Cigar City El Catador Club Thread

[Doc1]

I don't know why I'm even surprised anymore, but I'm still amazed at some of the entitlement / butthurt on the Cigar City page for the open memberships.

10,000 unique IP addresses for 200 memberships, and the first comment I see is

Esteban Hudson So pretty much I just wasted an hour putting in info, setting up trustees, and getting excited just to get ******...

Like · Reply · 7 · 10 mins
(even worse the guy is a chef at Stein & Vein which I've been looking forward to trying when I'm down in Tampa for Hunahpu).

Yeah. Looks like they experienced some issues, and I swear to god for those of you (and there are few thankfully) who talk **** about El Cat beers yet still re-up, either shut your mouths or cancel your membership. Clearly there is demand enough to fill the slots. So if Sherry Zhukov sucks and everything else sucks, why not just go get ****** and let others enjoys the beers.

 

[disGRUNTled1]

I don't know why I'm even surprised anymore, but I'm still amazed at some of the entitlement / butthurt on the Cigar City page for the open memberships.

10,000 unique IP addresses for 200 memberships, and the first comment I see is

Esteban Hudson So pretty much I just wasted an hour putting in info, setting up trustees, and getting excited just to get ******...

Like · Reply · 7 · 10 mins
(even worse the guy is a chef at Stein & Vein which I've been looking forward to trying when I'm down in Tampa for Hunahpu).

I think you are missing the point on why people are mad, most are not mad because they did not get a membership they are mad because CCB cannot hire a competent IT to make sure their website does not crash when they know they will have as you mentioned 10,000 k people on their site. It would be a lot easier for people to swallow if they went on the website attempted to purchase and it said sold out you know like almost every good website. Instead what you get is a website crashing off the bat people's memberships being removed from their cart half way to the process I type with 2 fingers I can't type 70 wpm so it might take me a minute. I experienced what most people did which was a sh*t website I also believe in taking care of locals by keeping it to in person sign ups on a random weekday before some Cali guy that does not support the brewery by buying their year round beers. Also I have no dog in this fight as last year I was stationed in Camp Lejeune during round 2 sing ups so I split the membership cost with my bro obviously he had no trouble renewing, called him up after this debacle he said paypal him 80$ he will pick up all the bottles and come up to visit me in Jville for a bottle share.

 

[jivex5k1]

I think you are missing the point on why people are mad, most are not mad because they did not get a membership they are mad because CCB cannot hire a competent IT to make sure their website does not crash when they know they will have as you mentioned 10,000 k people on their site. It would be a lot easier for people to swallow if they went on the website attempted to purchase and it said sold out you know like almost ever good website. Instead what you get is a website crashing off the bat people's memberships being removed from their cart half way to the process I type with 2 fingers I can't type 70 wpm so it might take me a minute. I experienced what most people did which was a sh*t website I also believe in taking care of locals by keeping it to in person sign ups on a random weekday before some Cali guy that does not support the brewery by buying their year round beers. Also I have no dog in this fight as last year I was stationed in Camp Lejeune during round 2 sing ups so I split the membership cost with my bro obviously he had no trouble renewing, called him up after this debacle he said paypal him 80$ he will pick up all the bottles and come up to visit me in Jville for a bottle share.

Semper Fi my friend. Hope you aren't stationed in America's armpit for too long.

 

[disGRUNTled1]

Semper Fi my friend. Hope you aren't stationed in America's armpit for too long.

Lmao I got out last May after 13 years , I actually live in Orange Park FL, but I can throw a rock and hit jville

 

[theMang]

Got my membership. Roommate scored one as well. Pretty straight forward for us. Had accounts already created on the Ccb store with our accounts already logged in and cc info saved.

Reminded me of trying to buy rare sneakers or limited run posters online.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

I think you are missing the point on why people are mad, most are not mad because they did not get a membership they are mad because CCB cannot hire a competent IT to make sure their website does not crash when they know they will have as you mentioned 10,000 k people on their site. It would be a lot easier for people to swallow if they went on the website attempted to purchase and it said sold out you know like almost every good website. Instead what you get is a website crashing off the bat people's memberships being removed from their cart half way to the process I type with 2 fingers I can't type 70 wpm so it might take me a minute. I experienced what most people did which was a sh*t website I also believe in taking care of locals by keeping it to in person sign ups on a random weekday before some Cali guy that does not support the brewery by buying their year round beers. Also I have no dog in this fight as last year I was stationed in Camp Lejeune during round 2 sing ups so I split the membership cost with my bro obviously he had no trouble renewing, called him up after this debacle he said paypal him 80$ he will pick up all the bottles and come up to visit me in Jville for a bottle share.

