NB - still working?

[BrewnWKopperKat]

background: most /r/homebrewing topics are 'done' after they fall off the 1st or 2nd page of "new" topics. PSA: Northern Brewer et al. sold and moving to S. Carolina : Homebrewing (link) is 7 days old, on page 5 of 'new' topics, and still delivering interesting insights.

After 50+ years in that business, warehouse moves are generally a disaster, but they eventually get ironed out.

In your experience, how long (it's a range, not a single number) is eventually?

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Personally, I like competition for my hobby money.

I hope that NB, under new ownership, will to return to being competitive for
1) commodity products (base malts, ...),
2) 'value added' products (kit recipes, ...),
3) 'innovative' products (like 'Flash Brewing') and
4) order fulfillment.

 

[BongoYodeler]

And it just keeps getting better....

View attachment 857881

Finally arrived, 22 days after placing my order. NB had my order for 15 days, (shipped out a day after I sent an email I sent inquiring on status), before they shipped it, and it then took an additional 7 days to arrive via UPS Ground from their new warehouse in SC to my home in CA. As a comparison, the last time I ordered from MoreBeer my order was at my front door 22 hours after I submitted it. Granted, it only had to travel 4 hours or so.

 

[Snuffy]

Finally arrived, 22 days after placing my order. NB had my order for 15 days, (shipped out a day after I sent an email I sent inquiring on status), before they shipped it, and it then took an additional 7 days to arrive via UPS Ground from their new warehouse in SC to my home in CA. As a comparison, the last time I ordered from MoreBeer my order was at my front door 22 hours after I submitted it. Granted, it only had to travel 4 hours or so.

I sense the slow-working mechanics of evolution at play...

Hard to go for that timeframe again. You're talking hauled-over-the-Rockies-on-a-mule-train kinda delivery times there.

 

[Snuffy]

wrong thread... sorry

 

[mashdar]

As a point of comparison, I ordered a "flash" kit from MoreBeer, and it arrived with the hops pack popped open. I submitted a "contact us" form, and 6 minutes later I got an apology and a $0 invoice for a replacement. And this shipment came from their new KS warehouse with no delays.

 

[Yesfan]

As a point of comparison, I ordered a "flash" kit from MoreBeer, and it arrived with the hops pack popped open. I submitted a "contact us" form, and 6 minutes later I got an apology and a $0 invoice for a replacement. And this shipment came from their new KS warehouse with no delays.

So you got a second flash kit at no cost?

 

[mashdar]

So you got a second flash kit at no cost?

No, just the hops. That's all I wanted - the rest of the kit was fine, but the hop pack had popped and the hops were scattered throughout the box. They smelled OK, but I'd hate for it to negatively impact the batch.

I figured wiritng at 6PM EST I'd get a reply the next day, but they must still do customer care in PST!

 

[Yesfan]

No, just the hops. That's all I wanted - the rest of the kit was fine, but the hop pack had popped and the hops were scattered throughout the box. They smelled OK, but I'd hate for it to negatively impact the batch.

I figured wiritng at 6PM EST I'd get a reply the next day, but they must still do customer care in PST!

I got excited for a minute there thinking you got a free kit. It's still awesome they done that though.

 

[Steveruch]

I would have, except NB is one of the only places in the US I can find that sells First Gold hops, and the only place I've found that sells them by the ounce. I plan on brewing a small test batch of Bitter and need less than an ounce.

Annapolis home brew has a good variety of British hops.

 

[mac_1103]

Got an email today saying that they've lowered the threshold for "free" shipping to $59. Probably not a coincidence that this matches MoreBeer's. I'm still not going to order from them unless it's something that's on sale and not time sensitive, but perhaps the new owners are attempting to make something of an effort?

 

[BongoYodeler]

Got an email today saying that they've lowered the threshold for "free" shipping to $59. Probably not a coincidence that this matches MoreBeer's. I'm still not going to order from them unless it's something that's on sale and not time sensitive, but perhaps the new owners are attempting to make something of an effort?

