Trading Rust Skins on Steam vs. Third-Party Platforms
When it comes to survival games, only a couple can compare to Rust. Rust has attracted millions of players worldwide. The game has a lot to offer, ranging from unique graphics to adrenaline-packed gameplay. Rust skins and skin trading are also a considerable part of the game.
However, many gamers are confused about whether to trade their Rust skins on Steam or third-party platforms like SkinsMonkey.com.
It’s not an easy choice. Let’s compare Rusk skin trading on Steam vs. third-party platforms so that you can make an informed decision.
Steam has all of the skins.
Steam has a great community market, featuring items from various games found on the platform. You can use it to trade Rust skins, too. One of the most significant advantages of using Steam for trading is that it has all the skins currently in the game.
Whether you want armor, clothing, weapon, misc, or resources, you will be able to find them on Steam. All it takes is typing the name of the skin and hitting search – it’s going to be there. Plus, it makes it convenient to do everything in one place. However, the skins on Steam often come with substantial price tags.
Third-party platforms can offer skins more cheaply.
There is one significant difference between Steam and third-party platforms considering Rust skin trading – Steam is not a marketplace exclusively. On the other hand, third-party platforms are focused on one thing only – skin and item trading.
It makes a huge difference when we take price into account. You can often find skins on these platforms more affordable than skins on Steam. There are numerous reasons for lower prices, ranging from a better supply-demand ratio than Steam to ongoing discounts and sales. Steam trades take time.
Trading Rust skin on Steam is effortless. You can do it while logged in without breaking a sweat. Plus, you have access to all the in-game skins. Everything is right there, accessible from the Steam dashboard. However, the Steam marketplace has a trade hold.
A trade hold refers to a specific period Steam holds items after the players accept the trade. It can last up to two weeks, which is very long. It’s the shortest when two players have been friends for more than one year. If you are interested in flipping Rust skins and doing trade for fun, a too-long trade hold is a fun killer.
Third-party platforms offer instant sales.
Unlike Steam Community Market, which has a trade hold mechanism as a security measure, third-party platforms don’t.
Don’t worry – you will still be safe and secure on those sites. The top-notch platforms have a publicly displayed Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. They use encryption and other security protocols to keep you and your data safe from cyberpunks.
Instant sale is a core feature of those platforms. It means that the moment you purchase the skin, you get it. The same goes when selling it. That opens up new opportunities. You can use a sniper sales strategy to get low-price items and resell them or save tons of cash to complete your Rust skin collection.
Both are legal options.
Another critical aspect of the entire Rust skin trading process is the legality of trading.
Using the Steam Community Market is entirely legal. You can list your skins for sale or buy other people’s skins without worrying about whether it is legal or not. However, you should consult with a tax advisor to determine your liability if you are making considerable profits.
Third-party platforms are also safe and legal options. You can use any popular trading platform to trade your Rust skins without worrying whether you will get a ban or not. You sign in with your Steam account and proceed with trading as if you were using the Steam Community Market.
You can use both to find great prices.
When it comes to prices, third-party platforms can offer skins more cheaply. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find affordable skins on the Steam Community Market. If you are a Rust skin collector, you should keep all options in the game as it will help you find cheap items or buy expensive and rare ones when their prices are below the average.
If you want to make an extra buck, trading Rust skins using all available marketplaces will put you at an advantage. You will be able to track the prices and predict their movements so that you can buy items when it is most profitable.
Third-party sites usually offer better bonuses.
While using the Steam Community Market stands for convenience, it doesn’t stand for bonuses and rewards. Steam already has tens of millions of users, and it doesn’t need to offer incentives to people to create accounts and use the marketplace for trading. That is not the case with third-party platforms for Rust skin trading, though.
The competition is harsh, and these platforms often try to stand out from the crowd by offering attractive bonuses and rewards to first-time users. You can monetize this opportunity to save more on your first trade.
Beware of scammers on both options.
Scammers are often present on platforms with high online trading volumes. Games are not an exception. Given how lucrative some Rust skin can be, it isn’t a surprise to see scammers on Steam and third-party platforms.
It’s something that you should always keep in mind. Remember to use strong passwords and never share your personal or credit card information with people online.
Conclusion
Third-party platforms are slightly ahead of the Steam Community Market regarding Rust skin trading. They can often feature cheaper skins than Steam, attractive bonuses, and enable instant sales and trades. However, there is nothing wrong with using both, as it will help you find affordable skins.