Fair point regarding the selection of Nexternal as a webhost for this sale.

However, I think everyone knew it was going to be a shitshow no matter what platform they selected and no method for releasing memberships would have satisfied everyone.

I'm just glad I got into this one from the beginning and that we have a great trustee in the area.

 

[Steve2]

Such grumpy, much butt hurt.

Anyway, thought this image was particularly funny.

 

[JulianB1]

Missed out, oh well. That's $150 that I can spend on something else. Main reason I wanted a membership was honestly for the guaranteed Huna Day ticket next year, more so than any of the actual bottles. Not surprised at all by the Facebook reaction though.

 

[gatorbeer1]

Seems like it was total luck of the draw. After having gone through the whole thing and kept getting the "no more available" messages and giving up around 8:30 I got an email at 9:19 that I got through. Credit card charged so I guess I got in?

 

[theMang]

Seems like it was total luck of the draw. After having gone through the whole thing and kept getting the "no more available" messages and giving up around 8:30 I got an email at 9:19 that I got through. Credit card charged so I guess I got in?

I'd imagine you got a 'ready for pickup' email recently and you were charged $160.50? I'd say you were good to go if so.

 

[ardyexfor1]

Got my membership. Roommate scored one as well. Pretty straight forward for us. Had accounts already created on the Ccb store with our accounts already logged in and cc info saved.

Reminded me of trying to buy rare sneakers or limited run posters online.

I did the same thing. If you didn't do this I don't know how anyone would expect something like this to go well.

Seems like it was total luck of the draw. After having gone through the whole thing and kept getting the "no more available" messages and giving up around 8:30 I got an email at 9:19 that I got through. Credit card charged so I guess I got in?

That's what happened to me as well. Kept getting "items in my cart exceeded available quantity" or something. Just kept going back and resubmitting. Eventually it redirected me to the main page and emptied my cart (I assume this was when I got in but got a bad redirect?). When I went back it said sold out so I gave up. Then I received a confirmation at 5:13 that I was in.

 

[Shakedwnst]

Why don't all these beer clubs cater to locals? Seems like it would make everything much simpler and easier to justify.

 

[DenverBeerDrinker]

Why don't all these beer clubs cater to locals? Seems like it would make everything much simpler and easier to justify.

El Cat was sold to locals first when it first started. They didn't sell out. Not sure why locals should get preference now. Once it's been opened to trustees it shouldn't matter to CCB.

Full disclosure, I joined the first year when locals didn't join.

 

[ChugLife]

El Cat was sold to locals first when it first started. They didn't sell out. Not sure why locals should get preference now. Once it's been opened to trustees it shouldn't matter to CCB.

Full disclosure, I joined the first year when locals didn't join.

Me too. I'm lucky to have been in since the 1st year

 

[jivex5k1]

El Cat was sold to locals first when it first started. They didn't sell out. Not sure why locals should get preference now. Once it's been opened to trustees it shouldn't matter to CCB.

Full disclosure, I joined the first year when locals didn't join.

It was locals only the second year of joining. Guess they wanted to change it up.

 

[Lansman]

Best comment on Facebook:

"You guys are the JWB of online sales."

Bravo Adam Norman, whoever you are. Bravo.

 

[Beer4B]

El Cat was sold to locals first when it first started. They didn't sell out. Not sure why locals should get preference now. Once it's been opened to trustees it shouldn't matter to CCB.

Full disclosure, I joined the first year when locals didn't join.

I was annoyed when I read that they were opening the 200 spots up online to anyone/everyone when they'd have no trouble selling at the brewery.

Last year I drove over late (was tied up) and missed out by 5 minutes. This year I had a non-local friend manage to get himself AND me in...

So apparently CCB knew better then me on how to take best care of locals?

 

[indy1]

The equivalent BA thread to this one might be the most entertaining collection of hate since the ANTEAD release. Gotta love the power of beer nerds crashing online sales of beer they are entitled to because they are local. That formula always brings out the best in people.

 

[shelfie]

Is an IP address specific to a single computer or to a router? If it's the router and they say they had 10,000 unique addresses and you see all these people saying they had 2-3 devices cued up that means the site was hit with an absolute massive amount of traffic. Problem is once you've had an issue people will just pile up any time something similar happens. Even if unavoidable.

 

[gunhaver1]

10,000 unique IPs plus who knows how many people had battlestations set up with multiple devices going

 

[ChugLife]

I was annoyed when I read that they were opening the 200 spots up online to anyone/everyone when they'd have no trouble selling at the brewery.

Last year I drove over late (was tied up) and missed out by 5 minutes. This year I had a non-local friend manage to get himself AND me in...

So apparently CCB knew better then me on how to take best care of locals?

