How to handle situations with irreplacable bottles?

In this situation first off you should do everything in your power to make sure it doesn't happen. If you're sending an irreplaceable bottle up the packaging by 10. Otherwise if it does happen communication with the trade partner at that point would be your best bet. Some options would be to send them their beer back and they send you your beer back if any did make it. I'd also say a "thank you box" would be in order in this situation. Another option would be to rework the trade. If you agreed to send a vanilla rye and it didn't make it and you can't get another but you have a cherry rye in the cellar then offer to send them that. That's just an example of course but I would plan on being extra generous if that was the case. The replacement bottle should be a better bottle than the first if at all possible.

I've heard of people offering to pay for the broken bottles or work things out monetarily, but to me that is a sticky situation because if I send someone beer I want beer in return, not just some cash back..

 

you either have to return the beers you received or
You have to come to some kind of understanding with your trade partner that makes that person happy

 

My suggestion:

If you're dealing with bottles of this nature, discuss the matter with your partner *before* you finalize the trade (i.e., accept the trade in the system...because you're all doing that...right? ...right?) and definitely before you ship.

This can help prevent the nastiness that may occur when that highly sought after bottle gets a forklift through the side or the hero driver "discovers" what you're shipping. Both sides need some protection/fall back because if you ship enough, something bad will happen. It's a matter of when, not if no matter how well your box is packed.

If you can't come to an agreement, don't ship. IMO, it's not worth the risk.

Sure, you may get some grief from your partner and/or his/her circle of trader friends that you "backed out", but if you can explain (and document) your POV, I think most traders here would understand *why* you made the decision.

It's like anything else in trading...communication (actually, over communication) is key.

Try to anticipate problems and try to address them *before* they happen. Things are much easier that way.

 

I agree with this. And, since a Mod (the wurst Mod!) has now put it out in the ether, you can refer to this post as the basis for your requirement on agreeing to how to handle lost/damaged bottle before shipping. Then, all the angst can be directed at @F2brewers, who I would guess, may have some experience in handling said grief.

 

My opinion is only that of one person...I don't assume you'll all agree.

Handling grief? Never. You guys all make my work here rainbows and unicorns.

 

I never thought it was very complicated, if you can't replace the bottles just don't drink any of the beers that you received until after you've confirmed that what you sent out arrived safely. If something breaks just ship them back their beer with an apology extra or two. It's part of why I think it's important to try and tell the sender that everything arrived safely ASAP so that everyone can start drinking tasty beer.

Thankfully my breakage has only occurred with people I've traded with before and either it was stuff I could replace, or it was just random swapping of mystery boxes where it didn't really matter. Trading is a heck of a lot less intimidating and scary if you're trading with a regular partner.

 

This is exactly how I see it. Shouldn't be complicated. While I try to keep it in the back of my mind of potentially having to replace the entire box, I never had to work out the what-ifs with my trade partners. The people I trade with usually seem reasonable and understanding, judging by communication as well as the BA community as a whole, so I always trust to be able to work things out in any unfortunate scenario.

The key thing, as you said, is don't drink the beers that you may have to return in case of breakage until your box is completely safely in your trader's hand as returning the beers you received is always a reasonable, even if it's likely a last resort. It's then up to you and your partner to hash out what's next.

 

I agree. Do NOT drink any beers until your box, containing the irreplaceable brews, is safely rec'd. IF an irreplaceable beer comes to a ghastly end, be prepared to return the beers you rec'd plus a nice extra or 2 or 3, & PP a return of their shipping fees.

Naturally, this assumes the other person doesn't want to re-work the trade. IF s/he is open to negotiating replacement bottles make generous suggestions, ie no 3X Pseudo Sue or CW Seventeen to replace a lost or broken an SR 71. Also, try to be certain that the other person really does want to renegotiate, that s/he isn't just being polite & accommodating.