I got the same email. Note the "limited time only"

 

[mac_1103]

Note the "limited time only"

Not on the website FWIW.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

perhaps the new owners are attempting to make something of an effort?

Time will tell. In late Oct 2024, I'm optimistic.

Got an email today saying that they've lowered the threshold for "free" shipping to $59.

I didn't get that email (yet?). I have no recent on-line orders, so apparently "brick & mortar store" purchases didn't matter for the recent "email campaign" -- but what ever.

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I noticed (about a week ago) that NB's shipping page was updated to reflect the warehouse move to SC ...

... because I'm curious if the new "NB (et al)" is willing to compete with MoreBeer.

At the moment (late Oct 2024), item prices (including items I can't find elsewhere) are still more than I'm willing to pay.

So I'm currently waiting for price/or and product availability to be "better" than MoreBeer.

And ("next level"), if NB becomes "better" than MoreBeer, they need to compete with the "regional" stores that I use.

When suppliers compete, both suppliers and customers (aka ... us) "win".

"Game On".

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

MoreBeer - Update October 2024: Our New Warehouse!

"Game On"

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https://www.morebeer.com/about/warehouses

As the leading supplier for beer and winemaking supplies, MoreFlavor! is proud to offer a selection of over 20,000 products. We also serve a variety of industries with commercial processing equipment, hardware, and ingredients.

We're excited to announce that we're consolidating our warehouses into a single, state-of-the-art facility in Kansas City, to ensure fast shipping to the entire USA.

While shipping times to the coasts may be slightly longer, the good news is that we’ll soon be processing orders faster, which will keep overall delivery times to the coasts quite similar. Midwest delivery times will improve. Previously, managing nearly 20,000 SKUs across several smaller coastal warehouses created challenges, but with everything centralized in a new warehouse built for exactly what we do, we’ll have shorter processing times and no more split shipments from different locations.

As we approach our 30th year, we want to express our sincere gratitude to all of our customers. It’s been an incredible journey, and we couldn’t imagine being part of a better industry!

 

[Kirkwooder]

Well, this explains why they have next to nothing in stock. I used to love NB. Everytime I have ordered from them I would recieve my order within a couple of days. I haven't brewed in a couple of years and recently lost a lot of my brewing equipment to a flood. I wanted to brew a lager kit that they do to get back into brewing and went on the web site to order a few things and the kit, and was SHOCKED to see the have next to nothing in stock. I hope management at the new company is watching this thread and corrects the issues. I really do not care fore More Beer and the closest HBS is over 60 miles away.

 

[Broothru]

Well, this explains why they have next to nothing in stock. I used to love NB. Everytime I have ordered from them I would recieve my order within a couple of days. I haven't brewed in a couple of years and recently lost a lot of my brewing equipment to a flood. I wanted to brew a lager kit that they do to get back into brewing and went on the web site to order a few things and the kit, and was SHOCKED to see the have next to nothing in stock. I hope management at the new company is watching this thread and corrects the issues. I really do not care fore More Beer and the closest HBS is over 60 miles away.

I do like MoreBeer and have ordered much from them in the past 30 years or so. I ordered my first brew kettle from them (still have it), and I really liked when they opened the Pittsburgh facility a few years back. Less than 80 miles from my front door, with UPS and FedEx transshipment facilities less than an hour away. It was almost as fast as ordering from Amazon while living next door to a fulfillment warehouse.

Even though I grew up in K.C. and am happy to see MoreBeer open a facility there, I hate loosing their warehouse so close to where I’ve lived on the East Coast for 35 years. Hope they finally start selling all the different grains (Weyermann) that have been “out of stock” for so long.

