ISO / FT threads that state 'contact for ratios'

I think these are the perfect examples of where hard and fast ratios don't work. I mean, you could say something like 'looking for a mix of XX bottles from the following list' but when there are widely varying bottles that is hard. If you would take a Vanilla Rye for the lot, but toward the bottom of the list would want the other person to go a bit over $4$, you might want to think about categorizing your wants into groups.

People criticize the concept of points in trades, but that is about the only way I can think of to solve for your example (other than just posting the list in good faith and not auctioning behind the scenes). It can be really cumbersome though, and somewhat arbitrary. Tough to have a hard and fast system that works for everything because it depends so much on intent.

 

Points are a great way to list a bunch of beers FT and ISO where any combo may work in a trade without having to specify specific bottles. Just match point values.

 

I agree - points are very clear, but for some reason they are considered annoying or a pain in the arse. I don't get why people hate on them, but then again, I am an analytical person, so I love that shit.

 

Agreed. Points systems are great IMO because people can place whatever value THEY feel is appropriate for multiple beers without the appearance of an auction but points catch shit for part of the same reason they don't allow comments anymore. Inevitably people would feel the obligation to tell the OP why their point values are off. With comments allowed, it was a thread shitters dream and it usually turned into a clusterfuck of several people arguing back and forth over the point values.

 

Fair - I guess without comments, it is a good system. "this is what I think these are worth, make it add up to X" sort of thing. If you get crickets, then you were either off on the points you allocated, or the total you wanted.

I really don't understand the hate for points.

 

I always liked the point system. I think often times the issue came when someone would meet the point total, but then be told "well, I was really looking for X bottle to be part of the deal." As an extreme example:
FT:
DQ 48 pts

ISO:
Loerik 40 pts
Blauw 30 pts
A&T 10 pts
BCBCS .5 pts

Invariably, someone would offer up 4 cases of BC Coffee and get shot down, then whine about OP not being sincere about his/her offer.

 

I used to not like the point system when I first saw people using it, but the more I thought about it, posts should be very specific in ratios or if the choices are too complex the point system should be used.

This may be simplistic, but every post should be at least one of the following:
1) Very specific - IE. 1 Mexican Cake for two BCBCS
2) explicitly state $4$
3) Points

This would remove any semblance of an auction. Of course behind the scene auctions could happen but those could be called out and would hopefully discourage people.

 

I'm hoping for some advice in setting up a trade. I live in Canada, and thus trading to the US is difficult, as any beer incoming is likely to be destroyed. As such, I was planning to start to try to set up an In Person trade during Darkness Day which I plan to attend.

My issue is this: I'm a first time trader with a bottle which based on my research has significant value (The Broken Truck by De Garde; the girlfriend and I happened to be drinking at Tin Bucket on vacation at release and each bought one, one of which we will definitely be drinking). It doesn't appear there have been any trades of the type I was hoping to set up for this bottle. As the majority of my chances to try the big American brews comes on vacation once per year, I was hoping to "trade down" in rarity and land multiple great but much easier to find beers. I have an idea of some that I'm looking for, but am very open to within a few different styles, so it's extremely hard to post a trade request with exactly what I want.

To compound this issue, some people interested in this IP trade might themselves be travelling to attend Darkness Day, so it's hard to know ahead of time What I could be asking for from them. Definitely wanting to follow the rules of the site, but it seems like what fits my needs is akin to an auction, which seems to be considered quite nefarious. Any thoughts?

 

@Mangbus Ideally that's what I would like to do, I guess my issue is that to set that up and for the example of "Choose three", I would need to chose only beers with relatively equal values, where I might be open to bottles with quite varying value, because as mentioned as someone who lives far from where I can get these highly regarded beers this could be a great opportunity to try some.

At this point I'm probably just trying to get too much out of my beer. I appreciate the help!

 

It sounds like a decent time for a points post.

FT: Broken Truck

ISO: 20 Points
Beer A 5 Points
Beer B 5 Points
Beer C 3 Points
Beer D 2 Points
etc

 

That sounds like a perfect solution; are those now against the rules, or did they just go out of fashion? The other issue then, as a zero experience trader would be figuring out points. Beer is complicated!

 

They have just gone out of style because they often bring some debate and used to get a lot of threadhsitting. People will argue that Beer B should really be 3.25 instead of 3. Or how dare you for having Beer C at 3 but Beer D at 2!

 

If still is w RTPs....

 

I don't understand why people cannot just take five minutes and post a legitimate ISO:FT thread with full names and what they want. Half of the threads are complete bs and require googling the beers. It's just pure laziness and having to win every trade. Imo, the BIF forum is where it's at, the traders now just want your first born for their beer they got 2-6 of.

 

I know people have already said similar things, but I think it's hard to do posts with a ton of different beers, looking for a ton of different beers and also list exact ratios. I personally don't want to take the time and/or clog up the board with more than one post at a time. Maybe it would make more sense to limit trades to simple "this/these for that/those." But, at the same time, it's just beer trading. And, I don't get what the big deal is about saying, "here's some beer I have, and some beer I'm looking for." Let's work out something FAIR.

Also, sometimes I have beers that I know someone will want, but it will take the right person. In that case, since I don't want the beers for whatever reason, I'm pretty open to working something out with the person who wants them. In other words, as long as they have something I haven't tried, remotely want, etc., I'll work out a trade. I'm not auctioning, but trying to find someone who wants what I have, see what they have, then work out a fair trade.

I guess, all in all, I don't think all "BM me to discuss" posts are auctions. And, generally, I've found that it's pretty straight forward to work out fair trades with people. But, I'm sure auctions happen and find it annoying when people aggressively try to win trades. Also, I'm sure that new/infrequent traders end up getting bad deals sometimes unknowingly.

 

You can say that again Shashi.

Got a text out of the blue today from a buddy down in Atlanta, he got me a See The Stars and said "I know you'll take care of me." And I sure as heck will!

 

See man that's bad ass. Thanks by the way for the positive reference to ole Greg in Michigan- good good dude man!