Beer Fuku 2: The UX
9The best way to ruin a great thing is to attempt duplication.
-Anyone who has seen Caddyshack II.
And yet, we’re going to try! Again, congratulations on those who participated in BF1. By all accounts, it went pretty darned well. Lots of beer shipped across the country, and although one lime-a-rita snuck into a box, zero douchebaggery! This little exchange is based first and foremost on the community, and for that we thank @hollboll, @moose, @mehcus, @jont (RIP), @dave and others for allowing us this little space on the whole wide intarwebs.
This time, it’s about the unboxing experience. Same rules as last time:
• Ship beers your recipient cannot buy locally (www.seekabrew.com can help)
• Wrap your bottles, wrap your bottles, wrap your bottles!
• Stick to the posted timelines.
Here’s where it gets tricky:
• The person who ships the most creative, off the wall, out of the box box will get a bonus box from yours truly.
What does this mean!? It means two things. First and foremost, if you simply want to ship beer and get beer, go for it. Your lack of creativity won’t be held against you. For those that are into this sort of thing, it’s time to go all out. This doesn’t mean shipping more beer, or rare beers (though I suppose those things wouldn’t hurt). This is about the unboxing experience. Artists, engineers, hobbyists, other folks who have too much time on your hands, let’s see what you can come up with.
Here’s the catch.
For any of us to know what in the heck the sender sent, the receiver has to post about it! Everyone should be posting their spoils in the forum, but for those who received a box where someone went above and beyond, especially so! Do your duty and help out the person who sent you an out of this world box.
Emails will be going out shortly with matchups. Like last time, it won’t be pairings, just straight up randomization likely with some geographic tweaking from me.
Wall of text concluded. Have fun out there.
- 34 comments, 96 replies
- Comment
This sounds fun, but I have to ask. What safeguards are in place to make sure I'm not sending beer to someone who's under age?
@webender you can request that the signer be 21 or over. It might cost you a buck or two, but if you're nervous about it it's probably worth it.
woah how to i join in on this?
@mehk There was a post up from October 28 where you could sign up https://meh.com/forum/topics/beer-fuku-too. Deadline was last Thursday, November 5 at noon Eastern.
@cbilyak ah okay, maybe next time.
@cbilyak although i do have some great access to some midwest brews (maybe even some elusive spotted cow)... if your feeling kind and thirsty....
@mehk spotted cow is good. Elusive is Belgian Red, Serendipity, etc.
@marklog I agree, and yet somehow nobody asks me to pick those up, I actually prefer their moon man.
@mehk always happy to help...shoot me an email at yodas_mommy@hotmail.com and we can chat.
@marklog any exceptions on the deadline to join? the more the merrier? @mehk can take my spot if that is an eligible maneuver as opposed to joining outright.
@connorbush due to my slacking i havent randomized yet. We can fit a few more in. @mehk
@marklog yay, inclusion!
@marklog Still being lazy on the randomizing? If so, I may wish to be excluded… unfortunately I don't know when I'll get around to having a functioning car again, which will make shipping a real bear. If it's locked in, I'll make it work though.
@brhfl removed!
@marklog thanks, next time for sure!
What carrier(s) are best for this? Does it depend on the state?
@dashcloud fedex is the best. Buy the label obline and ship to a business whether you are or not. Previous beer fuku threads have great detail.
@marklog ship to a business ?
@connorbush im pretty sure its cheaper if you mark the package that way
@connorbush however, I did just receive a bill from fedex because i was apparently overweight, so.. who knows.
Sorry for the delay. Emails have gone out with shipping info to all recipients.
If you filled out the google form and did not get an email today, let me know.
Here's what was in the email:
Hello, Beer Fuku Too Sender! You are shipping to the person listed below. Remember the rules:
Note: The first column below is 'beer I like', the second column is 'beer i dont like'.
Ship by Cyber Monday, that's the Monday after Turkey Day.
Cheers,
Marklog
@marklog
@marklog hello. I did not receive my shipping email. Please advise.
@connorbush just sent it. Sorry about that, don't know how I missed you. -1 star for me.
Oh, here's the list of participants, so you know where to talk beer.
