whats with everyone wanting tf2 keys? I thought it was f2p?

Sadly, the market has been weird for about two months. You'd be lucky to get someone to sell you a key for 6.33 at the moment.

10 years ago

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adrianowski

I remember when they were only 2 refined, then many highballers joined TF2 community. "HEI LETS BUI KEIZ FOER 2 REF AND SEL FOR 2.33 OR MORE", then backpack.tf "changes" price of key to 2.33 and again and again, it will be worth 20 refined soon

10 years ago

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Refined metal, it is crafted out of weapons in TF2. Also currency.

10 years ago

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Bambosh

Then there is rec and scrap, reclaimed and scrap respectively. Both are pretty worthless, but it's a tiered crafting sort of thing.

You need scrap to make rec to make ref to buy keys/hats.

10 years ago

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Infernotoni

Inside the TF2 shop you can buy them. Then you can gamble like my friend did yesterday and open crates. Then you unbox a 120€ unusual hat and have a nice Christmas.

10 years ago

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Dont buy them from the TF2 shop. If you buy them there, they are untradeable for a short period of time and are always more expensive than the community market.

10 years ago

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Akanin

First time I bought one there, when I was not quite aware of the community market, I was able to trade it immediately o.o. Plus side for getting it more expensively is getting a premium TF2.

10 years ago

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You buy them in TF2. They have pretty steady value ($1.70 during sales, $1.90 during regular times)

10 years ago

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MrD

You buy them in the market.

10 years ago

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OP said Steam store, so I assumed he wanted to buy directly from Valve. Market is obviously cheaper, and it's even cheaper if you go find someone who will accept paypal.

10 years ago

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MrD

Well, we can say, the market is part of the steam store. :P (Like the tf2 store, dota2 store, etc.)

10 years ago

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FelipeMC

Quick question to spoil the topic: can I buy keys from Market if I don't play, neither want TF on my library, and trade them away?

10 years ago

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Yes. Keep in mind that if you don't have a premium TF2 account, you can only store 50 items in your backpack though

10 years ago

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FelipeMC

Hm, thanks! (:

So I'll be ok buying up to 50 of them, amirite? Can I trade them just after buying or do I have to wait some time before I'm able to trade? Heard about something like that anywhere, but couldn't find that info...

10 years ago

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I think you can buy more than 50, but they will get deleted from your backpack so be careful!

I believe you can trade them as soon as you buy.

10 years ago

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I think buying them from the store causes the wait on trading, but that may have been taken out.

10 years ago

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FelipeMC

Yeah, heard something like that, but I will take the risk anyways.... lol

Thanks, pielord and jatan, for your answers! Happy holidays, folks. (:

10 years ago

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That does not apply to ones bought from market, just store.

10 years ago

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lovemehate

yeah i just read up a bit on it, seems kind of.......shady ....theres only a few games I want, is the trade value of the games for keys the same>? in someones case such as mine, thats not really into trading, would it not be better just to buy the game? or loading up on keys and trading for games ...much of a money saver?

10 years ago

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Czaress

1 tip : Don't trade for keys ( not tf2 keys, keys for redeeming games.)

10 years ago

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Yes, this too. If you are new make sure to stay inside of secure trading.

10 years ago

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I disagree with this in a few respects. First, it is generally good advice, but like with any trader, it comes down to who you are getting it from. Personally, I get tons of Amazon credit a lot because I use their trade in program all the time. Sending in old games, DVDs, CDs, books, etc. My family also has a corporate account. Im able to use this to purchase games and trade for keys or other games and have built up a solid reputation. It all boils down to who you're buying from. If the trader and Steam account are established, it makes it easier to do. But in general, you two are right. Trading for game keys provides no safety net. SteamRep nor Steam itself does anything if you trade for a game key and are ripped off. Just be diligent and remember if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. There are many more traders like me who trade game keys because they're able to get them, and Ive also traded with people for keys. I have very distinct rules that I follow when buying a key from a trader and when selling them. It really boils down to the reputation of the person you're dealing with, but getting a game key instead of a gift can be exceptionally cheaper, espc with newer games.

10 years ago

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That is why I said 'if you are new'. If you know what you are doing you can trade relatively safely, but a new trader won't know about rep and how to check it, and should just steer clear of it to start with.

10 years ago

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Those aren't hard things to pick up on, but I get you. My response was more to the one you replied to.

10 years ago

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If you want to buy a game which isn't on sale or you missed the sale then it is great, you can often get them half off or more. If it is on sale currently though you really don't have to bother if you don't want to.

10 years ago

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Over the last 6 months, I'd say 90% of the games I bought were purchased from traders with TF2 keys. It CAN be a huge money saver b/c it enables you to get games purchased in another region i.e. the Russians. The Russians get games nominally cheaper than just about any other region, so a 9.99 USD game can be had for 3 TF2 keys on average (it all depends on the market, but that is a typical price). 3 TF2 keys on the market (never buy them directly from the Mann Co. Store in game) is about 7 bucks on average over the last 6 months. During sales like now, keys are even cheaper because of all the people wanting to sell them to get Steam wallet funds.

I've not looked back since I discovered the TF2 key economy. It is a money saver and it really adds up especially when you get into the more expensive games. Just be sure you're trading with someone who has been doing it a while and they have an established Steam account and the game you are getting is not region locked. Most reputable sellers will not sell region locked games anyway.

10 years ago

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Aeris

I just discovered Russian dealers too. Most accept both Paypal and keys, but Paypal takes a cut and uses the worst conversion rate, so even with the Valve fees, keys are usually the cheapest way to pay for gifts. Also, you can make money by selling dropped cards, but AFAIK, wallet funds can't be transferred directly.

10 years ago

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