Bad experience with Williams Brewing

[Yooper]

It is certainly fair to say that "bad" would mean they refused to offer a refund...but I don't know if I would decribe the experience as "exceptional".

If I had come on here instead and said "I bought $70 of yeast from WB and a bunch of it was expiring next month and they let me ship it back to them for a refund, that is just outstanding service and they went out of their way", I wouldn't expect a whole lot of agreement.

I think you're right! No one said it was outstanding, either. I'm just saying that was disappointing for you, but not "bad" enough to rally the troops into boycotting them. Most of us would shrug and either return the yeast for the refund, or keep it and use it without too much thought. You definitely have the right to be unhappy with the service, but I think WB did what they could to make it right.

If you're unhappy with them, of course you should shop elsewhere.

 

[Actuary]

I'm just saying that was disappointing for you, but not "bad" enough to rally the troops into boycotting them.

That's probably fair, but I am guessing that a lot of people reading htis thread might think to ask to have the dates checked next time they order from WB (or any other supplier). It is an experience worth sharing because I think someone else might gain something from it.

 

[carnevoodoo]

Doubt it. Dry yeast lasts forrreverrrrr.

 

[Yooper]

That's probably fair, but I am guessing that a lot of people reading htis thread might think to ask to have the dates checked next time they order from WB (or any other supplier). It is an experience worth sharing because I think someone else might gain something from it.

I think that's a good point. Even I forget to check the dates on the dry yeast when I'm in the store, so it's a good reminder for all of us.

 

[RCCOLA]

That's probably fair, but I am guessing that a lot of people reading htis thread might think to ask to have the dates checked next time they order from WB (or any other supplier). It is an experience worth sharing because I think someone else might gain something from it.

+1 on this.Maybe you should ask a mod to change the title of your thread to something like
Ordering Bulk Yeast:Have supplier check dates before sending.

 

[Yeastie]

The yeast is good and still will be for quite a while. I don't exactly see how you have the right to be upset, it won't expire for a while so they haven't done anything dishonest.

 

[tkerugger]

Its just straight up FIFO inventory management...First In, First Out. Meaning: use (sell) the oldest product first.

You really expect them to try to calculate how frequently you brew and pick yeast based on that?

+1 for what everyone else said...

I was at a LHBS that had yeast that was two years expired sitting on the shelves...needless to say, I walked out without buying anything.

-neil (sorry for my first post being a dick-ish one)

(the story below is not a dig at the OP, just a funny customer service story where I work.)

Lady comes in with dog-chewed glasses, expects us to replace them for free. Naturally, we refuse. She demands a refund b/c of our satisfaction guarantee, though it says in "new condition" on the back of the receipt...

Silly customers!

 

[Irie5447]

This is ridiculous! This retailer did nothing wrong and you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to bash them on a forum! Your way out of line!

 

[Actuary]

This is ridiculous! This retailer did nothing wrong and you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to bash them on a forum! Your way out of line!

Bashing them? Way out of line? Geeze. I disagree with them sending out 2 years old yeast with expiration dates next month. Some people agree with that, some people didn't.

I explained their offer to return the yeast as well which most feel was sufficient. This is secondary to them shipping it in the first place, but that is my opinion.

 

[Actuary]

I was at a LHBS that had yeast that was two years expired sitting on the shelves...needless to say, I walked out without buying anything.

So...where would you draw the line? Dry yeast has expiration dates 2 years out from when it ships (evidence being the packs I have dated 2/2011). Is it OK to have it up until the day printed on the package but not the following day?

I understand FIFO - what I am surprised is that WB even has yeast this old on their shelf. I was under the impression that they were a high-volume shop and would expect them to turn over their product much faster.

Similarly, I would hope that any hops you buy now would be 2008 crop and any 2007 crop remaining would be discounted and disclosed. I'll have no problem using my 2006 hops that I have in my freezer, because I was the one who bought too many hops at the time and know how they have been treated for the past 2 years and can adjust accordingly.

