Trading in Path of Exile 2 can sometimes lead to frustrating situations, where you struggle to acquire items at the listed price. In this guide, I’ll go over how to handle these scenarios and how to spot and avoid common scams.
Improving Trading in Path of Exile 2
Common Trading Issues
Case 1: No Response or Fake Listings
The most frequent issue occurs when you message someone but receive no reply. After refreshing, you still see the same item listed with the seller online.
- Steps to Take:
- Check how long the listing has been up. Block the seller immediately if it’s been up for more than an hour. It’s likely a fake listing or even a bot.
- If it’s recent, refresh again. If you keep seeing the same item and the seller remains online, block them.
- After several rounds of this, you should start seeing more genuine listings.
Limitations:
This approach is useful when there are only a few fake listings. If you encounter dozens, blocking them will overwhelm your blocklist, and it won’t help much.
Alternatives:
If there are too many fake listings, raise your minimum price to avoid wasting time on them. While you might miss out on some deals, it’s better than spamming trade messages without responses.
Case 2: Price Increase After Inquiry
If a seller responds to your inquiry with a significantly higher price than listed, they may be trying to play a game.
- Response Strategy:
- Start by offering a price slightly higher than the original listing and work your way up depending on the seller’s response.
- If the seller accepts an offer, wait a few minutes, then send a message claiming you’ve already bought another item for a much higher price and link a worse item.
- After the seller’s reply, block them.
Bonus:
Before messaging about buying another item, you can delay by saying you need to finish a map first. Then, you can go run a map or two before sending the message.
Case 3: Price Increase After Initial Inquiry
If a seller raises the price after you contact them, don’t accept it. Instead, keep messaging them with the new, higher price until they invite you to a party or accept your offer.
- Goal:
- The aim is to push the price as high as possible without accepting the invite.
- Block them only after some time to avoid the seller lowering the price back down.
Case 4: Seller Claims Higher Offer
If a seller claims to have a higher offer than yours, you can respond with something like, “I can only offer up to [a lower price], good luck with your sale!”
- Alternative:
- After waiting a minute, send a message saying you’ve already bought from another seller at a much higher price and link a worse item. Then, block the seller after their response.
Common Scams
Scammers are prevalent in the trading system, especially with high-value items. Be aware of these scams to avoid losing your currency.
Buying Items:
- Check the Item’s Details:
- Verify the item name and ensure it matches the listing.
- For corrupted items with extra sockets, make sure the socket count is correct.
- Double-check all mods, especially valuable ones. If anything doesn’t match the listing, it’s a scam.
- Trade Window Red Flags:
- If the seller cancels the trade at any point, especially after you’ve checked the item, that’s a major red flag. They may initiate a new trade with a different item in the hopes you won’t verify it again.
Selling Items:
- Message Red Flags:
- If the buyer’s message is written in all white text without a link to the item, it’s likely a scam. Compare the message price with your item’s price.
- Even if the message contains a link, check the item’s price in your stash or on the trade site.
- Trade Window Check:
- Ensure the buyer is offering the correct amount and type of orbs. Look out for incorrect stacks, such as lower quantities or wrong orb types.
- If the buyer cancels the trade, recheck everything. Scammers may attempt to trick you into accepting a wrong trade when they re-initiate.
By paying attention to the details and following these steps, you can avoid most scams and make safer trades in Path of Exile 2.
Last Updated on February 6, 2025
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