How does it work? Do you often only trade high end beer? What makes a trade fair? Beer quality or $$$amount? Best practice for shipping?
Read the Trade Help forums. Watch the ISO forums. Know what's rare and what's not. As often as you want, assuming you have it to trade. Both, depends. FedEx, bubble wrap.
Cliffs for a beginner? -Peruse the trade forum. See what people are offering (FT) and what they're asking for (ISO) to get an idea of what you need to offer/seek based on what you've got. -Limited, shelf beers, regional, etc....its all out there. -$4$ = dollar for dollar (or close to it). b4b - bottle for bottle (or close in quantity). I always include extras in addition to the agreed upon beers. -Open a FedEx account and use ziplock bags, rubber bands, and bubble wrap.
Welcome, to BA @halo3one @BullDoza have amazing pointers also try to understand the basic Lingo (FT-ISO-$4$) has a new member to trading understand you will need to ship out first to build a creditable trade history. If you have any questions contact me I can always help
Start small and if you ever travel, look for opportunities to do in person trades too. Shipping can be a hassle and is expensive, so start small and look to do 6 pack trades for limited local stuff - if you want to go for whales right out of the gate expect to have to ship first. I have done a couple of trades, one was for limited release local beers that weren't hard to get (we sent each other wish lists and went to the store...) and the other had a few rare things in a 12 bottle trade but in person. Oh, and cans rock. If people want to do 6 pack trades for cans I am all over that - way easier to ship and cheaper too (lighter weight).
Always ship bottles standing up. That's the way they're meant to be shipped. I've received too many broken shipments where someone thought they would stack better on their sides to know better!!! Also, just be clear about the trade. I will always say "please don't send extra" if I'm not going to throw in more than just and extra can or so.
This is almost everything you need to know.... at least the basics... http://alewatcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-trader-tips.html
