My experience as a trader is limited, but I do know there have been some real newb and n00b mistakes made recently.  Here are a few general rules to help you along.

1) Don't broadcast your location on a public channel (100,444,4357 etc.)
     If you broadcast on 4357 "I'm going from Dau I-7 to Sedina D-14 Can VPR please escort me?  I'm running a XC full of flares kthxbai."  You can expect to run into pirates long before vpr or any tgft help will arrive.

2) Don't go through Sedina B-8 when people are broadcasting "GF" on 100, that means they're probably in Sedina B8 fighting and they might drop their duel to take out the juicy trade ship flying through.

3)http://www.viperguild.com/wiki/index.php5?title=Main_Page  <==== Get familiar with that information.  Know your enemies but remember that not all the pirate guilds are listed, nor are all the pirates, or their alts.
    If you're in a behemoth loaded with Heliocene and [CHRN]Rin Ganborro shows up know enough to run, or pay. 

4)Bragging that you never pay is the surest sign that you're suicidal.  Pirates love the ones that never pay because they know they don't have to waste time hailing, they'll just blast you, then pick through the remains and take your loot. 

5)Don't join a guild that solicits you.  If you get "You've been invited to XXX's guild type /guild join XXX" out of the blue it means they're desperate.  It is probably a pirate guild who has no problem getting a newb in trouble.

6)When you get pirated (not if) don't take it to heart.  Do not try to argue with the pirate on 100, and for sure don't make threats.  That pirate has just got his jollies blasting a newb, and now gets free kicks watching you rage in 100.  If you're tempted to rage, log off the game for a bit, go out and kick a squirrel, or rock or something.  Vent where nobody will be able to make fun of you, then get back into the game and learn how to trade.  Learn where/when is a good idea. 

If you're seeing this you've heard of [TGFT] so feel free to ask us for advice.  If you're trolling we'll find out quickly enough, and if you're sincere we'll find that out too.