Not a happy customer!!

[Hamsterbite]

The OP never suggested a boycott, and never asked for any sort of community action support remotely like that. He simply stated that HE would no longer make purchases from NB.

It's clear by now that an overwhelming majority of HBT community disagree with his reasoning, myself included.

Even so, I would like to give the OP an attaboy for not taking the bait that many responders have laid out here. You have shown much better form than many who have felt compelled to chime in with an disrespectful emotional responses. Good on ya mate!

He's also said that he's relatively new to the hobby. How eager do you think he will be to contribute to the forums after an experience like this?
Someone said this thread has taken on a life of it's own. Shouldn't we as a community try to be as welcoming and supportive as possible to the demographic that is responsible for pumping a crap-ton of money into the industry? I'm not talking about coddling an placating, just a modicum of decency and respect.
Without (forgive the term) new blood, the industry would go into decline. Focus on the things we have in common instead of allowing yourselves to become polarized on every aspect of your lives. It's not easy, and it surely doesn't come natural for most of us, but this is how progress is made.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

Not for nothing, but after two wildly unpopular rants from yours truly were dressed down, I altered my behavior when I post somewhat.

On the forums you learn not only tips on how to brew, but tips on how to get along within the culture of brewers...

 

[JordanThomas]

The OP never suggested a boycott, and never asked for any sort of community action support remotely like that. He simply stated that HE would no longer make purchases from NB.

Understood. Then again, what was the purpose of his post? A public complaint in which he expressed his disdain for Northern Brewer? The OP didn't add anything of value in this case. His opinion was noted, and others shared theirs. I see no harm until the name-calling started.

 

[AmandaK]

I'm so over people bashing Northern Brewer because they don't bow to the commands of every customer or put SUPER AWESOME SH*T on sale all the time.

Let's face it, because of places like Northern Brewer (et al, obviously) those people who wouldn't be able to get high quality supplies from a LHBS can now get the same, if not better, quality as those close to a HBS.

So maybe instead of crying foul when a place changes their shipping policies (that effect me positively) or won't give you $20, maybe we step back and look at the bigger picture.

 

[mattd2]

The OP never suggested a boycott, and never asked for any sort of community action support remotely like that. He simply stated that HE would no longer make purchases from NB...

But then what was the intended point of OP's thread?
If your point is true should he have posted it in DR&MM since it would have been just a rant (probably should be moved there at least)
I think if this was in DR&MM in the first place and he was clear that it was just a rant and didn't mean to effect anyone elses decisions to buy from NB then it would have gotten off a bit lighter

 

[Homercidal]

He's also said that he's relatively new to the hobby. How eager do you think he will be to contribute to the forums after an experience like this?
Someone said this thread has taken on a life of it's own. Shouldn't we as a community try to be as welcoming and supportive as possible to the demographic that is responsible for pumping a crap-ton of money into the industry? I'm not talking about coddling an placating, just a modicum of decency and respect.
Without (forgive the term) new blood, the industry would go into decline. Focus on the things we have in common instead of allowing yourselves to become polarized on every aspect of your lives. It's not easy, and it surely doesn't come natural for most of us, but this is how progress is made.

IMO this is a very good point. It's sometimes easy to forget this while defending a respected company and existing member of the community.

Once in a while someone feels compelled to call out a vendor for things such as collecting payment and not shipping equipment for weeks, or maybe not providing updates on manufacture or shipping when asked for. Maybe for just poor general communication or shoddy workmanship.

It just seems particularly offensive when it happens over something as trivial as a misplaced sense of entitlement over a $20 gift card.

Even so, I do believe I let myself get a little too emotionally involved in my posts. I'd like to apologize to the OP for any comments directed at his person. I still don't believe coming here to discredit Northern Brewer was the right thing to do, but I do agree that one should choose to do business with the company that gives them the level of service they expect. And I think we all appreciate the fact that other members are willing to voice their negative experiences here and keep us informed about vendors so that we may avoid a negative experience with them ourselves.

However, we as a community ought to also be able to stand up for our respected members in a mature fashion. Clearly there were posts in this thread that went beyond what was called for, my own included. I should have done what I try and do with every post I make: Ask myself if I am being too harsh, or if my post is uncalled for or personally insulting.

