Maybe you've known about bootleg recordings for a while, but just didn't know exactly who to ask or how to acquire them. Perhaps you're a longtime Van Halen fan (but brand new to the internet) and didn't even know such recordings existed. Either way, there are a few basic steps to take to educate you on how to jump into the wonderful world of CD and DVD trading:

• Read this site's Frequently Asked Questions page. You'll find that it answers a majority of the questions you might have. The page itself may be long; but if you invest a small part of your time by studying it, you'll save yourself -- and your fellow traders -- any aggravation or confusion.
  
• Seek out potential trade partners wisely. On this site's message boards, the VH Trade Forums, you can peruse through various forums that list VH traders. One of these is a recommended traders forum; these people have proven themselves to be great traders by faithfully coming through every time on deals with other collectors (whom they are recommended by). Remember to investigate whether or not certain traders will deal with newbies (some don't -- so please show understanding). Also give some leniency towards more experienced traders; I know you're eager to get your hands on some great music, but some people lead extremely busy lives (with work, family, school, or various other activities) and may not be able to help you out in speedy fashion. So give 'em a break.
  
• Visit one of the other trade-oriented websites, such as the ones listed on Question #11 on the Frequently Asked Questions page. This is especially good if you're interested in other artists besides Van Halen.
  
• Go through one of the trade-oriented newsgroups like [url=news:alt.music.bootlegs]alt.music.bootlegs[/url] or [url=news:alt.music.tape-culture]alt.music.tape-culture[/url], among others (there are newer, CD-R and DVD-oriented ones available nowadays). Before you send a deluge of trade requests to either one of these newsgroups:
  
  
  
  • read the associated FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) they provide, and
    
  • wait at least 3-4 weeks before you post to get a "feel" for the newsgroups and how they function.
    
  
  
• Join a mailing list geared towards bootleg trading. There are literally hundreds of these on the internet, and are not too hard to find if you search in the right places. Yahoogroups and Topica have dozens of good mailing lists dedicated to bootleg collecting. Again, just like the aforementioned newsgroups, read any rules or FAQ's they may have and wait before posting.
  
• Visit one of the Van Halen message boards. In addition to our own VH Trade Forums, the following boards have forums geared toward bootleg/memorabilia collecting: VH Forums.
  
• Add your posting on the VH Trade Forums. Either by posting a profile or a classified ad, let people know that you'd like to start trading and what tell them what you're looking for.
  

Once you've started trading:

• Thoroughly read the Quality Assurance Trading Standards. These were created so that only the best-sounding bootlegs stay in circulation.
  
• Always follow through on your trades. It's common sense. If for any reason a problem arises that may delay your end of the trade, be courteous enough to immediately contact that party you're trading with and let him/her know what the problem is, so that an agreeable and fair solution can be worked out.
  It is not advisable to mislead or rip off a fellow trader in a transaction. Many Van Halen traders have a very high profile on the internet and will identify you as a bad trader if you are seen posting in another forum.
  
• Be patient. Amassing a sizable collection of recordings takes time.
  

Here are some internet spots to avoid, either with trading or Van Halen news in general:

• Auction sites like eBay. Don't get the wrong idea; eBay and their kind are often a great source of rare collectibles that would be nearly impossible to find anywhere else. But when it comes to bootlegs, don't depend on eBay to expand your collection for two reasons: The sale of bootlegs is illegal (refer to the FAQ page's entry for more details), and you'll frequently pay exorbitant amounts for recordings that you get obtain for a fraction of the cost if you would make an exchange with a trader. Why be a fool? Tape/CD trading is cheaper, easier, and most of all, legal.
  
• Any person's "trade site" with prices listed for selling. Stay any from them no matter how tempting their offers may look. Although you'll hear these sellers often use something like the following in their defense -- "we're just providing a service for those who are unable to trade, and we don't make any profits" -- keep in mind there are numerous traders who would be willing to deal with a complete newbie for nothing.
  
• Any of the "Van Halen" newsgroups, such as alt.music.vanhalen or alt.music.van-halen (just to name two). These places are nothing but a cesspool populated by morons who divulge in false rumors, bullshit, and Van Halen trashing. They're a complete waste of time to even visit.

Thanks, this helps alot!

Good Evening to all! I'm new on this cool forum and glad to be here. Been reading everyone's messages for over a year and I have finally decided to join. I've been trading for just over a year and really love it!!

