Brewers Equipment Review

[dougugly]

Paypal is of no help being that I am over the 45 day limitation for disputes. Very convenient since it was a 60 day agreement on the build. I am working with my bank and credit card company to try to get a refund.

I still want a brewstand, in need of one, but all of my money is tied up in this fiasco.

 

[nberk]

I called and navigated the phone tree at Paypal to tell them my story. Once I finally spoke to a live person he was able to stop the automatic closure of my case. There was then a delay, but they did refund my money. It's probably worth the call.

Since I was scarred by the incident I went the other direction and ordered from a large homebrew setup online (Northern Brewer). I got a Top Tier from them and am very happy. It's a great setup and I'd be happy to recommend it to anyone.

 

[SwampassJ]

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.

I am a Nigerian prince in need of your aid.

 

[horric29]

I am a Nigerian prince in need of your aid.

Me too, your relative left you a large sum of money in Nigeria and I just need a checking account number to help you out in retrieving the money... LOL.

Just kidding of course. It sucks that this happened to you, suspicious that someone was just posting a few weeks ago that they ordered a stand from him and recieved it a week later. Certainly dosnt sound like anything has changed with this guy except the story! I'd work with PayPal NOW if you can. Others have managed via phone to get refunds past 90 days chasing the system. I would think at some point they would stop this joker from taking orders via PayPal.

Regardless, if you make it nowhere note people contacting the AG in Texas.

 

[ScottSA]

So PayPal was very helpful and is giving Marcus 10 days to rectify this situation. I ordered on Sept 22nd and never received anything. Hopefully I'll have my money back to spend on a brew stand that i might get!

 

[kegtoe]

Drunkmunk, if you look back at your inbox i messaged you last year about this time about the stand you purchased. I must have purchased mine shorlty after you. I sent several emails as well. I got excuses too - Family emergencies and weather. After a few months i got my stand ~$400. I was disapointed with the box when i saw it at my door. I was even more disapointed when i opened it. 3 legs fit the 4th one was damaged and bent (I see that has been noted from other purchasers). The stand was missing the control panel mount, and the dimensions were not what i requested. the stand has colleceted dust for over a year now as i have not brewed on it. I need to make modifications that i just haven't had the time to do because of my new born twin boys. I never bothered getting my money back, too difiicult to deal with and it took too long in the first place. I'm really disapointed. Should have bought a bad ass.

 

[old_tx_kbb]

I must be living right. I ordered form Marcus and got a 3 week turnaround from the order date to my front door. It's a very basic stand. I plan my first session for tomorrow. I posted my detailed review under - Pinup Brewery - including pics.

 

[Thayer109]

So I just wanted to share my experience with purchasing a stand from Brewers' Equipment (Marcus) brew stand. The stand came a week late but it was due to weather issues from a tornado so that was out of his control. Initially I called him and asked questions he was friendly and answered them promptly. So I ordered the Mill stand which he had in stock and it showed pictures of a regulator.

So once the stand arrived their was a slight bend in the leg post and the sleeve would not fit it. So I had to bend it back not a big deal but then I realized their was some welding debris in the way and had to chisel it out which makes me believe he never tried to fit the leg in the first place.

My other issue is that the stand did not come with the regulator but to be fair it did not list it in the invoice but all his other stands do mention it be standard. So I think it should be clearer if it does not come with it. So I bought one at HD after he told me any 10psi regulator would work after I emailed him about the issue.

So when I attached it the regulator did not work because the flame would not actually lite the banjo burners but instead it lit the air intake which is really dangerous. So I tried calling him and emailing him with no response so far. So after my own research I figured out these are high pressure burners that need a minimum of 20 psi and after calling Midwest homebrew for advice they said that could be the issue why they are not working.

So I went on Amazon and ordered a high pressure with a 0 -30 psi regulator made by banjo burner. So yes the stand was a good value and seems to be really sturdy but I have had to do a lot of research because Marcus has given me bad information and has not provided open communication since I bought the stand.

I am putting this information out their because after I purchased the stand I then saw all the mixed reviews about dealing with him.

