Trend toward no extras?

I think a lot depends on the actual trade itself. If Im trading foe something super hard to get or "rare" then the extras I pack in reflect that. If its just for something i want ipas etc then the extras are a little more of locals.

 

I have trended towards sending more extras. In the packages I receive I think it depends. New traders seem to either go overboard or not even realize its a thing.

 

^ This all day. I love including local extras for folks. I don't go crazy, but I feel it's worth the little effort. Helps build a relationship too.

 

I am yet to make a trade but would think sending extra's would be extremely satisfying for the person sending it (not to mention the person getting them). I see it as an opportunity to provide some local beers that the receiver may not have heard of before (particularly as I am from Australia) and as you develop relationships I would imagine generosity of some of the rarer beers would start happening.

 

Let me put a different spin on this conversation. I love sending local extras. Fresh hops, sours, that sort of thing. Usually $15-20 worth.

However, I have noticed over time, that most people I trade with are getting better and better distribution. Extras are just something local that your trade partner would enjoy.

With increased beer consumption and distribution, I often receive extras that are either:

A) Old (90+ day IPAs why are people from NY sending Jai Alai?) or
B) Beers I probably already have had a bunch of or can get easily (thank you CA, but I can get pretty much anything from Stone and not pay shipping).

Just communicate extras up front if its not clear.

 

I try to always send extras that are going to be exciting or somewhat sought after, or quality locals. That said, in a recent trade, I had boxed and taped up everything in the trade and forgot to add an extra. To my undying shame, due to lack of tape, I sent it anyway, and was of course crushed with great stuff from my partner.

I've had a couple of trades where I didn't get an extra, and a couple where I didn't send an extra, and it just always makes for a better trade to include good stuff, even if unspecified.

 

My trades usually consist of only one or two bottles but when I'm done packing my box there always seems to be 10 or more beers in there. I love sending extras and I don't care what I get in return.

 

I am one of the guys that totally forgot. My first trade was with you, now I feel even worse than I did.

When Aslin gets a crowler machine, I'll get even with you. Really wasn't expecting you to hit me that hard with extras. You even said to keep it minimal. Ahhh, at least I saw this. I had intended to hit you with two cans of the burial/OH collab, but what I intended doesn't matter much.

Sorry, Jay.

 

I just got into trading and had no clue extras were a thing. On my first trade the guy sent an extra bottle which was really generous and I felt bad since I wasn't aware of the custom. Now on future trades I try add a few local beers that I think the recipient might enjoy.

 

I alternate between 6-8 little and 2-3 big extras whatever is available here I think might be impressive and enjoyed, just boxed up one today where an extra cost more than what the trade was initially for... it all goes and comes around

 

I forgot extras on my first trade, didn't really know it all off the bat, no harm no foul

 

My buddy just got back from NYC and said Jai Alai was on the shelves up there. Just sayin.

 

When I first started trading I had many random people I traded with and random extras were always a part of it. As I've scaled down my trading so to speak, I have a few repeat partners and I've noticed we tend to fill up a six shipper and send it on it's way, which has limited the extras. However, we don't always say what we are sending exactly so I guess in a way it's like getting extras, haha. If I'm not using a styro shipper I always send some, it's part of the fun for me, trying things outside of my area, not everything has to be a whalezbro.

 

I have noticed this trend also and it has been over the last year or 2. It is not just new people either, I have noticed with people that have a higher trade count also. I always send 2-3 extras, usually fresh crowlers or things that people cant normally get in distro from their area. I think that sometimes those are better then the actual trade, cause you never know what you may get. I know its a generosity thing, but still sucks when you spend an extra $15-20 and get nothing in return.

 

I don't want to live in a world without extras. Seriously that is the best part of trading. I have passed on making trades as I did not have extras to put in the box.

 

My first ever trade I sent no extras. I received extras back on his side of the trade. I realized how great that felt to get a suprise like that and started doing the same. Then on my 3rd trade I received some crazy extras (Black Note, BCBCS and TH Lights On). I tried to return the favor but couldn't do it that big! I tend to throw in things I love and out of distro stuff. Something I would love to get on my side l. I've only received no extras once and was disappointed but what can ya do.

 

would you consider swag extras, or is it bad form to not include just beer? as a new trader, it's very difficult having anything extra that people would actually want (at least, the people I'm trading with)

 

find some local stuff that you like that they wouldn't have access to, I also have sent glassware, clothing and food items

 

That is a great point you brought up about increased distribution. I feel like the obvious beers to include as extras for certain regions are becoming widely distributed. Just in my area, Mass to be specific, Alpine, Wicked Weed, and Ballast point are all in distro. Not to say that there are not smaller breweries that you can include, but its hard keeping track of new distro. A few times I have actually had people tell me, "thanks for the extra but I get this around me".
Your other point about old IPA's has been a huge issue with me. I would rather not receive an extra then get old IPA's with date clearly on the can. I feel like a lot of people get IPA's as extras and keeping passing them along. Next thing you know you are getting Zombie Dust and Pseudo Sue that is 3 months old, which especially sucks if that was the traders first opportunity to try it.
I take a lot of pride in the extras I send. They might not always be crazy but I try to be thoughtful with them. If they are a new trader I send them a Heady and a Sips to try. Things like that.

 

hell I'm an old trader who still has never tried Heady or SoS