Do any of you buy your kits online?

Discuss making up beer kits - the simplest way to brew.
Post Reply
Robbo78

Do any of you buy your kits online?

Post by Robbo78 » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:16 pm

I was just wondering if any of you here buy kits online through mail order. I find sometimes its difficult for me to get to my home brew shop to pick stuff up as opening times clash with work.

Just wondering if there was anywhere online that has a shop you can order from or does the delivery charges not make it worthwhile due to the weight of the kits?

Look forward to your replies,

Cheers.
Top
mikewest

Post by mikewest » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:54 pm

Always buy online as the local selection is terrible. Only UK online shop I have used was http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/ and I found them helpful. I use http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/ normally as the delivery is much cheaper for me.
Top
stevezx7r

Post by stevezx7r » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:56 pm

I usually pop into my local Wilkos for cheapo kits or the Hop and Grape in Darlington for yeast and hops etc.

Never bothered with online ordering mainly due to knowing how easy it is to whip someones card details....
Top
MickyD

Post by MickyD » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:48 am

I generally buy from Wilkos for small odds and ends, but either Hop Shop or Hop & Grape for everything else. My nearest HBS is about 20 miles away.

Have also bought from Brew It Yourself.
Top
aceuass

Post by aceuass » Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:58 am

Use to shop online all the time now LHBS has informed me I can order most kits through them.
Cheers
Paul :wink:
Top
PMH0810

Post by PMH0810 » Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:03 am

I always order online too; p&p can be pricey but my only other choice is an 11 mile trek to a small HBS with a very small stock-base.

I agree with the posts above - no one store is cheaper than the next, one will charge more for wort but less for kit and the next vice versa.

I use (almost exclusively) http://www.art-of-brewing.co.uk/ as I find the prices reasonable and the turnaround fantastic (virtually guranteed 48 hours).
Top
MightyMouth

Post by MightyMouth » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:43 pm

stevezx7r wrote:
Never bothered with online ordering mainly due to knowing how easy it is to whip someones card details....
Online ordering is as safe as using your card at any highstreet retail location.
Top
PMH0810

Post by PMH0810 » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:54 pm

Coming from a banking background I have to concur. However, if you are scared of being ripped off online take some simple precautions.

Ensure the payment page is a secure :hpps/ page.

Ensure there is a padlock in the payment screen border.

Pay with a reputable credit card and not a debit card (and one that has a stated card fraud procedure).
Top
erebus

Post by erebus » Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:02 pm

PMH0810 wrote:Pay with a reputable credit card and not a debit card (and one that has a stated card fraud procedure).
Some banks even allow you to create one use "web cards", so basically for each purchase you state how much you'll be spend, and it will give you card details linked to your account with that limit on it. Or something.
Top
MightyMouth

Post by MightyMouth » Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:07 pm

PMH0810 wrote:
Ensure the payment page is a secure :hpps/ page.
You mean https:/ :)
Top
PMH0810

Post by PMH0810 » Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:08 pm

Dammit - always typing as fast as my mind works; fingers just can't keep up! :oops:
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:04 pm

Like DaaB says, no one shop is the cheapest for everything. However, when shopping around you have to weigh against that the possibility of having to pay more than shipping charge if you split your order between 2 or more suppliers. Most suppliers also do free shipping for orders over a certain amount.

I usually start with Brewgenie. Although some of the prices have recently gone up, I still find them the cheapest for most kits and adjuncts.

Also, don't forget that Wilkinsons deliver for only £2.95 if you haven't got one nearby, and although the range is limited they are very cheap indeed.
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:03 pm

DaaB wrote:I always went for the shops with free shipping with orders over £65 first. I'm sure they must have lost money as I usually ordered 30 quids worth of kits, a 25kg bag of malt and a few bags of spray malt. I notice some places no longer include the value of the grain for free shipping :lol:
I know what you mean - some of my 'free shipping' orders have been a bit on the bulky side too. :wink:

I notice that Easybrew now reserve the right to charge extra for orders over 20Kg or those which can't be squashed into one box. :?
Top
RK

Post by RK » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:10 pm

i've bought all my ingredients and equipment online and i reckon the hop and grape have got to be one of the best. Daab is right in that one no shop is the cheapest but i think that service counts for alot. I've had to phone them a couple of times when i've buggered up an order or forgot to get it sent to my work and they've always been very obliging and polite!

Content deleted in accordance with forum rules.
Top
Robbo78

Post by Robbo78 » Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:04 am

Just been on that hop and crape site. Good selection. I had a mess around filling a shopping basket to see what delivery was and its only £4.70. Thats not bad. Id spend that in diesel for a couple of trips to my local shop.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Kit Brewing”