Extra Etiquette

I'd love to hear if people feel their answer would be different if the trade is IP vs via mail as well. Great question Joeyb

 

I try to include extras in any deal, no matter how many beers I'm trading for 1 beer. I just like to include good beers that I think they can't get where they are as extras. It should be more about generous sharing than "this person is only sending me this, so I'm going to only send them this." Be generous, always, with your beer trading. It always comes back anyway.

 

I just did a lopsided trade that I thought the other trader was giving up too much, but it was hard to let my bottle go. He got crickets for his offer posted several times. When we started talking, I even advised and let him repost, assuring him that if nothing worked out, I'll do the trade. When it became apparent that he tried enough, I told him I'd add some nice extras to make up for some of the differences and asked him explicitly to NOT send me any extras. He got my box first and was very happy with what he got from me and ended up sending me a really cool (non-beer) extra anyway even though I asked him not to.

If I were to be on his side, which I've never been on because I don't initiate that kind of trade, I would've asked for a "no extras" trade. But really, it comes down to you and your partner to communicate this upfront.

 

Lean more on the generous side of things. I always do some "light stalking" to find out what they have been ISO-ing or what they have listed in their Gots section. Try to include one or two of those bottles if possible

 

I'm one of those guys that always send extras, regardless of the trade being shipped or in person. There is always that one beer or brewery in your area that you feel so strongly about, it has to be shared.

 

FYI, speaking from experience this term does not hold up in court.

 

lately ive been doing no extra's just because I have more then i can drink.

 

extras are just that. I never do a trade expecting extras unless the other dude explicitly tells me he'll be sending me x or y # of locals etc. then when I get them it's a cool surprise but no hurt feelings this way

the flip side of that coin is that I usually don't do trades where the "trade" part of the deal is not explicit. a few exceptions to that being:

- repeat trade partners
- a situation where my trade partner lists a few bottles that I want equally, and I just tell him to surprise me with one of them
- if I just feel like it but in this instance I'm not expecting anything specific back and have a level of trust that the other guy isn't looking to win a trade. I've done this a few times with guys who have been around a while and/or have good reps. I find this tends to work out, people generally reciprocate when you are easy to work with

 

Extras are extra, be generous if you want and be grateful every time. If an "extra" or extras are part of the deal then they are not extras they are part of the principal of the trade. I think it's bad manners to complain about extras. JMHO.

 

I personally send extras every time, regardless of the agreed upon trade. Even if the BA on the receiving end of my box says no extras (what are they gonna do, send my extras back ) I guess trading beers with me is more about sharing, giving, and making friends. One should never complain about extras ever! Some people don't have the funds or cellar to give extras (so they shouldn't be shuned or critized if you send extras and they don't). Extras are just that..."extras"

 

Is it common to ask for a non-extras trade?? Not that I mind receiving and sending extras in trades but as another poster had said, I already have enough to drink and plus to save on the cost of shipping it would definitely save me $$$.

 

I think it's totally cool to request no extras.

 

I go back and forth, sometimes if the communication good, trade accommodating, I'll send quite a few extras. Other times a quick trade without extras is really appreciated. I'm not of the mind that extras should be expected.

Rarely I send homebrew as an extra.

 

I've done a few trades where we agreed on no extras. Typically 6 for 6 trades where we both plan to use a styro shipper, or growler trades with a focus on getting an IPA shipped out right away. I've also had a few cases where one or the other of us just has too much beer piled up or whathaveyou and just says, hey, are you okay with skipping extras on this trade.

And all that is cool, because it was discussed. In these threads, there's always some folks saying "extras are extras". And, yes, they are. But they are also what is done. This is the culture. Not sending any extras without discussion is a very good way to end up on people's "do not trade with again" list.

 

I like to send extras to build relationships. A little new to trading, I would like to find a regular trading partner. When I have sent extras they have been grateful and have been interested in trading again. I don't expect extras but am happy to try something I haven't tried before.

As for $4$ trading, extras are extras. if they are included they are nice but are not talked about. Extras are more of a surprise or present.

 

Never thought of this, but a really good point. Even though there is shipping costs, I feel like I would give better extras over mail vs in person.

I feel like IP trades an extra wouldn't even come into the equation. I feel like extras over mail are included to make up for the super high price of shiping, making a trade worth while.

 

[QUTE="iTunesUpdates, post: 3080194, member: 798819"]Never thought of this, but a really good point. Even though there is shipping costs, I feel like I would give better extras over mail via in person.

I feel like IP trades an extra wouldn't even come into the equation. I feel like extras over mail are included to make up for the super high price of shiping, making a trade worth while.[/QUOTE]
Or extras can be a way of sharing shelf beers that aren't distributed to each others local stores.I would think that extras would be less likely in person. When I do mail trades with other CA BAs I find it hard to find something extra to send them that they might not get in their town.

 

Good point! Most of my extras, if not all, are locals my trading partner can't get. No point in doing this IP.