 

[mac_1103]

NB is currently offering 25% off sitewide, free shipping on orders over $59 and guaranteed delivery by Christmas on orders placed by 12/17. Might have to place an order just so I can post some actual recent data in this thread to balance all of the ranting. The data wouldn't necessarily reflect well on NB, but it would at least be data.

edit - trouble is, I don't really need anything...

 

[BongoYodeler]

When MoreBeer had their California presence they were about 4 hours from me. When I'd order from them I'd usually get my order within 2, sometimes 3 days tops, and I once had an order delivered to my front door less than 24 hours from placing it. I have a current order with them at their new location that I placed two weeks ago.....still waiting. I'm willing to cut them some slack since they've recently set up in the new location, plus it is the holiday season and delays are inevitable. But if this 2+ weeks becomes the norm I'll be looking elsewhere.

 

[PCABrewing]

NB is currently offering 25% off sitewide, free shipping on orders over $59 and guaranteed delivery by Christmas on orders placed by 12/17. Might have to place an order just so I can post some actual recent data in this thread to balance all of the ranting. The data wouldn't necessarily reflect well on NB, but it would at least be data.

edit - trouble is, I don't really need anything...

I have some recent data for those interested.

Order for 1 sack of grain placed Saturday evening, 7-Dec.
Filled Monday morning before 1100 CST, UPS acknowledged possession of package at 1456.
Received UPS Ground at 1200 on 11-Dec. Three (3) business days.
I am satisfied with that timing.

Note: Order filled out of SC, I am in IL.

 

[Broothru]

NB is currently offering 25% off sitewide, free shipping on orders over $59 and guaranteed delivery by Christmas on orders placed by 12/17. Might have to place an order just so I can post some actual recent data in this thread to balance all of the ranting. The data wouldn't necessarily reflect well on NB, but it would at least be data.

edit - trouble is, I don't really need anything...

At the intersection of ‘wants’ and ‘needs,’ wants always seems to win, especially when the other side of the equation is ‘beer’ and ‘me.’

 

[Broothru]

When MoreBeer had their California presence they were about 4 hours from me. When I'd order from them I'd usually get my order within 2, sometimes 3 days tops, and I once had an order delivered to my front door less than 24 hours from placing it. I have a current order with them at their new location that I placed two weeks ago.....still waiting. I'm willing to cut them some slack since they've recently set up in the new location, plus it is the holiday season and delays are inevitable. But if this 2+ weeks becomes the norm I'll be looking elsewhere.

Agree. My recent fiasco with UPS and 2nd Day Air guaranteed delivery that took 5 days on the first go-around and 4 days on the reorder of yeast. Must be the holidays. They are usually on top, but dropped the ball twice in one week. With MoreBeer, it could be that + growing pains at the new facility.

 

[mac_1103]

me wants beer

 

[SkyPilot]

I do like MoreBeer and have ordered much from them in the past 30 years or so. I ordered my first brew kettle from them (still have it), and I really liked when they opened the Pittsburgh facility a few years back. Less than 80 miles from my front door, with UPS and FedEx transshipment facilities less than an hour away. It was almost as fast as ordering from Amazon while living next door to a fulfillment warehouse.

Even though I grew up in K.C. and am happy to see MoreBeer open a facility there, I hate loosing their warehouse so close to where I’ve lived on the East Coast for 35 years. Hope they finally start selling all the different grains (Weyermann) that have been “out of stock” for so long.

Interesting. When I ordered from Morebeer, as late as this spring, the typical schedule was. order in the morning and shipped that same day. When shipped from the Pittsburgh warehouse I received my order in Hershey Pa the next day. From California it took about 4 days total. Since the closure of Pittsburgh when I window shop they are out of many things and those in stock show a delivery time of 14+ days. Considering that there are major UPS and FedEx facilities near them in KC and here in Harrisburg I have to conclude most of the delay is internal.
When I order from Bobby in NJ in the morning I usually get same day processing and next day delivery unless they are backed up in the shop in which case it’s an extra day.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

When I order from ...

