Trade etiquette with shipping issues

I had a bottle of Supplication that I sent leak an ounce or two out during shipping last winter (I"m guessing the bottle may have froze and re-thawed, not sure though)... The guy I sent to let me know, and I sent him another one as soon as I could get my hands on it... and I think we were all happy in the end.

In my opinion, if the bottles don't reach their destination intact, in one way or another, then it's up the person who sent them to make it up with replacement bottles (or something even better)....

I would certainly want to know if anything I sent leaked (or broke, of course).

 

Agree. I always tell my sender if something bad happened.

For the plain and simple reason that I would want to know if something I sent had an issue.

I always will try to make good no matter what. If the beer does not get to my recipient that is on me, no matter what the problem is.

 

Same thing happened to me today lol what a coincidence 6 pack of ZD and so other three Floyd had 2 ZD leak and 2 other brews leak could tell the difference in flavor from a non leaked one but I figured shit happens. I am curios on how it happened no big temp change and some bottles leaked some didn't

 

It's Three Floyds, be thankful they even capped the beers for you and that some survived the trip

 

In my first trade, I received a bottle of CCB's Mud Hill Stout that leaked a little. I felt bad for mentioning it since it was a great trade and my first, but told him not to worry about it since it really wasn't his fault. That bottle was filled to the very top when I opened it.

 

This made me laugh hard, thanks i needed that.

I always use electric tape at the top of the bottles, it gives me that extra security feeling.

 

Depends on if it was a main trade beer or an Xtra, if it was xtra I wouldn't bother unless the box was perhaps not really secure. In that case if he knows he can maybe protect future shipments.

If I have a bottle go south and I know it I always replace it whether it's an xtra or not, but main trade bottles have to be replaced if possible. Which is why I rarely drink any beers before I'm notified that my box is safe and sound, always so if I'm shipping bottles I can't replace.

 

I've had it happen both ways and all happily agreed to make up for the problem in the next trade. This way, the item is going to be replaced, but without another shipment of a single item. I actually have personally said "don't replace" to the other trader, but have always offered to make it up. You definitely should mention it to help better packing habit, but unless it's some crazy difficult beer that is the main part of the trade, be flexible with your trade partners and let them do what they feel is the right thing for them.

 

I have been pretty lucky so far with trading, I havent had any leaking or broken bottles come my way yet. I have had 2 trades where some of the beers leaked/exploded and offered to make up the broken bottles for my partner. In one of them I sent my trade partner an additional 6 bottles to make up for the lost bottles.

 

I agree with @blue-dream and @nc41 100%

I've been told that it's overpacking and not necessary, but I disagree. I always use electrical tape on my bottles, making sure to fold over or tab the tap to assist in removal. I do this along with putting the bottle in a ziplock and lining the box with a garbage bag.
And ... regardless of a whether a beer is the main beer or an extra, I want to know if it arrived safely so I can replace it if not. (Sometimes extras can be the best part of a trade.) While it's tough, I won't drink beers I am trading (extras included) until that box gets there. ZD is the extra in a box on it's way to New Jersey. It's not always easy for me to get. I stopped opening the fridge so it wouldn't taunt me ...

 

^^^^^ I keep them in the box once I verify all safe. Putting a fresh HT in the fridge before my box landed would be self imposed torture, my will might not be that strong. I don't use tape I stretchy wrap bottles and foam is easier and less hassle to get off.

 

Oh, it is! I just wanna preserve them hops!

 

I've been lucky enough that I have only had one bottle break and that was a box coming into me. I kindly let the guy know, and since it was an extra (he hounded me to let him send another), I told him don't worry about it. That's the risk we are all taking with this hobby. I always try and make everything as secure as I can. Things are going to happen doing this. But moral of the story, if its a broken/leaky bottle, bad packaging, etc., I always let the other guy know that the box arrived and if there were any issues. I know I would want to know.

 

yeah I drank the ZD cuz I was told I should asap cuz it could go flat (which it was) but I still have 4 in perfect condition told the trader and he was cool with it and said he would make it up next trade so in my book its all groovy

 

Here is a question. Have any of you sent a package where the recipient said the main bottle broke? I had this happen once, I replaced it. But i was always a little skeptical if it really was broke. To be honest, it would be that hard to say it broke. everyone knows its on the sender to replace.

 

This thread is making me nervous... about 6 months ago I traded for a Prop, when it arrived I opened the box and was hit with the unmistakable smell of stale beer. Pulled out the Prop and got a small amount of dark beer on my hand from the side of the bottle; maybe the equivalent of a few drops,

I held the Prop bottle upside down, sideways, every way and there was absolutely no additional leaking. An extra was included that was also an imperial stout and it was the same deal, no leaking. The bottles were very cold when they arrived so I reasoned that perhaps there was some spillage on the side of the bottle when it was being filled, then the condensation reliquifed it (I know this sounds like a stretch).

My real question: when a bottle leaks do the caps ever "reseal" to the point that they then wouldn't leak when tested/held upside down?

 

A lot of trading is trust. I have no reason not to trust the BA's I have traded with so far. I do everything I can to maintain that trust. If something had broken in a box I had received, I would send a pic, in "beer mail" and/or e-mail. That's just me.

 

As I said, it's a matter of trust. I don't think you're being too nice. You are just trusting your partner; as it should be. I, luckily, have never been on either end of a trade gone wrong. I would never ask for a picture of a broken or leaking bottle I sent, but I would offer to send a pic if I received one. That is just me.
The same thing with an infected bottle. If I sent one, I would try to find the same beer, different lot (if possible), or another beer that is comparable and surprise them with it, even if they said no worries. Especially if it is a friend or a BA you trade with frequently. It speaks volumes of trust and friendship. I am not saying I am right. It's just what I would do.