I'm fairly new to this so maybe I'm just missing something, but it seems like ISO/FT posts are almost futile at this point because they're quickly lost in the firehose of new threads and there's no good way to filter to find the ones of interest. I put up a new IP ISO/FT post earlier today, and just six hours later it's half way down the fourth page of threads, and I'll be mildly shocked if anyone responds. I know this problem is being exacerbated by the BCBS frenzy, but the same thing happened (albeit a little slower) to the last two pre-BCBS ISO/FT posts I made, both of which seemed reasonable but generated nary a response. Coming from the other direction, I've given up trying to find posts by others because it takes so long wading through to find the few of interest. Are there tricks to filtering the ISO/FT torrent? Is there some way to post an ISO/FT that won't be quickly lost in the noise? I'd love to be able to arrange more trades (especially IP when traveling), but despair at trying to find interested folks via the ISO/FT forum.
Just wait for the smoke to clear. But yes, it seems the trading level is higher and higher all the time. Just keep at it. It will happen.
Although the trade forum can get bogged up with new releases, that has nothing to do with your lack of responses. Your ISOs are asking for CBS, BBPt5, and Black Note for Central Waters Scotch Ale and New Glarus Rasberry Tart/ Belgian Red. Your offers are off.
In my post yesterday I offered Backyard BCBS, PseudoSue, and CW BBS for BBPt5, BB Big Sound, and Zhukov's -- are those really that far off? Regardless, I very much appreciate the feedback, and will consider the balance more carefully in future posts.
This is something I struggled with. There are quite a few beers I'm looking for, and I have an array of beers FT, and I'd hate to miss a possible trade just because my post was too specific. If you post just an "X for Y" ISO/FT without alternatives, aren't fewer people likely to respond because the "X for Y" doesn't exactly work for them?
Yes and no, If I open a trade request and it's paragraphs, I generally don't read it. Also, one beer at a time. Prioritize and do your homework, figure out what has been done recently, and replicate that to suit your needs.
I don't think it's off at all or do I think it's too broad. Backyard Rye is very hard to find even for areas where BCBS was released. Pseudo is pretty sought after in my past trade experiences. The NG sours are less in demand and are basically WI shelf beers, but still pretty damn good sours. While your ISO list has a bunch of harder to get beers, your particular ISO listed aren't, but rather more or less on the same level as what you're offering up. I think the problem is that you're looking for in person trade, which pretty much limits him to a very small group of potential traders. As for the "broadness". I personally feel that it opens up more trade potentials, leaving more rooms for negotiation and possibilities. Plenty of ads are "FT: Gots ISO: Wants". Unless it's whales for whales, I don't think it's unreasonable being a little open-ended. I actually prefer this kind of FT posts. I sent you a message in case you don't find someone to do an in person trade with. I'll be happy to work something out with you. Good luck either way. Al
Agree that IP seems much harder. In my very limited sample of experiences, I've posted 3 trades "open" all of which got multiple response, occasionally resulting in multiple trades from one post; I've posted 2 IP trades which received zero response. IP trades connected to major events - e.g. Jester King's Funk & Sour fest - or to major beer hubs - e.g. Portland, San Diego - seem to work better. I'm not sure what the rules / regulations are about this, but for smaller locations - say, hypothetically, you're going to Kansas City - it seems you get better mileage out of asking locals for recommendations in their regional forum and indicating you'd be up for a beer and maybe an in person swap. Odds of landing the particular items you want may not be as high, but serendipity is good in and of itself and meeting good folks can lead to better trades down the road.
