A couple questions. I am new to trading. I have looked at some threads regarding packing, and I understand I'll ship first. But on the trading forum where you list what you're seeking out: is it understood that for year round off the shelf beer, or seasonals with decent production, it's a 1 to 1 trade? Or do people send a message and work out the ratio. If this is the case, how do you tell the market rate, since most of the time it seems the final trade is not described. Is something like Heady Topper usually worth more than 1 to 1? I am looking for HT and was thinking of offering New Glarus Thumbprint series (seasonal) or maybe Pseudo Sue, possibly some Founder's, 1 to 1. Is this in the ballpark? Thanks
For the scenario you described, looking to trade locals/seasonals, etc (i.e., not extremely limited/rare) is most fair doing $4$ (money for money). Heady is about $12-13 a 4pk so you'd want to match that with your offer, give or take a reasonable +/-. So just need to key on the monetary amount rather than the bottle amount/ratio. And yeah you usually work out the amounts & final details through messages. But probably a good practice to know going in what the $ amount of your ISO is so you have a pretty good idea what to put up FT - either by searching the ISO:FT threads or regional threads or even asking in the latter. Good luck! Edit: You may have already read up on this but just want to add to make sure you include extras in your trade. This could be something else local, a want of theirs, etc. The number/quality you want to include is up to you or how you feel the other person is meeting their end of the trade process (good communication, etc) but it's good form to include in a trade and a big part of what makes trading fun.
Just put up an offer ... I'd try 2 PseudoSue for a 4 pk of Heady... that should get some bites.... I would also strongly recommend doing your first trade with an experienced trader, so he/she can help you through the process...
Thanks for replies. Yeah I have a couple good extras in mind. Follow-up question: "I would also strongly recommend doing your first trade with an experienced trader, so he/she can help you through the process" I have heard a couple people say this, and it makes sense--but might this entail rejecting an offer even if it matches my ISO/FT, if the person is not established? Is that bad form?
I wouldn't say it's bad form just not highly recommended and more risky. No matter what use the trade request feature and make sure they accept before shipping. Also exchange all personal info before shipping (address obviously) but phone number and email as well.
I just had a Scream recently and you should be able to trade that $4$ with pretty much any DIPA out there. People who have what you want won't be able to get what you have.
Another follow-up: I have seen people saying to get a FedEx account, print label at home, and then just drop off, to avoid questions. How can I do that, don't I need the weight of the package so I can pre-pay? Am I supposed to weigh it at home? Or do I just drop off, they weigh it, and then charge my account appropriately. thanks all
You can do either/or... you can weigh and measure the package at home pretty easily with a bathroom scale and measuring tape... or you can make something up as they will usually recheck the weight/dimensions at FedEx anyways..
I use a regular bathroom scale when weighing my boxes at home. Never had a problem with being off from my final shipping amount. Print out the FedEx shipping label from my account, drop off at a 24/7 FedEx shop on my way to work, could not be much easier. Getting the FedEx account was one of the better pieces of advice I listened to early on. Good luck!
Another follow-up question: If I got no bites on my initial trade proposal, should I... just bump the old thread to put it to the top of the page (actually I tried that and it didn't seem to appear). Or should I just re-post in a week or two? Or should I assume nobody wanted to do it, and bag it? A second follow-up question: for a beer like Pseudo Sue, how soon should it be traded? (I know the wisdom is to drink IPAs within a... Month?) FYI the proposed trade was: FT: TG Pseudo Sue, NG seasonals/fruits ISO: Heady, New England stuff First trade, take two. This is my first trade; I'll send first so I'm looking for an established trader. Looking for some fresh Heady. I'm thinking two bombers of PS for a 4-pack of Heady? Also we might as well do some other stuff while we're at it, how about some NG seasonals for some New-England-only stuff? I have Dancing Man Wheat, Apple Ale, Scream, Oud Bruin, Serendipity, Strawberry Rhubarb. Looking for... Maine Beer Company stuff, Zoe/Mo/Lunch? Maybe some Hill Farmstead?? Thanks, Dave
If you haven't gotten bites yet, I'll be back Sunday night with fresh Heady and will gladly trade for Sue or NG. PM if you'd like.. Cheers!
