2018 Membership drop/renewal

[wolf13]

Lock & Key renewal emails were just sent out... my thoughts in italics below:

Quarterly Selection: Once every quarter, a curated selection of bottles and/or cans will be delivered your beer locker. The bottles will be hand selected by our team to fit both the season, as well as your tastes. To make this possible, we will be asking you a few questions at the beginning of your membership and throughout the year to ensure we find the best beers for you.

- Unwanted collab beers, stuff that was always available on the shelf the day I'd go in to grab my locker drop.


Other Benefits Include:
- First dibs on select rare bottles, via pages on our website only accessible to Key Holders - I liked this part, however other local shops get virtually all of the same beers and sell online
- 10% off all draft beer - Never took advantage of this
- 10% off Bottlecraft branded merchandise - what merchandise? BC glassware? Even the member glassware had to be purchased
- 2019 Lock and Key challenge coin - No purpose
- Access to exclusive, members-only draft beer in our tasting rooms - only happened a handful of times, beers still available to public after.
- Access to members-only tastings and events - I think there was just the one this year?
- First opportunity to purchase Bottlecraft collaboration brews - They have pallets of these. No need for early access
- First opportunity to purchase tickets to Bottlecraft events - the one unticketed event that they hosted?
- First right of acceptance for 2020 membership

Honestly felt that the club was a severe afterthought while they opened new locations and I see that they've got another planned in 2019 as well. Glad I tried it, and I liked the access, but the two breweries I wanted it for most are distributing much more frequently now so I'm not sure there's any need for that perk.​

(Adding this here as well)

I wholeheartedly concur with all of your thoughts, and will add:

- "Exclusive online sales" were usually only a few bottles that sold out almost immediately upon IG notification.
- I also saw multiple beers on the regular Bottlecraft socials that I thought "Wow, would've been great if they had offered THAT to members," but nope.
- There was only one tasting/event (with Moksa), and NO OTHER EVENTS WHATSOEVER! - I also don't actually recall receiving any "first opportunity" (or any opportunity for that matter) to buy collaboration brews online, although may they were few and far between, not announced, or all IPAs (which I don't really drink).
- I SWEAR there was a L&K branded glass included on the sale page for 2018 membership (one WAS included for 2017 membership), but when I asked at first locker pick-up they said I'd have to buy it. When I checked the sale page, that info. had mysteriously been changed.
- Finally, I compared the 2017 L&K online sales (via IG posts) with the ones from 2018, and they posted almost DOUBLE the amount in 2017 as in 2018 (99 post vs. 53 posts).

All in all, one of biggest wastes of money of a club I have seen so far (and that's including Wild Barrel). I won't be renewing.

 

[jwacky]

(Adding this here as well)

I wholeheartedly concur with all of your thoughts, and will add:

- "Exclusive online sales" were usually only a few bottles that sold out almost immediately upon IG notification.
- I also saw multiple beers on the regular Bottlecraft socials that I thought "Wow, would've been great if they had offered THAT to members," but nope.
- There was only one tasting/event (with Moksa), and NO OTHER EVENTS WHATSOEVER! - I also don't actually recall receiving any "first opportunity" (or any opportunity for that matter) to buy collaboration brews online, although may they were few and far between, not announced, or all IPAs (which I don't really drink).
- I SWEAR there was a L&K branded glass included on the sale page for 2018 membership (one WAS included for 2017 membership), but when I asked at first locker pick-up they said I'd have to buy it. When I checked the sale page, that info. had mysteriously been changed.
- Finally, I compared the 2017 L&K online sales (via IG posts) with the ones from 2018, and they posted almost DOUBLE the amount in 2017 as in 2018 (99 post vs. 53 posts).

All in all, one of biggest wastes of money of a club I have seen so far (and that's including Wild Barrel). I won't be renewing.

Yeah, I know I was on the fence for a while but after thinking about it, I can't really come up with reasons to stay in it. You just don't really get anything of value. Half the total sales compared to a year ago speaks to my thoughts of them being distracted with other growth opportunities, and in the latter half of the year the online sales really came in spurts. When they did, it was often stuff of little interest. Even half of the IPAs I'd like were never put up for sale due to "members not picking up their purchases".

 

[KevSal]

Moksa has renewals right now. in person only, no online sign ups, until Dec 16th... man its cutting it close for me, fate will decide if i can do another year lol. plus it went up to $300. thats alot of cash for mid December.

4 different beers, 2 regular and 2 barrel aged. includes 3 each of the regular and 2 each of the barrel aged. anyone else here in Moksa?