... and when I order from RiteBrew, Farmhouse Brewing Supply, Home Brew Ohio, Williams Brewing, or Yakima Valley Hops they

• fulfill the order on the the same day (when I place the order the previous evening)
• the package is picked up by the carrier the same day, and
• the carrier delivers within the defined window.

Most of those suppliers are HomeBrewTalk sponsors.

Order for 1 sack of grain placed Saturday evening, 7-Dec.
Filled Monday morning before 1100 CST, UPS acknowledged possession of package at 1456.
Received UPS Ground at 1200 on 11-Dec. Three (3) business days.
I am satisfied with that timing.

Note: Order filled out of SC, I am in IL.

Hopefully, the 1st of many anecdotal experiences that the new NB will fulfill on the same day and their carrier(s) will deliver within the defined window.

At the moment, the regional stores that I use seem to have a pricing advantage over both MoreBeer and NB. And some of the west coast stores (Williams, F.H. Steinbart) currently have items that I can't find elsewhere.

 

[simbabrew]

Good point to support HomeBrewTalk sponsors. I do not believe NB or Morebeer do.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I do not believe NB or Morebeer do.

Given the "over the top" ranting about NB (over the duration of it's previous two owners), why would the new owner be a sponsor?

I like competition for my home brew supply dollars.

So I remain cautiously optimistic with regard to the new owners of NB. It looks like they can fulfill / ship what they have in stock in a timely manner.

As for their "out of stock" items, there are other stores until NB gets those items back in stock.

After that, competitive pricing makes them a supplier worth considering.

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Commenting about recent slow fulfillment and/or recent slow deliver seems reasonable.

OTOH, there's that "44Arrows" post:

Joined in 2015, one "just curious" post in 2021, and 'crickets' since then?​

​

​

 

[Bobby_M]

Interesting. When I ordered from Morebeer, as late as this spring, the typical schedule was. order in the morning and shipped that same day. When shipped from the Pittsburgh warehouse I received my order in Hershey Pa the next day. From California it took about 4 days total. Since the closure of Pittsburgh when I window shop they are out of many things and those in stock show a delivery time of 14+ days. Considering that there are major UPS and FedEx facilities near them in KC and here in Harrisburg I have to conclude most of the delay is internal.
When I order from Bobby in NJ in the morning I usually get same day processing and next day delivery unless they are backed up in the shop in which case it’s an extra day.

Morebeer's warehouse in KS is in pretty bad shape process/staffwise. You're not going to get low/midlevel staff to move from PA to KS so they have to fully staff and train, and that takes time. I never had a call to customer service go unanswered in the last 5 years until the other day and I've had a few tickets just fly into the void lately as well.

 

[BongoYodeler]

Agreed Bobby, MB is a mess right now. I have a current order in with them and, if it’s delivered tomorrow, it’ll be 16 days since the day I placed the order. They sat on the order for 8 days before USPS took possession of it. Another 8 days for USPS to get it to me (if it does indeed get delivered tomorrow).

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

You're not going to get low/midlevel staff to move from PA to KS so they have to fully staff and train, and that takes time.

Or from MN to SC.

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Anecdotal: My MoreBeer order on Oct 11 (fulfilled in KS while they were moving the CA store) arrived on time. IIRC, it was one day fulfillment and two days shipping.

My plan is to give them (MoreBeer) about six months (starting in Sept) to get "up to speed" in KS. Then I'll take a look at pricing for commodity items.

In between I am willing to order products unique to them and give them the benefit of the doubt on fulfillment and shipping times for the next couple of months.

I would do the same with the new NB ownership if they had unique products or prices better than MoreBeer.

 

[MaxStout]

In the past I always had good experiences with Morebeer, but haven't ordered from them in a few years. I might sit back and wait until I hear of them getting the bugs worked out. Sort of like when a restaurant gets new management and staff--I'll wait before going there.

In the meantime, there are plenty of other options.