Iron Mike wrote:

Good Evening to all! I'm new on this cool forum and glad to be here. Been reading everyone's messages for over a year and I have finally decided to join. I've been trading for just over a year and really love it!!

Welcome mate

Welcome to the forums!

Hi, I have seen that to sign up for a tree you have to have 30 posts, three months, and a rating.
Are these requirements set in stone to obide by or can they be bent ocassionally until I have got them. Because three months is a long time lol to wait before fist tree sign up
I appreciate your help
Tom

chinnus wrote:

Hi, I have seen that to sign up for a tree you have to have 30 posts, three months, and a rating. Are these requirements set in stone to obide by or can they be bent ocassionally until I have got them. Because three months is a long time lol to wait before fist tree sign up I appreciate your help Tom

Hello Tom,

There are actually REVISED rules in place at the current time.Please see the rules by following the link below:

http://www.vhtrading.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10541

If you do not make the requirements for a tree:

1) Set up a trade with someone for whatever is being treed until such time that you meet the requirements.
2) Do a 2:1 blanks & postage deal (you send whoever 2 blanks for every 1 disc they burn for you + postage to get the discs back to you in a timely manner).

You will find that some of our members here will do 2:1 trades or regular trades to help out individuals who don't qualify for trees.

All the best,
Kenny

chinnus wrote:

Are these requirements set in stone to obide by or can they be bent ocassionally until I have got them. Because three months is a long time lol to wait before fist tree sign up

First, Tom, welcome to the forums. Second, I run into this all the time at work, requirements are called requirements because they are required. Bending the rules does not make sense. Bend the rules once and you have to bend them twice. Bend them twice and, hey, you've got to bend them a third time. Soon, what good are the rules if no one is following them. Requirements are requirements because they are required. Sorry.

I understand three months may seem like a long time but if you think about it three months really isn't that long. Actually three months will fly by. The requirements were setup so that people don't "hit and run" ... grab the good and then are gone. The other part of the requirements are the 30 posts thing. Some people say they aren't chit-chatty and I can respect that but 30 posts is not really a whole lot either. Sure when you just join and haven't posted at all it may seem like a lot but we also want people to contribute to the community not just come and again grab the goods and bolt.

Likewise what is the fun if the ONLY post someone ever does is for Tree sign-ups?

These are requirements that some of the more active member have agreed upon, for various reasons not just the ones I have laid out. These are also NOT meant to single anyone out, another good reason why the rules should not be bent. Don't take offense.

Having said all that we do have some very, very generous individuals on the site and setting up a trade should not be difficult. A hint I can give you is that a Branch will be making copies already. If someone signs up as a Branch you could easily PM or e-mail them and ask, POLITELY, if they would mind making an extra set, as a 2:1, B&P or straight trade. If one turns you down for one reason or another Trees have multiple Branches, don't be offensive/defensive, just politely ask another branch if they would be willing to help you out. I guarantee you'll be able to get a copy.

Just a couple of suggestions ...

Again, welcome to the forums and I hope you enjoy yourself ...

frankm
Thanks for your advice all information has been taken on board, understandable scenes as there are so many con men out there 30 posts over 3 months is also very little, I can see your point

Many thank for all your advice guys!
Tom

I am always willing to do the 2:1 to get a newbie started as well............my list is on my homepage.........

jfrey42 wrote:

I am always willing to do the 2:1 to get a newbie started as well............my list is on my homepage.........

Oh really!? That's great to hear... I'm a newbie here and I'm dying to get started, so let me check out your list and you can look for a PM soon...

Mahalo,
Gilligan

This an awesome site...Long live VanHalen!
I cannot wait to share what I have... mostly early VHS but quite a few DvDs as well.
Very interested in DLR era, can't wait to get some real LIVE VH in 2007!

Thanks,
Hotter

Welcome to this awesome club Hotter

scotthotter wrote:

This an awesome site...Long live VanHalen! I cannot wait to share what I have... mostly early VHS but quite a few DvDs as well. Very interested in DLR era, can't wait to get some real LIVE VH in 2007! Thanks, Hotter

Welcome Hotter

scotthotter wrote:

This an awesome site...Long live VanHalen! I cannot wait to share what I have... mostly early VHS but quite a few DvDs as well. Very interested in DLR era, can't wait to get some real LIVE VH in 2007! Thanks, Hotter

Welcome Hotter!! Ory