@evbarnstormer
@Abrakke
@becca
@dashcloud
@Humper
@brhfl
@cbilyak
@zdunklee
@stardate820926
@connorbush
@mcvick
@LikeClockwork
@travo
@galmaegi
@blandreth94
@skylord123
@jimmydc
@hollboll
@mmichalka
@kphilippe
@soomass
@hashybrown
@shindig966
@RedHot
@BootlegCraig
@marklog
@marklog @shawn please see above, @trav-o doesn't seem to be tagging due to the dash.
@marklog can't have a username with a dash.
@shawn hmm.. well, then who is this mystery user who signed up for the fuku? Is there a @trav? Hellooooo @trav?!?!
@marklog yeah, I exist.
@trav good, good. so was that you that signed up for the beer fuku and added an extra -o to your username? did you get an email from me?
@marklog travo checking in. Sorry for the confusion
@marklog weew! Excited for this!
I didn't sign up, but I have been getting lots of email. Poor trav-o.
@trav Let's call @travo.
@galmaegi yeah I flubbed that name field in the form, forgive me. I'm in for beer fuku.
@travo @marklog we found him!
@trav @travo @marklog - I fixed the name in the tag post - hopefully we can leave poor @trav in peace and now pester @travo
@marklog - Beer is shipped to my recipient! Someone should get a box of awesome on Tuesday!
I haven't received any communication about the Fuku, was my username issued a partner to trade with?
@travo Uh-oh! You should have received that by now. Like... almost 2 weeks ago. @marklog - can you check in here and see what happened?
@Thumperchick @travo I just resent the email (to your gmail that you listed in the survey form), check your spam.
@marklog Thanks for resending! I got it
This go-'round we've had a few folks not receive my email. PLEASE confirm with me as you go along your process, we want to make sure everyone receives their tasty treats on time.
@marklog Got your email, and the box will hopefully ship shortly.
@marklog received and shipped out today
(I may be the only person who didn't know this already, but in case it helps someone else, here's some FedEx tips).
If you are using FedEx and plan to have your box picked up (and you're not able to take advantage of an existing pickup schedule), you'll need to sign up for a user id w/ an account number- FedEx Ground (the cheapest) absolutely won't let you schedule a pickup without an account number. Supposedly FedEx Express will let you schedule a pickup over the phone without an account number, but you may need to speak to a customer service rep in order to do so.
Also, FedEx Ground needs to be scheduled at least a day in advance (so that means tonight if you want to get a box picked up this week).
My package is off, estimated delivery by end of day on Monday, November 30.
25 pounds of liquid delight is on the truck out for delivery! Was in their warehouse since Saturday morning in a cold locale so the beer should be nice and chilled already!
@cbilyak 25lbs! Something tells me you broke the rules.
@marklog I needed enough to fill the creative packaging I chose...which I had to wrestle from my kids and promise to buy 2 more for them!
Mine... will probably ship out Monday. :)
My package is on its way and should arrive at its destination early next week.
The Fuku I sent has been delivered. Someone should have a surprise waiting for them in the vicinity of their doorstep.
I have also shipped my package. And @sohmageek's :)
@marklog I got notification an hour ago. I didn't ship mine to you yet. Probably next week
My package is in FedEx possession, it's traveling from west to east coast. Safe travels, fuku!
Shipped today! Estimated Tuesday delivery
delivered today actually
@hashybrown He'll be posting pics soon. I have already claimed the strawberries for my purse/car, since I keep forgetting to carry mine.
(I love that until the pics are up, this sentence will be super cryptic.)
Also - creepy baby sticker was creepy.
Mine should actually be in FedEx's possession now- Tuesday appears to be the delivery date.
Tracking says mine is en route to my recipient still, and will probably be delivered on monday. Doesn't look like they've destroyed the box or anything, yet.
OK folks, I need a confirmation regarding who, if anyone, HAS NOT yet received an email from me with the details regarding who you should be shipping to. I just uncovered one today, and I need to know asap if anyone else hasn't received it. We will likely be extending the cutoff date a few days as I sort this out.
Tiny OHSHIT report: I think my outgoing email server was jacked up for a bit.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE confirm with me.
I suck an will send my box tonight. My cousin drank most of the beer that was to go into the first box -_- @marklog
@connorbush that is just too funny to me! Sounds like something my brother/dad would do!
