Trading and Safety

It's great that we can trade items that we no longer need for something we do. But how does it all work? How can we do it safely? and How do we know we aren't being ripped off?

1. Trading BMI. 
We always suggest looking here before using passes and diamonds to buy something. All sorts of BMI can be found here. (Breeding Farm > Store > Item Exchange) 
Tips:                                      - Look around in the Black Market for both the item you want, and the item you will trade for it. Find out their pass values and decide whether the trade will be fair for both parties. 
 This is the only form of trading Howrse encourages, as it is kept safe. 

2. Trading Outside of the Item Exchange
Tips:                                      -You can only trade with 'friends' - so make sure the person you're adding as a friend a) allows random friend requests and b) allows trading, most people will say so on their profiles, but if they don't feel free to PM them, as long as you use the magic words 'Please' and 'Thank you' even if they don't want to be your friend or trade. 
                                              - Both agree on what you want to trade, and if you feel like you're being taken advantage of, say kindly 'I'm sorry, but I don't think I can trade with you, thank you for your time', that way nobody is being hurt. Once you both agree, it's time to trade. 
                                              - Howrse and TotalHowrse don't condone trading outside the site or privately, and encourage you to trade in the Item Exchange, however some people won't do this and all trading outside of the IE is done so at your own risk. Some people won't be unfair and will carry out the trade, however there is always going to be one person who doesn't. 
                                              - How to avoid a scam - Normally, avid traders will say so on their presentations, they may even give the names of people who they trade with regularly, feel free to PM these people and ask how the person trades, if they say they respond and say 'quickly' etc. then that is a good indication that the trader is genuine - but not always. Remember, if they offer you something that is totally 'too good to be true' then it probably is.