Trading: How do you justify it?

honestly, if you need to justify it... don't bother.

I don't mean that in a rude way either. It's money, time and a commitment. Either your want for other beer is big enough, or it's not...

if you choose to do trading... good luck and enjoy. It's worth it for me. That's all I can say

 

You have RR stuff and you want to do some IP trades, I'll be your huckleberry.

 

Soooooo, rehab?

 

Some people have PSLs for their favorite team. I take one trip to Charlotte every year, watch the rest of the games from Indiana, and buy beer year round. Hobbies are expensive period. I blame my collecting addiction on my dad. He's addicted to buying antiques. It all started with basketball and football cards when I was a little kid.

 

Your shipping cost is actually quite nice. I'd ship a lot more if it would be 20$.

Shipping usually sets me back 45-65$. And usually 35$ when I keep it in Canada. That is why I don't trade as much as I'd like to.

And a reason to justify it? Do you really need one? A hobby does not need justification. You do it because you love it.

 

Trading is the entry fee to the best bottle shares in history.

 

I just spent $72 on four boxes this morning

 

So I may take it back: shipping on my first two trades was $45 total (I was quoted closer to $30). Not sure what's up with that, considering I over-estimated the weight by about 5 pounds on each box (they ended up weighing them for an accurate number). All FedEx could tell me was that perhaps the "box dimensions increased the cost."

 

I've heard of box dimensions increasing the cost, but $15 seems a bit much. That said, $22.50/box being that you live in DC seems reasonable. How big were the boxes? I usually figure $1/lb in a trade since I'm not in the middle of the country.

 

One was 22 lbs the other 26. I like your "rough" math - will def use that handy tool in the future!

 

I don't know if it has been posted somewhere, but how is trading beer legal? I thought I would just squeeze this question in this thread, so I don't have to make 1. I never really thought about trading until recently. I find Ohio to be in 1 of the best locations for distribution and distance for traveling for higher alcohol beers (> 12%). I have become curiously interested in trading as of late.

Maybe I'm looking at out dated laws or other stuff like that, but it sounds illegal. Some one very recently messaged me (Hi! if you read this lol) about trading, so I thought I would ask. Any information would be greatly appreciated and sorry about my nonexistent beer trading knowledge! However, I am very knowledgeable in drug laws and know how illegal that can be, so why is shipping alcohol any different?

 

Technically, it's not legal. Does anyone in any position to enforce those laws really care? Highly unlikely.

This is a great reason to trade. You get yourself a beer from outside your distro. Someone else in your area gets a different beer from outside your distro. You two find a place to hang out and now you get to drink two beers you otherwise wouldn't have gotten to try if not for trading.

Now, take it from two people to five and you're talking a real nice bottle share. Getting new beer is cool. Sharing new beer with folks who share their new beer with you...winning.

 

Shipping alcohol with UPS or FedEx is against their policy, it is not illegal. Sending by USPS is illegal. Has anyone ever been arrested for sending beer by USPS. Maybe, but in all the times this question has been asked there has not been one time that anyone has pointed to anyone getting in any legal trouble of even the most minor kind for doing it.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think trading is illegal - just shipping (via USPS).

 

First and foremost, its fun, secondly, different beers taste good.

 

Just don't do it.

It IS too expensive. Instead, get hot new wheels for your car. Every month.

The people you interact with here are horrible. Lame. Even worse in person.

And finally, absolutely...your beer is plenty good enough.

Good luck with your conundrum.

 

In some states it is illegal because of taxes and non licensed products.

 

Don't try to justify it. It is a hobby. Hobbies are expensive. I you aren't willing to pony up, then maybe it isn't your thing.