What constitutes a fair trade?

I think you might want to offer a little something to make up the $ difference, but otherwise it's up to you. I think it's fair, but do you? You already said you had more BCBVS, so is one bottle expendable for something you've been wanting to try?

 

I think beer should be worth what you want it to be. It's like trading baseball cards, except there isn't a Beckett magazine to tell you exactly how much it should be. In the end you get what someone else is willing to give you. I've traded some stuff away that maybe was worth more than I got for it, but I was tired of searching for the absolute highest bidder and settled for a trade.

In the end I always ask myself: will I get another chance to get this offered beer, and how long will that be?

^and like Netdigger said, if you have a few BCBVS why not part with one?

 

No

 

The definition of a fair trade is quite variable. $4$. Rarity for rarity. Quantity for qaulity and vic versa. But in the end, it comes down to this: are both sides happy? If so, it's fair.

In this scenario, it's an IP trade so you both save on shipping.

Often, a trade may be off, but if you hook someone up, they will likely hook you up in the future. In this regard, you're setting up for a good trading relationship.

Lastly, since you both live in the same area, get together and share your bottles with each other!

 

just drink them together.............

 

huzzah! winner winner chicken dinner...

no no no no nononononono (he wasn't impressed at all)...this is everything that is wrong with the beer trading "community" - the WHOLE POINT of trading is to build relationships with people and share in the goodness that is beer. beer is a consumable, not a trophy (that's glassware ). that being said, build relationships with those who "get it" not someone looking to take advantage of you...or someone who has access to beer that interests you. then you send them the beer you can get (or have) that they want and...gasp...you get a box of beer that you want. if you only can get 6 bottles of something, you should have at least 2 or 3 of those bottles spoken for (going to someone you've traded with before and will again and again and again)...if you are really doing it right, you'll have 4 or 5 of those bottles spoken for before you even have them in your hand (and they aren't spoken for from pre-trades...or be looking for future people that you can have those kinds of setups with. you also want to find local people who are into beer too and you can divide and conquer...this way everyone gets to try everything and everyone wins.

what good is it to squeeze someone for all their worth and maximize a trade with someone who will never want to deal with you again in the future?

 

If both sides are happy then its fair. I've had trades some people would say I "won" or "lost" by rarity or $ but as long as both of us got what we wanted who cares? For me, the best part of a trade are the extras anyway

And black13 made a good point, if you two are in the same area just share the beers while watching a Blackhawks game, playing cards, fishing, whatever. Good beer taste better when partaking in a fun activity with friends

 

for real. i traded enough to get one really good trading partner that supplies me with enough stuff to bring to tastings with friends i met locally. after that i just trade for the few things i really want that my friends or my trustee can't get. befriending other local traders is the best way to try all the awesome beers in the world.

 

This is a very fair trade. You shouldn't have to add anything as $4$ is out the window when trading a one-off that was released a few years ago. But what do you mean by he got a little pissed? It sounds like he was offering you shelf beer at first. Only make the trade if you feel like both parties will be happy. Don't feel pressured to please someone and hook them up when they're not willing to do the same for you. Generosity is a great thing, but only with those who are also generous people themselves looking to please their trading partners and work out something fair.

 

I agree to all of the points posted. My baseball card analogy was a little off; all I meant was that they are worthless to everyone except yourself and the person willing to give you something else for it.

I trade to get beers I can't find where I live, period. A lot of them are pretty common shelf items from other states, and some are rarer items from other states. All of these I share with my friends who are doing the same thing, and we have a good time sharing beer.

 

So much this Evan!!!

 

So at first he offered you locals or easily available stuff, and got pissed when you said no. Then suddenly he had a Cali Brandy Huna available. Sounds like he was trying to win that trade from you, and then realized he couldnt. I would be wary of that person.

That being said, a trade is fair when you feel good about it. Sometimes you might "lose" (according to some people) but if you get a beer you've wanted and are happy at the end, then I think you won.

Trading SHOULD be about helping each other out and enjoying beer. If it doesnt feel that way, don't do it.

 

well, we all know that you get it. you get it too much even!

 

I haven't done any trading through BA yet (though I do have one in the works), but I have done plenty with people from IG (which I hear is frowned upon here?), but anyway for me I am interested in a lot of different beers, and if I can land them with what I have and both sides are happy then it works out.

I often have extras on some 'not see easy to get' beers in which I will send out to my regular trading partners without even telling them a box is coming. It's all about building relationships for me, and I don't care about winning or $4$.

If I'm able to help someone enjoy a beer they normally wouldn't be able to get, that's what it's about for me. It tends to work out great for both parties.

And just for the record, I don't think there is anything wrong with the trade you mentioned. Seems like you both are getting what you want!