Problems with Easybrew?

[Sheepy]

Not sure where to post this but as most of the stuff from there is kit related here goes. A month ago I ordered a load of stuff from Easybrew. Half of it turned up after a couple of weeks. The remainder took about another 10 days or so which wasnt too bad as there was a note explaining this. However the most expensive item on the list ( a Hambleton Bard wide neck pressure barrel) wasnt with the delivery and no paper work this time so eventualy managed to get through to them and was told it was out of stock but they would be able to send one in the next couple of days. Anyway im still without the barrel and have been trying to phone since monday with no joy. Sorry this is bit of a ramble but has anyone else had any bad service from Easybrew or am i just unlucky?

[Sheepy]

Cheers, have sent a message from the facility on their web site with my phone and e mail details etc. Its getting annoying that for the last month they have had 30 quid of my money without the ability to provide the goods.

[Sheepy]

I dont know whats going on, when I have phoned its been any one of the following: Straight to answerphone, wait and then answerphone, engaged or constantly ringing but no one picks up. There is no pattern to this either. I have now e mailed as well so fingers crossed. Im not even bothered about a refund and would hapily swap for some other products if only i could get through to someone.

[Sheepy]

Yay a happy ending, have made contact at last and changed the order around. The lady was very helpful so a good result all round. Guess they must have just been very popular. Seems like there was a manufacturing problem with the barrel hence the no show. Alls well that ends well

[StevieR]

I placed my first ever order with them in May for a complete kit setup including fermenter, pressure barrel, kit etc...

No issues were flagged on the website (ie not in stock) and I received an email confirmation of the order too. About a week later I contacted them (again I sometimes had difficulty getting through) and they said that the pressure barrel was out of stock.........

Another week went by so I contacted them again and they told me now that the kit I ordered was out of stock After some pursuation they dispatched what they had and I recieved everything apart from my 2nd kit - about 3-4 weeks after initial order.

Another 3 weeks went by before I recieved my 2nd kit

The staff were always very friendly and helpful but I somethimes felt as if I was being fobbed off. However it all arrived eventually

I think it would be useful for them to perhaps indicate more accurately on their website whether certain items are in stock or not...just a suggestion

[clootie]

I have used Easybrew several times in the past and have never had a single issue. That said, I haven't ordered anything for a few months (due to the arrival of my 2nd daughter). Perhaps a blip???

[mattfuzzy]

used them a few times, i wont bother using them again unless its very small orders or stuff they WILL have in stock, first order was fine, second took 6 weeks to go through from start to finnish, ie: had a few things first week then 3rd week then 6th week, the lady gave the best service and i spoke to 2 blokes and they were basically just blaming each other for their own mistakes and tryed to fob me off a bit, ended up with a few extra saches of yeast with the last post though which i no doubt will never use anyway (champagne yeast goes crap with TC)

on another order i had to phone back about 8 times in total because they didnt stock some stupid flavorings and ended up swapping a few of them around, atleast 6 phone calls per order usually does the job (to my experience) just keep herassing them every week and they will get it into their heads, also the best time to phone is probably around 3pm or so as they close at 5pm

this mite seem a bit of a rant but as of yet i havnt found a decent homebrew shop that gives fast deliverys where i havent had to use their customer service, which as a result has seriously put me off homebrewing as i dont have a homebrew shop near me.

oh yeah and most likely the reason why i would/mite use easybrew again is based on the fact they dont use parcelforce no more, although i did think it was rather funny they only changed when parcelforce had that big strike going on, and also doesnt explain why the previous 2 orders were muffed up as there was no strike then.
[/Rant]
-matt

[Orkney_Rob]

Matt - I just got an order through from Leyland. No problems, delivered using Parcel Force (who can be a mixed bag, but at least they find my house on the designated delivery day!) and all round good service!

Brew Genie were also good to deal with, though used Amtrax... fortunatly they subcontract up here so although it took 48 hours for delivery the driver who does their work in these parts knows where I live due to a vast number of deliveries after moving house (he got lost the first time and phoned me for directions!)

[Mr blue]

Never used Easybrew but have used leyland, hop and grape and hopshop never had any trouble with any of them. And with hopshop get an email to say when it's been dispatched so no guessing which day it will turn up with them.

[subsub]

Best one I've used is Hop & Grape. Patsy will always ring me if something is out of stock and offer a replacement item

[mattfuzzy]

thanks for the info rob, guess ill be testing around in the future, must get some more gear in the next few weeks anyway
-matt

[sparky Paul]

Brew Genie were also good to deal with, though used Amtrax... fortunatly they subcontract up here so although it took 48 hours for delivery the driver who does their work in these parts knows where I live due to a vast number of deliveries after moving house (he got lost the first time and phoned me for directions!)

I use BrewGenie regularly and find them very good - never found anything out of stock yet. I've found that many of the homebrew shops use a cheaper 2/3 day delivery service, but I can live with that if it makes it a bit cheaper.

I've also used EasyBrew a few times, last time I had to 'remind' them about my order after a while, it was shipped that day by 24hr service...

[Sheepy]

After swapping the order around on Wed the order arrived yesterday which was nice and prompt. The Coopers stout was swapped for a Muntons Connoisseurs Range Export Stout though, still hey ho its a more expesive kit and I havnt tried it before so all well in the end.

[kererra]

Unfortunatly Ive had problems with easybrew, the seals on my king keg had perished on the one they sent me Im still waiting some 4 months and two e-mails later for new seals despite being promised they were in the post, no answer to phone calls or e-mails

[ade1865]

Mattfuzzy, where abouts in Somerset are you? I know there's a brewshop in Keynsham, one in Trowbridge and one in Honiton, if that helps at all.

Never had any problems with Hop and Grape or The Home Brew Shop. Usually go with H&G as they usually work out cheaper, even than my 'local' shop in Keynsham.