Ten Ton Hamster

Ten Ton Hamster was able to bring our fans an exclusive interview with the staff at Webkinz about their most anticipated Secure Trading system that they will be featuring soon! Make sure to read all the way to the bottom and take a look at the exclusive screen shots of the trading room and a sneak peek at what the interface looks like!

1. Woo hoo! Trading! A lot of people have been waiting for this feature. Tell us how it works.

Let us start by saying we're really excited about our new trading feature as well. It's something we've been working on for quite a while.

To trade you use our amazing new Trading Table. It works just like our in-room games. You click on it, and then choose a member to invite to the table. Only instead of playing, you'll be ready to make a deal!

2. Cool! Can I get a Trading Table for my own house?

No. Trading Tables can not be purchased or won in any way. It's something special for the Clubhouse.

3. Okay. How do you make a deal?

You'll have three boxes and the person you're trading will have three boxes – similar to a KinzPost gift. You drag in the items that you offer for trade, and they do the same. When you're both happy with the items you're trading, you both confirm your trade, and it's done!

4. Interesting decision to put trading in the Clubhouse. Why not just use KinzPost for trading?

When KinzPost came out we specifically wanted it to be used for Gifts and letters, not for trading. We wanted to keep KinzPost fun and simple – more focused on picking wrapping paper and fun messages than setting up that big trade. And everyone likes getting gifts, so it's been great at what it does.

Trading is a lot more complex. There is figuring out what you want, what you're willing to give up, then making the deal itself. It's really very different and we knew that it would work a lot better if it was its own feature.

5. Does trading have any restrictions like KinzPost?

You can only trade once per day with any other member. Currently you can make as many trades as you'd like in a day, but this may change in the future. Also, if an item can't be sent through KinzPost, it can't be put into a trade deal either.

There are a number of technical and security reasons why we put restrictions like these in place. I can't go into details, but know that we've done our best to balance what's best for the site with what's most fun for our members.

6. On that note, how secure is the new Trading Table?

Very! First of all we've put two layers of confirmation for any trade. First you have to say that you're ready to trade. Until both members say they're ready, no trade can be trade. If either member tries to change anything about the trade while the other is "ready", the "ready" is undone and it must be pressed again.

One thing though – it's up to each member to decide what a "fair trade" is. If you trade something then decide that you didn't want to, it's too late. We will not undo any trade that is made using the Trading Table.

7. How will members set up their trades? Isn't that going to be tricky using KinzChat?

That's a fair question. First, we've added new options to KinzChat so that you can tell the whole room what you're looking for – rares, exclusives, etc. Second, we have a special trading KinzChat menu in the trade window itself, just like the game specific chat we have in games like Bowling and Pool. Finally, we've added handy "Like It"/"Don't Like It" buttons so that you can make it clear which items you want or don't.

Obviously trading is going to be much easier when KinzChat PLUS returns. Our older members and "serious" traders will likely want to continue to use boards such as yours to set up their trades.

8. Soooo…can you tell us when KinzChat PLUS will return?

*smile* When it's ready, naturally.

So there you have it. Secure trading is coming to Webkinz World very soon!

Here are the two exclusive Screen Shots of the Trading Room and the User Interface!









Tell us what you think about the new Trading System in our Forums!