CANBIF - Spring 2015

I've been curious about trading for a while. I haven't done any because I was never quite sure how it would work - especially with the cold Alberta weather! After reading this thread I'm getting closer to jumping in. :-)

So, basically 5 bombers and one normal bottle - this I pretty doable. Or, I suppose you could do a mix of smaller bottle and Bombers to be about equivalent? Hit a Uhaul store and pick up some decent packaging stuff - pretty simple. Plus, since I'm pretty OCD about this stuff I'd do a bunch of Internet research to figure out how best to pack and ship, etc, etc.

However, the requirement is that half the beers need to be local. Does that mean according to the province or the city/region?

Also, I've heard varying reports. What would the average shipping cost in Canada be for the beer?

I've also done a little reading and it seems to me the vast majority of folks don't have any trouble with the shipping and it gets to where it is supposed to get to - but sometimes it gets held or seized. How common is this?

Thanks for any answers and for helping this uncertain trader !

 

Judging by past CANBIF threads, 6 bottles is probably the floor - looks like most people here send out a full 12 bottle shipper.

The last time U used Canpost to ship 6 bottles from Ontario to Vancouver it was 26 dollars or so. My guess is $35 or more for a full 12 bottle styro-shipper.

 

In the last two CANBIFs anyway, the minimum levels of required bottles/ounces were exceeded by every participant. I too would say the norm is a 12 bottle styro-shipper filled with at least 75%/25% with bombers/smaller bottles. Take a look at the link to the Fall 2014 CANBIF Hints and Hauls to get a better sense of what is actually sent out. If you are OCD about packing, you'll probably want the added safety of the shipper.

I've paid anywhere from around $35 to $90 depending on the service I select with Canada Post. I think expresspost from Ontario to Saskatchewan cost me nearer the $90 mark for a very heavy 12 bottle styro-shipper.

The hobby isn't inexpensive, but is much cheaper than driving or flying around the country/continent to get all the great stuff I've received from CANBIFs and trading. If you look at through the glasses i wear, I'm saving oodles of money by participating... at least that is how I explain things to my wife!

 

Using paypal to print your own labels, I've never paid more than $40 for Xpresspost - even for a 12 shipper stuffed to the gills with large format bottles. Typically it's 30-40 a box from BC to anywhere in Canada.

 

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

Hahaha I wouldn't be surprised if it improved!

 

29 for now. I still have to go after the people that don't check the forum regularly.

 

If the pairings can handle another SW Ontario participant, please count me in... It's better than Christmas!

 

I wonder how many boxes will contain Bellwood's Motley Cru this round?

 

Well, I can tell you how long the line was at 1 PM today...

 

In

 

Like yasky said, this is pretty much the floor. I'd be surprised if any of the boxes in the past weren't jam packed with extras. I know I certainly go overboard for CanBIF.[/QUOTE]

 

Going to lurk this thread so hard! I must see the delicious boxes and live vicariously through you all! Will be taking a trip to Maine in May, so I'll start prepping for next round then...

 

In again!

Always a really fun time of the year. Thanks again to Damon and Phil for organizing this, I "met" some of the greatest trading partners through this BIF.

 

BTW, 35 people have registered which is a new record. Previous high was 33.

 

I don't know if they're so different. Some strange things have happened in @Rutager's house...