Stout BIF - Hints & Hauls

Close that was the other brew that I was going to go with but was so impressed with this other brewery's product that i chose their brew over pipe works for this specific none stouty extra... For those following that leaves the door open for a few pipe works brews in the box anyhow

 

Big hint since I'm shipping in the next couple days. My target has posted in this thread either one time or not at all.

 

I'm probably going to send my target two boxes. The small stuff and then the bombers in a shipper.

 

Yeah, my target will be getting two boxes as well.

 

I am probably going to ship out next week since I'm still waiting on a want to arrive.

This will be my first time shipping beer. I saw the post about proper packing and some other helpful hints, but have a question about creating a FedEx account. I want to print the shipping label at home so I don't get the 3rd degree from the clerk at the shipping center.

Can a seasoned shipper BM me a FedEx shipping for dummies guide? Hints/tips, etc. Is it worth setting up an account or just a user id only? Thanks in advance

 

I just shipped my first ever box a few weeks ago and set up a fedex account... DO it it saves you moucho mula i proly saved around 7 bucks on what was supposed to be almost a 25 buck box. as for the packaging wrap the shit out of the bottles in bubble wrap and then pad the sides of the box with packing materials, perhaps double box it. i'll shut up now and let someone more skilled tell you more.

 

I can't stress Freezer Bags enough! They make them big enough to get 750ml size bottles into. Ziplock bag the bottle and then bubble wrap. A freezer bag will save your package from any little leaks that may occur. You don't want your entire package compromised and either held or sent back due to one bottle leaking a little.

 

polo do you put them in bags even if your using a shipper?

 

^ This. I wrap EVERY bottle in either a trash bag and tape it up or a ziploc bag. Then they are bubble wrapped. Fedex, USPS and UPS all have padded bubble wrap envelopes that work awesome for packing as well and they are free. Then double box and put something in the box for some noise - rice, macaroni, tictacs, pennies, etc.

 

yum tictacs

 

Thanks Guys! I have a bunch of styrofoam shippers from my wine buying days. I'll also ziplock bottles, bubblewrap and tape the styrofoam to stop the squeaking noise. I've shipped wine out in the past, but the person I sent to always paid for the shipping and provided a Fedex number. Plus it was typically ony a few bottles or less, so I could ship from work. I don't think I can show up to the shipping dept with a 12 bottle 50 pound shipper. I'll create a Fedex account and just have Fedex pickup from my house since I don't live near a shipping center and I don't think it will fit in the tiny boxes outside of the grocery store

 

Here is a blog that might be helpful for new shippers.

http://alewatcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-trader-tips.html?m=1

Hopefully I'm allowed to post it.

 

I got lucky and got to receive a few boxes via a few BIF's where i won and got to see and them mimic much more experienced traders shipping techniques. i'm most certainly grateful for that

 

Thanks for the link. I'd seen that before, but it doesn't say much about the Fedex account differences.

I guess my question was more geared towards the different Fedex account options. Is there a drawback to creating a Fedex account vs just creating a Fedex user id? Both require the use of a CC# but the Fedex account gives you a discount rate and addtional services. Do they require a monthly fee for maintaining the account or a minimum use per month? I can't imgaine them giving you a discount for nothing in return.

 

god its good. at somepoint i'll send a box of pipeworks goodness your direction

 

You do get a discount just for signing up -- I believe it's based on volume, but even the most basic discount is certainly worth something. (It might be 15%? I'm not sure -- it's changed a few times, I think.) You're saving them money by printing out your own label. You will need to weigh and measure your package, too. There's no fee or minimum, although I bet if you use it more you get a bigger discount.

You might be able to save a few bucks by printing your own label and dropping it off at work, if you have a daily pickup. Saves you the pickup fee at home.

If you have wine shippers, then definitely use those, but don't forget to either ziploc each bag or put the whole styro shipper inside a trash bag to be safe. You can stuff some paper around the bottles to keep them from moving inside the styro. You basically don't want any bottles to be able to move, or to be able to bump into other bottles or the outsides of the box.

 

I still have no idea who my shipper is, but I just picked up a few beers in a stout series that I think my target will enjoy. I'm going to try to find a non-stout want as an extra and I think that will complete my haul.

Hint: I hope and assume my target enjoys coffee stouts.

 

I sure do, but we've already established that I'm not your target

 

DAMNIT im almost sure this applys to me as well and i LOVE coffee stouts

 

I shipped today and my target should probably get their two boxes Wednesday or Thursday (at the latest). Nine great stouts and two great porters (extras) heading toward the mother of presidents (appropriately on President's Day).