 

[chemman141]

Moksa has renewals right now. in person only, no online sign ups, until Dec 16th... man its cutting it close for me, fate will decide if i can do another year lol. plus it went up to $300. thats alot of cash for mid December.

4 different beers, 2 regular and 2 barrel aged. includes 3 each of the regular and 2 each of the barrel aged. anyone else here in Moksa?

Wait, you seriously can't renew online? That legit makes no sense.

 

[KevSal]

Wait, you seriously can't renew online? That legit makes no sense.

yea we have to do it in person. its a hyper local-centric club

 

[chemman141]

yea we have to do it in person. its a hyper local-centric club

So forced, what if you were on vacation or on a work trip during the signup period? Just S O L?

 

[MKtheGeneral]

So forced, what if you were on vacation or on a work trip during the signup period? Just S O L?

Being hyper-local centric means you never need to leave. Ever. If you do, it means you’re truly not someone who cares and as such will be exiled.

 

[rrryanc]

So forced, what if you were on vacation or on a work trip during the signup period? Just S O L?

Being hyper-local centric means you never need to leave. Ever. If you do, it means you’re truly not someone who cares and as such will be exiled.

I mean, it's a two week sign up window. If you really do want to just cater to locals, then doing it this way makes a lot of sense.

 

[MKtheGeneral]

I mean, it's a two week sign up window. If you really do want to just cater to locals, then doing it this way makes a lot of sense.

I figured as much, just being facetious. Still stinks if you truly can’t make it work and being away is held against you.

 

[chemman141]

I figured as much, just being facetious. Still stinks if you truly can’t make it work and being away is held against you.

Exactly. I also don't understand the desire to cater to hyper local customers but hey it's their business. Some of those locals have put a very bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths IE trading. There's a group of people that try to police trade values and will actually message people that they feel traded the beer too low. It's ******* pathetic.

 

[KevSal]

So forced, what if you were on vacation or on a work trip during the signup period? Just S O L?

then they might be able to email derek, hes pretty active and vocal in the membership fb page im sure he would listen. also those displaced by the fires have more time.

 

[KevSal]

There's a group of people that try to police trade values and will actually message people that they feel traded the beer too low. It's ******* pathetic.

wow thats ******. are u talking about the moksa mafia group?

 

[chemman141]

wow thats ******. are u talking about the moksa mafia group?

Yes, yes I am. I have no idea why Nu allowed that group to come about, let alone support it. It's a terrible look for their brewery.

 

[yabu]

I mean, it's a two week sign up window. If you really do want to just cater to locals, then doing it this way makes a lot of sense.

Some people do go on vacations or work trips in December, for 2 weeks. So it didn't matter if you lived 300 miles away or 1 block away. Would miss the sign up.

I don't have a horse in this matter, but this setup is hilarious.

 

[jwacky]

Yes, yes I am. I have no idea why Nu allowed that group to come about, let alone support it. It's a terrible look for their brewery.

Yeah, that's pretty... special.

 

[ABSTRACTlegend]

Moksa has renewals right now. in person only, no online sign ups, until Dec 16th... man its cutting it close for me, fate will decide if i can do another year lol. plus it went up to $300. thats alot of cash for mid December.

4 different beers, 2 regular and 2 barrel aged. includes 3 each of the regular and 2 each of the barrel aged. anyone else here in Moksa?

there is a new prestigious club or whatever now as well right?

 

[chemman141]

there is a new prestigious club or whatever now as well right?

Yes, invite only tier that will get their own name and facebook group lol.

 

[chemman141]

Some people do go on vacations or work trips in December, for 2 weeks. So it didn't matter if you lived 300 miles away or 1 block away. Would miss the sign up.

I don't have a horse in this matter, but this setup is hilarious.

It's extremely hilarious, it's funny to me why someone would sign up for a beer membership where ALL beer purchases must be made in person. **** happens and sometimes you can't rush down to the brewery at their beck and call. If my local Casa Agria switched to this I would definitely not renew.

 

[KevSal]

there is a new prestigious club or whatever now as well right?

yeah, comes with a different glass and more beer, i think its $450.

 

[ABSTRACTlegend]

yeah, comes with a different glass and more beer, i think its $450.

damn, $150 more. how much more beer do you get

 

[KevSal]

damn, $150 more. how much more beer do you get

no idea, and those that have gotten the invite have been tight lipped about it for some reason.

its probably like an additional 2 beer ba beers for that tier only or something. most likely ba pastry method lol

 

[ABSTRACTlegend]

no idea, and those that have gotten the invite have been tight lipped about it for some reason.

its probably like an additional 2 beer ba beers for that tier only or something. most likely ba pastry method lol

Found this

def doesn't seem worth it to me. throw in online sales and shipping and ill give you the extra $150 lol

 

[chemman141]

Found this
View attachment 2953
def doesn't seem worth it to me. throw in online sales and shipping and ill give you the extra $150 lol

Wow, that's incredibly douchey lol. I imagine those trade police people all will get that as they have been "advocates". I just don't get the resistance to online sales.

