morebeer.com website access denied

[Ron O]

When I try to access the More Beer website (https://www.morebeer.com), I get a sceen that says I don't have authorization to view this page. Does anyone else get this?

Thanks, Ron

 

[DonT]

i just logged in.... everything looks fine to me

 

[mac_1103]

No problems here either. Have you tried all the usual web browser fixes - i.e., clearing the cache, etc?

 

[Ron O]

i just logged in.... everything looks fine to me

It must have something to do with my internet because I can access the site on my phone using cellular data, but not using my home wifi.

 

[mac_1103]

Parental controls maybe?

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

I've ran into so many sites that do the same thing when I'm on a VPN, I have a whole house VPN and it sucks when I get blocked

 

[MaxStout]

Maybe an ad-blocker or some browser add on that's filtering sites? Try whitelisting the URL in those.

 

[day_trippr]

flush the browser cache.

 

[govner1]

i just logged in.... everything looks fine to me

Ditto

 

[keystonehb]

Another possibility is if you reloaded a page too many times in a certain period they could have your IP blocked especially since your phone works. We had that happen with another one of our vendors when the checkout page wasn't loading properly. Had to contact customer service and they were able to fix it.

 

[the user]

When I try to access the More Beer website (https://www.morebeer.com), I get a sceen that says I don't have authorization to view this page. Does anyone else get this?

Thanks, Ron

Did you leave a negative product review recently?
I happened to leave an honest review not too long ago and now not only do I get an access denied return from morebeer.com, but I also get an access denied return from the manufacturer's website (which morebeer owns)... And only those two.

No worries though, between the cell and a VPN I still have access. Kind of a petty / dumb move on their part if you ask me, especially if I'm reporting an issue they caused and need to fix.

 

[mashdar]

Morebeer owns a manufacturer?

 

[HBT_Admin]

I just checked, and it worked for me. However, some places temporarily lock you out if you try to log in five or six times close together.

 

[the user]

Morebeer owns a manufacturer?

At least one.
For instance from Brewbuilt's website: BrewBuilt was born out of MoreBeer! and spun off as a separate division to solely focus on bad ass homebrewing equipment.

 

[the user]

I have an update.
Today is the first business day following my first post to this thread.... Someone at Morebeer clearly reads these posts because I now have access to all aforementioned websites (without using a VPN or cell) after a month or so of exile. Interestingly enough the review I left has just now been deleted from the site... Even though my positive reviews of other products remain... Is that weird?

Anyway, despite the shady review practices I still love Morebeer and will continue to buy from them. Their customer service is absolutely top notch. I'll still post honest reviews; although I'll probably refrain from posting reviews at the height of frustration with a product. I'm sure most of us have been there.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Someone at Morebeer clearly reads these posts ... Is that weird?

No.

It's been a while since I've worked on the IT side of e-commerce. But at the time, there were businesses that would scan discussion forums for their customers. So an "e-commerce relationship manager" at a hobby-related business could get a daily update on "the buzz" on the internet.

Their [MoreBeer] customer service is absolutely top notch.

That's my experience also.

I'll probably refrain from posting reviews at the height of frustration with a product

There is no benefit to me for posting a review at the online home brew stores that I use.

I buy from a number of online stores. On occasion, when I encounter problems with a product, I work directly with their customer service. In every instance, we were able to "make it right" from both my perspective and their perspective.

 

[the user]

There is no benefit to me for posting a review at the online home brew stores that I use.

I buy from a number of online stores. On occasion, when I encounter problems with a product, I work directly with their customer service. In every instance, we were able to "make it right" from both my perspective and their perspective.

I'm glad you have had such a positive experience!

To me reviews are not for the manufacturer / seller. Reviews are for other customers or potential customers. They are to let other people who are interested in the product know what to expect when they receive their product. Reviews have almost nothing to do with their manufacturer / seller unless they read them and want an honest account of the customer's experience.

In this particular instance the issue I ran across was well documented in several reviews and the issue was not remotely acknowledged / addressed by the manufacturer.

The fact that Morebeer not only decided to censor a review, but block the access of a (Loyal, past, current, and future) customer to it's site is the issue I experienced.

Sure, I could call them up and say, "I have this issue, and every single review I've watched / read has had this issue" and I have absolutely no doubt that they would have "made it right" (as they have done many, many times) but that would not do 2 things;

1) That would not be an honest review of the product I received, as I received it.
2) That would not let other potential customers know what to expect when receiving this product (which is entirely what reviews are meant for).

A third thing it would not do; provided Morebeer employees read their reviews, is make a change to benefit future customers.

