Why are my new Ventmatic faucets CRAP????

[Jeffinn]

Turns out one of mine is now leaking through the bonnet. Their customer service has been prompt and responsive. They have offered to take mine back or I can wait Until they release the new seals.

Honestly I'm debating about getting two new perlicks

I had one SS Perlick 525 and bought another one. So far they've been flawless so I'll stick with them. Eventually they'll get the issues handled with the Ventmatics, but for now they just aren't quite right.

 

[thadius856]

I'm up to 10 Perlicks now (4 525SS from one batch, 6 525SS from another).

Shooting 10 for 10 so far. Never a leak even once.

 

[corax]

What a confusing mess! Sure wish I'd had the foresight to get additional Perlick 425s when I still could.

I figure my best option is to just get a couple spare picnic taps for now, and then wait and see how the 630SS and the redesigned VentMatic shake out.

 

[disney7]

I e-mailed CHI since I have three of the 1.1's that I haven't used yet. They said I could send them back if I'd like to, or I can wait and when the new 2.0 seal design is available they'll be sending them out to everyone that bought a faucet.

Apparently it is only a seal design change and nothing to do with the casting. I'm going to wait on the new 2.0 seals.

 

[CB77R]

Just read this on their website.


VENT-MATIC BEER & WINE FAUCET
Due to manufacturing issues (a leaky bonnet seal) we have suspended the sale of these faucets. (12/15/2013)
The cause of the bonnet leak as been determined to be an incorrect production clearance of the top Teflon washer. New washers are in the process of being made.
Furthermore, a change to the front seal is being made.
Combined, these two changes (2013 Vent-Matic v.2) will insure that the Vent-Matic is the best available faucet from any manufacturer at all pouring pressures; even as low as 5 psi.
We expect to have the 2014 Vent-Matic available by (the latest) February, 2014.
Should you wish to be notified when the 2014 Vent-Matic Faucet is available, please enter your name and email address in the Back in Stock Notification Box, shown below.
Should you have a 2013 Vent-Matic faucet, whether there are any problems or not, you will automatically receive the update seal kits, when issued by the mfg. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

[CB77R]

Spoke with CHI Company on 1-13. They say the mfg. informed them that the new teflon seals and rubber gaskets are approx. 3 weeks out / Early February.

 

[nopride]

Good news! I can wait 3 more weeks. I hope the new seals work. The keezer is finished, but I don't feel comfortable leaving the taps hooked up. However, using the cobras just makes it feel like the project isn't complete! I still have to figure out the drip tray though, so I guess I can live with it.

 

[Pappers_]

Spoke with CHI Company on 1-13. They say the mfg. informed them that the new teflon seals and rubber gaskets are approx. 3 weeks out / Early February.

CB77R is ChiCompany and is pretending to be a ChiCompany customer. ChiCompany was previously banned and now so is CB77R.

 

[thadius856]

Huh?

Out of curiousity, how'd you figure it out?

 

[day_trippr]

IP address match, probably...

Cheers!

 

[Gregthespy]

So it looks like it will be even longer of a wait until we see a resolution to this mess, below is an email I received from the CHI Company regarding a need for test subjects. I feel like I've already been a test subject as they obviously have been relying on the consumer to test products which should have been tested before hitting the market. Not to mention setting up accounts on HBT to try and infiltrate conversations regarding these issues.

Begin received email:

The CHI Company 6070 Enterprise Dr. STE K Diamond Springs, CA. 95619-9442 [email protected] www.chicompany.net 530-622-8265

PRESS REPLY - NOT NEW: This will allow us to read the complete conversation in one email.

Hello Vent-Matic purchaser

As you know there were leaking issues with the 2013 Vent-Matic v.1 & 2; first with the front seal and then a mis-sized top teflon gasket. Once again, we apologize for the errors.

On February 14 th the manufacturer informed us that they have recieved the new gaskets & seals. They will now take 24 faucets and perform a 48 our leak test, each faucet at a different psi from 5psi to 20psi. The manufacturer will also perform an automatic lever activation test (via machine) to leak test during the operation of the faucet lever. We should receive the first batch around the end of February.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN: The CHI Company is looking for 12 of you to “field test” the 2013 Vent-Matic v.3 Faucet. THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE ALL FUN & GAMES. Should you accept, you will have to do some work. We are looking for people that will:

1. Sign a non-disclosure agreement. We can not afford to have reviews publically posted before any issues are remidied. 2. Have past experience with both “standard” and Perlick forward seal type faucets, 3. Have the ability and discipline to evaluate a situation and accurately write about it.

Be a member of a State or AHA registered homebrew club,

4.

5. Be a member of Homebrewtalk.com - and other forums where you would then post on the behalf of The CHI Company the collective reviews. 6. Answer a survey based upon your experience.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED please copy, paste, answer and email us the following to: [email protected] Type this as the email subject line:

Full name or past order number: Are you willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement? How many Vent-Matic faucets did you originally purchase?

Number of years of pouring beer at home? How many Faucets / beer lines are in active use at home RIGHT NOW? How many times per week do you pour a beverage with a Beer Faucet at home?

Are you a member of a State or AHA registered HBClub?

Are you a member of HBTalk.com? Have you previously posted about your Vent-Matic experience on HBTalk.com? If so, what is your screen name? Are you willing to post on HBTalk.com and other forums on behalf of The CHI Company?

Should you be choosen for this product evaluation you will receive an email notification of such. You will receive the non-disclosure form to sign and email back to us. You will then receive the evaluation instructions via email and then be sent a Vent-Matic v.3 Faucet for review. At the end of the evaluation period you will be able to keep the Vent-matic v.3 Faucet as our gift to you.

Thank you for your help. Matthew Chitiea The CHI Company, LLC

 

[IslandLizard]

So it looks like it will be even longer of a wait until we see a resolution to this mess, below is an email I received from the CHI Company regarding a need for test subjects. [...]

Wow, that's bold! And for all that hassle, work, and violating the HBT regulations you get to keep the faucet, huh? Something's leaky.

Thanks for the heads up, I'm making a mental note to avoid CHI Company. Besides the new Perlick 630s are out...

 

[thadius856]

Yeesh. How have I been lucky enough to have 4 orders go thru with zero issue, yet everybody else seems to have problems?

That message is unsettling. Can anybody say [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uPOGxUtZvk]Amy's Baking Company[/ame]?

 

[temple240]

So they want the "testers" to diagnose the issue and sing their praises on hbt?

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[Doctor_M]

Never done business with them and now I never will. Add them to the list where northern brewer and Midwest are.

 

[microbusbrewery]

I think what they're trying to do is ensure the testers are qualified. I work in software development and we have early adopter agreements with some clients in order to get feedback based on their real-life use cases. We only offer those agreements to clients that we know we'll get valuable feedback from. Lots of manufacturing companies do the same things with their products. So I can't fault them too much for wanting to get qualified testers.

That said, I think they definitely shouldn't be trying to get customers to post on their behalf in online forums. For me, one of the primary purposes for going to an online forum, especially when it comes to products, is to try to get objective opinions and feedback. At the very least this seems to imply a lack of objectivity. The manufacturer has got to be frustrated with the issues they've had with the re-launch of these faucets...this email kind of screams panic mode to me. It may simply be a case of them not thinking things through very well. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on that. They really need to work on their approach to damage control. Seems like CHI is kind of a small company but I think they'd benefit from a good PR rep...and get a vendor account so you can respond to people's inquiries without posing as a regular forum member.

 

[Gregthespy]

I still don't know how the leaky forward seal and the bonnet leak were even overlooked in the design and testing on their end. It's almost as if they never even did any tests.
I find it hard to believe that any home brewer would sign up for this lab rat experiment. If there are still faulty components and I lose a batch of beer and a tank of C02 and have a massive mess to clean up I don't think a free piece of junk stainless steel would offset my cost and frustration.
I don't know what's so hard about doing a lot of various testing in house, heck even just using carbed water.


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[day_trippr]

This is nothing more than a marketing stunt, and anyone signing up becomes one of the actors.

Meanwhile, the new Perls are supposedly shipping now...

Cheers!