El Cat was sold to locals first when it first started. They didn't sell out. Not sure why locals should get preference now. Once it's been opened to trustees it shouldn't matter to CCB.

Full disclosure, I joined the first year when locals didn't join.

Looks like you missed the point of his post AND local sign ups for the 1st edition. Welcome to the craft beer bubble.

 

[jivex5k1]

Well, you know, InBev would rather have a wider footprint with CCB than stick them to Florida. This is just phase one of their takeover strategy.

 

[Beer4B]

Looks like you missed the point of his post AND local sign ups for the 1st edition. Welcome to the craft beer bubble.

And you missed the entire point of my post? I agree with him and actually benefitted from this sale.

 

[ChugLife]

And you missed the entire point of my post? I agree with him and actually benefitted from this sale.

No I got it. You were complaining about CCB not catering to locals. You as a local missed out on sign ups twice(for 2 years). Don't worry, InBev will take care of El Catador next year. You can sign up at the brewery for your 24pk allotment of mango lite lime-arita aged in Captain Morgan barrels.

 

[Beer4B]

No I got it. You were complaining about CCB not catering to locals. You as a local missed out on sign ups twice(for 2 years). Don't worry, InBev will take care of El Catador next year. You can sign up at the brewery for your 24pk allotment of mango lite lime-arita aged in Captain Morgan barrels.

Man I could go for some CO grass. Are you sure you are replying to the right person? I didn't even try for year 1 and didn't complain about year 2. Help me Oprah.gif

 

[mateoloco]

I didn't receive this email because I got in. Someone posted it on the other site. I believe this email was sent to everyone who "purchased" the free items but not the actual membership (I did the opposite, purchased the membership but not the free items):

To all our fellow Cigar City Brewing fans,

We're writing you today to apologize. Yesterday evening you joined us in the El Catador Club 3rd Edition online sale. Unfortunately, our system didn't keep up and we let a few of the Cigar City Brewing fans down.

You are receiving this email because you are in that group, people who hoped to make it into the 3rd Edition of the El Catador Club, and got mislead (sic) by an error in our system. The error that we experienced during the sale allowed customers to add some of the items from the club, the club card, first beer, and glass, without cost. This ended up leading to you believing you had succeeded in making the club. In reality, the available club memberships sold out almost immediately, in unprecedented fashion. We are sincerely sorry to inform you that your ability to check out without a dollar figure was the result of a system error and you are not in fact in the El Catador Club 3rd Edition.

The team at Cigar City is working diligently to take care of their loyal customers. Stay tuned, as we'll be communicating again shortly and hope to have a better story to share!

From all of the crew at Nexternal, please accept our apologies, and our promise to make sure this issue does not happen again.

Alex Gile, Senior Vice President
Nexternal, a HighJump Company

First of all it's misled, not mislead. And while they admitted that there was an error on their part, the statement "available club memberships sold out almost immediately" is patently false. I (and many other people based on other accounts) checked out well after 8:00 (I was finally able to check out after removing the free items at 8:26). I'm really curious what this statement "as we'll be communicating again shortly and hope to have a better story to share!" means. An I'm sorry bottle? Will it only be available to people who got this email or to both the people who got the email AND the el cats?

 

[gregkoko]

An I'm sorry bottle? (not directed toward mateoloco) You didn't get in. That's life. Deal with it

 

[ardyexfor1]

I didn't receive this email because I got in. Someone posted it on the other site. I believe this email was sent to everyone who "purchased" the free items but not the actual membership (I did the opposite, purchased the membership but not the free items):

To all our fellow Cigar City Brewing fans,

We're writing you today to apologize. Yesterday evening you joined us in the El Catador Club 3rd Edition online sale. Unfortunately, our system didn't keep up and we let a few of the Cigar City Brewing fans down.



First of all it's misled, not mislead. And while they admitted that there was an error on their part, the statement "available club memberships sold out almost immediately" is patently false. I (and many other people based on other accounts) checked out well after 8:00 (I was finally able to check out after removing the free items at 8:26). I'm really curious what this statement "as we'll be communicating again shortly and hope to have a better story to share!" means. An I'm sorry bottle? Will it only be available to people who got this email or to both the people who got the email AND the el cats?

Stickers!!!

 

[Beer4B]

An I'm sorry bottle? (not directed toward mateoloco) You didn't get in. That's life. Deal with it

To be fair, it wouldn't be unheard of for CCB. See: Huna '14 batch 2 after full refunds. Unnecessary for sure though.
If I were them and felt the need to do something I'd email all the "losers" a free draft...they'll make money off that!

 

[rsths13]

mateoloco Did the free items you didn't purchase get added to your account?