Unfriendly brewshops?

[jeff_2506]

There are 3 brewshops in the Phoenix area...one in Glendale, one in Tempe, and one in Mesa. I won't name them, but there is ONE out of the three where the people there are A-holes every time I've been in there (several times really), and also whenever my dad has gone in. Other brewers I have spoke to out and about have said the same. This place's level of customer service is horrlbe too.

The guy gave me all kinds of grief because I bought stuff from other local homebrew shops, and I really heard it when I mentioned Northern Brewer lol. I guess it's a good thing I didn't mention this place too! I'll never take my business to this shop again.

Oh, and since I'm not pointing out what shop it is...the Glendale and Tempe stores have EXCELLENT customer service and friendly attitudes...(ok maybe I made it obvious which of the three suck ) Any one else in the Phoenix area have this issue? Any other brewers have this? I really thought it was almost like a brotherhood amongst brewers, and we were all helpful to each other..this place seems to not fit in.

 

[Tankard]

There used to be this real b****y woman working at Steinfillers. She had blue streaks in her hair or something and he was pushing 50... what a joke. You'd go in and ask a question about brewing and she'd look at you like you were the dumbest person in the world, and then she wouldn't know the answer.

She got fired a while back. Things have been better ever since.

 

[jeff_2506]

Yeah I really thought it might just be one or two employees. But every time I go to this place, it's the same attitude over the last few years. They wonder why I shop at other shops!

 

[Wrathbone]

One of the employees at my LHBS is really condescending, and it's so aggravating. I've been very happy with AHS, and have tried to support my LHBS, but at this point I don't think it's worth it.

 

[jeff_2506]

It's beautiful that in this day and age we have the internet to buy what we need online instead of being stuck with a ****ty lhbs. Luckily, there are 2 other lhbs in the area I can hit up that are awesome.

 

[trabus]

The only two stores I've been to are in Glendale and Tempe. Guess I dodged a bullet on that one.

Chuck's is the reason I've actually enjoyed homebrewing.

 

[jeff_2506]

Glendale's "What Ale's ya" is awesome. I've only been there once, and wow, I wished I lived close enough to that shop to make it worth the trip mroe often. VERY helpful there. Tempe's Brewer's Connection is closer to me, and is a little higher on their prices on some items, but with the level of customer service, helpfulness, and friendliness there, I'd rather go there instead of the Mesa Store. I'd stay away from Homebrew Depot...OOOPS I'm naming names now! he he he he

 

[olllllo]

Having dealt with all three of these places over the course of a decade and a half, you have to learn to be pragmatic about things like this. I haven't had the pleasure of visitng Chuck's enough (1 or 2 times a year) so I'll leave him out of the mix.

I've had great and lousey at the other two. Lets face it, retail sucks and I can't imagine that it's fun to tell people that they can't have the hops that they want.

I find that you need to put your concerns up front with them and get to know the a little if you want to continue to have local homebrew store convenience. If not, then by all means, order online. I can honestly say that I've done just that over several periods of time. I decided at some point I want to have a local option and so I engage them... over the last 3-4 years, I've had better service that I used to.


1) Do business with places that serve your interests, either cost, speed, information or warm fuzzies.
2) If you are treated poorly, let the owners know. They can't fix a problem if they don't know about it. It's entirely possible that you dealt directly with the owner... you still need to speak to them. After all, if a business knows about a problem and does not fix it then they are a bad business. If you as a customer do not let them know about a problem the YOU are a bad customer.

BTW: Why not join BATF?

 

[jeff_2506]

I'm all for supporting LHBS, just not ones were repeated lousy customer service is repetitive. This particular one is not necessarily my go-to type place, because Brewer's Connection is much closer to where I work, however, I'm always willing to visit others and see what's going on. I had no problem letting him know today that he was unhelpful.

I guess as far as the hops are concerned, I've been fortunate and never been denied at either shops.

And why would I join BATF?

 

[olllllo]

And why would I join BATF?

I hope you're not trying to hurt our feelings.

BATF-Phoenix is our local group of HBTers that live and brew primarily in the Valley. BATF stands for

Beer Acronym To Follow

We aren't as clever as GRABASS, SEWAGE and SNIZZLE


HomeBrewTalk Groups - PHX BATF

 

[jeff_2506]

I hope you're not trying to hurt our feelings.

BATF-Phoenix is our local group of HBTers that live and brew primarily in the Valley. BATF stands for

Beer Acronym To Follow

We aren't as clever as GRABASS, SEWAGE and SNIZZLE


HomeBrewTalk Groups - PHX BATF

Nope no hurt feelings meant, and I'd love to join! I just never heard of the BATF group. I kinda thought you were trying to make a joke about joining the Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco and Firearms...and I didn't quite understand the joke

 

[Kevin Dean]

I only support businesses if they do one of two things:

1.) Offer great service
2.) Offer great prices

It's a shame you don't have more local support for brewing, but unless the drive to other places, or shipping from online suppliers, makes it cheaper to shop there, I'd stop. Whatever happened to RDWHAHB? Losing some sales might remind them!

 

[cudaaar]

Guess I am not the only one. I've been to Homebrew Depot a few times and left annoyed on every occasion. The guy who helped me (owner?) has a peculiar sarcasm and is rather condescending. Last time I went in, I was scolded for buying a March pump elsewhere. Who wants to hear that sort of crap?

I miss Oak Barrel in Berkeley...

 

[jeff_2506]

Guess I am not the only one. I've been to Homebrew Depot a few times and left annoyed on every occasion. The guy who helped me (owner?) has a peculiar sarcasm and is rather condescending. Last time I went in, I was scolded for buying a March pump elsewhere. Who wants to hear that sort of crap?

I miss Oak Barrel in Berkeley...

I think that' my BIGGEST complaint about HBD, is the belittling you face if you don't buy every item in your homebrewery from them. I don't appreciate it, and guess what? The piece I was looking for, they didn't even have! So I HAVE to go elsewhere to buy what I need sometimes.

 

[Amiaji]

I am fortunate that my only LHBS has great friendly service. The prices could be a bit better but on the whole they are competive and the friendly advice I get while there more than makes up for the little bit extra I might pay. If it wasnt for the that I would order everything online and let UPS do all the driving.