Anyone dread seeing high ratings

[MagickalMemories]

I don't particularly care for the "Your rating is lower, you ship first clause" If a person has a rating of 50 or better without any bad refs, I usually go simultaneous even though mine is a hundred. I trade, maybe 10 times a year, another may trade that many times in a month.

I think it's all relative, Shane.
I've been using that "rule" for a long time. I was the first to actually have it in my sig line, in fact. I'm a huge proponent of it.

That said, I sometimes ignore it entirely.

You, for example, would easily get a simul-ship with me. No problem. You've earned it.
It might end up with you shipping first, simply because I can only ship on Saturdays... but the thought is there. ; )
Someone with a 50? Depends.
if I've traded with them before or they're a recognized name for me, I might simul-ship. If there have ever been any problems with them, or I just don't know them, I'd probably ask them to ship first.
See, I know that I'm going to do everything right or, if I screw up, MAKE IT right. Someone who's only had 25 trades hasn't really established that kind of undeniable reputation, IMO. KWIM?
I mean, we see it all the time. People with ratings that high & higher ship and pack like crap or do something wrong, and it ends up with a complaint. So, nobody is immune to screwing up, but those with higher ratings have proven themselves more.

Make no mistake. I hold myself to the same standards & limitations. If I trade with Porkuslime or, really, anyone whose rep exceeds mine at all, I offer to ship first. By now, of course, I've earned enough respect as a trader that most don't hold to it... but I don't begrudge them that. They've earned it.

Eric

[Jakai_Musashi]

I can see both sides to this discussion. I've been here quite some time, but my rating is low, partially from a different reference system from the old forums if my memory serves me, and partially due to not trading often, but lower than most nonetheless. I'm sure I'm one of the few 'old folks' from back in the day that may still have less than 100 rating... as such I can understand the "feeling pressured" by a high rating, which does include the unwritted "you ship first" rule (Personally I like the rule). The unwritten rule is occasionally abused by some (your rating is 10 less than mine, you ship first), but it's not a purely "high rated 'Towner" issue.

I don't dread seeing high ratings, but I will admit that I've been screwed on deals far more often than one should expect to be in the amount of time I've been swapping (not limited to B-Town but does include here unfortunately). The last time I was shafted on a deal was by someone who wasn't "high rated" but was respectfully above mine, and so when I was requested to ship first, I did so. That deal was never resolved, even after getting the local Police involved... and so I can understand the pit-of-the-stomach feeling when dealing with some high-rated people, but don't be too discouraged. I'm the resident magnet for the questionable folk, so as long as I'm here, you should be fine!

[GrimDog]

Several of the "big name" traders here are on my "do not deal with list" for the same reasons.

[extropymine]

I've been using that "rule" for a long time. I was the first to actually have it in my sig line, in fact.

I challenge! Just remember, I joined a full day before you, Eric

But on the topic, I have occasionally felt what you're talking about, leth. It's really uncommon, but sometimes it can come across as a feeling of "don't you know who I am?" when I trade with a highly-rated trader. The vast majority of my experiences have been good though, even more than good. Most of my trades have been outstading. But also understand, I can trade hard myself-- there's a reason I haven't cracked 50 trades in a decade. When a deal isn't what I want, I usually just apologize and walk away.

Well, that, and I fell out of the hobby for a couple years.