Bad Bruery Trustee Thread

I'm not crazy about the whole "legal document" look, but then again I haven't been on the cold, hard end of a shaft from a trustor.

Kids at home: Just send your trustee some good stuff and let them know how much you appreciate their help. There shouldn't have to be a list of "acceptable things" to send. If you've made it to this point (trading expensive alcohol) in life, then you probably know the difference between right and wrong.

Do what's right.

 

I think the fact that you are having the beer shipped to you from The Bruery and then re-shipping it may have something to do with it. The double shipping costs would seem to be an obstacle to most Bruery Members.

I just picked up 6 allocations on Wednesday (including my own) and shipped them out today. This is my first year doing this and 3 of the 5 other 5 are also rookies. I have already received a bunch of random midwest beers and some Reserve Bruery beers as thank-yous.

 

Its $15-$18 for the bruery to send a full 12 bottle shipper. Don't forget the fact that it comes already boxed so there is no need to purchase a shipper or packing material... I don't see how the "double shipping costs" would effect anything. How much is a 12 bottle shipper from uhaul?!?!

 

Seems reasonable, but I might point out that the cost of traveling there ($17 / pickup) should be distributed across multiple people and perhaps even yourself if you are an RS member. You're not going there just to pick up one person's beer at a time, presumably.

But overall, quite reasonable. Anyone who balks at it should really think twice about how much they want to be a reserve member for a society that can't ship directly to them.

 

First, she sounds like a saint for agreeing to do this for any of these Trustors.

The way they have it set up, all it entails is that she slap on a different shipping label and drop it off at a FedEx/UPS office (or have it picked up). The perception is that doesn't take much effort and is therefore rewarded accordingly. Also, there is no compelling reason for the Trustors to ship anything back. They aren't re-using the shippers.

In my case, we are always sending full 3 and 6 bottle shippers back and forth. The Trustors also send shipping labels in the boxes.

In the example case, I don't know why the Trustors aren't paying for the second shipping and why any Trustee would pay for it.

UHaul 12 bottle shippers are $12.99. If I ship them back and forth across the country 5 times (before they fall apart), the cost is negligible.

 

What ever way you want to look at it. Her method saves money and money! With that many trading partners both of those things become very important. She was doing it your way and still not getting anything in return for the most part : /

 

I just plugged in the numbers on the Bruery site. If I shipped 12 bottles from Placentia to Carlsbad it would cost me $29.05. It would probably cost me another $40 to ship it across the country via FedEx. That would certainly add up.

 

Her cost goes up when you consider that taking home 10+ cases could easily destroy her cars mileage... just nit-pickin

 

No, that's a good point.

Say it drops to 15 mpg. 110 / 15 = 7.33 gals, say $4.50 average for a gallon of gas (way high)... $33 for the trip.

For 10 cases, that's $3.30.

I just mention this because I've encountered numerous people that will nickel-and-dime you if money is involved, but they'd happily toss you a Bruery beer for your trouble, even though the latter is more expensive. Keep the money fair (or out of it entirely) and get paid for your time in alcohol... imo.

 

i agree that i don't love the legal feel to it, but i guess you gotta do what you gotta do. as far as the compensation part (and bear in mind that this opinion is coming from someone who has not done this for over a year getting stiffed by people so i understand why you want to spell it out)...i'd probably leave it more open ended saying something like:

the facts...picking up your beer, storing it, packing it and shipping it takes time and costs money. i'm a reserve society member as well so i like that i can help out other reserve society members and be a "Beer Advocate" - while i don't feel comfortable putting a price on helping you out, i can only handle helping out a small number of reserve members and i am a fan of the golden rule. i expect this relationship to be a 2 way street...if you want to buy me a bottle or two of an allocation, send me some local favorites, proxy some of your shelf whales/local brewery releases, help me track down my personal whales? these are just some ideas of what i would do for someone if the roles were reversed...i'm not a mailman, i'm looking to establish relationships, so if you are looking for a mailman, please look elsewhere.

 

hmmm. I understand your stance from getting screwed before as a trustee where I have not (I have trusteed for over a dozen people over the years)...however, this seems too complicated and business like. As I said this might be because ii have not had the same experience as you. I have had better experiences than others but nothing terrible. if there are people you feel like you NEED to do thiswith I would just drop them.

 

This is an interesting thread. I muled a good amount of limited RR sours for a dude from Minnesota and never got anything in return. He said he was going to send an agreed upon thank-you box. Nothing. My loss, but I would start a bad trader thread about it. I just think it was pretty selfish. I hope nobody traded anything too rare for RR beer from BA Yulles.

