Tips and Frowned upon Tricks
Tip: Play up patches Trick: Openly Lie about value Tip: Play Hardball Trick: Extort Tip: Smile and shake hands Trick: Steal While smiling and shaking Hands Tip: Steal proof blanket Trick: Velco your patches to yourself Tip: Displaying Prominent Patches to attract attention Trick: Making patches more prominent w/bleach or Sharpie Tip: Scout oath and Law Trick: General Dishonor Feel Free to add anymore Tricks or Tips (Dont do the Tricks ever)

I am not sure about tips/tricks. Too many loopholes for my taste. As for quality/condition/shape of a patch... My advice is this: If the patch your trading is not something you want in your collection...then why would you ever think it is a patch I want in mine. Be honest because the trade will go a lot more smooth if you do.

Always give the young scouts the best end of a deal. We do not need to discourage possible new life time collectors by "taking advantage". Another thing that I watch for at national events is the "taking advantage" of young scouts by other young scouts who are using shady trading practices. I've seen patches with threads removed or colors added with magic marker. Also one young gentleman had one patch bleached. I usually take the faker aside and tell him nicely what he is doing wrong. Don't embarrass him in front of other scouts!!! But give him a warning that he is being watched. Gap

locked.