Did a cursory search and didn't find anything, so hopefully it has not been covered. It's obviously a matter of preference so I'm looking for your input: When you do extras do you disclose what you are sending? Or do you keep it a mystery? Likewise on the receiving end - do you prefer to know upfront or have it be a surprise? I'm a relatively new trader and had it where I knew and where I didn't. I like surprises but also like to indicate the styles I prefer. I don't mind getting any style, however. I generally ask the trader his preferences and try to find something local and solid to send in the styles. Didn't know about extras on my first trade and neither did the other trader, because it was his first time. I thought they were awesome when I got them on my second trade. I even did a separate shipment to the second trader once I realized what was going on.
I do not disclose what the extras are that I am sending. It's part of the fun as the receiver, in my opinion, to have some surprise extras in the box. It's great if you send extras that are out of reach for your trading partner (i.e. no distribution to their state), or even distributed beers that are harder to find (i.e. Bourbon County). It's a great idea too, as you stated, to get an idea of what styles they enjoy. I do not always do that, but sometimes I browse their BA beer reviews to get an idea of what they like without asking them outright. Good luck on your trades!
I really don't mention extras unless I am doing a small trade i.e 2 bottles of Pliny but I will send you 3 of something else to make it worthwhile (than I send 4 extras instead of 3). On a larger trade I try and send 2 extras in each trade that are bombers of a brewery the other person most likely has heard of. I never tell the other person what I am sending and I always hope that they enjoy the extras more than the actual traded beer.
I make it a point to ask what kind of styles they don't like but beyond that I don't tell them anything. Likewise, I'd prefer to be surprised by whatever they're sending for extras. I actually did a trade with someone who said they preferred not to send anything beyond what we agreed, which was fine. I was just glad they let me know before I sent $20 worth of extra beer to them.
I like the mystery of it. My favorite part of opening a box is to see what extras may be in there. If you have a strong aversion to a style, you might indicate that. Otherwise, throw in something local and delicious.
The mystery of extras is one of the best parts of trading for me. I usually stalk my trading partners wants on BA and find them on Untappd to see what they check in and like. Sometimes their wants and what I have line up and I can throw in a harder to find extra. If not I bomb 'em with local stuff or things not in their distro.
If the trade is for a single bottle I might say enjoy the "beers", but other than that, extras are just extras. Like fries at the bottom of the bag. No need to mention them. If you dont want to send extras, you could let the other person know, but typically I send what I want to send regardless of if I the other person wants to do extras or not.
My most recent trade I looked at their wants and found I had a few things. However after checking their untapped page I realized they had had those beers before. I guess its kind of a crap shoot. But in the end they're extras...
Like others have said above, the surprise is the best part of extras. I love doing a trade for one or two bottles and trying to figure out how I'm gonna fill the rest of that big box
@Yourahoser I've had a fair number if my wants. I simply liked then we'll enough that I want more. Alternatively, I have wants that are also available for trade. Regardless of how much I like a beer, it's possible that there's something out there I'm more interested in trying, or might prefer.
I really like the Untappd suggestion, thanks. I just did a trade and wish I had thought to check first. Even if out of market, cross country and from a small brewery, you never know what someone has already tried!
Mystery extras on both ends for my trades. Also I just ask what styles my trade partner doesn't like. Same in my end. When walking through a bottle shop its easier to eliminate styles then search for them.
