Some trading tips, please? :D

Keys in TF2/CS:GO/Dota are used to unlock in-game crates. Keys (along with TF2 metal, etc.) are used as general currency for games, items, and more, as the can easily be bought/sold on the market and via Paypal.

• Create a trade thread that mentions interested users are to post in the topic so you can add them, and random friend requests will be ignored.
• If you do decide to check random requests (it seems some of the big traders don't always post in my topics despite such a request), use Enhanced Steam. This will let you check the user profile by giving you direct links to SteamTrades and SteamRep, confirm they are a real trader or bogus.
• Perhaps limit trading to people you know and trust here for a while at first.
• Keep trading to inventory items only if possible, as if something happens, you can contact Steam Support to have your items returned.

TF2 / Dota 2 / CSGO keys are well, keys, that are used to open cases in game, but people also use them as a 'currency' to buy games. Check the price on the Steam to see how much you would get if you sell them for Steam wallet. Check other traders' price to see how much you would get if you sell them for money (Paypal, etc)
How to be a good trader? Dont scam.
How to avoid being scammed? Trade only tradable games, so if something happens you can contact Steam support. If you are going to do a trade without tradable items, always make the other user go first.

• When you create a thread, always tell them to post first in your thread before adding
• Should you accept a random friend request always tell them to give them a link to their STrades Profile, from there check if they are really the person who added you
• Never trust a trader who has set his profile/inventory on private
• Never trust anyone who wants to make a trade as quickly as possible and promises you an offer too good to be true
• Never trust when someone messages you and tells you some bullshit about they friend not able to send you a friend request. Tell them to give you the link of said friends Steam Profile
• Prices on TF2/Dota2 keys are dictated through the market, to determine what price you want (how many keys) for your games just take a look around at the forums
• Never ever log in a site that wants your Steam account details, those are phishing sites and their urls are very hard to tell from the originals (e.g. Stearn instead of Steam)
• If you are treading for a Steam key, the person with the Steam key should go first, except when he/she has enough/way more rep than you (Always verify Steamtrades and Steam account are the same)
• Always trade through the Steam Trade Window. Always.

Damn i solved it on first try.

To avoid getting scammed, just use common sense, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is

EDIT: Also if somebody offers you a crazy deal and then says btw i'm a girl its probably a scam, its happening a lot recently and its kinda silly, but there, some actual advice

Keys are tradable wallet, that is all I know about them lol
value is from market + whatever profit the trader wants :)

http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/440/Mann%20Co.%20Supply%20Crate%20Key
http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/570/Treasure%20Key

Bump for solved.

As for the tips, IMPERSONATORS are the most common scammers. Install the Enhanced Steam browser addon and always check who you are dealing with. Don't take steam profile comments are rep. Good luck.

• Mostly ignore any form of reputation system, especcially comments posted on the Steam profile of the trader. Make your own background check. Don't trade with accounts created just for trading.
• Always ask yourself what it was the price and where the game can come from.
• Be aware there are regional versions on a few of games, you can check the gifts in the trading window before you confirm a trade.
• Always take your time
• Don't trade with regional price exploiters (or other kind of exploiters). They can in some cases using a security hole to buy a ROW copy of a game at the same price of a RU/CIS restricted version.

Bump for solved

The above are good tips, and I can't reiterate enough how important it is to check to see if it's an impostor, do your side background checks apart from the reps they give you, sometimes game count, hours played etc. can be a good indicator if the account was just created to scam as well.

Bump for solved.

"I just need some tips on how to be a good trader and how to avoid being scammed."

Go with your gut. Check SteamRep. Obviously, don't click on a link they send you if it says "here my friend want to trade here: stoomcermernitrally.com/id/loser". Never rush a trade. Never trade while rushed, and don't fall to pressure. Check people's rep in multiple locations, and NOT from the rep thread they give you - in chat, click "view profile". Keep chatlogs for cash/paypal trades. Steam Keys are generally a bad idea, as are extremely low priced gifts, which were likely purchased with a stolen card.