 

[Kuglehaus]

I ordered 10 rhyzomes from them...8 are growing now... (fuggles are not up).. they met my expectations.. I would use them again.

 

[Orfy]

I ordered 10 rhyzomes from them...8 are growing now... (fuggles are not up).. they met my expectations.. I would use them again.

You should expect all the rhizomes to be viable.

 

[Kuglehaus]

I've only planted a week or so ago.. didn't mean that they weren't viable, just not up...sorry to confuse..

 

[HenryHill]

Ever hear 'Live and Learn'?

Because this is a good reason not to order 30 packs of yeast in one order.

This is why I don't have 900 pounds of base grain waiting to be brewed.

You are not a victim; more of a fool.

More foolish yet to want to blame someone else.

 

[ChillyP]

"To err is to be human, to forgive is to be divine."

 

[kenche]

I know this thread is about over done, but I did not see much support for the OP. Firstly, I have to agree with the sentiment from the majority. The retailer made good by offering a refund.

However, I would be extremely dissapointed if I received packets of yeast so close to expiring. It may be expected from a wine-making shop that carries a few beer ingredients as an afterthought, but any reputable brew shop should not be flogging 2 year old yeast that has not been clearly identified as such and clearance priced.

 

[de_ronde]

I know this thread is about over done, but I did not see much support for the OP. Firstly, I have to agree with the sentiment from the majority. The retailer made good by offering a refund.

However, I would be extremely dissapointed if I received packets of yeast so close to expiring. It may be expected from a wine-making shop that carries a few beer ingredients as an afterthought, but any reputable brew shop should not be flogging 2 year old yeast that has not been clearly identified as such and clearance priced.

Williams Brewing is a reputable vendor. I am very happy with my experience with them. They did not sell expired yeast, they sold yeast that was ready to be used. And... they offered a full refund on yeast that was still valid and not expired.

What is the point in buying 30 packs of yeast at once? Unless you are brewing 30 batches in 30 days, it makes sense to buy it closer to when you need it, yes?

I think the OP's gripe is not really valid and the vendor shouldn't be trashed.

 

[KerryD]

Situation not to your satisfaction and the retailer offered to fix it withing the realm of their return policy.

You wanted a special deal where you could have your cake and eat it too.

Yeah, it's basically a great example of Entitlement Mentality. The complaint would be if they told somebody to take a hike. They offered a full refund. customer wanted more... and the why's of all that are again, you can say it... Entitlement Mentality.

 

[Kronin]

i ordered liquid wyeast (from a different vendor) and it was stuck in shipping for a long while... when i got it frozen solid. I just let it thaw, made a starter and voila, hungreh yeast! I think yeast is a lot tougher than we think and it will work out ifstarted properly, even many months after expiration...

now if it was milk you ordered.........

 

[Actuary]

Ever hear 'Live and Learn'?

Because this is a good reason not to order 30 packs of yeast in one order.

This is why I don't have 900 pounds of base grain waiting to be brewed.

You are not a victim; more of a fool.

More foolish yet to want to blame someone else.

Seriously? Shipping is just stupid from almost every online place and ordering just a few packs is pointless. If something has an expected shelf life of two years I shouldn't be a fool for expecting the expiration date to be more than a year out, which is exaclty how all but two strains of yeast were dated.

 

[Actuary]

I know this thread is about over done, but I did not see much support for the OP.

...

However, I would be extremely dissapointed if I received packets of yeast so close to expiring. It may be expected from a wine-making shop that carries a few beer ingredients as an afterthought, but any reputable brew shop should not be flogging 2 year old yeast that has not been clearly identified as such and clearance priced.

so you agree?

 

[Actuary]

What is the point in buying 30 packs of yeast at once? Unless you are brewing 30 batches in 30 days, it makes sense to buy it closer to when you need it, yes?

