ISO / FT threads that state 'contact for ratios'

If you guys are going to complain about non-specific ratios, you might as well complain about the "+". Another form of auction where the trader takes the offer with the best +?

 

Not a very good comparison. Yes, the + can still be an auction but it can vary greatly depending on what the trader has to offer and what the other trader wants (style wise, $4$, rarity, etc)

On the other hand, there's no good reason a trader who is looking for a specific beer and offering specific beers can't publicly post a ratio of what they want instead of asking to discuss it privately. Also, I think a lot of us are specifically upset of the "what ratio were you thinking?" reply when they are the ones who posted the initial trade.

 

I'm not trying to bust balls here. Glancing at the trading forum I can even somewhat understand the ISO: list FT: list. That could be percieved as an auction but I get it. Someone may be interested in several beers and have several beers to trade. With some of the limitations on posts they can't or don't want to post 10 different but similar ISO's. Fine.

But again, if you are looking for and offering specific beers and clearly have a ratio in mind (hence, "pm for ratios") than just post the ratios otherwise it reeks of an auction and very well may be.

 

So if I respond to an ISO:FT post and I get "what are you willing to offer? A guy just offered x and y, can you do x, y and z?", I should report that conversation? Or report the ISO:FT post and paste the conversation in? What do I need to be doing, exactly?

 

I'm a strict $4$ trader. I don't care how rare or hyped a beer is. I personally don't care if people want to auction their beer. I personally won't be involved in such a trade, but if the ultimate winner of the auction is happy, then who cares. It doesn't impact me one bit. In the end the 2 involved are happy, which is all that matters.

 

You are one of the only people I know who does trade strictly $4$ no matter what the beers involved. It truly amazes me and is very commendable, I can't say the same for myself. I agree with you about both traders being happy, that is what the trade should be all about, but here are my issues with auctions.

1.) Leading people on, not cool
2.) It creates a shitty culture that encourages "winning" every trade
3.) With specific regard to people who post specifc beers for specific beers and then change t the offer...I don't appreciate being lied to or purposely mislead
4.) It's against the rules, for good reason
5.) Relative to point 3, I don't trust people who pull shady trade tactics
6.) Wasting others time shows complete disregard and disrespect towards that person

I dunno, like you said, I won't be involved in a trade like that but quite often a lot of factors I mentioned have already occurred by the time I figure it out so there's already some "harm" done. It indirectly affects me because the more it's accepted, the more common it becomes which I think has been evident over the past few years.

For the record, I'm not pointing the finger at anyone specifically. It's all of our jobs, well anyone who gives a shit, to say something when obvious auctions do occur.

 

remember when trading was fun?

 

kinda?

 

yes, report that.

clear auction.

you can report both...but the conversation as a minimum.

 

Got it. It was a serious question, I've been on BA for almost 3 years and didn't really realize till now that you can report private conversation messages. I'm apparently slowing down in the head...

 

Much like HopSavant I'm not especially bothered by the vague, auction like posts. I rarely respond to them because I prefer having a somewhat clear idea of what the other person is seeking.

I suspect these posts would get more & better responses with more definite info. I also suspect that unless it involves the WhaleOfTheDay these vague ISO:FT threads attract low ballers looking for a *deal*.

Several times I've been turned off by responses which stated something like, "vB33rN**b1 offered me 2 Props & a VR but I'd rather go with you if you can top that offer." In every case I declined, offered my congratulations on the offer from vB33rN**b1 & moved on. In almost every case I rec'd a subsequent msg informing me that vB33rN**b1 wasn't responding or had bailed & he'd be willing to accept 2 Props & a VR (as posted) after all. Pffft. In every case, I politely let him know I'd moved on & was no longer interested.

I don't care if someone wants to selectively mine responses for the highest or best offer but I will not engage in a bidding war. I've always suspected that if I said "Well, I'll give 2 Props, 1 VR & 2 BCBBW there's a good chance vB33rN**b1(if he exists) would be invited to increase his offer. No thanks. Another suspicion is that vB33rN**b1 doesn't exist, especially given how often I was told that the *improved* deal had coincidentally fallen through & he was now willing to honor the initial request. Again, PFFFT.

 

I was asked once if I would step it up after a verbally agreed trade. No thanks--I stepped aside.

 

So it's more of the sneaky auction process you don't like.

How about, Speaking hypothetically....What if the thread was an open auction thread. The OP could specify a list of specific bottles that must be included in the offers. Leave it open for 24 hours and let people bid the trade in the open so everyone can see what's offered. After 24 hours the thread closes and the OP selects from the offers he has in the thread and makes the trade. Kind of like eBay but with beer.

This isn't too much out of line compared to all the greedy ISOs I see these days.

 

No. We're not going that route under any circumstance.

 

I wasn't advocating it...as I stated just posing a hypothetical. Not something I'd participate in, but I see nothing wrong with it. A lot of the traders on here these days are greedy SOBs and it would cater to them in a less secretive manner. Lol

 

nothing wrong other than it's an auction and against the rules? yeah. sure.

we don't cater to those kinds of traders. no lol.

 

Im not talking about the rules of this site. I'm more trying to get a sense of whether people are opposed to auctioning beer in general.

As for the rules of this site, why, hypothetically, is it okay for me to ask for $200 in beer for my $20 hype-whale, but I must sell my tickets to a sold out, in demand beer festival at face value. Seems inconsistent to me.

 

Like you, I wouldn't want to see that and thankfully I won't have to on this site but yeah, at least it's more transparent by doing it that way. To answer your question, yes, not all but a large part of my discontent with auction type posts are with the people, their shady tactics and just the way they treat others in general.

 

I'm fairly new to BA trading but I may be one of these "auction" traders(I'm not) but I recently had some TH cans 3 different types and was looking for about 10 different bottles. How do I best put up an ISO:FT that is correct by forum rules but still allow someone to mix and match. I'm fairly flexible and usually willing to give up a little more to get what I want but don't want to be accused of trying to get the best deal.

 

We're not here to debate the rules of the site.

If you want to trade, abide by the rules; after all, you agreed to them.

If you want to go engage in hypotetheicals...take it elsewhere.