It's good to be reminded of our shortcomings every once in a while. Thank you.

 

[Hamsterbite]

Your courage is not lost on me. Can I get a slow clap for Homercidal?

 

[BigRedHopHead]

Thanks Homercidal! And yes I have very high expectations for retail companies to keep my business. But these are my expectations wrong or right. The whole name calling thing and drama many of you posted seriously has me rethinking of staying on here. Even though I joined way back in Feb, I lurked for a long time, learning from everyone here. Didn't feel I had much to contribute. 34 all grain batches later I decided to pay HBT for a membership to show my support and give back for all I have learned. Decided it was time to start posting and help others. It was the least I could do.
Sure it was a rant, still am pissed at NB. But I did not call any of you out personally nor will I. Just wanted to vent my frustration at NB cause that is how I see it. Didn't ask any of you to boycott NB. Obviously there are some deep seeded loyalty to NB that I don't understand. They are a retail company and to me, the way I was raised you always expect more for your dollar and the companies you deal with than I had from them. But this is just my opinion.
This got way out of control. Here in good Ol' Nebraska we treat others differently. Time for me to go find a homebrew club to join. Goodbye!

 

[BigRedHopHead]

Thanks Hamsterbite and all the others who kept a level head and the discussion respectable.

 

[TyTanium]

RDWHAHB...it's the internet.

 

[Gunpowder]

Wow, he's leaving over THIS?? After paying for a membership??

Look, BigRed, I get where you're coming from, but when you make a post on an internet forum of this nature, and expect everyone to agree with you and cheer you on, you're kinda setting yourself up for failure. You gotta learn to expect ALL kinds of responses. This is the internet, and we're all just pixels on your screen.

That said, if you really are leaving, good luck in your quest to find a homebrew forum where everyone always agrees with you.

 

[BigRedHopHead]

Never said I was leaving! But may take an extended vacation! Never said I wanted anyone to agree with me and cheer me on. Just was expressing my disappointment with NB. I expected better. Never said I was going to find another forum. However I did say I was going to find a homebrew club to join.
Time to stop looking at these responses. Out of control!

 

[JordanThomas]

Never said I was leaving! But may take an extended vacation! Never said I wanted anyone to agree with me and cheer me on. Just was expressing my disappointment with NB. I expected better. Never said I was going to find another forum. However I did say I was going to find a homebrew club to join.
Time to stop looking at these responses. Out of control!

No one is going to hold your opinion against you and crack on everything you say moving forward. People on this forum will forget that it even happened. RDWHAHB.

 

[Gothgar]

What if the situation was reversed and you bought the burner 7 days before the price went up. If NB called you up and said "it's only been a week would you mind sending us an extra $20?" woud you?

Your complaint is childish. Just enjoy the fact that you have an excellent burner in route.

This all day long.

 

[techbrewie]

Gotta say, you missed the sale man. You aren't entitled to anything. NB started a promotion with specific rules, and you don't meet the qualifications. Expecting them to honor a promotion you don't even qualify for, then criticizing them on the internet for not doing so is a pretty big dick move. NB is an excellent brew shop and its not their fault your an idiot.

 

[nbrack]

I'm no psychic, but I would be willing to bet that in the future, the OP will use NB again to purchase an item, if that item is cheaper than other places.

 

[bombcar]

If he wants to save $20, not supporting a certain forum that doesn't agree with him anyway would save more.

 

[phoenixs4r]

It's bewildering posts like these stay open and reach 17 pages.

 

[Hamsterbite]

I'm not psychic either, but I think a fork will soon be stuck in this thread.

It's obvious the OP is not going to recant, and the name calling continues on from those who haven't taken the time to read the entire thread.

 

[m_stodd]

I would understand if he left after this thread. Threads like this diminish the value of this forum IMO. We don't need everyone chiming in 5x to say the exact same thing that everyone else said 5x. We could be talking about, you know, beer and stuff.

No where'd that horse go? Get over here ya dead bastard!

 

[Homercidal]

No one is going to hold your opinion against you and crack on everything you say moving forward. People on this forum will forget that it even happened. RDWHAHB.

This.


