Brewers Equipment Review

[Gardenhead]

I would think credit card companies would stop working with him as a business if they are jus going to charge back the funds anyways

 

[sudsmcgee]

I emailed them about an electric control panel this morning. Within 15 minutes I got a reply from him that he will have one ready for sale next week. I replied back to email me when it is ready to ship. I probably won't buy it from him though.

Probably? Sorry, but you'd have to be a damn moron to order from him at this point if you've read through this thread. I'd understand if you didn't know better, but to do so knowingly...wow.

 

[onthekeg]

I was just checking that if he was supposedly closing his business he is apparently still taking orders. I'm not going to order anything.

 

[sudsmcgee]

I was just checking that if he was supposedly closing his business he is apparently still taking orders. I'm not going to order anything.

Thank goodness

 

[Staplebus]

I don’t think he will be closing the business of ripping people off anytime soon. The actual business of delivering anything except for fake tracking number and fake stories about ripped shipping labels on the other hand has closed months ago....

 

[onthekeg]

He emailed back and said this:

OK no problem if you decide you want it give me a call and you can make a small deposit and pay the balance when it is ready to ship.

 

[horric29]

He emailed back and said this:

OK no problem if you decide you want it give me a call and you can make a small deposit and pay the balance when it is ready to ship.

Damn he is ballsy... I wonder if he would use your "small" deposit to finish someone elses stand... It seems like a Kite scheme of sorts to me... Floating the money around to whomever hasn't gotten a chargeback yet.... Think of all the folks that don't read HBT... Yikes!

 

[horric29]

Just got off the phone with my credit card company... Got my money back... Screw that scam artist.

Time to start designing a BadAss brewstand...

If you go with one, keep the pic's that Kurt sends you as it progresses up here. I like watching the guys work... I have a thread on here of the work he's doing for me: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/another-brewsteel-badass-brewstands-272495/

The guy comes up with some crazy ideas which is why I went with him... Someone on my thread accused me of advertising for Kurt but, his work is just speaking for itself... I havn't been asked to post for him nor would I give him raving reviews if it hadn't been going so well so far... I'm not sure how many stands he's pumped out so far but, it's been a pleasure to date working with him and I'm in PA... Cheers with whatever you do!

 

[brian320fo]

I believe the dollar amount for Fraud/Theft in the state of Texas for FELONY charges is $1,500 to $19,999.

I wonder if Welcome to BREWERS EQUIPMENT - ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING can be charged for such a felony for their fraudulent practices?

The Attorney General's office of Texas has got to be taking an interest in this guy.

If I don't get my money back I fully intend to file criminal charges. He said the other day he would have it to me within ten days. I'll give him that. But once those ten days are past I'll be calling the AGs and DAs office.

 

[dougugly]

I filled my complaints, I will update any progress.

 

[dougugly]

Bank shut down my card and are sending out some forms.
SWIMBO was out of the loop. I thought I was upset, when she found out...

 

[Gardenhead]

I was told when I called the district attorney of Fannin County that I could call the Honey Grove Police Department and report a theft if I felt I had been robbed. I plan on calling them this week, but he did warn me not to expect this prompt Marcus to finish my stand or speed anything up.

 

[GodsStepBrother]

Thanks for posting this up.

 

[brewmonk]

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

(and I'm not even involved!)

 

[nberk]

I called Paypal and spoke to a representative about my case, explaining that I was in communication with Marcus during the timespan and was getting the run around. He stopped the automatic closing of my complaint because of the 45 day limit and reopened the case. They credited my credit card back after about 2 weeks. So it's worth a call to Paypal to see if they'll do this for you as well.

Ugh, I hate to come across this message now. I'm in a similar situation - talked to Marcus for weeks about exactly what I wanted, finally paid for mine in early June. Its been the same thing since then - horrible communication, every time we do talk it's 'going to be finished this weekend'. I even sent him my BCS controller that I had bought myself so that he could flash the firmware with a custom one from BCS. Stupid on my part, I'm already counting that as completely lost.

I'm going to file with the Texas AG, BBB and my bank. I paid through PayPal but their buyer protection only lasts for 45 days after purchase. So I'm going to start a claim with my bank and see how far that gets me. Any suggestions from other people who are dealing with their banks right now?

 

[Bobby_M]

I wonder if this guy planned to be a ********* scam artist or if he got in a jam badly. The problem with taking 100% build money up front is that it leaves an opportunity to do the wrong thing. You get in a bind financially and think that you'll use the next order money to buy the parts needed to finish up the previous. It slips further and further and that next order isn't enough money to finish the three builds on your plate.

I'm not saying any of this is a reasonable excuse, but it may be the explanation. If you had the cash in hand and it meant the difference between eviction and having someone badmouth you on a web forum, what would you do? Seams he may have tumbled down a nasty hole he couldn't climb out of.

 

[lschiavo]

Policies, Terms and Conditions:
Credit Cards by
We accept the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. There is no surcharge for using your credit card to make purchases. Please be sure to provide your exact billing address and telephone number (i.e. the address and phone number your credit card bank has on file for you). Incorrect information will cause a delay in processing your order. Your credit card will be billed upon shipment of your order.


I have been following this thread (don't know why...car wreck). Has anyone noticed the info above from the website? Maybe that doesn't apply to custom orders?

 

[Gardenhead]

You'll also notice on http://www.brewersequipment.com/Terms-and-Conditions_ep_2-1.html that the store refers to itself as 'Sample Store'. Very clearly a kit website that he didn't bother finishing. And a page for becoming an affiliate? Seriously?