 

[rrryanc]

Some people do go on vacations or work trips in December, for 2 weeks. So it didn't matter if you lived 300 miles away or 1 block away. Would miss the sign up.

I don't have a horse in this matter, but this setup is hilarious.

I'm certainly not driving up to Sacramento to either a) sign up or b) pick up all the beer. But I also don't see it as some terrible idea from the brewery either. It's a helluv a lot easier to manage in-person signups/purchases/distribution that adding an online system. And, outside of the 1(?) person that's out of town for the first two weeks in Dec, you're hardcore catering to the local crowd - the same ones that are there buying pints on a regular basis and keeping your lights on. In the early stages of a brewery, that totally makes sense to me.

It's extremely hilarious, it's funny to me why someone would sign up for a beer membership where ALL beer purchases must be made in person. **** happens and sometimes you can't rush down to the brewery at their beck and call. If my local Casa Agria switched to this I would definitely not renew.

I just don't see why you care? Modern Times had non-proxy, limited pickup of its beers for the first several years of the club and it's seemed to do just fine. It's an approach that works, even if it doesn't make your life easier.

 

[KevSal]

i shoulda posted more in their facebook page lol

wonder why they felt the need to split it up like that

 

[KevSal]

I'm certainly not driving up to Sacramento to either a) sign up or b) pick up all the beer. But I also don't see it as some terrible idea from the brewery either. It's a helluv a lot easier to manage in-person signups/purchases/distribution that adding an online system. And, outside of the 1(?) person that's out of town for the first two weeks in Dec, you're hardcore catering to the local crowd - the same ones that are there buying pints on a regular basis and keeping your lights on. In the early stages of a brewery, that totally makes sense to me.

i definitely get catering to those that keep you lights on.

 

[chemman141]

I'm certainly not driving up to Sacramento to either a) sign up or b) pick up all the beer. But I also don't see it as some terrible idea from the brewery either. It's a helluv a lot easier to manage in-person signups/purchases/distribution that adding an online system. And, outside of the 1(?) person that's out of town for the first two weeks in Dec, you're hardcore catering to the local crowd - the same ones that are there buying pints on a regular basis and keeping your lights on. In the early stages of a brewery, that totally makes sense to me.


I just don't see why you care? Modern Times had non-proxy, limited pickup of its beers for the first several years of the club and it's seemed to do just fine. It's an approach that works, even if it doesn't make your life easier.

You could buy MT beers online, they didn't force you to go in person to buy the beers. I don't understand the comparison at all. My issue isn't with the lack of proxies or pickup windows, it's that if you want a beer and cant make it down there the two days they sell it to members you're SOL. I seem to care as much as you since you stated you wouldn't sign up either.

 

[rrryanc]

You could buy MT beers online, they didn't force you to go in person to buy the beers. I don't understand the comparison at all. My issue isn't with the lack of proxies or pickup windows, it's that if you want a beer and cant make it down there the two days they sell it to members you're SOL. I seem to care as much as you since you stated you wouldn't sign up either.

I'm not signing up because I'm not the target audience. I don't think it's a bad approach though, which is the difference.

Not sure I see the difference between a short pick-up window in-person and a purchase window. Feels like semantics at that point. Even with an extended purchase window from MT, having to show up in person meant that club didn't make sense for me.

 

[chemman141]

I'm not signing up because I'm not the target audience. I don't think it's a bad approach though, which is the difference.

Not sure I see the difference between a short pick-up window in-person and a purchase window. Feels like semantics at that point. Even with an extended purchase window from MT, having to show up in person meant that club didn't make sense for me.

I guess if you consider a 3 month window to be short, then yeah sure it's short. I don't consider 90 days to pickup your beer to be short. I still don't understand your comparison to modern times, but hey that's you.

 

[rrryanc]

I guess if you consider a 3 month window to be short, then yeah sure it's short. I don't consider 90 days to pickup your beer to be short. I still don't understand your comparison to modern times, but hey that's you.

I don't make it to San Diego 4 times a year on a regular cadence. It required in-person pickup. Too short to be useful, especially when you compared to The Bruery or Rare Barrel.

I still don't see the difference between picking up in person and purchasing in person. Forget the MT comparison if it's confusing you.