Dented cans half full help!

Ignoring how freezing a can would somehow cause beer to disappear, I agree this is the gray area. How you handle it would make the difference between an awesome trader and an average trader.

 

Any bottles in the package? Pics of the package?

I would take responsibility for it and replace, but I would also expect the recipient to have already sent me pics of the package (which should be trashed or soaking if there was a freeze) when they notified me - that is standard practice if you get a damaged box. I am responsible for the box getting there intact - if it is too cold, I don't ship, and I always pack carefully.

Personally, I have never had any issues, but my packing method is generally bomb proof (I have tested it by throwing a box off a 3 story roof). That said, FedEx can do some amazing things to packages and freezing is always possible.

As long as the trade partner seems on the up and up I would replace without hesitation.

 

Sorry, I am not following this bit - there is no leaking at all? No wet packaging?
This would imply you managed to pack half empty cans and send them - low fills can happen I guess, but you didn't notice that the cans were really light when you packed them?

A half filled but sealed can would have felt pretty light and sloshed around like crazy when you picked it up - did you wrap each can individually or just drop the whole 6 pack in a box?

 

It would sound like the only possible thing is low fill cans. I would have taken a pic simply because I have never come across a low fill can in my life!

That said, they might not have noticed until they opened them, and not had their phone handy. Not everyone is as retentive as me (fortunately for the world), so I am sure some people wouldn't take a pic. Shelf beer? You can grab more? if so I would just grab 2 more and toss them in a flat rate USPS box.

I like to take people at their word, and it is such a strange thing (some half filled cans) that I doubt someone would be making it up... Much more plausible stories to scam extra beer. Who was the brewery? Are you sure they have a fancy enough canning line to catch low fills? If it is bells or someone like that I would agree, it is pretty unlikely, but I don't imagine everyone has the same level of quality control.

If you hear hoof beats... It probably was a couple of low fill cans and the guy didn't have his phone handy...

 

Bummer. Agreed, it isn't great quality control from the brewery, but to your original question, I think it is on you to replace or somehow make right - it isn't really anyone's fault, but as a trader I would feel responsible for sending half filled cans.

 

Agreed - really unusual. Never heard of it before!

 

Since there was no leakage, freezing would be irrelevant in this case. It definitely seems a little sketchy but I would replace the two cans. However, I would probably ask for a shipping label since the recipient was unable to provide any sort of evidence to back up the claim.

 

Sorry, sounds kinda suspect to me. But, in your circumstance I suppose replacing them is the generous thing to do. If I ever claim damage to my trading partner, I sure as heck am taking pics! Odd to say the least.

 

how does the recipient know a can is half full if it's unopened and unharmed?

 

I've never ran across this with beer but have had it a few times with pop. There is a noticeable difference in the weight of the can. You can also try rolling it on its side, if it's less than full it'll never really "roll" all that much since the liquid ends up sloshing back and forth and kind of kills the momentum of the can trying to roll forward.

 

Let me start off by saying that I really don't know shit, but as long as we're playing maybe:
Maybe the can was only filled halfway, got shook up creating more carb and head, and gave the appearance that it was full...
during travel and arrival, it settled, and upon examination gave the sound of a 1/2 filled can.

I too can say I've never heard of such a thing. I also agree you can take the freezing aspect out of it- if a can burst you're gonna know it, if it was frozen when he got it, he's also gotta know that too.

I will also comment that I usually am the one to initiate the weather discussion. Many times I've brought it up w NE or Minn. or WI traders that the outlook looks bleak, or hey in 5 days it's gonna be -6, are you sure you want me to ship. I'm not saying that the onus is upon you to do the same, but if it's just 2 cans, and he can provide pics, benefit of the doubt is the way to do it, and hopefully he hooks you up next time- or maybe just split the shipping this time around.

 

I always check the weather forecast before I ship anything during the fall/winter/spring. Sometimes I'll even check the forecast for intermediate places along the route as well.

 

I've twice had cans I received be banged up and leak through small breaks/tears in the sides of the cans. The openings were very small and hard to discover without a bit of inspection.

That said, it sounds like your trade partner explicitly stated there were no punctures, so it is a rather strange situation. I'd probably just replace the cans (if possible) and move on.

 

@Jordan3292

Based on your feedback in this thread, will you be sending the (2) ($10; Surly Abrasive cans) replacement beers???

Mind you, I've been contacted by your trade partner and have read the entire conversation with all the facts.

If you don't, I'll send some his way, but don't expect positive feedback from your trade partner.