So far I have not been able to even properly test the stand or use it!!

 

[ThirstyNomad]

I really have tried to not post on here about my experience ~ but ~ for anybody thinking of buying a stand - I say beware or at least know that you could be waiting a while..my order was placed in December 2011. I got a stand April 3rd - it's not functional mind you, the pumps are still on their way. WTF. It's a shame - I had hopes. I have had to follow-up all the way, email after email - if I knew now, what I do today, I would pay extra just to have no hassles and a functioning stand from someone else. I just pray this works when it all hooks up..

 

[Brulosopher]

Over the last month, I've been thinking of buying or building a single tier brew stand. I had just built a gate with about 75% the amount of mild steel (stainless is pretty, but too expensive) I'd need for the stand build, and it ended up being pretty spendy. I figured I could build a stand, without cutting too many corners, and with using certain components I already had (i.e., 2 10" banjo burners), for about $450 or so. I decided to shop around a bit to see if I could find a pre-built stand for about the same.

At the top of my list for a while was the BadAss Single Tier, mostly because of how great it looks, but also because it was all I could find. Finally, I stumbled upon an old recommendation by one HBT user to another for Brewers Equipment... and saw they sold 3 burner single tier brew stands in mild steel for $505. I was very interested.

The day following this discovery, last Tuesday, I was at work at decided to place the order. Just prior to doing so, I decided to read some of the reviews folks had been leaving about this business. Some were good, most were bad. The two most common complaints: poor communication once an order was placed and the item was shipped much later than Marcus (owner) promised. Usually this is enough to cause me to lose interest. But the price! After sitting on it... for a few minutes... I decided to test my luck, particularly since my credit card does have protection (I know, I know). I emailed Marcus around noon and he responded within the hour. I asked him if he built custom stands, as there were a few things I didn't want (the burners) and a few add-ons I did want (pump mounts). He was happy to fit the stand to my desires, though wanted more details. HE is the one who suggested we talk on the phone. Since my work doesn't allow long distance calls, he offered to call me there, which is no easy task... after an hour of trying, we finally got connected. After telling him everything I wanted, and him answering a bunch of my questions, he gave me a total:

$475, shipped.

That's just about the same as I would have paid to build my own, and he's been doing this for a while. Sure, I have to drill the holes to fit my burners, but that's fairly normal. He assured me he would start working on my stand the next day and have it shipped by Friday. I paid.

Then I started to worry... many of the reviews I read gave similar accounts up to this point. I wondered if he'd completely lose contact with me, just take the money and run. So I tested that hypothesis and emailed him Thursday evening to ask how the build was going. Within an hour (which was about 11pm his time), I received a response- "Just finished, UPS is picking it up tomorrow!" Needless to say, I was happy to hear this. The following day, last Friday, I received an email with a UPS tracking number. My stand is scheduled to be here this Wednesday, just in time for me to use to brew an Oatmeal Stout this weekend.

I will add to this review as soon as I receive the stand, then after first use. I've no expectations the stand will arrive in perfect cosmetic condition, as UPS tends toward a less gentle approach. But I'm much less interested in looks than functionality.

Cheers!

 

[HarkinBanks]

Thanks for this post, it saved my day. I just placed an order today for his electric stand for $275 delivered. I can't beat that price. Marcus told me it will be made and shipped next week.

 

[Brulosopher]

Thanks for this post, it saved my day. I just placed an order today for his electric stand for $275 delivered. I can't beat that price. Marcus told me it will be made and shipped next week.

That's exactly what he said to me and it was here a day earlier than he quoted. Had a bit of confusion hooking up my propane, so he asked me to call him and he walked me through the process... while on the road with his family. Great guy, by my subjective experience!



I ordered basically bare bones only because I have 10" banjos.

 

[kellzey]

Looks really nice. Congrats! :rockin:

 

[Brulosopher]

Looks really nice. Congrats! :rockin:

It's great. I plan on using it this Saturday for an Oatmeal Stout. Making a starter right now:

 

[Brulosopher]

Used the stand this afternoon. So f*cking good! And that was without all the parts. I'm looking forward to using it all put together in a couple weeks. Seriously good.

