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It says it is sold by Bargain Home Brew and FULFILLED by Amazon. It will show up!
 
I actually looked at their 10 gallon lot because I need a larger HLT. The few reviews show welded ports are not correct and it's not as heavy duty. The 15 gallon says weld less at least so that's good. I do think it's still a nice pot for the price. Fulfilled by amazon means delivery will be fine.
 
15 Gallon pot arrived quickly but the sight glass was broken. Odd glass size of 15mm which means a 1/2" is too small and 5/8" is too big. Took a 20% refund from amazon instead of sending back. In the meantime I capped the sight glass port and completed my first brew. Nice solid pot and well worth the money ($152 after the refund). Tried to get Amazon to get me a replacement sight glass but they told me they have no way of contacting Bargain Home Brew for the part. Odd but Amazon took care of me with the partial refund. Great customer service. Bottom line? can't go wrong with this well made solid pot. If you have any ideas where I can get a 15mmx16in sight glass I'd appreciate the help.
 
Worst experience, ever. Without hyperbole the worst shopping experience and vendor I have dealt with in 42 years of life. Cannot recommend highly enough that you NOT deal with this lying pos vendor. Will post documentation upon request.

Basic rundown: It took 6 months to deliver the (second) 5 gallon kettle with thermometer and ball-valve. The first kettle came dented and he wouldn't respond for the return. Finally getting him to respond after 6 emails he asked that we return it and pay shipping and that he would pay us back for that. He then claimed he never got the pot, and "Hope you have insurance!" well, we did. We tried to claim it and the Post Office rejected the claim saying "we delivered that, and here is the reciept". So we go back to him, saying it was delivered. A few more emails later and he agrees to send us another kettle. I get the kettle it is dented all over from the inside by the crappy packaging of heavy metal parts on the inside and is not drilled. No holes. Ok, write him back, and he claims he knows it has holes and that he packaged it himself. Whatever. We now go through Amazon to get a claim. We are continuing to attempt to get our shipping back from him which he flat refuses to do first saying "I'll return your shipping when I get the kettle". We point out that the reason we got the second kettle was that he had gotten the first. His response was "There is nothing more I can do for you".

This guy is stupid and a liar and very, very bad at this.
 
Not sure how you had any problems with Bargain Home Brew as all of their items are fulfilled through Amazon. All issues are handled through Amazon as I did with my broken sight glass. When I spoke to Amazon with my problem they told me they had no way of contacting Bargain Home Brew and offered me a RMA with no cost return shipping or a 20% discount. Not sure you are referencing the same vendor.
 
"fulfilled by Amazon" means that the vendor sends a bunch of stock to Amazon's distribution centers. All retail sales, shipping, and customer service, including dispute resolution, are through Amazon directly.
 
The return was not handled through Amazon. We contacted the seller directly, as Amazon directed us to do. We SHOULD have filed some sort of complaint earlier, but really wanted to let the guy come through on his service. All the correspondence is through Amazon so there's a record there. Look, I know I have set myself up for disbelief which is why I mention my ability to document the process. I'll be honest: I want to cost the guy the $22 he owes me and let people here know that this was a very problematic transaction and to stay away from him.
 
Weezy said:
"fulfilled by Amazon" means that the vendor sends a bunch of stock to Amazon's distribution centers. All retail sales, shipping, and customer service, including dispute resolution, are through Amazon directly.
Click to expand...

That is correct but if there are problems with the order after received, you are typically directed by Amazon to get in touch with the vendor. Usually that means that Amazon simply sits back and waits for resolution but they don't really seem to have much pull in getting things done through the vendor. They're not able to just ship another package out, as far as I know. I could be wrong because my experience with problematic orders where they were simply fulfilled by Amazon is pretty limited.
 
a teaser:

http://imgur.com/U96FOX5
U96FOX5.png
 
The last message and several previous ones in reply. Or however you say that. This was all written after he received the returned kettle:

I've cut off a lot of the boilerplate text at the end.
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Re: Inquiry from Amazon customer REDACTEDNAME (Order: 113-2603515-52XXXXX)
From: Bargain Home Brew
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2014 7:33 AM
To: REDACTEDNAME ([email protected])

Order ID: 113-2603515-52XXXXX
1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer



There is nothing more I can do for you.

--- Original message ---

Please read and understand each point in its entirety.

1. I bought insurance and tracking. It was delivered to you February 11,
2014
https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction!input.action?tRef=qt&tLc=0&tLabels=13082950000052771633

2. You were deceitful and said you never got it. I filed a claim. Although
you said that you ALSO filed a claim...I have never seen documented proof
on your end.
I have proof and I have attached the results of the claim AGAIN for your
records

3. Why would you send me a replacement if you didn't receive the first one?
You wouldn't.

4. You sent me an item that you don't even have listed on your Amazon
store. I have documented screenshots of what you have listed on your Amazon
store. The damaged "replacement item" that you sent me, was not posted on
there.

Lastly,



*5. You have 7 days to send me a check or money order in the amount of
$23.31 to *



*REDACTEDADDRESS BoulevardREDACTEDADDRESS, GA REDACTEDADDRESS Failure to do so will result in me
taking you to court. *

-REDACTEDNAME




On Fri, Apr 18, 2014 at 12:27 PM, Bargain Home Brew - Amazon Marketplace <
[e-mail address removed]> wrote:

> Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer [ASIN:
> B00420Z50Y]
>
> ------------- Begin message -------------
>
> I am still waiting on the kettle to arrive.
>
> --- Original message ---
>
> Where is the refund for shipping which you promised?
> On Apr 15, 2014 8:57 PM, "REDACTEDNAME" <[e-mail address removed]> wrote:
>
> > Where is the refund for shipping which you promised?
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 7:09 PM, Bargain Home Brew - Amazon Marketplace <
> > [e-mail address removed]> wrote:
> >
> >> Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> >> 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer [ASIN:
> >> B00420Z50Y]
> >>
> >> ------------- Begin message -------------
> >>
> >> If you would like to return both kettles I will issue a full refund.
> >>
> >> --- Original message ---
> >>
> >> That's it? "It was never supposed to have a screen".
> >> Nothing about reimbursed shipping? again.
> >> Nothing about the fact you sent me something dented? again.
> >> Nothing about the fact that you sent me the WRONG thing and you WERE
> >> wrong....it DO NOT have a hole or holes in it?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 10:38 AM, Bargain Home Brew - Amazon
> Marketplace <
> >> [e-mail address removed]> wrote:
> >>
> >> > Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> >> > 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer [ASIN:
> >> > B00420Z50Y]
> >> >
> >> > ------------- Begin message -------------
> >> >
> >> > It was never supposed to have a screen.
> >> >
> >> > --- Original message ---
> >> >
> >> > No, it did not. I am not a fool nor blind. There was little to no
> >> bubble
> >> > wrap and you put metal parts inside of a metal pot with NO protection.
> >> Here
> >> > are pictures of the package and the newly dented kettle with NO HOLE!
> >> It
> >> > is also missing a screen. Also, where is the refund for the shipping?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Mon, Apr 14, 2014 at 9:04 PM, Bargain Home Brew - Amazon
> Marketplace
> >> <
> >> > [e-mail address removed]> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > > Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> >> > > 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer [ASIN:
> >> > > B00420Z50Y]
> >> > >
> >> > > ------------- Begin message -------------
> >> > >
> >> > > I personally package that kettle and it came with holes as well as
> all
> >> > the
> >> > > components necessary to assemble the kettle.
> >> > >
> >> > > --- Original message ---
> >> > >
> >> > > We received the kettle. Not the one I paid for and still no refund
> for
> >> > the
> >> > > shipping. This one isn't even drilled with a hole. The package (we
> >> took
> >> > > pictures before we opened it) is a freaking nightmare. I cannot
> >> believe
> >> > > after all this trouble that it was not wrapped better. It even has
> >> dents
> >> > in
> >> > > it. You have got to be kidding me. What are you going to do?
> >> > > -REDACTEDNAME
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > On Wed, Apr 9, 2014 at 6:42 PM, Bargain Home Brew - Amazon
> >> Marketplace <
> >> > > [e-mail address removed]> wrote:
> >> > >
> >> > > > Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> >> > > > 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer [ASIN:
> >> > > > B00420Z50Y]
> >> > > >
> >> > > > ------------- Begin message -------------
> >> > > >
> >> > > > Your tracking number is 953460001xxxxxxxxxxx
> >> > > >
> >> > > > --- Original message ---
> >> > > >
> >> > > > Can you please send me the tracking number today?
> >> > > > Thanks, REDACTEDNAME
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > > On Tue, Apr 8, 2014 at 12:59 PM, REDACTEDNAME <[e-mail address
> >> > > > removed]>wrote:
> >> > > >
> >> > > > > Can you send me the tracking number today, please?
> >> > > > > Thanks!
> >> > > > > -REDACTEDNAME
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > On Mon, Apr 7, 2014 at 11:18 AM, Bargain Home Brew - Amazon
> >> > > Marketplace <
> >> > > > > [e-mail address removed]> wrote:
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >> Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> >> > > > >> 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer
> [ASIN:
> >> > > > >> B00420Z50Y]
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> ------------- Begin message -------------
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Im not in the office today but I can get that for you tomorrow.
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> --- Original message ---
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Do you have a tracking number for the new kettle?
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> On Wed, Apr 2, 2014 at 12:08 AM, Bargain Home Brew - Amazon
> >> > > Marketplace
> >> > > > <
> >> > > > >> [e-mail address removed]> wrote:
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> > Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> >> > > > >> > 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer
> >> [ASIN:
> >> > > > >> > B00420Z50Y]
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > ------------- Begin message -------------
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > Your kettle is in the mail REDACTEDNAME.
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > --- Original message ---
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > Thanks so much! I'm sorry about USPS too. :/
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > My address is
> >> > > > >> > REDACTEDADDRESS Blvd
> >> > > > >> > REDACTEDADDRESS,GA REDACTEDADDRESS
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > -REDACTEDNAME
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > On Tue, Apr 1, 2014 at 2:00 AM, Bargain Home Brew - Amazon
> >> > > > Marketplace <
> >> > > > >> > [e-mail address removed]> wrote:
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > > Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> >> > > > >> > > 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer
> >> > [ASIN:
> >> > > > >> > > B00420Z50Y]
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > ------------- Begin message -------------
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > REDACTEDNAME,
> >> > > > >> > > I will just put a new kettle in the mail for you tomorrow.
> >> Its
> >> > too
> >> > > > bad
> >> > > > >> > > USPS is so difficult to get answers from. Can you please
> >> verify
> >> > > the
> >> > > > >> > address
> >> > > > >> > > you'd like it sent to.
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > --- Original message ---
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > Order ID 113-2603515-52XXXXX:
> >> > > > >> > > 1 of 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle with Valve & Thermometer
> >> > [ASIN:
> >> > > > >> > > B00420Z50Y]
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > ------------- Begin message -------------
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > I sent you an email on march 27th, but not sure if you
> >> received
> >> > > it.
> >> > > > >> > > USPS said it was delivered.
> >> > > > >> > > I am sure you are just as tired of this as I am . After 5
> >> month
> >> > I
> >> > > am
> >> > > > >> > > hoping to have a kettle for my husband soon that is not
> >> dented
> >> > as
> >> > > > >> well as
> >> > > > >> > > reimbursement for the shipping (23.31)
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > Thanks,
> >> > > > >> > > REDACTEDNAME
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > ------------- End message -------------
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > For Your Information: To help arbitrate disputes and
> preserve
> >> > > trust
> >> > > > >> and
> >> > > > >> > > safety, we retain all messages buyers and sellers send
> >> through
> >> > > > >> Amazon.com
> >> > > > >> > > for two years. This includes your response to the message
> >> > above.
> >> > > > >> > > Amazon.com uses filtering technology to protect buyers and
> >> > > sellers
> >> > > > >> from
> >> > > > >> > > possible fraud. Messages that fail this filtering will not
> >> be
> >> > > > >> > transmitted.
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > > We want you to buy with confidence anytime you purchase
> >> products
> >> > > on
> >> > > > >> > > Amazon.com. Learn more about Safe Online Shopping (
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=551434
> >> > > )
> >> > > > >> and
> >> > > > >> > > our safe buying guarantee (
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=537868
> >> > > ).
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> > >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > --
> >> > > > >> > REDACTEDNAME
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> >
> >> > > > >> > ------------- End message -------------
Click to expand...
 
From what I've seen/heard/experienced once you threaten to take them to court there's nothing that they can nor will do for you. Threatening to take them to court only works if you're in the process of doing it.
 
Marc77 said:
From what I've seen/heard/experienced once you threaten to take them to court there's nothing that they can nor will do for you. Threatening to take them to court only works if you're in the process of doing it.
Click to expand...

Exactly. You aren't taking them to court over less than $30, are you? Or do you only have a damaged kettle?

Either way, I don't think you were doubted and it is clear you hate this vendor so be sure to leave a review on the vendor's store on Amazon (don't down rate the kettle just because the seller appears to be a possible dip****).
 
No, my understanding of how the magistrates court works across state lines was not good :drunk:

Hello said:
Exactly. You aren't taking them to court over less than $30, are you? Or do you only have a damaged kettle?

Either way, I don't think you were doubted and it is clear you hate this vendor so be sure to leave a review on the vendor's store on Amazon (don't down rate the kettle just because the seller appears to be a possible dip****).
Click to expand...
 
It is unfortunate that you had this poor experience. I Purchased an 8 gallon pot with thermometer and ball valve in early March from this vendor via Amazon. I received the item quickly, well packaged and in perfect condition. Since, I have run 4 batches through it, and have had absolutely no problems.

Too bad your experience wasn't the same.

Cheers
 
If my first pot had not been so badly dented I'm sure my experience would have been the same. If the guy had just been slow I wouldn't be here bitching. But the guy was slow AND dishonest and that isn't something I want other people who are trying to get into this hobby to experience as I did.
 
I purchased the 8 gallon just last week. To the seller's credit, it arrived much faster than I thought it would (only took 2 or 3 days!). Unfortunately, it appears to have similar issues that other reviewers have had. I was installing the parts to test for leaks, and I couldn't get either tight enough. I wasn't too worried about that because I figured even if I had to buy different hardware I could make it work. The main problem is that the morning after I was testing it, I discovered a line of rust all along the kettle about an inch from the bottom. One of the reviewers claimed it was a bad weld line. Now, I'm pretty sure I shouldn't use it, and I have contacted the seller to try and return it, but 72 hours later they haven't responded.
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had an issue with this rip off artist. I bought their "25 Gallon Commercial Grade" kettle for $200 shipped last month for the HLT of the HERMS system I'm building: Amazon Link

The description claims the walls are 1.2mm, I'm taking it to my mechanic buddy to have him check it with a caliper but I'm fairly certain this is incorrect.

"Seamless made from a single piece of metal" Weld seams are clearly visible.

I will post pics later but the port welds are way shoddy, but the best part is I used it once for a 15 gallon batch last week and it pitted and cracked along the bottom weld seam of this supposedly weldless pot. Wort was leaking through pinholes. I'm not using this thing at all now, I'm not risking putting 20 gallons of hot liquid in this thing only to have a weld give way and dump scalding hot liquid all over me.

I have tried contacting the seller a few times and have now opened a claim with amazon. I'm kicking myself for not just buying another Update International, I've been using one as my boiling pot for almost a year now with absolutely no issues.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
So apparently my first claim was denied. Here is a link to the pot.

I sent this reply to amazon this morning:

Amazon's reason for turning down my first claim: "When the buyer received the item, but the item was materially different than as depicted in the seller's description."

First, let me state that I've worked at a homebrew supply store for 6 years and have managed it for 4. I am not a layman, I specialize in this kind of equipment. I believe the seller copied the majority of the description for this pot from a similar pot sold by MoreBeer from pasted it into the description for this one.

Here is the url for that product: http://morebeer.com/products/26-gallon-stainless-brew-kettle-heavy-duty.html

You will notice that the picture used by the seller for this pot was also taken from MoreBeer's website:
http://morebeer.com/products/26-gallon-stainless-mash-tun.html

If you like I can also provide pictures of the multiple defects in this pot.

The following are excerpts from that description followed by my rebuttal.

-Product Listing: "25 Gallon Home Brewing Kettle w/ Valve & Thermometer Commercial grade with NSF rating"
The description also lists it as a 26 gallon pot. If it was commercial grade it would have lasted after more than one use. There is no NSF stamp on it, and after my experience with this pot I very much like for the seller to provide a copy of the NSF certification for this product.

-"These Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Brew Kettles are thick, hearty, and ready to stand up to years of abuse."
I used it once, for exactly what it was purposed for, and it failed miserably.

-"All fittings are weldless bulkheads with high temp silicone gaskets."
Fittings are welded ports, and the welds are poorly done.

-"Brew-Zone Custom Brewing thermometer."
A search of "Brew-Zone Thermometer" will show you that it is a thermometer that has greyed out "zones" that highlight temperature ranges that are critical to the brewing process, with key or peak numbers tick-marked for easy visibility. The Thermometer included with this pot was not a Brew-Zone Thermometer.

-"Constructed from durable, long-lasting 1.2mm stainless steel, these kettles are virtually dent proof."
I'm taking this to my mechanic friend Tuesday to have him gauge the wall thickness, but I am fairly certain they are not 1.2mm thick as my other brew pot is also 1.2mm thick and these walls appear to be thinner.

-"Seamless Made from a single piece of metal Kettles are drawn, meaning the kettle is made from one piece of stainless steel. No welded seams."
It say "Seamless" and "No Welded Seams." A seam running up the side is clearly visible. The other seam that runs around the bottom edge of the pot didn't become visible until pitting, cracking, and pinhole leaks formed along it. This pot is not only welded from multiple pieces of steel and has seams, but those welded seams are very poor which is what caused the failure of this pot.

-"7/8" holes drilled in kettle for valve and thermometer"
1/2" NPT ports have been welded into the kettle.

-"Weldless bulkhead fittings feature high temp silicone gaskets"
Fittings were 1/2" NPT and attached by the welded ports just mentioned.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
My boiling pot is the 25 Gallon Update International. (Not the pot pictured on there). I fitted it with a weldless side pickup and whirlpool arm from Bargain Fittings. I've used it for over a year without any problems, I friggin love it, plus there is the big NSF stamp on the bottom that this P.O.S. should supposedly have. Amazon denied my claim appeal. I'm calling them today, if that fails, I'm driving down to their Seattle location and the first person I see wearing an Amazon badge is going to have an interesting conversation with their proctologist about a 20"x20" piece of metal showing up on their X-ray.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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