Was wondering how the whole hints and hauls works out. When a nbo one comes up I want to pursue it but no clue how it works. Any info or link would be greatly appreciated.
Every BIF is different. If you see an NBO come up, it's typically best to send a BM to the organizer to join. Some BIFs will have requirements to join, possibly a certain number of completed trades in the system or a sponsorship from another member in the BIF. In your case with one completed trade, it may be best to either join a "newbie" style BIF or work out a few more trades for experience before jumping into a more intense BIF.
Can anyone explain this in a more general way (assume I have no knowledge of what these are and how they work)?
A decent overview, from Alewatcher: BIFs-- how do they work? Quite simply really. In a "shotgun BIF," People sign up to be involved and then are assigned a target to ship to. The box you ship must meet the minimum ounce requirement and follow the rules of the BIF (ie- include a glass, shirt, candy, schwag, etc). Everybody ships (and ideally receives) their boxes around the same time. Basically, you sign up to join the BIF you send a message to the creator (host) with your name, address, phone number, shirt size, and any other important info (Any vacation plans that may be an issue, you're favorite and least favorite styles, etc) you fill out your wants and gots to make it easier for your target to pick beers you get assigned a target. Check their wants and gots and try to find some beers that you think they'd enjoy and don't have access to. before the shipping deadline you ship out a box to that person. Drop hints in the "hints and hauls thread. you get a box from some one else. Post the list of contents (include a picture if possible) in the "Hints and Hauls" thread. In a "traditional BIF," The BIF host will pick a user to ship to and then they will cross their name off the sheet and ship a box to a user of their choosing. This pattern continues until the host receives the final box and the BIF ends. Or, in step by step directions: Sign up for the BIF. Make sure your gots/wants are up to date Send the host all if the pertinent info mentioned in rule 2 above. The host ships out a box and starts the train. His receiver then picks a target out of the remaining members on the list and sends out a box. This continues until the creator gets the final box and the BIF ends. Here are some tips for BIFs: "Minimum ounces" is really just the MINIMUM! BIFs are great ways to meet new trading partners-- either the guy you ship to may want to trade or some one saw the haul of what you sent and wants to work something out... The fact that BIFs are done in public means it's a chance to show your generosity. Whenever possible, post pics of your haul! Listing the contents is great, but a picture says a thousand words! Posting the list AND the pic is nice because then you can mention which beers were off your want list. If you're in a traditional BIF, make sure to keep the box moving! Try your best to get a box out within 7-10 days of receiving. Update the hints thread to let the others know of your progress! Waiting for a beer release is cool... But don't let it wait too long-- you can always send a note with the box that you'll send a bottle or two late! If, for whatever reason, you are too busy to handle sending out a box, BM the guy shipping out (around the time he receives) and let him know that you don't want to get a box at the moment. Although no one will ever really know you requested this, we will all thank you for it!
BIF stands for BEER IT FORWARD. It's a form of group / mass trading. It's like a secret santa for beer trading. The people that are getting these "hauls" have also shipped out a large stash of beers to someone else. A hints and hauls thread is generally created after the group has been established but before people start "hauling" beer boxes. The hints are clues or teasers so people can try and guess who will be shipping beer to them. It's a fun game that the beer trading group plays.
are there any international or european bifs ? I suppose you can't just join one and expect somebody to pay triple shipping charges ?
You could try starting one on your own. Also, it could be worth at least expressing interest in one of the other BIFs. Obviously shipping would be an issue but you might be able to work something out (you pay some of the shipping or the broader group each contributes a few dollars towards whoever has to ship to you).
