Current State of Trading

I just recently got into trading in the last 6 months or so. I only do IP because shipping is costly and a pain in the ass. I've completed about 6 trades and everyone has been super friendly and I felt the deals were fair for both sides. There were a couple that we went back and forth and eventually decided not to trade because both parties valued their own beers more than the others but that has been the exception not the norm.

 

It all depends on how and what you are trading. After starting on the ISO;FT threads, I just usually trade with other members on the WBAYDN feed. Instead of trying to squeeze every dollar of value, winning trades there is blowing the other member up and hopefully establishing future trades as well.

 

What Beer Are You Drinking Now?
Current one is:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/what-beer-are-you-drinking-now-2600.628312/

 

Weird tactic can you elaborate on how you go about messaging said people on the wbaydn?

trading isn't what's it used to be. The beers being exchanged back and forth are the same ones day in day out. Secondary value is getting out of control.

 

I've never been a big trader and only started fairly recently. It still seems very possible and quite easy to find other folks who just want to enjoy different beers from outside their distro and aren't trying to 'win' anything. Biggest difference I can see from when I first started drinking beer is that there is so much good beer everywhere now that it's much easy for people to find the cost of beer shipping for a simple trade to not be worth it. But I've never had a problem in the last year or so finding someone to trade locals

 

It’s not a tactic, but more of an evolution of what this site has to offer. You post what beer your drinking now. They post what beer they are drinking now. You respond and they respond. Hang out and build comraderie. Then they post something you would like to try so you PM them and ask if they are interested in trading (if they have a trader tag and somewhat recent trades listed, not trying to annoy or bother them). I figure out what is available to me that is delicious and worth trading. Much closer knit vibe than the iso thread.

 

I pretty much stopped trading for many reasons. But not to be lost the guys here simply to trade with no other input just turned me off. It became a chore and a game of winning, when guys are offering up $300 worth of beer for one 12 oz bottle worth $10 with NO response it’s time to go. I’d do locals for locals kinda trades , but the last time I tried that it turned into guys asking about hard to get beers that aren’t even in my distribution area. I do BIFs now which imo is outrageous and fun. Try that route to new beers if trading is a hassle which I think it is right now.

 

Let me again recommend BIFs, especially those who use the site for more than just trading for beer. It’s like Xmas, boxes of beer, and you haven’t a clue what’s inside. Some of the best beers I’ve ever had are due to BIF.

 

Thanks you're absolutely right "tactic" was the wrong word choice. Worth exploring this part of the site seeing what it has to offer.

 

Half the beers in ISO;FT -> Limited are out of my reach, and the beers I have that I could trade for bottles in there, I want to drink myself. I also don't know what half of them are because typing out an acronym is too hard. I am about to complete a trade for some Heady and Focal Banger because I like to try those once a year as a treat. $4$ or Locals seems to be less about getting one over on people. I have also desired less to try #whalez because Chicago has incredible offerings that make trading for those seem not worthwhile. I haven't had any problems with completing trades because I try to be as prompt and clear as possible with communication.

 

I’ve never traded “limited” with secondary values. I only trade $4$, can for can, locals for locals. Not trying to win anything. There are many others out there like me! No stress, get to try new stuff, everyone’s happy.

 

This exactly, and I don't even live in Chicago (but it helps to have friends that go there regularly). Really impressed with Rev, crazy good stouts. My experience is that simple IP trades are the way to go if you don't want to f around with differences in opinion on valuation (and shipping of course). Being a good communicator is key.

 

Too many people fetishize beer and brands and labels and scarcity ... these people infect the trade community.

 

Chicago area beers are crazy good.

 

We are spoiled. I could drink beers only brewed within ~1 hour of downtown and forever be happy.

 

I’m always amazed at the crazy high end quality beers in so many styles. No whales need apply, the everyday beers are phenomenal. I’ve been fortunate I’ve done 2 BIFs from @ovaltine , so many different beers it really is mind blowing how good they are.

 

The Chicago beer scene is traveshamockery good - Half Acre and Revolution are 5 minutes apart.

Two world class breweries (IMHO), 5 minutes apart - and there’s another dozen in the metro are that are approaching world class (Mikerphone, Metro, etc). What a glorious time to be a beer nerd, buddy.