@cbilyak yeah i went to send it yesterday and see that all my stouts had vanished!!! Got the "ooh i thought you bought these for me"
@connorbush fyi, you should have a package on your door step.
@LikeClockwork My fiance just picture messaged me. So thrilled!!
@marklog shipped. I think I'm doing it wrong. $39.67 for shipping alone? Lol l figure it out eventually. Does that sound right?
@connorbush mine came out to $26, but that was because apoarently the locating I was shipping to didn't have FedEx ground...
@mehk they told me it was cheapest 3 day ground. Package came to 18lbs so i guess seems accurate
@connorbush mine came to 16lbs, NC to TX. 3 day FEDEX for $18. I shipped in a Dell laptop box that had a bunch of padding built in.
Was and dimension of your box over 12"?
@connorbush mine was 25 lbs, shipped UPS ground and it was $23, but mine was not going very far.
@RedHot @cybilyak mine was 18lbs but might have been over 12" $39.67 plus tax for 3 day ground. It sounds like it had to have been too large. Darn my style of packing a box in a box. Receiving the stickers and OKC hat in my beer fuku made it worthwhile.
@connorbush yeah anything with any dimension over 12" is considered oversized by fedex and immediately costs more
@RedHot my 14x14x14 was $12.51, and 12lbs.
@marklog my box was 17lbs and cost just over $26
It's currently due to arrive on Friday.
@marklog hmm I cannot imagine mine was much larger; however, it probably was. Packed that baby more safely than Fort Knox.
@connorbush mine was 25" x 18" x 15"...but I used UPS so not really comparing apples to apples.
@cbilyak yours also had a treasure chest sooo not really comparing apples to apples.
@marklog it was an inflatable treasure chest though, so not that heavy. I was originally looking at wooden treasure chests and that was just too much...would have had to drive to Wyoming to deliver it, would have been less $$
@cbilyak that treasure chest is awesome and made for an epic reveal!
@connorbush I used UPS and said I was shipping from a business to a business, and then dropped it off at a Staples. 4-day shipping was a little under $13.00.
@LikeClockwork Wow- I wish I could've done that. Would've been so much easier.
Someone will receive mine on Thursday. :)
Someone will receive mine however fast "3 day" ground is from last night at 6:13 pm when it shipped out. Presumably Friday at 6:13 pm pacific time.
"Someone" will receive mine on Friday.
The beer is here!
@marklog i had a beer recipient to send to, but don't see my name on the FUKU2 list. Did I get sent to someone to receive beer from?
@NikkiSoo yes sorry about that. Someone has you.
To those that have not yet received beer from the BF2 or at least tracking information, please reply to this thread so I can consolidate and make direct requests to senders who might be late or having shipping issues. No reason to panic, this is normal. Just let me know so I can keep track. Thank you and good night.
@marklog I love whole, "please don't worry, it will be OKAY. Breath deeply and we will get your beer to you in an orderly fashion" thing you have goin on this post.
@marklog nothing here yet, I am not worried.
@marklog I have received beer, but my recipient hasn't posted their box (which they definitely should have)- should I be worried?
@dashcloud no, dont be worried. Someone is probably just running late. Like i am. :)
@marklog I haven't got it yet. I'll find out on Monday at work. Don't worry, I have beer for tonight.
@marklog The suspense has got to be killing my recipient. Seems like Fedex was unable to fulfill their delivery estimate, the delivery has changed from this date to "Pending". I'm displeased. It was on the vehicle for delivery this morning, but it'll have to wait until hopefully Monday.
@travo every package I have on the way from fedex has been changed to "pending" - I think they're dealing with a system issue.
@Thumperchick Understood, thank you for the information.
@marklog waiting patiently here
Hey team, I need to rally the troops for a minute. One of our fellow mehmbers and beer fuku contributor, @happyshow, is going through a bit of a rough time. He's got a family member out there that's pretty sick. @happyshow has still committed to getting his box out and getting pictures up, which is pretty awesome of him after still going through this business. To that end, if you can spare a dime to help out a fellow beer lover, here's the link:
https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/glzb/helping-stephanie-win-her-battle-with-cancer
Cheers, @happyshow, and good luck.
@marklog Thanks to everyone that has shared the link. I know it's a tough time financially for a lot of people so if you cannot donate, please share it with everyone you know.
