Brewing Master

Question:

I’d be wary of complaining online, remember the tropical plant guys who got there asses sued for online comments.

I think it was fish, but the case is ludicrous in any event. You can be sued for a campaign of malicious lies against a company, but describing your personal experiences accurately? Nah. Well, they can *sue* you but they won’t *win*. They were just hoping to create a climate of fear to prevent people from complaining. I don’t know what happened to the case in the end — I presume it was tossed, like it should have been. Anyone know? ben

Response:

I’d be wary of complaining online, remember the tropical plant guys who got there asses sued for online comments.

So far that has been a single isolated case, let’s hope it statys that way As long as what you say about a retailer on the internet is true, you shouldn’t have to worry. John. —                            *** John P. Kolesar ***            *** Head Administrator, Monty Python’s Flying Talker ***

Response:

I contacted the vendor who promised to credit my charge card for the hops and yeast. I’ll keep all informed… bob. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently placed an order online with a merchant who claimed to have hops and other materials in larger than one ounce quantities.

Response:

So far that has been a single isolated case, let’s hope it statys that way As long as what you say about a retailer on the internet is true, you shouldn’t have to worry.

It’s likely to stay a single, isolated case.  If the intimidation doesn’t work, they face a counter-suit for tort and court costs.  Probably damages too (lost work, etc) if you have a good lawyer. — Lafe Homepage:    http://www.lafes.net/ Forums:      http://forums.lafes.net/ Beer Forum:  http://forums.lafes.net/index.php?act=SF&f=3

Response:

I once made an online statement of my experience with a company, and was then threatened over the incident.  The comapny backed down when I held my ground, as they had no case since I was simply relating a true experience. I’d be wary of complaining online, remember the tropical plant guys who got there asses sued for online comments. I have never ordered online for brewing supplies, I always go to the local guys.  If that’s not an option, I guess you should establish a good relationship with a online distributer, but I’d do it over the phone. I second the phone call to the vendor, most likely, they will want to keep you happy, and make you a repeat customer.

– Todd Enlund      "Bandits at 3 O’Clock"      "Roger.  What should I do ’till then?"

Response:

I have never ordered online for brewing supplies, I always go to the local guys.

I am new to brewing, but I do the same thing and with almost all of my purchases, not just brewing supplies. I could save a few dollars buying things mail order but would rather support local businesses that have real people that I can go and talk to.  I got my brewing kit at The Celler in Seattle and the staff there has been most helpful to me, answering a bazillion questions and even declining to sell me things I thought that I needed and don’t.  Good guys, and I wouldn’t know that if I ordered online. jerrybob DALnet #brewing

Response:

All charges were credited. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I contacted the vendor who promised to credit my charge card for the hops and yeast. I’ll keep all informed…

Response:

I agree whole-heartedly. No retailer worth their salt would risk the possible implications involved with ANY bad publicity. Even more so with the threat of being force-fed a budweiser (you can be cruel, can’t you)  :-)     Pete

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From personal experience, call the vendor and tell them what happened. If they care about happy (and repeat!) customers, they will replace your hops. For a few ounces of hops, they won’t want to lose you as a future customer. Now if they are the opposite, you will find out. A friend ordered a brewing scale (weighing hops, grain) from one large online brew store. They sent the wrong one. He called them, and they sent the right one at no cost to him, and then paid the cost for him to send back the wrong one. And they gave him a free packet of hops (an ounce i think, but a nice touch) on top of it so there, all i can say is let them know, you shouldn’t have to resort to any of the other options if they are a respectable business John In the past, I’ve dealt with StPats, Miswest, Northern, Kedco (LHBS), and a few others, and I’ve NEVER had bad ingredients. What should I do? a) demand refund? b) disclose the vendor? c) suck it up and move on? d) road trip to the shop and force budweiser down his throat? suggestions? bob.

Response:

I’d be wary of complaining online, remember the tropical plant guys who got there asses sued for online comments. I have never ordered online for brewing supplies, I always go to the local guys.  If that’s not an option, I guess you should establish a good relationship with a online distributer, but I’d do it over the phone. I second the phone call to the vendor, most likely, they will want to keep you happy, and make you a repeat customer.

Response:

a) demand refund? b) disclose the vendor?

Contact the vendor, get them to make it right. Report back here good or bad.

Response:

spoke thusly: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I recently placed an order online with a merchant who claimed to have hops and other materials in larger than one ounce quantities. I ordered 12oz of Amarillo hops, 1 pack each of Wyeast 1056 and a Scotch Ale, and 5# of Munich. I received parcel 1 yesterday, hops and yeast. It arrived by USPS about 6 days after I ordered, so the shipping was prompt. The Amarillo hops were brown and had no aroma, were not in a oxygen barrier bag, were not labelled with A/A percentage, and in general looked like they had been sitting on a shelf under fluorescent lights. My first experience with Amarillo was with a gift of 2 oz from the owner of a local micro, so I know what they should be like. The web-site merchant claims to keep all hops frozen until shipment, and the exact alpha is supposed to be printed on each bag. As for the yeast, the Scottish Ale is dated December 2001, and the 1056 is dated May 2002. I passed on dry hopping the Amarillo to my latest 10 gal batch of ale and used an ounce of Challenger that I’ve had in the freezer that’s been opened and resealed many (5) times and still has plenty of aroma. In the past, I’ve dealt with StPats, Miswest, Northern, Kedco (LHBS), and a few others, and I’ve NEVER had bad ingredients. What should I do? a) demand refund?