More on point to this thread; I'm saying that due to their current practices; and in my experience, Morebeer takes an active role in censoring their reviews and restricting access to those people who do not leave reviews favoring them, companies they own / are affiliated with, or their commercial partners.

As always; your mileage may vary, but that has been my experience.
If you find yourself with an "access denied" return after posting a less than 5 star review.... you might now know why.

 

[mac_1103]

As always; your mileage may vary, but that has been my experience.
If you find yourself with an "access denied" return after posting a less than 5 star review.... you might now know why.

Correlation does not equal causation. For a vendor to lock a customer out would be cutting off their nose to spite their face. I've posted plenty of negative reviews at plenty of websites in my day. I have never had my access to a website denied as a result. I have had vendors decline to publish my negative reviews on some pretense a time or two. If I'm following correctly, you're saying that MoreBeer initially published your negative review and locked you out but then reversed both actions. What could possibly be their motivation for that, as opposed to just deleting your review in the first place?

 

[MaxStout]

A negative review can amplify itself many times over. Businesses know that and might be willing to "cut off their nose" of a few hundred bucks business from a complaining customer in order to prevent greater losses down the road. It might seem extreme to us, but to them it's merely cutting a small loss.

This might be just a sign o' the times. Homebrewing interest has declined sharply in the last 10 or 15 years. While there are fewer LHBSs, the remaining retailers know their business is vulnerable, from places like Amazon, etc. Prices are going up, people are tightening their belts, there's some economic uncertainty and many people have less disposable income for hobbies. Businesses know that, too. Some will be more aggressive in protecting their image and that of their products. I would not be at all surprised if a vendor shuts out a few squeaky wheels to protect their business.

For all we know, Morebeer might be using bots to comb through review submissions, and rejecting ones with certain "hot" keywords.

The easiest way to get satisfaction (most of the time) is to reach out to the business before posting anything. Call or email and describe the issue, preferably without making threats or a lot of noise. Try to work with them to arrive at a solution. Nine times out of ten they will make good. If they don't, then write a review. If it doesn't get posted, or you get the ban hammer, move on. Still plenty of places to buy supplies.

 

[mac_1103]

A negative review can amplify itself many times over. Businesses know that and might be willing to "cut off their nose" of a few hundred bucks business from a complaining customer in order to prevent greater losses down the road. It might seem extreme to us, but to them it's merely cutting a small loss...

For all we know, Morebeer might be using bots to comb through review submissions, and rejecting ones with certain "hot" keywords.

Except:

Interestingly enough the review I left has just now been deleted from the site...

So they cut the small loss but left the negative review up to amplify itself. That's what I don't get. Suppressing negative reviews I understand. Cutting off a complaining customer and suppressing the complaints I understand. Cutting off the customer but leaving the complaints up for all to see is what doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

 

[Ron O]

I can now access the website. What I think happened was that my IP address was erroneously blocked. I had just received an order and I was double checking it when I was denied access. I did not attempt any reviews, have a VPN, or do anything malicious. I believe it was an unintended error on their end.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[BrewZer]

I can now access the website. What I think happened was that my IP address was erroneously blocked. I had just received an order and I was double checking it when I was denied access. I did not attempt any reviews, have a VPN, or do anything malicious. I believe it was an unintended error on their end.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Who's your ISP? T-Mobile and Metronet both hide their customers behind CGNAT to put multiple users on the internet using just one IPv4 address. It happens -- not always, but often enough to notice -- that someone on a group IP might do something that will get that IP address blocked, thereby cutting off access to everyone presenting that IP.

 

[Ron O]

Who's your ISP? T-Mobile and Metronet both hide their customers behind CGNAT to put multiple users on the internet using just one IPv4 address. It happens -- not always, but often enough to notice -- that someone on a group IP might do something that will get that IP address blocked, thereby cutting off access to everyone presenting that IP.

My ISP is Spectrum. I don't know how they handle IPv4 addresses. What you suggest happened is possible.

 

[Yesfan]

My ISP is Spectrum. I don't know how they handle IPv4 addresses. What you suggest happened is possible.

I'm also on Spectrum, but I haven't experienced any access denial. I just checked again before posting and all's still good.

...........................The easiest way to get satisfaction (most of the time) is to reach out to the business before posting anything. Call or email and describe the issue, preferably without making threats or a lot of noise. Try to work with them to arrive at a solution. Nine times out of ten they will make good. If they don't, then write a review. If it doesn't get posted, or you get the ban hammer, move on. Still plenty of places to buy supplies.

100% agree. This should be common knowledge. Posting a negative review for me is usually my last resort.