Trade Contingent on Timing Gone Awry

What kind of beer is in the growler, and any idea how it was filled? If it's an IPA filled straight from a tap (or other not-so-great method), I'd say that the other trader should probably replace the bottle. If it's a stout filled via a counter-pressure system, the extra week may not make a noticeable difference.

 

I don't think there is anything you can do, since the box is already on the way. Gonna have to bite the bullet and plan a little better next time. Shipping is always gonna be a wild card so you need to give yourself, and your trader some breathing room.

 

Did he specifically say he didn't drop the box off until yesterday? Its possible he dropped it off Tuesday but missed pick up. Seems different FedEx offices have different times for when boxes go out and it could be an honest mistake. If he did in fact not drop off until yesterday then yes, he should probably send you another growler.

I feel that trades contingent on time are like pre-trades in that there are a lot of variables at play and often something goes wrong. Best to avoid IMHO

 

Yeah I understand your frustration, but if you set up a trade "earlier this week" that had to be out by UPS/Fedex/Eagles of Manwë pick up time on Tuesday, that leave ~24 hours for that box to get packed and shipped. That is a small window of time especially when people have jobs/kids/school/etc. Even if it had shipped on Tuesday, not leaving any any breathing room for Shipping delays would have easily resulted in the same timing situation. I'm not defending the shipper for being late with the shipping of your beer, I just think that tight shipping deadlines never work out in anyone's favor. Talk to your trader and see if he can make it right is my only advice, I guess

 

I have done a number of trades that were semi or wholly contingent on beer arriving by a certain date. Generally has involved me getting HF growlers/Heady to someone on short notice for a tasting or other event. If it is clearly specified that a box needs to ship out on "X" day, it is my responsibility to make sure it is dropped off at Fedex before the cutoff time. If I drop it off at 6:05pm and it doesn't go out until the next day that is on me.

In the OP's case, if it was clearly stated and agreed upon that the box would ship out Tuesday, and the other trader dropped it off too late to go out that day the other trader needs to make it right. Now, if the other trader dropped it off on time, and there was just some issue with Fedex where the box was delayed in transit due to an accident or weather, than its not his fault and shouldn't be held accountable.

In terms of "making it right", if it was my fault I would offer few possible resolutions:

• We both ship each others beer back
  OR
• I ship another fresh growler at an agreed upon time (either immediately or sometime in the future)
  OR
• Some other mutually agreeable arrangement

TL;DR - If he didn't drop it off on time he should be willing to work with you to make it right. If it was Fedex's fault then you just gotta roll with the punches.