We are generally pretty easy going.


It could used for some good-natured ribbing down the road though. Probably.

 

[Montanaandy]

It's bewildering posts like these stay open and reach 17 pages.

I regret putting my .02 cents in.

 

[mattd2]

...I joined way back in Feb...

Don't go just yet, being new means there are a few thing you might not have realised yet on the forum (us beating up on you ofcoarse didn't help though).
There is a forum call drunken rambles and mindless mumbles (right down the bottom of the front page). This is where you can rant all you like without being judged (too much).
Good call on joing a local club though but don't get turned away from here because of just one bad experience.

 

[JordanThomas]

Gotta say, you missed the sale man. You aren't entitled to anything. NB started a promotion with specific rules, and you don't meet the qualifications. Expecting them to honor a promotion you don't even qualify for, then criticizing them on the internet for not doing so is a pretty big dick move. NB is an excellent brew shop and its not their fault your an idiot.

Coincidence?...

C'mon man.

 

[Rev2010]

So over the past couple of pages the OP's been insulted as such:

"Individuals who post complaints in public places such as web forums or review sites that are not warranted should be hung, drawn, and quartered

The op's post warrants some name calling"

"criticizing them on the internet for not doing so is a pretty big dick move. NB is an excellent brew shop and its not their fault your an idiot."

Can I just ask, how is this allowed to continue?? With all the help we give each other around here I'm rather surprised how nasty some of you can be


Rev.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

I, personally, have a real sore spot about posts like that of the OP. My wife has worked in customer service for years now, and I will say without hesitation that she is the single most generous and friendly person any company has ever seen. If you are looking for a deal, and its within her abilities to give it to you, you are basically guarenteed to get it.

She has still been sworn at, had things thrown at her, and has had customers "report her" to her manager because she wouldnt give outlandish discounts or free merchandise above and beyond what is reasonable. Someone even singled her out on an internet forum (yelp) for, you guessed it, not applying a discount coupon that was expired. So yeah, my sympathies for the OP (unless I somehow read his posts COMPLETELY wrong) hover somewhere between jack and squat.

Calling him an idiot or a dick was a bit of a stretch, but greedy and unreasonable? I'll stand by that.

 

[MrNic]

It annoys me so much when people complain about not getting something for free. I work at a liquor store and we have a customer rewards program. Basically, you spend $1000 and we give you $50 store credit. You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've heard people complain about it because they have to spend money before they get the credit. It's free, stop complaining!

 

[Drunken0ne]

I work in a very tight margin industry. What most consumers are unaware is that it may be a promotion from their vendor that is honored within the sales for specific dates. So yes we can sell you another one cause it is reported within the sales dates. They in turn get money back. Sure you get a $20 gift card, but it was paid for by their vendor. NB may have used the $20 off the product and gave the end user a gift card, knowing that you would buy more. They have to protect their business and make money. If they keep handing out money, they would eventually go broke. Remember they did try to work it out, maybe it wasn't the best solution that you liked, but they tried. I don't agree with what thy did, as I have found ways around it. But please think that companies have overhead, and need to make money. For all I know the owner of NB may have a 40k square foot home and a private golf course with a huge lake. For now I give them the benefit of the doubt that he is human and trying to make money.

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

It is easier to maintain a customer than find a new one. My .02. $20 is not worth much these days anyhow. Not worth 15 pages on HBT. It would have been in the best interest for the sales person to at least look into the OP order history. Customers want to feel special. On the flip side, the OP should have let it go after being denied the gift card. I dont blame him for asking but blasting NB on this forum is extreme.

 

[Yooper]

Never said I was leaving! But may take an extended vacation! Never said I wanted anyone to agree with me and cheer me on. Just was expressing my disappointment with NB. I expected better. Never said I was going to find another forum. However I did say I was going to find a homebrew club to join.
Time to stop looking at these responses. Out of control!

You know what? A LONG time ago I posted to stop with the piling on. Let's be a reasonable group of rational people.

The OP has been fine. But he's right- the responses are out of control! What the heck is wrong with you guys?

People can have different opinions without namecalling, being insulting, or being rude.

This thread is closed now- due to the inability to comprehend the "Golden Rule".