Newbie advice

First, things you need to know:

http://alewatcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-trader-tips.html
That will help you immeasurably in trying to make sense of general expectations as well as show you some of the mechanics and technicalities of what you need to do.

www.seekabrew.com
This will show you what you have that others don't. Play around with it a little. For example, I'm in MI and we have a lot of great brews that we can get here, but there's a bunch of stuff you can get that we can't. If you decide to go locals for locals, this will help you out.

As far as the Westy 12's...yeah, you'll be able to parlay those into some nice things if you so choose. The question you have to ask yourself is if what you can land with those going to bring you more enjoyment than drinking those Westy 12's yourself?

I'm by no means a veteran trader, but my advice would be to figure out what beers you want and offer up some stuff you're willing to part with. Don't worry so much about rarity or ratings or any of that shit. Just figure out what you want to try and go from there.

In the end, trading is fun but nothing beats the beer in your fridge or in your cellar or at your favorite bottle shop.

OK...stepping down from soapbox now.

 

First bit of advice, alot of people will be looking for your westys since you just made that announcement. Your Westys have plenty of "value" but thats an whole 'nother topic. I would hold on to them for now.

Second bit, fill out your gots and wants if you haven't done so already. If both of those have a good amount of beers listed it will help your trading process so people can see what locals you have and other locals you may be interested in. I have tons of beers listed that people may not be interested in but you never know. Once you browse the forums you'll get a better gauge of what people are looking for.

I know its tough to gauge what "locals" are nowadays due to wide distribution. Although not totally acuurate, seekabrew.com is a great resource to use to figure out how widely distributed beers in your area may be. Sorry for not completely answering your question but I'm sure others will chime in with some good advice.

Good post above. Alewatchers tips is a must read for new traders.

 

My criteria for calling a beer a local (must meet all conditions):

• I can get on the shelf at a liquor store I frequent fairly regularly
• Isn't too rare - If you see something there one week and you go back two weeks later and it's still around
• The person I'm trading with doesn't have access to the beer.

If you are really looking to trade the Westys, I'd disagree with the above post about holding on to them. I suspect, with them coming to the US soon they will loose a little trade value. I would recommend splitting the brick with someone. You keep 3 bottles and a glass and trade away the other glass and 3 bottles to one person. There are probably plenty of people more willing to work out a trade for half a brick than to chase them when they get here.

Why are you hesitant about offering more than one Westy?

 

I'll again (third?) that you should read alewatchers blog. That was an awesome tool for myself when I first started to trade.

locals for locals is certainly the way to start out and maybe look into some of the noob BIF's that are running as those are a great way to try stuff from around the country and a great way to meet potential future trading partners.

Cheers

 

Correct, if your trying to maximize the trade value of your westys then by all means trade them now.

 

Start with a few low dollar, locals for locals(off the shelf) trades. Also, expect to ship first. If you need someone to help you out, send me a message. It wouldn't be the first rookie I've made a trade with and it doesn't bother me one bit. I love locals for locals trading.

Welcome aboard!
Mike

 

P.S. I won't even make you trade a Westy.

 

FTowne's boxes are completely bomb proof. Seriously one of the most secure boxes I've ever recieved.

Modus is quite tasty by the way!

 

Right on! I was hoping that the heat didn't get to 'em.

 

My first suggestion - always remember that no matter what it is, it's still just a beer.

 

We in the NW do not understand this word "summer" that people keep referring to. Overcast and 65 off and on rain.........

 

would you believe that this is my basic point in that giant diatribe about becoming the beer king in the biscotti thread?

edit: my advice:

COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION

if your intentions are good to start with, whatever questions you have for prospective trade partners are worth asking. if they get offended or weird that you're asking too many questions or giving too much information, you probably don't want to trade with them anyway.

 

GOD. DAMNIT. Currently in St. Louis it's 90 degrees with a heat index of 99. At 8:30 PM. I love summer but this is getting fucking out of hand.

 

Yes I was going to link Alewatchers blog. Great info there. Expect to ship first the first few times out until you establish yourself as a solid BA member and trader.

Westy 12 is not easy to come by, but not super rare either. It is a great beer, and ages well. So you may want to keep some for yourself.

Now I will offer some info here to help you save time and money...

- I suggest reading back a good way back in this forum, and in the ISO:FT forum. Possibly run some searches. Take enough time to understand the real values of beers you have and beers you are interested in. Obviously some beers are more limited and/or harder to get than others. Some beers also have lots of hype around them. Those will be factors in trade value.

- Remember, do not assume that all ISOs get done. Even if they do get done, they are not always straight up. You never know when someone had to add something to get a trade done. The final parameters are generally not added to the ISO post. Whether or not a trade gets done isn't always add either. You can always message the traders involved for specifics.

- Lots of people keep posting ISOs trying to "trade up" in rarity. As you learn more about trading you will be able to see what is a stretch and what is reasonable. Some people will "trade down" in rarity, but just because it happens once does not mean you can expect it to happen. Those trades are not the norm, but there will inevitably be dozens of ISO posts offering that "lower" beer for that "higher" beer they saw in the ISO.

- Don't let these ISOs lead you to get star struck when you see a top 100 beer show up on your local shelves. Sure KBS, BCBS, Parabola, Abacus, etc. will land you some great beers in trade, but they aren't going to get you every limited brewery only release your heart desires. Don't spend a bunch of money clearing out a shelf without having an idea of what you can expect in return. Most of us have learned that lesson the hard way. Hopefully you won't have to.

- Trading is fun and you can get some great beer you otherwise would never have gotten to try. Rarity aside if both traders are happy it is a good trade. Just don't get in over your head, and be mindful of the impact to your bank account.

 

Lol, I wish you would have just stated it like that originally

 

i can't resist those walls of text about becoming the beer king. the whole idea is just too funny to me...

edit: plus, if you look at the greed in trading, that's the only reasonable explanation. great beer is great, but the way people try to get all stock market or pool hustler about beer... i mean, live your life however you want, but if i'm hustling someone, i want to end up with money, not a 5 year old bottle of oxidized beer.

 

Don't trade like everyone else.

 

It can possibly lead to: