I would agree with Steve. It sucks that you lost value on a trade, but how many people do you know who are really going to trade for that at $25? It's not played in Legacy (to my knowledge) and therefore the actual demand on it is pretty low, even if it's priced at $25 due to its scarcity.
Price should always be based on demand, and I imagine you're going to find a much higher demand for the Shaman than you would an ages-old card that few people want.

With a card like that, it's not worth $25, it's that it's rare enough that dealers might ask $25. A card like that is really worth closer to $15 to most people, and extracting the rest of the value takes major effort, or requires the resources and contacts that only dealers have.

Given the wear, you traded a Fauna Shaman for about $12-15 worth of card, which isn't anything to worry about. It's not like you traded it for a Grave Titan, Dual Land, or anything else that's easily re-sellable.

I'd say not to mention it to your friend, just be more aware of what your cards are worth. The implication that he owes you sets an awkward social precedent.

Sterling Grove ($4)
Standstill ($10)
Krosan Grip ($2.50)
Lim-Dul's Vault ($8)

@Thehordling

While this really has nothing to do with the article, dealers in NY and CA do not just arbitrarily charge more for cards. I buy my cards at channelfireball's shop in CA and many of their prices are better than anywhere online. Also, people around with a lot of money don't just throw money away in trades, most of them don't trade at all, they just buy every card they need.

In addition to Dave's list, I do have a few other uncommons I think are worth picking up on the cheap.

– Autumn's Veil – This is at a quarter right now, and is a pretty good card. If any of the mono-green decks that saw play in block at San Juan pick up in Standard next year, then this becomes one of their best options against U/W control. Probably won't go higher than a dollar, but it's something someone is going to be looking for come next year.

– Combust – Pretty much the same story as the Veil. It's at 50 cents right now and might push to a dollar. This will be better trade fodder than it will be as straight value. Uncommons like this can be really difficult for players to pick up without paying inflated dealer prices at events. Many players don't carry uncommons on them, and you can benefit from being one of the few that do.

– Condemn – Even though it's a reprint, it won't hurt to have a few extra of these lying around. Once Path rotates out, this will likely be its replacement.

– Goblin Ruinblaster – The Ruinblaster has seen play in a number of decks already, but should pick up again post-rotation while people are trying to figure out the metagame. U/W will be one of the easiest-to-adapt lists, and LD against them is never bad. It's also possible this could see play in Extended in a red-based aggro deck.

– Smother – Also a reprint, but a card with value in older formats. Won't be any cheaper than they are right now ($.25), especially if it starts to see play in Standard.

– Everflowing Chalice – Everyone is going to keep working on ramp decks, and this sigil with upside will be a part of many. This card was in draft circulation for a very short time.

– Inquisition of Kozilek – This card will be in Mono-Black if that becomes a deck (and even if it doesn't people will try). Also possible it will see play in Extended alongside Thoughtseize, and could be its replacement after Seize rotates.

– Joraga Treespeaker – Could be the Noble Hierarch replacement, and has seen some play already in block.

– Pelakka Wurm – Ramp deck "answer" to RDW? At only a quarter apiece, not much risk here.

I'm not saying every card here will turn out to be a hit, or even see play at all, but it's not really going to cost you anything to pick these up, and if one or two see nice movement, you'll have an opportunity to make out well.

@Thehordling – All the prices are from either coolstuffinc.com or starcitygames.com. The people I trade with know up front I'm trading for value, not to fill a need. Because of this, I have a hard time accepting any trade not in my favor value-wise. I'm very honest about this fact, and it's up to them to decide if giving away some value is worth getting the cards they need that night. This is how you need to operate as a trader if you're out to make a profit on it, though there can be situations where it's worth it to take a hit in value, such as trading Standard cards that will lose value after a rotation for Legacy staples.

Out of all the articles on QS so far, this is the only one I am disappointed in. The real trades would be nice except that they are frustrating because that trade was obviously done with someone clueless. All of the trades that you've showcased so far have been in your favor value wise. Are you not using the same value system as your trade partner when making the deal? You basically traded a bunch of rares from the dollar bin and 2 abyssal persecutors for a bunch of hot cards. Showing us this trade does not showcase any skills other than finding the poor sap.

Also, your list of "semi recent" uncommons has 1 card in it from the last 2 years. 5th Dawn is like 10 years ago, how is that even remotely semi recent? On top of that, the prices you list for your uncommons are all high. I went through my list of online dealers, and none of them have those uncommons for that high, and they sure don't go that high on Ebay. Do you live in New York or CA where shops charge more in a high income and cost of living area?

I don't mean for this to sound like a rant, I meant for it to be constructive criticizm, so I apologize for the tone. I do appreciate the free article, but I wanted to say it wasn't good and point out why. What I would have liked to read is what uncommons you feel will be good to pick up, especially out of the rotation. Everyone knows Path to Exile sees play in eternal formats and is going to hold value, and probably Bloodbraid Elf too. But others?

Thanks.

Spell Snare 4->18
Crystal Ball 1->6 (EDH much?)
Eternal Witness 4->15
Sensei's Top 8->30 !!!

While most with these foils realize that power uncommons are valuable, many do not have any clue quite how valuable they are. Think of it as an extension of the same concept, just taken to an even higher level. Then trade them to Legacy, Vintage, or EDH pimp-ers. You will (eventually) find someone willing to give the proper premium for them.

For me, the uncommons I think that are worth getting some extras of right now:
* Oust
* Crystal Ball
* Wall of Omens

but what else?

Help me Corbin Wan Kenobi – you're my only hope.