EASY BREW.CO.UK GONE BUST????

[jubby]

Yup, me too. Ordered 22 September, sent emails, used the contact us form on their website, telephoned and finally this morning i faxed. Still no answer

[EnglishBob]

Yeah, join the club, man. The thing is there are lots more peeps out there that will get scammed while the website is still up and taking orders. If you are just wanting to start out in homebrewing and type in 'homebrewing' in google then two UK Homebrew shops appear at the top (due to both companies buying google adwords I guess?), which are: The Art Of Brewing and Easy Brew. Now when you go to The Art Of Brewing's website you think "i'm not ordering from them" as the website doesn't give you the impression of a bona-fide company, whereas the EasyBrew one does.

I'll think I'll get in touch with The Art Of Brewing to help them get their website up to scratch as the orders they lose probably then go to EasyBrew!


EB

[BarryNL]

For those who've used credit cards, don't forget you can simply contact your credit card company to say you never received the goods and they will do a chargeback (refund) to your card.

[ECR]

I have found Art of Brewing to be good to deal with.

[Aleman]

I have found Art of Brewing to be good to deal with.

And don't be put off by the website . . . they are just as good as Hop & Grape

[vacant]

I've not dealt with Easybrew, just been watching the train wreck.

"Been ill"? I guess it could "come and go", feeling fine so can take the money super-efficiently, now about to despatch some orders and a funny turn comes on.

I was sympathetic at first but this has gone on for far too long. If this really is the truth then refunds should take first priority.

[martyn142]

So what's the consensus guys? Don't buy from EasyBrew I hear you all shout! OK, but do we think:

1. They've gone bust and the only hope is to get onto your Credit Card company
2. They are con-artists and the only hope is to get onto your Credit Card company/trading standards/the rossers
3. They are just crap and the goods will come one day.

I am hoping #3 although even then it's all pretty crap as in addition to the kits I ordered, I also ordered some equipment. Now I can order more kits elsewhere and still use the EasyBrew stuff if it turns up but I don't want to order bits of kit twice.

[Aleman]

personally If I was having this much trouble with a supplier, then I would send a written letter recorded delivery stating that due to their inability to complete the contract (ie supply the goods, for which they have already taken payment . . .. and therefore accepted the contract) in a timely manner, the contract has been terminated and they are to refund any outstanding payments by DD/MM/YY(*). If the refund has not been made by this date report them to the credit card company/Bank and get them to do a reversal of the transaction.

If the order turns up after the payment has (possibly) been refunded, you can refuse it and get it sent back . . . . (which is my moral side talking fortunately ).

It is important to give a date and not say forthwith/asap. . . . and it should be around 7 days from date of posting.

You could also state that any further attempt to take payment from your debit/credit card will be reported to the issuing authority as a fraudulent transaction

[EnglishBob]

well, if you are interested in bikes you could always use EasyBrew's 'sister' company: http://www.ruggedroads.co.uk/

seems to be at the same address as easybrew....funny how you can't run the first company but have time to do another?

EB

[ADDLED]

Art of Brewing are our local HBS and theyre really good; they have most stuff in stock and are a bunch of lovely ladies that know quite a bit about wine and beer making and are always happy to give advice.
But I have to agree with the comments about their website - its a total shocker - but given how industrious they are when you visit, Im not surprised they havent got around to posting pics of their stock yet.

[Marts]

well, if you are interested in bikes you could always use EasyBrew's 'sister' company: http://www.ruggedroads.co.uk/

EB

I'm drawn to the quote on the front page

"stock is kept to so that we can offer same or next day despatch."

[ADDLED]

Good first post yippy. Its good to hear first hand feedback on this lot as theyve given a hard time to a lot of forum members. It seems theyre under capitalised and are using cashflow to prop up the HB business and possibly their other venture.
I'm not a lawyer, but if what you say is correct then its at least morally wrong on so many levels. Also, if theyre advertising stock for sale as stock items when they dont actually have any stock are they then taking money under false pretences? I think forum members are an optimistic lot and generally give the benefit of the doubt, but this is taking the p*ss. Maybe a call to Trading Standards would be a good idea and let them sort it out?

[amcmahon]

I too am having a bad time with EasyBrew. I placed an order on September 22nd, had an instant email confirmation, and the money was taken straight away. I since found lots of internet post all over the place about bad experiences with this company, so I started trying to contact them. I have sent, to date, 10 emails (each one sent to the MD, Annette Ferre) I have not yet received any replies. I have tried to phone them every week day. I have not yet been able to speak to anyone - the phone just rings & rings. One time, I did get an answerphone, but it just had a recorded message with no opportunity to leave a message. These people are crooks, nothing less.

I have now contacted Trading Standards - they have just advised me to send a recorded delivery letter requesting a refund with 7 days. This will be sent today. I don't expect this will achieve any results whatsoever, so I don't know what else I will be able to do after. Trading Standards didn't seem that helpful.

[sparky Paul]

I have now contacted Trading Standards - they have just advised me to send a recorded delivery letter requesting a refund with 7 days. This will be sent today. I don't expect this will achieve any results whatsoever, so I don't know what else I will be able to do after. Trading Standards didn't seem that helpful.

It depends how you paid. If you paid by credit card, then contact your card issuer explaining the circumstances - they will contact the retailer and/or be able to issue a chargeback. If you paid by debit card, then contact your bank - they may be able to help, but only VISA debit has a chargeback system.

Failing all that, the only thing left to do is take them to small claims court - you can do this online.

Well, that's what I would do, FWIW.

[martyn142]

Well I've given up and written to them as aleman suggested. I also placed the same order with The Homebrew Shop on Monday. It came today. As my old English teacher would say 'Compare and contrast'...