Negativity on here is out of control

No it's not.

 

"One last example, I was reading a thread about someone trying a beer with their friends and one poster mentioned wanting to try the beer and being on the lookout for it. I sent him a BM and said send me your address and I'll send you a bottle (not send me a label and you'll get a bottle). He declined since his friend had just got a bottle to share but thanked me."

What about this interaction do you feel warrants a rant?

 

Not calling you out, but I've seen more than a few people claim that who then go ahead and drop off the face of the earth and burn traders for boxes. So you can see why there's some reservation.

I am of the opinion that the BA community could be a whole heck of a lot nicer/more understanding to n00b traders, though.

However, given the recent threads in this forum (good and bad) it seems the Golden Age of Trading has passed. Maybe I'm wrong and we're in a lull, but it feels (to me) that the quality of the culture has dropped off a bit.

 

I hear you and have the same hopes. I've traded quite a bit, but don't have any regular trading partners. It would be nice if more experienced traders continued doing what they're doing, but I do get that they've probably established my trading relationships that cover what they need. I'm cutting way back on the trading myself, so I get that side of things too. I do like a good BIF and may put my focus on those for a while.

 

On a positive note, diggin' your avatar.

 

There are plenty of great new traders out there. The problem is there are also a lot of bad ones. And the site has been flooded with new traders since the forum change, so vets are a bit uneasy at the moment.

I know you think you can handle 20 trades in a month, and maybe you can, but you're not looking at this from the other side of the coin. The vets have seen numerous people do exactly what you're doing and then go away with a half dozen trades hanging out there. It doesn't mean you will, but it's something we've seen enough that it makes people nervous.

I like trading with noobs - I like to give them awesome extras and help them see the light about being generous. I even run a noob BIF to help there. I strongly believe that for this community to continue it requires noobs to "learn the ways", and I do my best to try to help them along. My biggest concern though is that there are too many noobs that don't want to "learn the way". They want to do it on their own terms, haggle using Ebay prices, send no/crappy extras, and hold shelf beers like BCBS for ransom. Vets don't do any of that. Hell, noobs can't even be bothered to do 5 minutes of research anymore. (It's amazing how many haven't read Alewatcher's blog)

So when it comes to either trading with a known commodity that isn't going to try to bend you over the barrel vs an unknown commodity that makes negotiations painful, how could you possibly fault vets for wanting to stick with other vets?

 

this. i've said this before, and i'll say it again: 2011/2012 join dates are the subprime mortgages of trading. not that every single mortgage was underwater, but you put enough bad apples in the bunch...

people are being careful for a reason. the last time i saw someone whining about not being taken seriously, people set up all kinds of trades for rare beers with him. his name was bitterpachyderm.

 

then fwiw, i don't think the blanket statements are directed at you. in a way, the vets that say " i don't trust new traders " are really saying, " i don't trust new traders that don't bother to learn the ropes. "

you seem to be making an effort to be part of the community and not just squeezing blood from a stone. imo, you'll be fine. i might dial back on the volume of trades though.

 

i understand the concern, but unfortunately this thread is like saying, "i'm tired of you guys complaining about being robbed; i don't steal from you!"

my advice: treat others the way you want to be treated, expect/demand the same from people without being hostile about it, keep your eyes open for swindlers, and all will be well. if the trading community dies before you Get Your Fill, it's unfortunate, but a) worse things have happened, and b) that's not going to happen anyway (i'm sure by now you've probably already made trading connections that would keep the hobby going for you in the future even if it turns to shit in general).

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edit: p.s. (to everyone) don't be too tied to the trading forum. if you like interesting, spread-the-generosity type trades, contact people in general threads about beers they mention wanting to try but can't get, etc etc (as the OP mentioned). even if ISO:FT gets overrun by trolls, spontaneous "casual" trading can still be very fun.

 

I think noobs are treated fairly here. The rhetoric may be a little out of control. But the actual treatment I have received is great. I have competed 2 trades and just shipped my second BIF. I even won a LIF!!

Being in sales for over 20 years I understand that a deal is a "GOOD" deal when both parties are happy. A good deal perceived is a good deal received.

Hell im in the middle of trading a Beat 5 for locals. I want beer i can drink not that i have to put away or trade for better beer.

 

If you are doing locals for locals trades, you are on the right track. Take great care of every trader that you deal with. Take the time to get to know them, some you will like and find common interest with, some you will not. The people you click with.... trade again, increasing the value each time as trust is gained......before long you will have a "regular trading partner". Once you have a few partners, the entire beer world can open up to you but there is a lot of work and trust that needs to be built up on both sides.
Don't give up, just keep making friends!

 

Big time good advice here! If you are a NOOB, read over and over and over.