Bruery Hoarders Society

I hope a bunch of people quit the RS out of spite. I also hope they announce shipping within CA for the RS next year. Then I might buy a membership.

 

Do we know they're turning a profit? Based on how much they reinvest in expansion I wouldn't be shocked if they operated at a loss, counting debt they take out. But who knows how the business is run?

 

If you read it closely, you'll note that shipping within CA is for both RS and HS.

 

Oops. Seems like I missed that line when I read it. Thanks for clarification.

 

What are you getting at? Breweries should give beer away for free until they go bankrupt? There aren't many businesses in any industry that aren't in the business of making money.

 

They've got at least one employee whose sole responsibility is dealing with the RS, right? There are presumably a significant # of hours dedicated to it by higher salaried people in the company and $$$ used to store and hand over the beers that are to be picked up as well.

 

Has anyone confirmed that the site is note just getting folks to reveal their passwords so that someone can access their RS accounts?

 

Well I'm assuming the RS is still profitable otherwise they wouldn't do it*. I was more speaking about the business as a whole.

*Actually that might not be true. I could see it being worth it since it's basically a loan, they might "lose money" compared to what they could sell the beer for without the RS, but "make money" compared to getting $400k in loans. It could also get complicated in terms of extra business RS members bring in, not counting the RS beers, that otherwise might not be there. I know I've spent a few hundred bucks at Provisions that I wouldn't have otherwise.

First, what information would they be gaining? Worst thing they could do is get the last 4 digits of your CC, which isn't super useful, or buy beer in your name, also not super useful. Second, there are multiple reports of people who have gotten the letter, and at least one person who has spoken with a Bruery employee confirming that this is real. At this point it's pretty clear it's not a scam.

 

Agreed, but this seems like a misguided step by a brewery that has been so smart in their moves thus far. Or, maybe not, what the hell do I know about running a business (not sarcastic)?

 

http://qkme.me/3qlkzj

 

In what way is it misguided?

 

I received an invite in the mail...pretty sure it's based on how many years you've been in the Reserve Society (I've been in it since it started) as opposed to how much dinero you've spent (I'm sure I'm way behind most of you guys)...

There is no way I'm going to jump from $200-something to $700, especially as my beer-spending in general has dropped off a cliff this last year...if the Bruery is cool with it I will gladly pass (or sell muah hah hah hah) my "opportunity" on to someone more receptive...

 

Just adding fuel to this shitshow fire. I know nothing other than industry hearsay. Profits are required to expand. Nothing wrong with that . Except that Cicerone thing. What a crock of shit (for a vast majority of those who paid for the certificate.)

I was serious. I respect when businesses can make money.

So how many of the HS members do you think will also have Cicerone certifications? That's the crowning achievement of all the big-talking BAs....HS member and Master Cicerone! Hell, throw in a BJCP certificate and you have the trifecta! Gold stars for all!!!

 

Why is there tax on the membership? I thought club membership fees don't have sales taxes.

Pretty stoked that my login worked and am a little surprised in that I'm a new RS member this year.

 

Did you guys get a receipt when you placed your order? I haven't seen one come through to my email yet.

 

It seems weird to split your dedicated customers into two factions, potentially alienating a large base that spends a good amount of money.

Having said that, I am not sure you noticed the part that I acknowledge I hve no idea about running a business.

 

If they were obviously downgrading the RS or if the HS-only beers were some of the things that people have been wanting in bottles for a long time, like SitR w/ kumquats and the return of the anniversary beer barrel varieties, I'd possibly be on the same page as you. But the second half of the invitation basically says to me that the RS will be even more awesome next year--it's clear that they have been listening to what people want and are planning to provide that, even to the plebe lower-tier members.

 

I do find it strange that I can login to the Hoarders site but never got an invite.

 

As was mentioned earlier in the thread, this means that you are invited but your invitation is in transit.

 

Apologies, but 7 pages of back and forth is just too much to read. Thanks for the clarification!