 

[Malric]

Any issues using the flask on an electric stove? I thought you had to insulate by using a a pot of water.

 

[Brulosopher]

Any issues using the flask on an electric stove? I thought you had to insulate by using a a pot of water.

First off, and most importantly, I hate that damn stove. Takes forever to get water to a boil. Problems? Nope, works just fine for me, and I've made 10+ starters in that flask (bought it a few months ago).

The stand kills! I just mounted my Chugger pump last night... after brewing...needed the hardware.

 

[urbangravity]

I bought a SS totally equipped single tier rig from Marcus that was damaged in transit. Not only did he have it picked up, repaired and sent back at no additional cost, the thing was half the price of other builders or retailers. I ordered it with the BCS controller, longer length (72"), pump switches and mounts, chiller mount and LP tank rack. Yes, his order time/ship process is a bit unnerving and I saw the posts about the horror stories other had, but I spoke to him, brought up the issues beforehand and just moved forward. The only recommendation I will make is, if you're buying the automated system, get it priced with metal conduit not PVC housing. It will melt with the heat of the 10" banjos. Nice guy and I wanted to support a fellow brewer. I got more than my money's worth.

 

[Brulosopher]

I bought a SS totally equipped single tier rig from Marcus that was damaged in transit. Not only did he have it picked up, repaired and sent back at no additional cost, the thing was half the price of other builders or retailers. I ordered it with the BCS controller, longer length (72"), pump switches and mounts, chiller mount and LP tank rack. Yes, his order time/ship process is a bit unnerving and I saw the posts about the horror stories other had, but I spoke to him, brought up the issues beforehand and just moved forward. The only recommendation I will make is, if you're buying the automated system, get it priced with metal conduit not PVC housing. It will melt with the heat of the 10" banjos. Nice guy and I wanted to support a fellow brewer. I got more than my money's worth.

Great to hear! He really is a very nice and responsive guy, with great prices.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Got my UPS tracking info yesterday, I will take delivery on Thrs. 50 lbs from TX to PA. I can't wait.

 

[starkk00]

Hello ladies and gents. Just wanted to give you a heads up as to my dealings with Marcus Glover and Michelle Glover with Brewers Equipment found here http://www.brewersequipment.com/. They are total scam artists and you should not have any type of business dealings with them at all. I first contacted Marcus through www.probrewer.com in April of 2011 to buy a stainless stand from him and have my kettles shipped to him from Stouts Tank and Kettles and he was going to do the plumbing and wiring and whole 9 yards. Well fast forward a year and a multitude of headaches and I was able to get my kettles from him but no stand or wiring or plumbing just in the hole ~ $3800. Honestly I am just writing this post to protect other honest hard working people and their money as I have nothing to gain from this post. I have nothing to brew on so I have lots of time to let people know about him. Please feel free to PM me or reply to this post and I will be happy to call you or send you the whole chain of email of our business relationship. I am currently pursing legal action against him as he agreed to refund my money but still has not done so.

Sorry for the rant, just trying to protect the innocent.

Eric

 

[Brulosopher]

Here's my completed stand, modified to fit 2 10" banjos. It is truly great, thanks Marcus!!!

 

[starkk00]

Hello,

Just wanted to update this post.

Hello ladies and gents. Just wanted to give you a heads up as to my dealings with Marcus Glover and Michelle Glover with Brewers Equipment found here http://www.brewersequipment.com/. They are total scam artists and you should not have any type of business dealings with them at all. I first contacted Marcus through www.probrewer.com in April of 2011 to buy a stainless stand from him and have my kettles shipped to him from Stouts Tank and Kettles and he was going to do the plumbing and wiring and whole 9 yards. Well fast forward a year and a multitude of headaches and I was able to get my kettles from him but no stand or wiring or plumbing just in the hole ~ $3800. Honestly I am just writing this post to protect other honest hard working people and their money as I have nothing to gain from this post. I have nothing to brew on so I have lots of time to let people know about him. Please feel free to PM me or reply to this post and I will be happy to call you or send you the whole chain of email of our business relationship. I am currently pursing legal action against him as he agreed to refund my money but still has not done so.