What is the point to buying 3-4 sacks of grain in a bulk order? Because you go through it in less time than it even remotely goes bad. I'll use that in the next 6 months, along with the yeast, and both are well within the expected shelf life of what was purchased by a factor of 4.

 

[Actuary]

Yeah, it's basically a great example of Entitlement Mentality. The complaint would be if they told somebody to take a hike. They offered a full refund. customer wanted more... and the why's of all that are again, you can say it... Entitlement Mentality.

Please. They never should have sold the yeast to begin with...but given they did I offered what I thought made me whole and made more sense than giving UPS more money to move things back and forth between my house and WB.

It isn't that they didn't agree that my sugestion was fair, it was that they sent me old yeast to begin with.

But you would have read that by now if you followed the entire thread....

 

[scopey]

Tell you what, that Williams Brewing really steams me too--I live right here in San Leandro and expected they would be my LHBS, but they only do business by shipping. Man that's infurriating!! But then I see the dancing banana and I just go whepa!! whepa!!

Back on topic, I guess the 30 packs of yeast were bought because of their recent sale. MoreBeer recently had a yeast sale too, and some of the liquid yeast I got was dated just under 2 months from expiration. Guess that's at least partly why these places have yeast sales in the first place! To the OP, I agree with one thing: it's frustrating when the world doesn't live up to your expectations. For maximum happiness, lower expectations accordingly.

 

[apparatus]

Its just straight up FIFO inventory management...First In, First Out. Meaning: use (sell) the oldest product first.

You really expect them to try to calculate how frequently you brew and pick yeast based on that?

+1 for what everyone else said...

It may be good inventory practice but their purchasing/ordering practice obviously is not up to par. It is also only good inventory practice if they are properly rotating their stock. I don't think WB should have to calculate how frequently a customer brews, but they certainly should calculate how much they would sell for a given period of time and order accordingly to ensure a fresh quality product. I see no reason to have year old plus yeast on the shelf. I am sure they can order from their vendors monthly, quarterly or however often they need to so they can maintain a supply of fresh yeast. Sounds like they either are not rotating or else way over ordered. I'll bet WB would not be happy if they just received their large order and it was soon to expire.

 

[Actuary]

Back on topic, I guess the 30 packs of yeast were bought because of their recent sale. MoreBeer recently had a yeast sale too, and some of the liquid yeast I got was dated just under 2 months from expiration. Guess that's at least partly why these places have yeast sales in the first place!

Nope - nothing other than the usual deal they have on yeast.

To the OP, I agree with one thing: it's frustrating when the world doesn't live up to your expectations. For maximum happiness, lower expectations accordingly.

This is true.

 

[Bobby_M]

You have no idea what bad customer service is until you get three bad orders from Morebeer in a row due to drunken packing. Actually come to think of it, call St. Pat's of Texas and ask for a shipping quote. She'll rip your balls off and feed them to you all over the phone.

 

[RCCOLA]

You have no idea what bad customer service is until you get three bad orders from Morebeer in a row due to drunken packing.QUOTE]
Got my bucket fermenter from them w/ a curly black hair in it.Please GOD let it have been off someones head!Pube Pale Ale?

 

[carnevoodoo]

but they certainly should calculate how much they would sell for a given period of time and order accordingly to ensure a fresh quality product.

The yeast still has months left before it expires. Do you expect your local grocery store to pull milk 3 days before it expires? They would never do that.

 

[apparatus]

The yeast still has months left before it expires. Do you expect your local grocery store to pull milk 3 days before it expires? They would never do that.

I absolutely would. There is also no reason for a store to be selling milk that expires in 3 days. The milk man comes every day and milk has a minimum of 14 days shelf life. You should only be stocking enough milk to sell in a couple of days and be getting in new fresh milk on a regular basis. I seriously doubt that you can go into any decent grocery store and find milk that expires in 3 days.