Trend toward no extras?

In my communication I will either directly ask if they want to do extras or hint at it..."what kind of styles do you like/any local breweries you'd like to try?"


For some sick reason, I look at the extras as a game. Whoever sends more, wins. I want to say I haven't lost that game yet, lol.

 

Interesting that this has become the de facto "extras" thread, even though it's ostensibly about something more specific.

I have a question: how do you feel about noting extras in trade feedback? I always make sure to, since it separates a good trader from a great one in my book.

I put a lot of thought into my extras and I want people who are considering trading with me to see that. I get frustrated when people do not mention extras at all in their reviews, leaving short and generic feedback (i.e. "Great trader! Everything arrived as discussed!" No -- everything we discussed arrived PLUS 3 highly coveted IPAs and a beer magazine, but I digress).

I honestly think it would be helpful for traders to specifically review extras in their feedback, both when they are included and when they are not -- as it would definitely sway me to want to trade with someone, and at this point there is no way of seeing who consistently sends extras other than reviewer caprice.

 

This all seems wayyyy too ambiguous to me. If you want to include extras, talk about it.

Don't get upset that someone didn't do something that was not agreed on. Mentioning if someone provided extras in a review should only be included if you had both decided to do it (or not) ahead of time.

 

Extras are a majority of the fun. The Christmas morning scenario, never know what might be in there. Always give extras, don't expect it in return, but it's always a fun plus.

 

haha, It's funny you said that, as I always read between the lines when people write something like "bottles/cans just as discussed" in a review that means they probably got crappy extras.
Before someone jumps down my throat, I'm sure that isn't always the case (or a fair interpretation), but for whatever reason if I see that a bunch of times on someone's feedback it crosses my mind.

I know if I get something nice that looks like they made some real effort on the extras, I try to include some adjectives in the review, "generous/great extras" etc.

 

I try and intuit it from the language of reviews as well, but it really doesn't work so well.

Also, I've found traders who have reviews where about 50% mention extras, and then they don't provide any extras at all; and traders who have no reviews mentioning extras who blow up my porch.

It would be nice if there was a tick box for extras Y/N, but then it would basically stop being a choice.

 

I also try and thank traders for their extras in my messages with them. It's so exciting when I get to try something that doesn't get distribution in my area, which shows that extra level of thought in checking seek-a-brew for distribution channels.

It takes 30 seconds.

 

You have any more Abraxas? I'd be very happy losing to you.

 

My last Abraxas just traded out. If you are looking for one, PM me and I can ask some buddies for you no problem. Surprised you guys didn't get any up there(of course New York is a big state, and Perennial's distro there is probably real small).

 

When trading with someone new extras are the least thing I care about when reading feedback. They're extras, not the be all and end all of trading. Some of these new posts here perplex me. If a new trader seems cool, communicates fast and has something I'm looking for that's good enough for me to trade with them. Who gives a shit if their feedback doesn't say they send great extras.

Extras are great of course but come on man --specifically thinking of extras when reading feedback!?!?!!?

 

I recently completed a trade with someone who, when I was reviewing their feedback before finalizing, had only one neutral feedback and it said something along the lines of "Agreed to extras but only received one shelf beer." I personally felt like it was kind of dickish to give neutral feedback based on that. Yeah, it does now say in the beer trading rules to not base your feedback on extras unless they're agreed upon. But to base your rating off of quality of extras - when I assume the quality of extras was not specified beforehand in this instance - is ridiculous IMO. I know we're feeling this sway of no extras or crappy extras and our instinct is to push the pendulum back, but adjusting feedback scores to neutral or even positive when the rest of the trade went off without a hitch is a bit extreme, don't you think? I'm of the opinion that it should just be a note in the feedback. If people are that worried about it, they'll actually read the feedback and won't need a neutral rating to catch their eye. Just say "Great extras" or "agreed to extras but none sent from their end" or "quality of extras was average"

 

I think maybe you're taking umbridge/criticizing a point that I definitely was not making. It should go without saying the building blocks of trades you noted are what is the end all/decider of trading. Totally agree with you.
Since this is a thread on extras, it's possible to also just simply note something that "crosses my mind" while reading feedback, when that small piece of potential information certainly is not crucial to a trade.

 

Yeah, I kinda scanned over some of those messages and took some quotes wrong (my post was at 1am and I had a few in me). I took some posts as people were perusing people's feedback and deciding to trade with them if they thought they'd get good extras, which of course would be messed up.

BTW I send great extras haha! let's trade! Been wanting to try some Aslin forever

 

Lol, I'd put him on the would never ever trade list again. That's just thoughtless.

 

I only do IP trades, except for the BIF charity raffles, but I always put extras in those boxes. I bring extras for IP trades, as well. I always try to bring beers that the person couldn't get in their local area. Some call them crap shelf beers because they're not some semi-whalish can/bottle. I do get tired of hearing this from some people. Incidentally, these remarks have never been from the person I have done the IP trade with, and my traders have never seemed to be disappointed.

On my recent month long trip, I did nine great IP trades in several states. I had four great trades with St. Louis guys that I met on the St.Louis Hops site. Only one guy that I know of on BA; @Gregwilsonstl. I also did two great trades in Raleigh NC. Thanks @TomDRaleigh and @rosmith51. Also a shout-out to @wesmilligan in Memphis for the great trade on the last night of my trip. I really appreciated the extra effort, the willingness to come to my hotels, and the great extras I got from these guys.