Trading Pet Peeves

I guess it's more the time, effort, and choices that make it difficult for me. Should I throw this in or that? Is this one too much or too little? Should I throw in these cans instead of these bottles because they're easier to fly with? They didn't like this one beer, so would they not like this one? Etc.

To summarize, I end up putting in too much time weighing what should be added to the trade and I would rather just skip that part altogether. It's an analytical person's curse.

 

Throw in a local/fresh hop. Cheap, simple and if appreciated by the recipient; great. If it’s a letdown for them, or they expected more, they can take a long walk off a short pier.

 

Finally someone else that is on my exact brain wavelength!

For me the decision is a little bit worse because I generally do not have much local to give that is very good. The only real craft shop in town isn't even large enough to sell things like Prairie. So this becomes way harder in terms of me making drives to get extras, or using things I have traded for, or bought for my own consumption, etc.

I think that I have commented on this before (in this very thread), but as a result I often just say "how about we both only do extras if we have room," unless the person tells me extras are their favorite part of trading. Then I go out of my way.

 

I love throwing in extras. I look at it as more of a thank you or as a way to show my appreciation for the trade.

I also have no problem with someone asking if we can complete the trade without extras.

This is all just beer afterall and we all presumably like it (that's why we're on BA) so extras or not, it's just beer. Don't overthink it.

 

Right. Unless I have something specific that seems like it would fit the trade well, I usually throw in a couple cans from my local brewery. It helps that the place 15 mins from me cans weekly and doesn't distribute their releases (aside from 2 staples).

 

Just to add my experience to the carrier debate:
I worked at a fedex facility for about a year, they had very very high tech scanning technology (some kind of xray type thing involved inline) and any time there was an issue with a box (a rip, a leaking item, etc) it went first to security before being repacked. In contrast, my uncle has been an employee of usps for probably 35 years and he has told me that they generally just don't care. If something breaks and is leaking infront of the wrong person it might well get shut down but there is no way in hell you will actually be prosecuted for sending a box of beer to someone. They also are bound by 4th amendment considerations (obviously less nowadays than they once were) where as ups and fedex are free to do essentially whatever they want with your box once you've handed it over to them. I trust usps far more than either of the other two. they might be slower sometimes but they are usually cheaper and much chiller

 

I just removed 9' (I measured it) of electrical tape from one bottle. Stop it.

 

Everything's gotta be thiiiicccc these days.

 

My thoughts on electrical tape and other packing...
I appreciate any extra effort. When i open a box and everything is in a trash bag and then lots of bubble wrap and then each bottle is in zip lock bags and then each bottle is taped, I think this trader cares about this trade. Some of that may not be necessary but I do like thought behind it. If everything was equal I would choose to trade with that guy vs someone that simply wrapped the bottles and tossed them in a box.
Cheers Jake

 

I’ve mastered this art. First the ziploc bag. Then the bubble wrap with just a small amount of scotch tape to hold in place. I hate having to hack the mummified tape off of bottles, and this way all the bubble wrap is reusable. Finally, wrap the final product in a grocery bag to hold the bubble wrap in place with one peace of packaging tape to close. Stuff all nooks and crannies with wadding to make sure nothing moves when shook, and then some sort of noise maker along the lines of tic tacs or coins that rattle. Any box should be able to withstand the 5 foot rule especially with FedEx and UPS

 

It always bothers me when someone doesn't acknowledge a package arriving. Is it truly that difficult to let the sender know the box arrived safely and maybe say thanks? I don't even need a thank you, just hey it arrived, we're good.

These are always the same people that ask if you received their box five minutes after it drops on your doorstep.

 

I think I’m that way letting people know the box arrived. Honestly it’s always on the back of mind that something may go wrong and want to make sure everything was fine. However I think I always let people know I received their box, at least I think I do. So you can hate me 50%. On the positive side, when people let know a box arrived before I know it has arrived it has been a welcoming annoyance. One time a package arrived at my job and no one noticed it and the driver just left it on the side, inside albeit. I wasn’t at work but because I was “notified” I was looking for it in the back but eventually found it.

 

I hate when generous dudes from BA randomly send you ~20lbs of primo NE hops during a global pandemic just 'cause

 

You wanted to try Föhn, what was I supposed to do?

 

Tape. Taping bottle caps does nothing. Taping bubble wrap makes it a pain to open.

Styrofoam peanuts. No more needs to be said.

 

Expanding a trade. That usually just results in wasted time packaging, increased shipping costs, and more crap beer in my fridge.

 

I hate the taped bubble wrap. Use an elastic, or just leave it alone. If you pack the box well, the cans and bottles won’t come unwrapped.

I use silicone tape on crowns that literally pops right off when given a little snip. I’ve had twist-off crowns on Dieu de Ciel! bottles leak in transit. It is likely unnecessary for normal bottles, but has become habitual.

Styrofoam peanuts require a well stated warning!

 

Please use rubber bands on the bubble wrap people. I kept running out of rubber bands so I went and bought a big bag at a dollar store. Pretty easy solution and allows the bubble wrap to be reused many times over.

 

I mean...a trade only expands if both agree to it...seems like a easy thing to avoid if you aren't into it