Sorry for the rant, just trying to protect the innocent.

Eric

 

[ScottSA]

Hello,

Just wanted to update this post.

Hello ladies and gents. Just wanted to give you a heads up as to my dealings with Marcus Glover and Michelle Glover with Brewers Equipment found here http://www.brewersequipment.com/. They are total scam artists and you should not have any type of business dealings with them at all. I first contacted Marcus through www.probrewer.com in April of 2011 to buy a stainless stand from him and have my kettles shipped to him from Stouts Tank and Kettles and he was going to do the plumbing and wiring and whole 9 yards. Well fast forward a year and a multitude of headaches and I was able to get my kettles from him but no stand or wiring or plumbing just in the hole ~ $3800. Honestly I am just writing this post to protect other honest hard working people and their money as I have nothing to gain from this post. I have nothing to brew on so I have lots of time to let people know about him. Please feel free to PM me or reply to this post and I will be happy to call you or send you the whole chain of email of our business relationship. I am currently pursing legal action against him as he agreed to refund my money but still has not done so.

Sorry for the rant, just trying to protect the innocent.

Eric

if you can, post what legal action, i'm going to file a small claims suit against him. I'm in Texas and i'm going to try to file locally.

 

[brian320fo]

Hello,

Just wanted to update this post.

Hello ladies and gents. Just wanted to give you a heads up as to my dealings with Marcus Glover and Michelle Glover with Brewers Equipment found here http://www.brewersequipment.com/. They are total scam artists and you should not have any type of business dealings with them at all. I first contacted Marcus through www.probrewer.com in April of 2011 to buy a stainless stand from him and have my kettles shipped to him from Stouts Tank and Kettles and he was going to do the plumbing and wiring and whole 9 yards. Well fast forward a year and a multitude of headaches and I was able to get my kettles from him but no stand or wiring or plumbing just in the hole ~ $3800. Honestly I am just writing this post to protect other honest hard working people and their money as I have nothing to gain from this post. I have nothing to brew on so I have lots of time to let people know about him. Please feel free to PM me or reply to this post and I will be happy to call you or send you the whole chain of email of our business relationship. I am currently pursing legal action against him as he agreed to refund my money but still has not done so.

Sorry for the rant, just trying to protect the innocent.

Eric

Eric,

I had similar problems and finaly got his attention by threatening to go to the police and file criminal charges. He eventually sent me a check which bounced. I threatend legal action against that also. He finally sent me a cashiers check for the full amount but it was about 6 months of work to get my money back. Call the local police down there and file a complaint with them. It might help, certainly won't hurt.

On another note, I flew in the AF with a guy named Eric Stark. Any relation?

Brian

 

[StainlessBrewing]

I can't believe this is still going on.

 

[pickles]

If so many people are pursuing legal action what is taking authorities so long to bring this to a resolution. I feel bad for you folks that got f***ed by him! How can he slide by for so long; especially with all this bad press archived here and on other forums?

 

[lschiavo]

If so many people are pursuing legal action what is taking authorities so long to bring this to a resolution. I feel bad for you folks that got f***ed by him! How can he slide by for so long; especially with all this bad press archived here and on other forums?

I guess we just have a super efficient legal system...

As a small business owner, this whole thread chaps my ass too. I hope all you guys with gripes tear him a new one!

 

[Bobby_M]

I don't know how people like this have the balls to stay in business. I can understand running a business into the ground badly. Not everyone is cut out for it but once you get to the point of stealing from people to keep afloat, it's time to face facts, fold up and go find a job. Tip to people thinking about starting a business: don't price yourself out of business right from the start. Low prices bring too many customers that you actually have to serve and make happy.

 

[Brewn4life]

He sent my money back to me after 3 months waiting for a full rig....just a week ago!!!
Now I got a truck and its on like Donkey Kong to build it my self..