 

[Gardenhead]

I called Paypal and spoke to a representative about my case, explaining that I was in communication with Marcus during the timespan and was getting the run around. He stopped the automatic closing of my complaint because of the 45 day limit and reopened the case. They credited my credit card back after about 2 weeks. So it's worth a call to Paypal to see if they'll do this for you as well.

This prompted me to try and call PayPal again. It took a few representatives, but with enough insistence they eventually transferred me to the limitations department (I think?). There, they opened up a fraud claim and about a week later PayPal refunded me my money. Whew! Now that I got my money back, I'm not going to pursue this anymore. Good luck to anyone else still fighting.

 

[brian320fo]

I sent numerous emails to Marcus and finally got a response. He promised me he would refund my money in full. Two weeks later he sent me a UPS package with a check for the full amount. Of course it bounced. I emailed him back insisting on a cashiers check but have not heard from him. Now that I have a check in hand at least I have a better case against him in court. I have spoken to PayPal several times now and they have not been at all helpfull. The fight continues....

 

[EdWort]

Two weeks later he sent me a UPS package with a check for the full amount. Of course it bounced.

He just committed a very serious offense here in Texas. You can now have his butt tossed in jail.

The Texas legislature has enacted serious laws in regards to writing bad checks in the state. In Texas, a bad check usually entails writing a check for an amount that you know is greater than the amount in the checking account. Other types of bad checks are those written against an account that was closed, never existed or that you are not authorized to use. Fraudulently spending money you do not have is a serious offense.

Criminal Penalties

In Texas, bad check writers can be subject to criminal penalties. The bad check writer can be sentenced to up to two years in county jail or be fined up to $1,000. For multiple offenses, the jail term can be extended by the court. The offender must also pay the original amount for which the bad check was written, and can be required to pay any expenses incurred by the recipient of the bad check, such as legal fees.

Notice Requirements

The recipient of a bad check is obligated to inform the bad check writer of the offense. According to Texas law, there are several accepted means for notifying the bad check writer. The recipient of the bad check can send notification by first-class mail, registered letter or certified letter with return receipt. The communication must clearly state the grievance and contain the recipient's return address on the envelope. The cost of sending the letter can be passed from the sender to the recipient, as part of the recipient's expenses.

Filing a Complaint

If you receive a bad check in Texas, you can file an official complaint. If you receive a bad check for more than $20, you can file your complaint with the local district attorney. If you receive a bad check for more than $500, you are required to file the complaint with the district attorney, unless the check was written to pay rent. Bad rent check complaints need to be filed through your local justice court.

 

[brian320fo]

I emailed Marcus and requested a cashiers check. He has responded and send he would send out a cashiers check next week. We'll see...

 

[EdWort]

I'd remind Marcus of the Felony he committed and that a cashiers check better be FedEx'd the next day.

If he gave me ANY kind of run around, I would not hesitate to file a criminal complaint so the AG could issue a warrant for his arrest.

Penalties in Texas

• Committing check fraud in Texas is considered a criminal offense. According to The Law Offices of RJ Atkinson LLC, in Texas it is a misdemeanor to write a bad check for under $50. Writing a bad check for more than $50 is a felony. Penalties start with jail time up to two years and $1,000 fines. Penalties may be as severe as up to 10 years in jail. The holder of the bad check can also charge the criminal with processing fees.
  
  

Read more: Penalty for Writing Bad Checks in Texas | eHow.com Penalty for Writing Bad Checks in Texas | eHow.com​

 

[ScottSA]

Oh god I don't need to be reading this

I guess he got me too.

I hope he comes through. I heard from him a couple weeks ago.

**update** heard back today. said he will be gone for the next 12 days, but is going to have someone ship my stand.

 

[Derp]

Don't believe it until the stand is delivered and in one piece. Hopefully you'll get lucky like this San Antonian did.

 

[brian320fo]

After Marcus sent me the bad check I emailed him and told him what happened. He apologized and a couple of weeks later sent me a cashiers check for the full amount. It has cleared and we are all even. A long protracted process but it was finally resolved. Good luck to others.

 

[mcaple1]

Thats why I buy everything through a credit card. At the very least, they are good about refunding your money, and then letting them chase getting their money back. Lots of reasons to complain about CC companies, but this is the reason I'm OK with them. (But I've gotten like 8 charges refunded...once because the Spearmint Rhino in Vegas tried to double charge me. Just because I couldn't see doesn't mean they need to charge me twice!)

Good luck getting your $$ back, and thanks for letting others know to stay away.

HAHA.....Spearmint Rhino ****ing ripped my off too bro. Asked the waitress for a bud light and I gave her a 20 for it. She came back with the 16 oz bottle and asked me for a tip. I said, "how much was the BL?"....."20 bucks" she says. WTF!!!!! I forget what other strip clubs I went to there but the spearmint definitely has some of the best "talent". anybody know of another high class 2-level strip club in Vegas....my memory is a bit fuzzy.

 

[ScottSA]

Still waiting. He sent me an email saying he'd be out for a couple weeks and that he'd have someone send it, but i've yet to get anything. Its been over three weeks since he said that and I can't get a hold of him. Frustrating since I built my new house with a gas hookup and had this ordered a long time ago

 

[sTiNkFiZzle]

So glad I found this post, I was about to order a march pump from his store.

 

[ScottSA]

I finally received a response, from Marcus' wife saying he has been in and out of the hospital for the past couple weeks. Hopefully he'll be okay.