 

[microbusbrewery]

I still don't know how the leaky forward seal and the bonnet leak were even overlooked in the design and testing on their end. It's almost as if they never even did any tests.

I suspect they tested early but didn't do much/any testing once production ramped up. So bad QC. I ordered two back in August to go with the three I already had (original Ventmatics from years ago).

Of the two, neither had bonnet leaks. One had a temperamental forward seal but I got it to work after taking it apart and lubing the seals. CHI sent me new forward seals and now they both work flawlessly.

Based on the reported issues and the fact that they've worked well, I'm guessing the ones I got must have come from an early production run.


http://microbusbrewery.org

 

[kartracer]

I have to say my experience with my one order with CHI has been very good. I bought three Ventmatics several months ago, and they all had sticking problems. They told me to ship them back (at their cost) for a full refund which I did and they obliged. As it turns out, the shipping envelope broke and they actually received no faucets, just the torn envelope. They promptly refunded me just the same and were prompt and courteous in their email correspondence.

I'm going to place another order for some Perlick faucets, another shank and a 3g Corny keg and see if they still go goof by me. YMMV

MikeB

 

[thadius856]

Just received the following email out of the blue:

PRESS REPLY - NOT NEW: This will allow us to read the complete conversation in one email.


Mr. -----,
Thank you for your four orders with our company. Your patronage is highly valued.

As per your post on HBT.com where you question the quality of our company, I would like to just let you know that the good service and timely shipping you have received on your four orders is what you may continue to expect. We are here for you and we do our best to serve your needs.
I wish I could tell you more about the Vent-Matic situation, but at this time, without having the v.3 in hand, we will refrain from commenting.
I hope that the comments posted by the field test volunteers in the near future will alie any questions you may have with the Vent-Matic Faucet.

Please treat this as a private communication.

Thank you,
Matt
The CHI Company.

And sent the following one back:

Matt,

I don't own any Ventmatics, so I don't have a dog in the fight either way. I've always recommended stainless Perlicks and nothing else, other than stout faucets, beer machines and cask widges.

It is concerning that you find it perfectly acceptable to trace my HBT username to my email address to review order history with your company... yet simultaneously ask me to respect your privacy when you contact me unsolicited.

I've been recommending your business to friends that I knew brew and am aware that I've generated several sales for you. I've met you in person and conducted cash transactions with you several times. You seem like a genuine person every time I've met you in-the-flesh, so I'm not sure why you think you need to resort to cloak and dagger business tactics on the interwebs. With the speed of communication in the 21st century, calling for secrecy within your customer base just doesn't cut it.

I'm going to assume that you reached out to me via email because your HomeBrewTalk ban prevents you from doing so publicly. I'll also assume that you still have read-level access to the forums and will see my response in the Ventmatic thread you pulled my name from.

I hope you all the best and will continue to consider your company for future purchases, though they may be limited, as my homebrew funds are quickly shifting toward an electric brewery.

Regards,
Jeff

 

[Gregthespy]

Brazen! I'm soooo ready for a solution to this problem!


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[insanim8er]

Well I just got an email saying the replacement v3 faucets shipped to me today. I have high hopes... Guess we'll see in a couple days.

 

[Homercidal]

What an interesting turn of events! I'll be sure to keep my eye on how things play out.

 

[insanim8er]

What an interesting turn of events! I'll be sure to keep my eye on how things play out.

Agreed... I was excited to get them on Christmas. When I opened and inspected them, I was less than impressed by a few things. The issue is I haven't used any other rear sealing faucets before, so I had nothing to compare it to. But on the other hand, I have a general idea of what a quality machined part is suppose to act and feel like. I didn't feel like I was holding a Ferrari. Let's just put it that way.

The finish seemed to lack quality. There were scratches on the outside. The inside wasn't polished. It had that cast stainless finish to it where it's kind of dull and bumpy. The bonnet didn't seem to tighten the handle, so when I had a tall Handel, it felt like it was going to open. The handle didn't even need to be heavy either.