"Also, I need an explanation on TF2/CS:GO/Dota 2 keys. I've Googled for them before, but all the results I got were either about Steam CD keys or just an explanation on what the keys do in-game. I'd like to know how keys are used in trading and how a key's value is determined."

TF2/CS:GO/Dota 2 keys are little items that unlock worthless crates and give you an item worth less than the key. That is, unless you're fantastically lucky and somehow manage to score an Unusual/StatTrack knife/Idunnowhatitisfordota, which is a regular cosmetic hat that adds nothing to gameplay except that it has particle effects surrounding your head (in a game with 1/9th snipers) or that it tracks your knife kills.

Now, these keys aren't free - they're a set price of 2.49$ from Steam. This is the only way that more keys can be created - by being bought from Valve online. Of course, keys then have a set value in virtual goods - as of right now keys are about 7.22 refined TF2 metal, which will probably go up. The reason why this goes up is because people can sell keys in the Community Market for funds, so they want to get keys with "free" virtual items. Keys in the market are about 2.25 or so, this changes.

So because keys are bought with money and are worth about 2.25-2.50, people will want to trade for them - for example someone may sell a copy of a 20$ game for 8 or more keys. So keys are important in virtual trading because they're tied directly to a price in the store.

This is probably overcomplicated but take it as you will.

-Always check profiles. If an account is too new, barely have any bought game or none /not much played hoours then you should be careful, especially if they are offering high valued games
-If someone have a steam gift and wants you go first,even though your trade item fits in the trade window-scam alert. Same thing if the person have a private profile/backpack
-Keep in mind that Steamrep doesnt handle scamming involving steam keys: so even if the person in question seems to be clean, always be extra careful
-its always a caution sign, if the trading partner tries to rush the trade
-Remember: better be safe and skipping a too good to be true deal than taking in and losing a lot
-If you need a middleman, always look up for them on sites like Steamrep. If the trader is insisting to use his/her own middleman,something is definitely not right

• Dont do paypal trade unless you know what you are doing and you trust your trading partner, since paypal scams are really frequent as well as chargebacks.
  -If you trade for hb gift links, remember that these games are revoked if the original buyer makes a chargeback
  -Its always handy to keep a bookmark of people you traded with and with who the trade went well, since you have less chances of being scammed with regular customers to say so

beware of impersonators.

don't trade for steam keys, unless you're dealing with a trusted trader (beware of impersonators).

NEVER trade for steam gifts that are giftable only and not tradable.
example: Someone has a gift that you want, but it's not tradable for another 6 days and can only be gifted, do not accept the game, even if the other trader is willing to go first and send it before you send yours. These can be revoked, even after you accept / redeem / activate. Do not trade for non-tradable games, even if you're dealing with a trusted trader. The trusted trader could have obtained it from someone else. (beware of impersonators)

try to become friends with some honest / trusted traders (beware of impersonators)

use steamprices.com to find prices in different regions and to see the sale / price history (Chart at bottom)

if a trader adds you and gives you a link to their steamtrades.com rep as soon as you start hinting that you don't trust them, be wary (this could be an impersonator).

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if you get to do a lot of trades and accumulate some "+reps" on your steamtrades profile, expect to become impersonated. you may wake up one morning and find "-rep, scammed me" feedback on your steamtrades profile because someone got scammed by an impersonator of you.
this happens to me all the time :(
do not "-rep" them back. add them, endure the cursing, and then inform them that you've been impersonated, and tell them to check their inventory history for the profile link of the real scammer.

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to be a good trader, just try your best to be fair, don't scam people, and be friendly to everyone you deal with.
some people may give you "lowball" offers. simply tell them "no, thanks".. don't chew 'em out for it. If you get mad at someone who lowballs you, you scare away other traders, because they may be afraid that you'll reply the same way to them. be friendly to everyone. even the lowballers. be friendly and polite :)

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also, Traders Guild