Tips for trading alternates?

[Jixtreme]

I've been toying around with trading some alternates on BTC-E and was wondering if any of you had some tips for these currencies.

It seems like pump & dump is the rule not the exception. So what sorts of signs and strategies do you all follow to protect yourself from getting hung out?

Thanks,

-Jix

[BitcoinPorn]

Use them on goods and services

[kjlimo]

Use them on goods and services

+1

Although, I'll agree that most of these are in the pump & dump or pump & horde stages.

The alternative currencies haven't gotten much of a market for goods & services just yet. 

Until that happens, most people will continue to dump the coins, especially if they are only receiving them because of merged mining and they don't see the value.