No tracking number, no shipping?

That's all I was saying from the beginning. Your logic based on shipping labels is completely off. It means nothing.

 

I am fairly new to trading, having completed > 30 trades, but I've never held a box "ransom" against another BA until they showed me a #. Aside from the early trades of being mandated to ship first, I've happily sent people boxes randomly and/or much earlier than expected. If anything my M.O. these days is to choose a shipping date that works to send our boxes on so we both get #'s simultaneously. I only live 5 minutes away from my Fedex store so it's no big deal for me to adjust my schedule to suit my trading partners, and I'm happy to because 9 times out of 10 they are hooking me up just for the sake of sharing great beer.

 

This is a weird statement in itself. Who decided that you should get a tracking number or box sent out first? (I am not trying to being a dick. It's a real question which has no real answer, unless you are trading with someone who is brand new to the forum and/or trading)

Trading really isn't hard. Agree on a day to ship. If your trading partner doesn't ship that day, you can always redirect the package, in transit. If you're new, try and trade with established traders. or 'trader beware'. Above all else, ask questions! Assholes that are trying to rip you off, will get defensive or will totally ignore you. If you're dealing with honest/good people, they will communicate with you.

 

I 100% agree, I'm new to all of this beer trading but once the deal is reached I feel that it's my responsibility to ship out the package as soon as I possibly can. I also don't cheap out on shipping. Sure I could pay half the price and it could take 2 weeks to get to someone or I could pay $10 extra and 3 to 4 days later it's being dropped off at someones door.

 

It's also 4 days after you created it which is what I said would happen.

Anytime I create a FedEx label and try to "track it" immediately after, it simply says that the tracking number is not found. However, like I said earlier, if you wait a few days and try to "track it" it will say the information was sent to FedEx.

Anyway, bottom line is your logic is flawed to wait to receive a tracking number until you would ship out your box. No offense, but I wouldn't trade with someone if they asked me to do that. As you can see, it means nothing to get a tracking #.

 

Correct, but that doesnt mean a box was dropped off. Its just their way of saying that a label was created to begin a shipment. Like I said, if you never drop that box off, that will just disappear eventually, because nothing gets charged until the box is physically scanned at the store.

Most of my trades have been perfect. Occasionally I've had a guy who said he was going to ship a certain day, and didnt, and sometimes they've dragged things out for a while, even after getting my box on the date promised. In the end its always worked out, but I go into it knowing there is the possibility that it won't.

Anyone, even the best traders, can screw up a trade at any point, so you have to be OK with that, or just not trade.

 

Every box I have shipped, I have shipped without a tracking number in return. It's the trust and partnership that's built in the back and forth communication that matters to me. It may sound naive, but it has worked for me so far. It turns those partnerships into friendships.
I'd like to think that BA is built on the foundation of people that appreciate great beer and appreciate their fellow BA's. That may be naive, also . . . but not far off the mark. I see where you're coming from, but scammers are always gonna try to scam. Even the best BA's run into delays as well. So, trade in the way that makes you comfortable. I do and it all works out in the end.

 

wat?

ground never takes a few weeks

(Detroit -> LA or Detroit -> Seattle never takes more than 4 business days) I drop them off Monday, they get there friday. If you're paying for 4 day shipping in these cases, it's getting there at the same time and you're doing nothing more than giving fedex/ups more money.

 

meh, I'm just going by what they quoted me. They told me it could take up two weeks to be delivered from Arkansas to Pennsylvania. Or for about $10 extra they could guarantee to have it delivered in a much faster time frame. I'm not really worried about the extra expense. I'm just worried about getting the package to someone in a timely manner. Maybe I'll try a different UPS or FedEx store next time and see what they have to say about delivery dates and time frames.

 

They don't guarantee it in 4 business days but it always gets there in 4 days. It's a smart business tactic to guarantee delivery and then upcharge dramatically for the same exact service. Take it for what you will.

Also, open up an account with Fedex online and print your own labels. Anyone can do it and it is substantially cheaper. It's nice you want to make it a nice experience for your trading partner, but really the same $ you could spend on more/nicer extras (which your partner would actually notice).

 

Agreed. I've only done a couple of trades but MI -> CO & MI -> TX have been 4 days using regular ground shipping

 

Actually, it doesn't say shipment not found. The system will actually find the shipment but it will say, "Shipment information sent to FedEx." You are right in general though.

I have been shipping first a lot lately, and I have no problems doing it if the other person seems legit. I have had zero issues with anyone.

 

Be worried about the extra expense. It will add up in no time. Fedex ground shipping from VT to Cali is only 5 days, so the "two week" statement is absolute BS. Here's the link to see how long it takes for a ground package to get some wherever you are, to wherever its going: http://www.fedex.com/grd/maps/ShowMapEntry.do?CMP=PAC-fxg_g2m_082

 

For mine, it says Shipment not Found until a few days after I create the label. I've checked this almost every single time I create a label online and this has been the case for me for well over 50+ shipments.