safe Trading from the official Warframe forum.

It basically tells you that if it's not in the trade window, it's not real. Soif anyone wants something from you in exchange for promises, don't trade.There is no guarantee that you will get it.

Another easy way to avoid getting cheated is to inspect the items you are trading and the items you are getting. It's better to go slow and sure than go fast and make mistakes. Generally following the steps above will help you avoid getting cheated.

Hope you enjoy trading Tenno!

If you need to earn Platinum, here's a guide i wrote to start you off!