Trading Etiquette - Extras

If I trade Pliny I give Blind Pig. If I trade something else and I have Pliny on hand I will throw in a bottle. They are beers that when I have them I usually have plenty on hand and don't mind gibing them away. If I don't have RR I try and throw in 2 extras typically 22ozs that are CA only distribution. Belching Beaver and El Segundo Brewing Company are usually on hand for me to include. The way I see it treat people like you would want to be treated and Beer Karma will always even itself out.

 

I try to look at their wants list. Maybe there is something in my Distro they want that is easily accessible. For example I just included an 'off color' offering as an extra because it was on the shelf and inexpensive. They want it and I can easily get it....why not?

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I just completed my first two trades this week and I received extras from both. I included an extra in one and wasn't sure of the etiquette due to the perceived value of the trade. I'm chalking it up as a learning experience and will always include some sort of an extra moving forward.

 

If it's a beer I really, really want in a trade like KBS, I'm willing to part with something special in my cellar as an extra.

 

I always try in throw in some local stuff that the tradee wouldn't be expecting.
I always check wants. Sometimes someone's wants include local shelf beers.
Sometimes space in a box dictates extras. Those thin sixpoint cans are great for filling in some empty space in a box

 

I like to extra KBS to my trading buddies in CA

 

I just ask "Wanna do extras?". Seems to help us get on the same page.

 

This thread makes me sad. I realize there are a lot of newbs here and a lot of people just suck in general but come on people. That fact that this thread even exists is sad. Extras are extras, that's it. If you are throwing in extras for any other reason than to make someone's day, then you are doing it wrong. When I make a trade, i usually try to hit the other person's wants or send stuff they don't regularly have access to and I love the thrill of filling a box with surprises. I don't care if I don't get a single thing beyond what the actual trade was for. If you can't afford or don't want to send extras, communicate that with the other person. But believe it or not, trading is fun when you're not trying to 'win'. Stop being such a bunch of selfish pricks and trying to piss me off on this beautiful day.

 

Because an "old ipa" is somewhat subjective, I am almost never include them as extras. Extras are an ideal way to support small local brewpubs. Also, I like to collect the odder beers in my distribution for extras.

 

We need to start trading with each other, HA!

 

That last sentence is fantastic. Cheers

 

Great user name.

 

So, what are people's thoughts on trading extras you have received? I think I've done it about twice, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. If someone else asks for something I have that I got as an extra, and I think that they might enjoy it more than I would, is it wrong to trade it to them? On the one hand, I could see the person who sent it to me as being offended (particularly assuming that they are the type who sends extras to make someone else happy), but on the other hand, I'm still trading it in the spirit of trying to make someone else happy. I've received several things that I'd be happy to drink myself but would consider trading, and I'm never sure whether to list them or not.

On a different subject, I often see people state that they wouldn't send an extra they wouldn't drink. I don't agree 100% with that; I have purchased beers to send to specific people as extras that I know/think they would like but know that I wouldn't. For instance, I don't like sours (yeah, shoot me), but a lot of people do, and I certainly don't feel bad about sending them as extras.

I have sometimes stressed out a bit over what extras to send if someone doesn't have a very extensive wants/rated list and I'm not sure what they'd like, but I've never stressed out over what I'm getting/not getting in return.

I did one in person trade, and circumstances led to the exchange happening sooner than expected. I was at work and had no access to extras, and felt bad for not giving any. You can be certain that if I trade with that person again, I'll do my best to make up for it, and then some.

 

I would feel bad if I sent extras and they were retraded. You are profiting off of someone else's generosity. However if you were sharing the wealth that is a different subject.

 

I honestly am mostly in agreement with you, and wasn't totally comfortable the two times (I think) it happened. I'm not looking for justification here, just interested to hear opinions other than my own, but the other side is that if the goal in sending extras is to make someone happy, and they end up trading said extra, making two people happy, is all lost? I definitely see the distinction between trading the extra and giving it away. I would have the same conflict if roles were reversed; finding the right extras to send and trying to pack properly are probably where most of my time/energy in a trade is spent. So, if I learned that an extra had been traded, I would probably feel like I hadn't sent the right thing. At the same time, knowing that the extra found its way to someone who was looking for it, and that my trade partner ended up with something they enjoyed, that still seems like a good result. Perhaps the fact that I haven't felt quite right when I've done it should give me the answer that I'm looking for. One final twist: If I've posted an extra on my "gots" (not f/t) and someone offers a trade, do I automatically decline because of the way I obtained the beer? Sorry, some say I have a tendency to complicate things.

 

for starters, once you send beer to me, it's mine to do what I want with, isn't it?

that said, I don't trade extras because 1) they're new to me and tickers gotta tick, or 2) they're surprise waelz extras and why would I trade those?!

I do, however, sometimes pass them right along as extras myself, if they're beers I've already had before and I don't love

 

To me it depends on what the beer is. Sometimes I'll give up a beer that I have limited amounts of and cant be replaced because I want the other person to experience it. In that situation it kinda sucks. Though obviously the people on the receiving end have no idea what value I place on certain bottles.

I guess I tend to do more open/blind trades though, so I guess it's a little different.

 

When it comes to extras, first and foremost, be generous. I try to ask if their wants list is up to date. If it is, I try to get atleast one thing on there. I also use seekabrew.com to look at their states distro, so I don't send something they can buy on the shelf. Sometimes I will even ask for 2-3 of their favorite styles, then find something accordingly. Worst case scenario, I love to send local, small brewery stuff that they have never heard of. I personally love getting that kind of stuff. Just like other BAs have mentioned though , extras are only extras. Give them whatever you feel like giving. I do believe in beer karma though!

 

Unless both parties have agreed to not sending extras, send an extra.

Don't be a dick, be a good member of the community.

 

/thread