The action was loose and floppy-not smooth or precise at all. It also seemed like each faucet wasn't consistent with its action around the bonnet. Some were more loose than others, but non felt smooth and precise. I thought maybe it would improve when liquid was inside. I used two of my 6. They were installed on my portable kegerator. All I can say is they poured beer. I wasn't overly impressed just because it didn't feel like a high quality faucet. I felt I like the action of the cheap chrome plated brass faucet with forward seals was better. I can say I didn't have any issues with leaks initially, but I also didn't use the rest after hearing about the recall.

I was going to return them or exchange them, but I decided to hold out for the v3. It's been a long wait, so I hope they got their act together. The emailed asked me to do a survey, so I'll be honest to a fault.

I live in Oregon and they ship from California, so I might see them tomorrow or Monday. I think I get some accessories spout tips to try out too. I hope I do. I have a 3vol saison and a 1.8vol stout I can try out to really see how it all performs.

 

[insanim8er]

Well I called Chi company to ask a few questions. They want me to participate in a survey, but there is no compensation. There's no compensation for going through the hassle and long period of waiting (from dec to now) it is what it is. Their customer service has been good. They've stood behind their product from day one, but it's still a hassle on my end.

So what they're doing is sending me my replacement faucets, and asking me to do a survey for them. If I'm happy with them, I keep them and were done. If I'm not, they replace them or refund me the money.

They provided free accessory tips in some of the packages and asked for them to be tested. The lucky recipients were selected by random. The shipper tossed some in the boxes at will. It could be one, it could be both or it could be nothing. Idk

I feel for the trouble and loyalty of waiting it out, everyone should get some free accessories.

As far as the faucet itself goes, he said nothing has changed other than the seals. The body is still the same. This means they probably didn't fix their finishing issues, so I'm not feeling too confident.

Can anyone tell me if the perlick insides are polished? I also want to know if the perlick bonnet cap part is SS? (The part the screws over the seals and has the lever coming out of it) I know the Ventmatic ones are cp brass. My handle scuffed it and it's showing yellow.

 

[disney7]

So are they sending the new seals and such to everyone who bought the faucets or do you have to call and ask for them?

I bought 3 towards the end of Nov or Dec I think, right before they stopped shipping them. I have heard anything about it from CHI lately.

 

[insanim8er]

So are they sending the new seals and such to everyone who bought the faucets or do you have to call and ask for them?

I bought 3 towards the end of Nov or Dec I think, right before they stopped shipping them. I have heard anything about it from CHI lately.

Mine were purchased dec 6th as a Christmas gift. I called and talked to them about it back in jan/feb.

Your best bet is to call. At first they said seal kits would go out. Then he told me everyone will get all new v3 faucets. But he asked me to email my info with a particular subject to get put on the list for replacement.

So.... I don't know, but I would assume you would in fact get a replacement.

They sent mine out already. It's in the mail. I expect to see them no later than Monday. But I also got an email about being a tester. I think they have 20/25 people testing them first to make sure they're good. So I think we get ours to test for a week. If they get the ok, they will start selling them again. He told me they've already gone through testing, but Chi wants to do one more set of tests to make sure 100%. I believe that's when they will replace all the others.

But again, call them to make sure. Don't email either. Just call.

 

[insanim8er]

I received my V3 faucets a week ago. I was asked to do a private survey and not release any info until after the week was over. I never agreed and after opening my faucets, I posted a review... Quickly I was asked to remove it. I spoke with Matt (owner of chi) and decided to oblige. He said after the week was over, post away... Here's my post:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/brand-new-vent-matic-v3-faucet-review-466758/

 

[Gregthespy]

Finally I'm hopefully getting some resolution. Called CHI and am getting a pre paid shipping label to send the crapmatics back on a straight exchange for some Perlick 630SS. From what I was told is that when the new manufacturer of the Ventmatics started producing the problematic faucets they were building them based off of patent drawings that were released when they bought the rights to start manufacturing them. The problem was that the patent drawings apparently didn't match the specs of the tried and true design. From what I was told the new manufacturer of the ventmatic faucets has sourced an original faucet and is going back to the drawing board and basically reverse engineering an old version to hopefully get it right. I also learned that the field test of the V3 faucet failed and there was only a 60% success rate. Too little too late for most, I'll never consider ventmatic faucets again unless there are no other options out there. If that's the case... I may just start bottling! Lol


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