TF2 Trading in 2021: Where and How?
Fans of Team Fortress 2 can buy and sell in-game items — hats and weapons — on different platforms. This is known as skin selling, or skin trading, and the main currency is metal keys, which fluctuate in value. So, where should you get or trade your virtual items? In short, it depends.
One obvious place is the Steam marketplace. While it is the official trading environment, there are some downsides. Alternatively, players can choose from a range of third-party platforms for TF2 trading including those that offer more payment flexibility. The first question you need to ask yourself is, ‘Do I want to trade for real money?’
Steam: Only Virtual Transactions
On the one hand, Steam is the largest marketplace used by millions of players. This means finding a buyer or seller for your item is a piece of cake. However, you should not expect to cash out the payments. This is simply impossible because:
- all payments are purely virtual with no withdrawal options;
- you may only spend the money on other items/games.
On Steam, players can exchange items at zero cost. However, the absence of a real withdrawal method makes this option less appealing. Apparently, Valve has to comply with some stringent norms to prevent illegal activities. This is positive, but the limitations make trading profitless especially if you are looking for real cash-out options. In this case, opt for a third-party platform instead.
Alternative Platforms: Not Created Equal
There is no shortage of virtual exchanges for TF2. As you may guess, only some of these websites deserve trust. Choosing a reliable system is thus absolutely crucial. The best alternative trading platforms have:
- low fees,
- a large pool of players,
- high-security standards, and
- flexible payment systems.
For example, DMarket has plenty of users, so trading is quick. Its fees for NFT and skin trading are among the lowest in the industry. Finally, members have peace of mind because they know that their data and assets are protected. Trading involves four simple steps: log in, choose TF2, pick an item and execute the trade.
This platform accepts a wide range of payment methods. You can buy or sell using debit or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), electronic wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, etc.), and even cryptocurrency. At the moment, payments are accepted in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Over 20 methods are accepted in total!
The Bottom Line
While Steam is the obvious platform for trading, it has a few disadvantages. If you want to make real profits and cash them out conveniently, look at the alternatives. Remember that only some of these websites will protect your rights and assets. Thus, choose wisely considering the reputation, popularity, and flexibility of the platform
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Team Fortress 2 Game Page.