I've got a list of folks who have yet to receive beers and their statuses:
@cbilyak (receiving from @happyshow) - shipping 12/15
@soomass (receiving from @jimmydc) - no response
@nikkisoo (receiving from @bootlegcraig) - shipping 12/15
@hashybrown (receiving from @travo) - damaged box - resending
Did I miss anyone? Did I mess up on any of those details?
@marklog thank you for the follow up! really looking forward to some yummy beer
@marklog If @jimmydc continues to elude you, risking being the FUKU d-bag, I can put together a package for @soomass if I know preferences. @travo and @hashybrown, so sorry about a damaged box, that is alcohol abuse, a sad day.
@cbilyak thanks, not ready to fly the d-bag flag yet. i understand it's holiday time and expected some lag. I'm confident that @jimmydc will come through with some awesome sorry I'm late beers.
@marklog I certainly hope @jimmydc doesn't become that one guy that tries to ruin this for everyone after two nearly perfectly successful beer fuku's. No one wants to be forever remembered as that guy.
@zdunklee again, too soon. @jimmydc assured me that he would not give me the sads.
@marklog after seeing the result of naming the late/never shippers - perhaps it would be better in the future to simply put them on a "no-fuku" list, than to throw names out in the forum?
@Thumperchick im not ready to write them off just yet. I do, however, want to make sure that there is transparancy in the process as there is no other way to hold anyone accountable.
@marklog I get that. I do think that there may be an issue with this way of handling it at some point - but that's a job for "not tonight."
@marklog I support posting names. Rules are rules and not being a d-bag was mentioned...we all knew our committments and are more than 2 weeks past the shipping deadline. Accountability needs to be part of the mix.
@jimmydc is still with us. Just got an email. His status is now 'hopefully shipping tomorrow and very apologetic'.
@cbilyak Your box is on the way. It should be there by 12/22. Hope you enjoy the selection.
@happyshow thanks!!! Super looking forward to it and Not sharing with family over the holidays.
@Thumperchick @marklog I'm not sure what the issue was? No one did anything other than give them a little bit of a hard time. More than anything I did it to give them extra pings and have a little fun at the same time (mission accomplished). Unless I missed something. We all know the rules when we sign up and I fully expect if I miss a deadline by a couple weeks to be harassed about it some.
@zdunklee without getting into too much, this post didn't result in an issue. I was simply expressing an opinion that in some cases, the public shaming side of posting the names can potentially be problematic.
@Thumperchick I can see that, but here's the thing with this one. With everyone posting their haul and who it was from it isn't exactly hard to figure out who didn't ship. We have a list of everyone that participated in one of the two threads. So named or not if someone really wants to be that big of a dick they can be pretty easily. I don't think anyone would be, especially beer people, no one wants that bad beer karma on them.
Thankfully it seems that everyone is on track. Being in good standing in this forum is a prerequisite to being part of this trade group, and we need to make sure we don't trash someone in the forum.
Unless they really, really deserve it. :)
When one eats something so f-ing spicy one's tongue is on fire, does it make sense to even attempt to drink a new beer to try it out?
Quick update, @cbilyak's beer from @jimmydc is on it's way! Tracking number sent to receiver.
Is there anyone else who needs an update not listed in my post above?
@marklog is @jimmydc sending to @cbilyak or to me? your previous post said to me
@soomass You! My sender is @happyshow and he sent mine when this update was posted. I believe @marklog just transposed senders in his message.
@cbilyak yes what you said. I am not good at words.
@marklog that may be the case, but you are brilliant at beer consumption! :)
@marklog @abrakke I call this winning! I only got the CEO variants, and the North Shore Iron Works. But now I have a couple of all the CEO's in my cellar since I found 2014 Smokey CEO the other day.
@zdunklee That's awesome. @abrakke and I had the PB and the Belgian CEO thanks to @evbarnstormer
@zdunklee smokey is a great one. @marklog @abrakke we still have 2 more
Did you get my package? I didn't get tracking info when it sent. I hope you liked the beers. I'm really sorry for the delay.
@BootlegCraig i got the beer!! Thank you!! Got my pics, the reveal is coming up!
Beer received! Post to come. @marklog @jimmydc