I would.  I would also talk to someone there (someone "in charge") to get a feel for their attitude. b) disclose the vendor?

That would depend on their attitude and, if I used them again, what the next time was like.  Anybody can have a bad day; I wouldn’t shout it from the rooftops if I thought it was an anomaly. c) suck it up and move on?

In addition, yeah. d) road trip to the shop and force budweiser down his throat?

See:  "attitude". suggestions? bob.

"To be good is noble, but to teach others how to be good is nobler–and less trouble."   –  Mark Twain

Response:

call ‘em up, ask for replacement product, insist on freshness and proper labeling. If they won’t ante up, inform them that you intend to dispute the charge (you must do this).  Then inform your credit card company by phone and in writing that you are disputing the charge.  Make sure you fully document what was ordered and why it wasn’t acceptable.  You probably don’t need to go into details of brewing, just start by saying the products were spoiled due to improper packaging and age (as appropriate to each product). It may also help to re-order indentical products from another supplier using the same credit card.  This shows you really did need replacements, and that another supplier was able to deliver proper product.  If you do this, tell the credit card company that you won’t accept a replacement shipment from the original vendor, only a credit for the original charge will be acceptable. Dave

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently placed an order online with a merchant who claimed to have hops and other materials in larger than one ounce quantities. I ordered 12oz of Amarillo hops, 1 pack each of Wyeast 1056 and a Scotch Ale, and 5# of Munich. I received parcel 1 yesterday, hops and yeast. It arrived by USPS about 6 days after I ordered, so the shipping was prompt. The Amarillo hops were brown and had no aroma, were not in a oxygen barrier bag, were not labelled with A/A percentage, and in general looked like they had been sitting on a shelf under fluorescent lights. My first experience with Amarillo was with a gift of 2 oz from the owner of a local micro, so I know what they should be like. The web-site merchant claims to keep all hops frozen until shipment, and the exact alpha is supposed to be printed on each bag. As for the yeast, the Scottish Ale is dated December 2001, and the 1056 is dated May 2002. I passed on dry hopping the Amarillo to my latest 10 gal batch of ale and used an ounce of Challenger that I’ve had in the freezer that’s been opened and resealed many (5) times and still has plenty of aroma. In the past, I’ve dealt with StPats, Miswest, Northern, Kedco (LHBS), and a few others, and I’ve NEVER had bad ingredients. What should I do? a) demand refund? b) disclose the vendor? c) suck it up and move on? d) road trip to the shop and force budweiser down his throat? suggestions? bob.

Response:

I recently placed an order online with a merchant who claimed to have hops and other materials in larger than one ounce quantities. I ordered 12oz of Amarillo hops, 1 pack each of Wyeast 1056 and a Scotch Ale, and 5# of Munich. I received parcel 1 yesterday, hops and yeast. It arrived by USPS about 6 days after I ordered, so the shipping was prompt. The Amarillo hops were brown and had no aroma, were not in a oxygen barrier bag, were not labelled with A/A percentage, and in general looked like they had been sitting on a shelf under fluorescent lights. My first experience with Amarillo was with a gift of 2 oz from the owner of a local micro, so I know what they should be like. The web-site merchant claims to keep all hops frozen until shipment, and the exact alpha is supposed to be printed on each bag. As for the yeast, the Scottish Ale is dated December 2001, and the 1056 is dated May 2002. I passed on dry hopping the Amarillo to my latest 10 gal batch of ale and used an ounce of Challenger that I’ve had in the freezer that’s been opened and resealed many (5) times and still has plenty of aroma. In the past, I’ve dealt with StPats, Miswest, Northern, Kedco (LHBS), and a few others, and I’ve NEVER had bad ingredients. What should I do? a) demand refund? b) disclose the vendor? c) suck it up and move on? d) road trip to the shop and force budweiser down his throat? suggestions? bob.

Response:

From personal experience, call the vendor and tell them what happened. If they care about happy (and repeat!) customers, they will replace your hops. For a few ounces of hops, they won’t want to lose you as a future customer. Now if they are the opposite, you will find out. A friend ordered a brewing scale (weighing hops, grain) from one large online brew store. They sent the wrong one. He called them, and they sent the right one at no cost to him, and then paid the cost for him to send back the wrong one. And they gave him a free packet of hops (an ounce i think, but a nice touch) on top of it so there, all i can say is let them know, you shouldn’t have to resort to any of the other options if they are a respectable business John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -In the past, I’ve dealt with StPats, Miswest, Northern, Kedco (LHBS), and a few others, and I’ve NEVER had bad ingredients. What should I do? a) demand refund? b) disclose the vendor? c) suck it up and move on? d) road trip to the shop and force budweiser down his throat? suggestions? bob.

Response: