Austin Homebrew Supply and slow service (Not normally the case)

[Austin_]

I place my orderson Thursday or Friday. It will usually come in Wendesday, Thursday, or Friday that next week. That leaves me with enough time to make a starter and brew up over the weekend. Only once did my order not get here when expected, and that was my fault because I forgot it was a holiday weekend. You can't beat $6.99 shipping when your order is 50+ pounds.

 

[bsay]

I am surprised to hear that so many people get their boxers in a bunch when shipping is not immediate. <snip!>

I don't know about others, but my one order just happened to equal 4 boxes.

Yeah I just missed the free shipping because my internet went down Sunday...yippee.

Yea, I missed the free shipping because I just joined and didn't get the coupon code, oh well, I'm out 7$.

 

[Bobby_M]

It's just the way of the internet. People want things cheaper, better, and faster all at the same time. Some vendors try to be all three and go out of business. If you want it faster, pay the actual shipping or simply plan your brew sessions further in advance.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Wait, there was a free shipping promo? How does one find out about these things from AHS?

 

[wildwest450]

In order to ship everything out in 1 day I would have to hire 3 extra people and I don't know if I can keep the $6.99 charge if I do that.

Should I raise the flat rate to $7.99 to match Northern Brewer? If I do this I can hire extra people to make the orders go out faster. That is the simple economics of it. Do you want it cheaper or faster? Let me know what you think.
Forrest

2 to 3 day's is acceptable to ship an order out, 5 to 7 isn't. I would be willing to pay an extra dollar to speed up shipping. But if you can ship within a 2 to 3 day window, the existing rate is fine.

 

[wildwest450]

It's just the way of the internet. People want things cheaper, better, and faster all at the same time. Some vendors try to be all three and go out of business. If you want it faster, pay the actual shipping or simply plan your brew sessions further in advance.

No, the discussion isn't about getting it faster, it's about taking two or more times longer than normal to receive orders.

 

[BigKahuna]

Wait, there was a free shipping promo? How does one find out about these things from AHS?

1. IF you order from them, Indicate that you are a HBT member, and that you want to be on the e-mailing list.

2. Check the Vendor Forum. Forrest has done a good job of posting sale events there.

3. Stop by Chat once in a while....We talk about it there.

 

[Boodlemania]

I placed my first order with AHS on Monday AM. By 2:30PM Monday, I rec'd an email that it was complete and awaiting UPS pickup. This morning, I rec'd an email from UPS that I'm scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Can't beat that for $6.99!

 

[wildwest450]

I placed my first order with AHS on Monday AM. By 2:30PM Monday, I rec'd an email that it was complete and awaiting UPS pickup. This morning, I rec'd an email from UPS that I'm scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Can't beat that for $6.99!

How is that possible when my order still hasn't been processed since last Wednesday??

 

[Grinder12000]

I'm in Wisconsin - takes about 1 week total - normally 2 days shipping 5 days to fill an order.

What I HATE are those FREAKING packing peanuts!! I would pay extra to NOT have those!!

 

[elkdog]

What I HATE are those FREAKING packing peanuts!! I would pay extra to NOT have those!!

+eleventy billion

They're nice when I've ordered something breakable, but a little wadded up paper and a smaller box would work fine for most of my orders (ingredients and dry yeast until the weather gets cold and I feel like getting fancy).

 

[Austinhomebrew]

No, the discussion isn't about getting it faster, it's about taking two or more times longer than normal to receive orders.

I need more info to find out what caused the delay. All I need is your name, or you can give me your order number.

Forrest

 

[brewt00l]

I always found AHS' shipping and packing to be excellent. Nothing ever arrived damaged, leaking or otherwise not in showroom condition. Always shipped nice and quick.

 

[Grinder12000]

shipping and packing to be excellent

Yea - those peanuts - after the 4th box full are getting EVERYWHERE!! I'm trying to figure out if I can use them in a brew somehow.

Packing Peanut Porter perhaps??

 

[Brew-Happy]

Yea - those peanuts - after the 4th box full are getting EVERYWHERE!! I'm trying to figure out if I can use them in a brew somehow.

Packing Peanut Porter perhaps??

See if they can be used to filter the AG material out Of course they would probably melt.

Now you could use the corn-starch based packing material. Dissolves in water and boil.

 

[jfrizzell]

There's a thought...maybe they could pack your order in rice hulls!

 

[Austin_]

I like those packing peanuts that dissolve in water. They make the weirdest consitency goo when half melted. And also a full box of AHBS packing peanuts make a great toy for my cat but not such a good toy for my broom.

 

[wildwest450]

Forrest figured out my order and said it would ship today. That's the type of service that will keep me as a customer for life.

 

[nyer]

I have placed 3 orders with them and I'm on the mailing list. I have never recieved any discount or any mailing. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Brew-Happy]

I have placed 3 orders with them and I'm on the mailing list. I have never recieved any discount or any mailing. What am I doing wrong?

Check your spam filter on your email account. Yahoo routed my discount email from AHS into the bulk spam folder. Had to move it into my Inbox with the hopes that Yahoo would stop trashing the email.

 

[elkdog]

Forrest figured out my order and said it would ship today. That's the type of service that will keep me as a customer for life.

Glad to hear it on both counts. If I'm going to spend all of my money on brewing, it's nice that it goes to good people.

 

[BlindLemonLars]

Now you could use the corn-starch based packing material. Dissolves in water and boil.

Forrest, how about that...any chance of you switching to the biodegradable, starch based packing peanuts? They are a much greener choice, it's a shame to see so much styrofoam going to a landfill, where it will spend eternity.

The peanuts also tend to fall out onto the street when the sanitation trucks pick up my containers. I spent much of an afternoon sweeping them up after the wind blew them up and down my street.

Midwest uses the starch peanuts, and they work just fine. After I remove the items from the box, I just carry it outside and dump them into my compost heap!

 

[conpewter]

Hmmmmm cornstarch peanuts. Hmm I bet they would mash just fine if you only use them as 20-30% of your mash by weight.

 

[Austinhomebrew]

Forrest, how about that...any chance of you switching to the biodegradable, starch based packing peanuts? They are a much greener choice, it's a shame to see so much styrofoam going to a landfill, where it will spend eternity.

The peanuts also tend to fall out onto the street when the sanitation trucks pick up my containers. I spent much of an afternoon sweeping them up after the wind blew them up and down my street.

Midwest uses the starch peanuts, and they work just fine. After I remove the items from the box, I just carry it outside and dump them into my compost heap!

We tried using the starch peanuts but you should have seen the cockroaches and rats that they attract and then they see all of the grain and it is hard to get rid of them.

I would suggest you find a local business that ships and they will always accept donations of peanuts. Reusing the peanuts is recycling.

Forrest

 

[MikeFlynn74]

We tried using the starch peanuts but you should have seen the cockroaches and rats that they attract and then they see all of the grain and it is hard to get rid of them.

heh no one ever thinks of that.

Guess they will have to make peanuts out of soy?

 

[BlindLemonLars]

We tried using the starch peanuts but you should have seen the cockroaches and rats that they attract and then they see all of the grain and it is hard to get rid of them.

Well, that's one valid (if rather disturbing) reason not to use them!

 

[bsay]

We tried using the starch peanuts but you should have seen the cockroaches and rats that they attract and then they see all of the grain and it is hard to get rid of them.

I would suggest you find a local business that ships and they will always accept donations of peanuts. Reusing the peanuts is recycling.

Forrest

Now where am I going to get ingredients for my "honeyroach ale"?

I will say that the peanuts that Austin Homebrew uses do keep everything in prime condition during shipping. They also seal any liquids in a plastic sealable wrapping (think foodsaver without the vacuum) so that it won't leak (my Star San was actually DOUBLE wrapped!). Everything arrived great and ready to brew! My glass instruments (thermometer, hydrometer) were sent in plastic tubes and then double wrapped in bubblewrap. I'm quite impressed.

 

[Chriso]

+1 to annoying packing peanuts, but also +1 to recycling them to another local business! And +1 to you, Forrest, just on general principle. Did I mention I got a $100 gift cert for my bday from SWMBO?

You know what? +1 for everyone. I'm just in a +1 mood this morning.

 

[jfrizzell]

+1 to you for +1-ing us all.

 

[Saccharomyces]

Relocate to Austin and you'll have no shipping worries.

Dang, I'm out of Montrachet, time to head over there this week...