 

I guess the whole "legal feel" of my terms and conditions comes from 4 years of undergrad business classes and many, many papers you should see some of my outlines! It wouldn't take much to make it a complete paper! To be honest, I'm really not the type to uphold something like this. I just want to light a fire under some of these guys' asses. Just nice to a fault

I am a firm believer in the Golden Rule, Karma, etc. and though I went into this with an open mind and heart, I still don't feel like it was right that some people would take advantage of my generosity as well as those who takes the time out of their lives to fulfill this duty. I didn't even realize the true nature of "costs" associated with trusteeing until I really thought about it. My little sister and I spent 2+ hours organizing this most recent pick up. Sometimes I would have my younger brother take 45lb shippers to FedEx 15 minutes away (oh, suburbia) because I didn't have time to drop it off because of work and styro shippers take up so much damn space.

Obviously hypothetically the trip/gas costs would be spread over however many people I would be picking up for-- it was mostly calculated on a one person "pickitupformebro" circumstance. The few I speak of that send me shippers also do not re-use them and resend them so getting them shipped directly to me and me sending them out again wouldn't be that much more expensive. I'm sure if you can afford all your allocations, you can spend a little more money on shipping

This has been a learning experience and at the end of it all, I'm glad I did it. Though there's always a few bad apples, I've actually become really close friends with some of those I trustee for (one of which I will be seeing in a few days!). I have met all but two people I trustee for. Though some people did not renew their memberships, I have quickly found other to take their spot. They've either helped me before or know my deal so they're good on their word (for now). I'm sorry for complaining about everything too, but I'm glad you guys heard me out and am thankful for everyone's insight. Be thankful for the beer you drink and those that make it possible for you to drink it.

 

That is very odd, to ship 8 CR they charged me $13.94. Box would be traveling to SFV which is similar distance from the bruery. 14/8= $1.75 per bottle x 12 = $21

Discount​

Ext. Price​

"chocolaterain001 Chocolate Rain

8​

$39.99​

$63.98​

$255.94​

Order Notes:
None

SubTotal$255.94​

​

GSO Ground Shipping:

$13.94​

​

Tax:$20.47​

Total:$290.35"​

 

This thread is brutal. First I can't imagine asking a stranger to be a trustee, what a pain in the ass to do for anyone but a friend or family. Second, if someone actually does this for you and you aren't crushing them with great beer, you're not much of a BA.

You tip 15-20% in a restaurant, right? Well, I'm guessing maybe some of theses cheap leaches don't, but anyways... That should be the minimum a trustee should be getting for hooking someone up like they do. 15-20% of the cash value of each shipment sent in quality stuff, minimum!

 

I'm a Crooked Stave trustee for a few folks who are all bad ass. I had this waiting for me today when I got back from the Mtns.



Not everyone has to send a box like this but it's easy to say thanks with some quality locals. Also I received another box a couple months ago from this same BA that was as good as this. I haven't even sent this guy any of his beers yet either. I am gonna crush this guys porch with my first box.

 

I'm a Reserve Society noob in GA & want to do right by my most gracious trustee. I only plan to have him ship 2-3 times this year (letting my bottle count get to 12 or 24 before having him swing by to pick them up). I'll be sending him the first set of 12 bottle styro shippers once The Bruery says that Chocolate Rain is ready to be picked up later this month (and sending local goodies in them, of course). I've agreed to have prepaid shipping labels in the boxes so he just needs to drop the bottles in the box, tape it, slap the label on & drop it off at UPS.

A couple questions for you trustee veterans out there:
1- does this sound like a pretty reasonable arrangement. My trustee is a great guy (arguably the best trader I've encountered) and I don't want this to be too much of a hassle for him.
2- do any of you know off hand how much a 12 bottle styro shipper full of 750s weigh? I plan to have UPS measure the boxes when I send them & telling them how much they'll weigh when they're returned to me.

Thanks guys.

 

I trustee for only 1 and I may take on another now that bottles are no longer picked up at Provisions and I don't have to lug boxes to the car 2 blocks away. But I have no desire to take on any more than that.

There seems to be many forms of agreements out there. But the most important thing is to have one, whatever that may be.

 

Sounds about right. Honestly, it is up to you what is good for compensation. If you feel happy about about what you gave him and not just "ehh good enough" then it is probably good. One full 12 shipper for 2-3 boxes is good. If he is sending out multiple boxes on each shipment maybe another box would be nice, possibly after (or for) the last shipment as a thank you for the year. Since you have traded with him before and sounds like you have some what of a relationship I am guessing you have a good idea what to send. And typically if you are taking the thought and time to ask and make sure, then you are already doing what you need to.

Typical weight is around 36-40lbs, the Bruery bottles are very heavy. I would recommend just filling in a rough estimate (I typically do 30lbs) knowing the center reweighs and corrects the order later. My dimensions are not accurate at all, but that doesn't matter as the driving cost is the weight. I think i put 12x16x16.

 

12 bottle shipper full of 750's is going to weigh in at around 40 lbs.

Regarding your arrangement, depends on the type of relationship you have with the guy. I think a common theme with this thread is that so long as you send _something_ you've covered your obligation, but everyone loves being shown exactly how much they're appreciated.

Edit: ninja'd by nano. Damnit.