Post Exchange Etiquette

[fantanoice]

So, what would you consider good post exchange etiquette?

After a few years of doing it, here's what I usually consider the best practice, and get weirded out when somebody suggests something else:

Person 1's Exchange Thread:
> Person 1 outlines guidelines
> Person 2 reads guidelines and requests exchange. Person 2 does not start posting yet.
> Person 1 reviews the request and decides whether they will complete the exchange or not. If something's wrong, they negotiate the details. Otherwise, they start posting.
> After it has been accepted, Person 2 may start posting, even if Person 1 hasn't completed theirs.
> When both finish their end, the exchange is completed.

Extra things:
Obviously putting as much effort into your posts as possible, as well as trying to stay within the on-topic sections of the forum where possible. Usually if somebody asks me for a topic I'm unfamiliar with, I'll ask if the off topic section is fine before accepting, and if not I just reject it.

Also, a personal pet peeve of mine is when you respond to somebody's request thread and they accept, but then tell you to post first. Like, come on now, that's just rude. 😛

 

[ForumSource]

I agree with all of your points, especially about them posting first.

I normally wait for them to complete more then half or even all before I start mine.

 

[Ashley]

I always ask anyone willing to do a post exchange with me to wait until I have a look at their site to see if I might be interested in it or not. I stress this all the time and some people don't get it and INSIST that I start RIGHT NOW. I like to get the feel for your forum before I'll even consider hitting the register button. That has aggravated me to no end for years.

 

[VirusZero]

Those guidelines are pretty close to the ones I listed when I was doing exchanges.


The only things I'd add would be that, for myself, I:
- refused to do my entire part first because I've had people who want theirs done first when they had no intention of finishing or holding up their end.

- would list things I had no interest in and therefore wouldn't even consider. (This way people weren't suggesting them.)


I really dislike when people would request an exchange and then join/start posting right then without me even reviewing their site. I mean there have been times when I've rejected exchanges for various reasons. (Like for one site, I just didn't know enough about that site's subject matter to participate. )
And not to be rude, but any posts made prior to me accepting the package do not count. I haven't agreed to anything yet. So they cannot be counted towards the package nor held against me if I decline the exchange. Count them as a show of good faith, but they don't get to count to the package.

When it comes to the actual exchange part, I'd do part of the exchange (between 25%-33%) and then I'd check to see if they were doing their part. If they were, I'd continue. If they weren't then I would stop until they'd posted more.
And then I'd check again at either 50% or 66% of the way through just to ensure they were still posting. This way I was less likely to get screwed.

 

[Adz]

I usually don't start until they do, simples..no ifs or buts. I also only do the quality they post on my forum, if they cannot be bothered to write a couple of sentences..then I can't either. Luckly when I have outlined about wanting an avatar,introduction etc most have obliged as they know I will do the same 🙂