I don't think people are bashing them. Many just want to know why the sudden change in policy without any notification. As a business, NCM isn't required to give us homebrewers and special treatment, but the "penalty" against homebrewers seems not to be fair. Group buys have paid them a fair price for the grain, made arrangements for delivery and in general are in good standing. They aren't making less money or more inconvenienced by homebrewer group buys.
What people dislike is the possibility that LHBS or other businesses are pressuring them to stop selling directly and that's why they are doing it. And then not having the option to buy in bulk. I shop at a lot of different stores and I am loyal to the places I shop, but I will shop for convenience, service, and price. My LHBS offers convenience, good advice, and great camaraderie, but the prices for some things like bulk hops or grain is not as good as other sources. Hopsdirect has 13% AA hops now for around $6+shipping, most LHBS sell hops at $2/oz.
Other people say that many manufacturers don't sell to end consumers, which is true. But if you go to a manufacturer and want to put in an order that is at least their minimum (which may be a huge pallet) for tires, hats, whatever, they will usually sell it to you. But this now seems to not be the case. I know people that have gotten money together for a group buy of a production run of jeans, a barrel of whiskey, a pallet of glassware, etc.
