Introduction

Are you confused as to how the Avatar Lending Program at TDN works? Well this is the tutorial for you. Here you will learn how to borrow items from the Avatar Lending Program ('ALP') and gain a new avatar, all without spending a single Neopoint!

NOTE: Read the Item Lending Rules completely before applying for an item.

Common Terms

We will be using some common words or abbreviations to save time when you contact us. So here are just the most common ones. If we use any you don't see here, visit our Acronyms and Terms page to try and find it there.

Collat or Collateral - Neopoints or items used to secure a deal. Basically, a deposit you will get back when we get our item back.
Est. Price - The estimated price of the item. This is the highest collateral we will ask for on a certain item. We work out your collateral as a percentage of that.
"Pure or ETS" - Stands for "Neopoints or Easy To Sell". Your collateral can be in 'Pure' Neopoints (Only Neopoints), 'ETS' Items (Items which are easy to sell, such as Paintbrushes) or a mixture of the two.
TDN Username - Your username on the TDN Forums . (Not to be confused with the newly implemented 'tdnAccounts').
"In the trades" - A trade has been set up at the Trading Post under the username Jerrypteri.

Choosing an Avatar

If you've found the ALP, you no doubt have an avatar in mind. But there are three places you can check if we have the item you would like to borrow avaliable:

1. Using the 'Avaliable for Lending ' section
If you're looking for inspiration or just want to see what we offer, the 'Avaliable for Lending ' subforum is the ideal place to look. In that subforum is a list of all the things we lend, titled by the avatar name. Click the link to see more about the avatar including a picture, what you need to borrow and the 'Est. Price'. Make sure you check this out before sending a request to us.

2. Using the 'Avatar Solution' section
Here you will find a list of all possible avatars. Clicking the 'Item Avatars' link on the navigation will lead to you to a list of avatars for which items are used to obtain them. Clicking any avatar will open up a new window, showing you how to get the avatar, along with an "Available for Avatar Lending?" line, which if it says "Yes" shows we can lend you the item.

The Process

Now you know what item you want to borrow, it's time to get into contact with us!

Send an application to our forums account, TDN Avatar Lending, if you want to borrow an item stating what it is you want to borrow, who you are and how much collateral you can spare. The more detail you go into here, the quicker you are likely to get lent to. If you don't, we'll keep having to ask you this information anyway.

Depending on when we can get round to you, you will receive a reply back either asking for more information, apologizing that someone's already borrowing the item or, if everything's swell, a confirmation of your lend along with the collateral you are required to give. When you can get lent to, a trade will be set up and a link sent to you.

Once at the trade list, make an offer on the trade with your username on it. Make sure it contains the item you asked for. To give us your collateral, offer it in the trade. If trading with pure Neopoints, a 'junk' item will also needed to be traded by you. This exact item isn't guaranteed to be returned to you, so make sure it isn't something precious to you.

Offer on the trade and wait for us to accept it. This shouldn't be too long after you offered, but can take some time especially if you are in a different timezone to us. If there are any problems, we will PM you. If not, then you will see the message above. You now have the item in your inventory. Make sure you don't trade it, sell it, donate it or generally lose it as you will not get your collateral back.

Now do what ever you need to do to get the avatar. You will have the avatar when you see the 'Something Has Happened!' message above for your avatar. Some avatars require a lot of refreshing (Such as the Drackonack - Hungry avatar). Here there is an elevated chance of a random event stealing your item. Make sure your inventory is full up if you are trying for any avatar involving refreshing.

When you have the avatar, put the item back into the trades. Send us a PM telling us that you have it and it's now back in the trades, so we know you're done with it. That way you will get your collateral back as quickly as possible.

Eventually, you will get an offer from the same account you traded with before. Only accept this offer and nobody else's. Double check the offer has your collateral in it before you click accept. If there are any problems, reject the trade and PM us. It's just an honest mistake if it is.

Once we accept, you will instantly have your collateral back, ready for you to use it however you please. That, along with a fresh bundle of pixels to show of to your Neofriends. Neat, huh? You didn't even have to go and spend your own money!

Conclusion

Happy or what? You've just got an avatar you never thought you would ever get, thanks to The Daily Neopets! Huzzah! Want to borrow another one? One at a time, people, one at a time! :)

This Neopets help article was written for The Daily Neopets by Matt and Eric.
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