Keeler and Dawson

[Ozwald]

I'd just like to note that my rant had nothing to do with the guys who left, only that I've been upset with their services lately. I find it really odd that a few of their bigger faces parted ways with them around the same time.

Quite frankly, I don't even know who these guys are that we're talking about, aside from being former NB employees & they were on BrewingTV, which I only watched 2 episodes of when it first started. I'm not on anybody's 'side' on this one, just making the observation of a lot of things changing for the worse & more than 1 'key employee' leaving at the same time. I don't claim to know what's going on, hell I don't even claim to care what's going on, I just am disappointed that my favorite supplier isn't pampering me like they have for the past several years & are doing some dumb things (regarding my OCD packed connectors & ridiculous related shipping charges).

To update my rather boring shipping saga, I finally took a minute to email NB... mostly because they sent me the wrong part (the gas connector was supposed to be a liquid connector). I basically told them that I needed a screw-on liquid connector for an immediate project, but I wasn't going to return the gas connector as I was going to order a couple in January anyways... I just didn't need any this soon & I already blew this month's brewing budget. Someone got back to me within an hour on Saturday with an apology & a shipping statement. He basically told me to keep the gas connector as a freebie & is mailing me the correct liquid connector & what I looks like a pint glass for free. I haven't given up on them yet, but I am asking a few questions.

[Buttwidget]

Couple of quick points:

1. Corporate greed - anyone who has a retirement plan (IRA, pension, 401(k), etc.) is an investor. Most in the US *count* on a return on our investments to fund our retirement. Being "corporate" or having investors does not make a company evil. The system actually provides captial for growth and/or expansion, often resulting in the hiring of more employees. Lack of investment will kill a company and economy very quickly. Automatically blaming investors as "bad" is populist tripe.

2. Investors and the market - Any investor wants a return on their investment. Poor business practices are just that, and if those practices are driven by investors, the one who accepted the investment on such poor terms is just as culpable as the investor for driving bad business practice. This would be that person with the "original vision" and "mom & pop operators" mentioned upthread. The good news is that we live in a (mostly) market-based economy. Companies that provide low value and poor service will see their clientele frequent other businesses, and vice versa. Bad businesses go away, great businesses rise to the top.

3. NB Business Practices - Use your experience with NB to vote with your $$. I've had great experiences with them over the years and really appreciate the investment they made and the risk they took in starting BTV. I'm not sure how much skin the BTV hosts had in the game, but I give credit to all who put together a great show. Its what led me to the BN and made this place my online brewing "home". If my experience changes, so will my purchasing habits. I've had crappy experiences with Midwest Supplies, and I'm not afraid to let anyone know why I won't shop there...

4. Keeler & Dawson - I don't care why they left. I'm sure it would be something to read, but I'm not a National Enquirer fan; the salacious details don't interest me. Don't get me wrong, I think they were awesome, I loved BTV and looked forward to it all the time. I was bummed when they went to every other week, but there is value in scarcity. I wish it were still going. My point is, the reason why they are not at NB anymore doesn't matter. They appear to be great talents and this provides an opportunity for them to do better for themselves; they will land on their feet no matter the circumstances. Getting worked up about someone's personal business is somewhat silly, especially if you don't really know them and are only connected to them by watching a corporation's internet video channel. This whole discussion seems a lot like the homebrew vesion of TMZ.

5. The future - We'll see what it holds. I wish the very best for the NB consumer, hopefully the company has some great innovations up its sleeve and will unlock the code to providing its customers more for less. By the same token, I hope Keeler and Dawson find the kind of success that they deserve, they are great talents and should do very well. The market will decide, and that's the way it should be. I will spend my time and money where I find the most value.

~widget

[snowcapt]

Yeah, but my cat had a blast turning that mountain of paper into confetti.

Good thing I didn't end up buying the poppets, who knows how big of a box would've shown up.

And that's not just a cat, IIRC.
Us it you, Oz, with that linx or whateverthehell, that beast is?

[Duzdisluk Infektid]

Couple of quick points:

Haha!

[captain carrot]

What is this, the next Rat Pad thread?

[Ozwald]

Yeah, but my cat had a blast turning that mountain of paper into confetti.

Good thing I didn't end up buying the poppets, who knows how big of a box would've shown up.

And that's not just a cat, IIRC.
Us it you, Oz, with that linx or whateverthehell, that beast is?

Takes a big cat to take on a big mountain of paper. Just sayin

[Monty Burns]

I agree with Mr. Buttwidget that investors are not inherently evil. All businesses, both large and small, need to raise financial capital and bank loans don't always do the trick.

As this industry grows, there will be more investors knocking at brewery doors. The question one needs to ask is: What kind of returns will these investors expect and what will the brewery offer them? That's where the trouble starts because losing sight of the consumer, in the light of shareholder interests, will probably doom a company in this industry. Personally, I don't mind seeing a little market correction because there have been so many great breweries coming out in the past few years that are making world class beer, I'll never get bored tasting them all!

Also, I am certain that the talents of the Brewing TV crew will not go to waste.

[spiderwrangler]

Also, I am certain that the talents of the Brewing TV crew will not go to waste.

Yes, they are leaving the home brewing world to begin directing and shooting porn.