how can i get a beer trading buddy?

I'm not a big trader but I have done a couple. Being new you have to have something someone else wants. ISO = In Search Of. If you have something you think other may want you can post an ISO/FT (FT=For Trade). People will quickly let you know if your offer is reasonable or ridiculous. Then since you are new, you are expected to send your end first. At least until you earn a reputation as a reliable trader with references.

 

I would fill out where you are located on your profile page so people know what is and is not distributed in your area. Try a trade or two locals for locals with nothing rare to get your feet wet.

 

Oh and look for the right sub-forum when posting threads. http://beeradvocate.com/community/categories/beer-trading.24/

 

Filling out your profile so people know where you live would be a good start as well.

 

I just made a post like:

ISO: Pliny FT: Florida Locals
Then when I got a couple responses I asked him what he liked. He said BA stouts and he couldn't get great divide so I got him a bunch of oak aged Yeti bottles. Not BA but it was close enough.

Your gonna have to send your bottles first since your new, make sure the person your trading with has some trading history.

Find out what local beers you can get that others can't. There's a site called seekabrew but its a bit overwhelming IMO, it was far easier to tell him what I could get and have him choose.

 

Recommend starting with locals for locals...then as many IP trades as possible (to save on shipping costs), but doing those too early sometimes make it pretty difficult to get stuff from out of your distro area.

 

Shoot me a message with your info, including wants, and I'd be happy to try to set up a basic trade with ya.

 

After you read this...
http://alewatcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-trader-tips.html
Remember that communication is important and make sure you send a lot of good extras if you want to trade multiple times.

 

I personally just jumped right in to the trading world. I always sent first, tried to sent as much in extras as possible (which for me was always local stuff, usually FFF or GI). Honestly I never much stuck with the same traders, always posting new threads when trading. It should be very easy to set up regular trade partners starting small with local 4 locals.

 

It's not a math equation, make some trades, be generous, it will happen naturally.

 

Fill out your profile location. Fill in your wants, gots, can gets, etc. Look at other profiles for ideas.
Once you start a trade negotiation, reply to BMs in a timely manner. Don't leave people hanging as they may be working on other trades. Most importantly is to ship your boxes out when you say you will. You are new so expect to ship first for your early trades until you are established.

 

Trade with others as if you'd want them to be a regular trading partner, the rest will take care of itself.

I've got several people that I've traded with that I need to do another trade with them because it was such a positive experience for both of us.

 

Another thing that helped me was participating in some BIFs/LIFs. You'll find some damn fine traders that way.

Don't get so hung up on "regular partners" right away. Try and trade with several fairly established traders. If you send them a good box, they'll remember you and in the future, even if you don't trade with them "regularly," you'll be able to go to them to get some things you want.

 

I'm pretty sure your first ISO has to be for Pliny or Hopslam.... BA law.

 

Get out while you still can, it's a trap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!