So when did "extras" become mandatory?!

I don't think extras are mandatory but I think they are always a I nice surprise. Something unexpected or something from someone's hometown is always nice to see. Only once or twice have I not sent extras and that has been because I didn't have anything handy and was in a rush to ship.

 

The only time I haven't sent extras was with a quick, utility trade where we specifically agreed to no extra (& I still received one - thanks again, Cuzco!).

 

Don't worry Petie. If the trader was good to you, send'em a message that says what you said right here. All will be fine. There's a learning curve here...at least for most of us there is.

 

Unless the deal is X and extras/locals for Y and extras/locals, no extras should be expected. It is an "extra" for a reason and if you are expecting something in return, you really aren't sending the extras for the right reason. You are just expanding the trade so you get something extra in return.

I've had good reasons not to include extras, like coming back with growlers and growlers from HF where shipping quickly to all trade partners took precedent over trying to find the right extras. Not one of the trade partners complained and I got an extra in each of those trades. I've completed second trades with a couple of those traders as well.

I've also had trades where the extras were worth as much as the actual trade. In the end, extras are just that, EXTRAS. People espousing views of "I never trade with these people again" should stop calling them EXTRAS and call them their TEST beers, i.e. testing if a trader is worthy of future consideration.

 

Because many traders are in this community for fun, and extras are a huge part of the fun of trading. Not sending extras doesn't make you an asshole, or even necessarily cheap, but it does make you somebody that most established traders are probably not going to want to trade with.

Really, if you can't be arsed to include a couple of extra bottles in a box like most traders, why even bother? The difference in shipping cost with an extra 2-3 bottles in a box is negligible, and nobody is saying you need to send crazy whales as extras. Just try to hit a locally obtainable want, or give them something good that they've never had.

 

But aren't tips expected nowadays?

'Gratuity' strikes me as no longer relevant as an accurate descriptor. Maybe it should be "service fee".

 

So you're saying that a box sent to or received from the UK would not be expected to have any extras? Tipping is relative, extras are extra.

 

I don't think anybody is going to complain about not getting extras when there is good reason not to (such as rushing back a HF growler). But from the sentiment of your post, you clearly believe in sending extras when practical to do so. And on your profile page you call out traders who sent great extras, so you do put some stock into them...

 

I understand, but that makes it sound like extras are a tip. The fact is that they're not mandatory, but they are very likely. I'll bet he sent you some. If I don't want to send extras I make that clear, so they don't waste their money. I think that's standard. Extras are the most fun part about trading.

Edit: Should have read the thread first as it appears all of this has been said.

 

I'll always do my best to fit in a few extras because I love getting some in return. Whether they be wants, favorites or even random locals that let you discover new breweries. Extras make the whole game fun as long as both parties play along.

You don't want extras to be involved, make that clear at the start.

 

Extras are mandatory, not because they're 'mandatory', but because they're fun and everyone enjoys receiving a thoughtful gift. The lot of you who are scrooges about the whole thing, or who are weaseling out of them by saying, it's an 'extra', scare me. It's like there's a cadre of people looking for the loophole in the system. Be generous.

Dude's a crappy negotiator? Send him a couple locals and be done with it. Maybe no one ever knows you did so in spite of the other person being a prat, but you can either shame someone with guilt or shame them with kindness. And who knows, maybe that person gives you a sterling trade endorsement to another trader who proceeds to hook you up. Again, be generous.

 

well you hooked me up with some great beers, so I had to return the favor!

 

I totally get what you're saying and agree that it's not that big of a deal. I throw in extras in almost all of my trades. It's just that some of these replies reek of the beer geek entitlement issue, and that bothers me.

Trading is supposed to be fun. So don't get bent out of shape if someone didn't give you extra beer.

 

I always ask my trading partners if they want me to send a 6 or 12 bottle shipper. Their reply always sets the tone for extras. I also try to always ship first and let them repack the same box. Then everyone knows what/how much to expect. I aklmost always get outdone with the extras. Be nice, karma is real.

 

I had the pleasure to do a trade and a BIF right before ending up unemployed, which killed my ability to trade. I made sure to include extras for one simple reason.... I wanted to. I wanted to make sure the people who got those boxes opened the box and said "Awesome!". Part of the problem with people today is that we all expect something in return. When I can afford to trade again...I will continue to put extras in and see no reason to be mad if there is no extra in my box.

 

Oh, I don't know, if you look at it like tipping I think those two descriptors are right on the money.

 

You just got me to check which list I'm on.

 

My problem is I hate surprises. So I usually blurt out what I sent including extras. First trade was for 2 Pliny and I sent an Enjoy By 12/21 and I explicitly told him I was sending it. But it's still an extra.

My next trade I meant to include Stone Mint Chocolate Stout and Damnation 23 as extras but ended up including them in the main trade and send a Mischief, Redemption, and AleSmith IPA as extras. That was a 200+ oz box before extras and I couldn't fit anything else in the box. He knew what they were before I sent them too. But again they were extras.

Maybe it ruins the surprise but I wouldn't expect them to send extras just because I normally send them. That said I have gotten extras that I enjoyed in my first trade and I'm getting a 50 LB box today in my second, so a surprise box is probably in order.

The way I see it, unless either of us is being a dick, I probably want to trade again with them, so like a crack dealer, give them extra and keep them coming back for more.

 

Man...this thread is great!!! It is helping me compile a list of people who don't send extras because they don't feel the need to and because 'Im entitled' Please keep it coming.

To any new traders out there, while this thread has gotten very heated to the point where people are picking sides (Go Team Extras!), extras are up to you...but if you want people to post positively on their Profiles, toss in a couple of local cans or 12oz bottles, you'll feel better about it and be happy with what extras you get in return.

Another great thing about this thread is that it has made me aware to update my profile page regarding extras too.

 

I hope I'm not on anyone's shit list because I say what extras I send. :/