Cold Weather Trading / Winter Shipping Thread

Excellent advice! I was going to drop something off today, but just contacted my trading partner referring to this thread. Looking to push it to Monday to minimize transit time at the very least.

 

I don't think anyone intends to point the "finger of blame" at anyone, just pass along tips that has made their ships successful. That's what makes this community so great to be a member of. I worry if I overkill on my packing. I wrap each bottle in a sheet of newspaper, then a ziplock bag, then roll it sheet of bubble wrap. Helps to protect, insulate and deaden some of the sloshing. (Maybe even to keep potential broken glass from rattling too much.) I line my box with a contractors grade garbage bag.
That being said, Mother Nature will almost always put in her two cents. I would hold off while it's so bitter cold and watch for better temps. I am sure you and your trading partner would understand and be happy with the end result.

 

If they know it is beer that was shipped, what action (if any) do they take against you for violating their shipping policy? Do you think you will face further scrutiny when shipping with the same operator?

 

i've only had one thing break in transit and the box was shipped back, then i shipped it right back out the next day. no flagging that i know of and i only use FedEx since they're the only company that will repack your box and send it back. shipping beer is a gamble in general, be prepared to accept a loss if something goes wrong.

 

just got my box back. both Cantillon bottles were fucked. the LP Kriek had a halfway popped cork/cap and half the bottle is gone. LP Framboise popped the cork and cap completely and the beer inside is still slushy. the extra i sent is in perfect condition, albeit a little sticky.

 

I paid for 2 day Fedex shipping. Everything arrived safe and sound. It seems that these boxes are flown and then stored in buildings, not just warehouses. I could be wrong. When I got the bottles they were hardly cold at all.

It has been around 16 degrees here. I sat a 5% beer outside on my steps for good 12 hours and it had zero slush or anything. Not sure what that means.

 

Would that include Mother of all storms?

 

I live in Michigan where the highs have been in the mid-to-high teens and the lows in the mid single digits the past week. I have sent out a box and received a box in the past week (the latter of which sat on my stoop unprotect from the elements for about 4 days). Nothing froze and nothing broke.

 

Apparently TheGoof is trading moonshine( just kidding). I can't believe it didn't freeze.

 

I actually can't believe the one I received didn't freeze. Strong stuff (Evil Twin Lil' B and IBB-Natale and a Logsdon Seizon Bretta), but still surprised it survived unscathed.

 

I had a wonderful BA inform me he is sending me an xmas present, downside both small boxes he sent spent the weekend freezing in eagle river, wi before it will get to me in hougton, mi. Having nightmares both will be frozen before they get to me. Not doing any trades until march I'm guessing to save from any beers getting the frost treatment

 

two boxes of old stock ale that sat in -0 weather for 3 days came to me fine today, thank you beer gods

 

So how much does packaging material weigh in? Say I packed it in a 6 bottle styrofoam shipper or insulated the entire box in packing peanuts. I know Styrofoam is a lot better slowing down temperature change, but not sure if it's enough.

 

So what are everyone's thoughts on winter trading? I have a potential trade to a slightly warmer climate with a 3 day shipping time shipping FedEx Home. With Christmas (and it looks like they are closed the 23rd?) I am not sure when would be the best time to ship. Also, how much does packaging material weigh in to prevent freezing? Would styrofoam peanuts be the best choice? Or what are some other tips people have? Success stories? Nightmares?

 

Best bet is to wait until you have a window where the daily lows are no lower than 25 degrees throughout the time it takes to ship.

Last year I had a trade on hold for six weeks.

 

Last year I did trades down to ~15*. Most of them were high alcohol beers like DIPA's or imperial stouts, so it helps if you're trading 9%+ beers...I probably wouldnt trade a lighter beer below 25* like LWC said. Although my partners did throw in some low ABV extras that made it here fine...so there's that.

When I did trade during those cold days, I just made sure the weather looked decent for the next 3-4 days.

 

Never had any issues, but I rarely shipped if it woudl be below 0. Generally if I knew it'd be in an enclosed environment while shipping I rarely worry. The trick is receiving beer though, if you have it shipped home and said shipping company delivers it early and you're at work while it sits there for 6+ hours, then you may have a mess on your hands. I hope I don't...friend shipped me a bunch of stuff from Anchorage last week, fingers crossed...I just started a gig where I am not working from home atm so eek

 

Yes, I was thinking of just having it shipped to my workplace during the winter. Luckily I know the guy who works in receiving, but he's also a beer guy so he better not jack my bottles!

 

I've had about 25 boxes show up the last month with no problems, even during the below zero weather. The UPS or Fed Ex truck don't get to my house until the afternoon, so the longest they sit outside is a couple of hours.

 

I've been buying beer online lately and even during the recent single digits spell everything arrived a-okay. However, everything I ordered was 8+% ABV.