How To Be A TF2 Trader (Beta Release)

This Guide outlines the basics of being an efficient trader, with a focus on configuration and customization. This is not a Guide on trading methods because that would become obsolete rapidly

Learning Basic Etiquette (Not Being A Skrub)

Nobody likes a skrub. My "Guide" on many common misbehaviors can be found here: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=692259606

Another important factor that many fail to consider is the sounds of their game coming back through their microphones, usually when using speakers, which is very annoying and undermines their efforts. My guide on fixing that can be found here: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=526798683

Enabling Steam Mobile Authenticator (Disabling Trade Holds)

The SMA system is an Account security measure that can be annoying, but is ultimately very useful. Many traders refuse to deal with those who have Holds, because waiting 15 days sucks.
The Official Guide on enabling it can be found here:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4440-RTUI-9218

Making Trade Advertisements (Chat Binds)

Chat Binds make it very easy to advertise your trades, especially multiple ones. Copy/Paste is inefficient, prone to errors and only lets you have one advertisement.

To efficiently manage chat binds, you'll first need an Autoexec.cfg file. My in-depth guide can be found here: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=534247490

A simple chat bind, like:
bind / "say BUYING STUFF. SELLING STUFF. TRADE ME"
or multiple chat binds, like:
bind / "say BUYING STUFF. TRADE ME"
bind [ "say SELLING STUFF. TRADE ME"
bind ] "say TRADING STUFF. TRADE ME"
can be effective, but can eat up lots of keyboard space. A more efficient method is a rotating list of binds using only one key:

alias tradebindA "say Buying Marketable Game Cards (2 scrap each) Trade Me!"
alias tradebindB "say Buying Steam Gems (40 for 1 scrap) Trade Me!"
alias tradebindC "say Buying Valve/mainstream Emoticons/Backgrounds (2 scrap each)"
alias tradebindD "say Buying Craftable Hats (1 Ref), B-W Robot Parts (2 scrap)"

alias tradeloop tradeloopA
alias tradeloopA "tradebindA; alias tradeloop tradeloopB"
alias tradeloopB "tradebindB; alias tradeloop tradeloopC"
alias tradeloopC "tradebindC; alias tradeloop tradeloopD"
alias tradeloopD "tradebindD; alias tradeloop tradeloopA"

unbind kp_pageup
bind kp_pageup tradeloop

Understanding Currencies and Trading Basics

Currency in TF2 is Keys and Metal.
My Guide on Currency can be found here: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=604212803

Bonus Points (Miscellaneous Tips & Tricks)

• Find Players in your current server here
  
• Find players from past servers here (requires a rejoin to include current session)

[Beta Delta]

I think this is a good guide that gives information that can really help those learning to trade.

[tummy ache survivor]

scam kids