WORST Home Brew Store experience ever!

[ryno1ryno]

You should kick yourself for posting the worst analogy in internet history.


_

I am still busy starring at your awesome avatar!

 

[bigbadal]

grow your own hops and buy bulk grains from elsewhere. Every dollar lost is felt by that guy I bet my ass.

 

[BurgerBrew]

this is an old post, but the service still sucks. sure, he's been brewing for 30 years, as 1 guy posted, but so what? he could have upsold me on an absurd amount of **** instead of just being a dismissive *******. he also could have just been mildly helpful and pleasant, that would have worked too.

 

[SafariJack]

Yeah, it's still an old post, but nothing has changed. Been brewing for 7 years, and even took a hiatus for a couple of years because there was no local option, and I didn't like the mail order process. Now there is an awesome place in Sanford that is just awesome! Nice, clean store, and the guys there are very helpful and friendly. Finally getting the kettle back out after finding these guys!! Happy brewer right here!!

 

[Rhumbline]

I've been in to the store twice. It's obvious that the majority of his business comes from online. The times I've been in, he's been helpful, but this isn't the kind of place you go to chat.

He's always processing orders on the computer, so I've had to wait a few minutes until he finished. He quickly got me what I wanted and got me out the door.

The times I've been in, he's the only person working and I'm sure he's on a razor thin margin. That doesn't excuse him being a d&ck but I think we need to make a distinction between someone who is dishonest or sells faulty merchandise, and someone who just doesn't have time to chat.

 

[TheSmithsEra]

well as long as we're back... I think new brewers have a great advantage over people that " have been brewing for 30 years" in the simple fact that these people get stuck in their ways. A new brewer is open to learn and i've noticed a lot of people that have been brewing for a while get very threatened when you want to tinker with something thats their set standard.

Thats what i've seen from my LHBS and others . .

 

[jeh124]

I agree, this is the worst retail store I have ever stepped foot in. The guy working probably could of sold me a $200 kit for wine making. Instead he will never see a cent from me. I would never buy anything from this store because doing so would support this behavior. What a jerk!

 

[akillys]

I know this is an old post but is there a better business bureau in Florida you could report this guy to. I would also leave bad reviews on any site I could. I for one will not be ordering from his store and I would have been one of his online buyers. however because of this post I will make sure to never buy this site ever.

 

[PistolaPete]

Try Urban Sunshine in Altamonte Springs http://www.urbansunshine.com/brew-supplies?zenid=aa1394d3d9fe54a94106e55a5eb3c083
They have multiple locations but the Altamonte location has a better selection. Helpful and friendly.

 

[Oldskooler]

Try Urban Sunshine in Altamonte Springs [/URL]
They have multiple locations but the Altamonte location has a better selection. Helpful and friendly.

Thanks for the tip, I live in Leesburg and it is a pain to go down to Orlando when I need something.

 

[jdot6]

I live in Sanford n go to the one in downtown. I did stop into hearts the other day just to check it out. Same **** as everyone is saying. Not worth the time and I walked out. I'll never buy anything from that place. Place in sanford is great btw. The guys are wicked helpful and really care.

 

[dnslater]

I know this is an old post but is there a better business bureau in Florida you could report this guy to. I would also leave bad reviews on any site I could. I for one will not be ordering from his store and I would have been one of his online buyers. however because of this post I will make sure to never buy this site ever.

Better Business Bureau? They guys may be ********, but nobody posted anything about dishonest business practices or scams.

 

[Rhumbline]

Better Business Bureau? They guys may be ********, but nobody posted anything about dishonest business practices or scams.

Exactly, I've shopped there twice and the guy has dealt with me quickly and honestly. But, like I said before, it ain't the kind of place you go to chat. I can see if you wanted advice on brewing or whatever, the guy may seem brusque.

Now, if you really want a horrible experience in lhbs's you'd have to go about 20 miles south of me here in Daytona. I won't even mention the shop because they've got a habit of sicking lawyers on forums where they're mentioned.

 

[Rhumbline]

I live in Sanford n go to the one in downtown. I did stop into hearts the other day just to check it out. Same **** as everyone is saying. Not worth the time and I walked out. I'll never buy anything from that place. Place in sanford is great btw. The guys are wicked helpful and really care.

It's been several weeks since I was in the Sanford shop. Nice store, seemed well stocked and the guy working it was helpful.

One thing that drove me nuts, and it may have changed by now, is that nothing had prices. I felt like an idiot saying "How much is this?" a dozen times as though I was at a flea market. But I didn't want to just grab a handful of stuff and get shocked at the cash register.

 

[jdot6]

It's been several weeks since I was in the Sanford shop. Nice store, seemed well stocked and the guy working it was helpful.

One thing that drove me nuts, and it may have changed by now, is that nothing had prices. I felt like an idiot saying "How much is this?" a dozen times as though I was at a flea market. But I didn't want to just grab a handful of stuff and get shocked at the cash register.

Ya I Def agree. That's the only thing that bothers me too and it's kind of annoying but I figure I can just annoy them by asking 12 times and maybe they'll get the hint. Lol.

 

[jc5066]

My local shop, barely anything in it, the guy acted like I was an idiot because I used a single fermentor.

I must get off flavors because I don't use a secondary. "Some people like those those off flavors"

I now drive 40 minutes to a real brew shop.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[MaxStout]

Ya I Def agree. That's the only thing that bothers me too and it's kind of annoying but I figure I can just annoy them by asking 12 times and maybe they'll get the hint. Lol.

If a store doesn't label its prices, it means that they KNOW their prices are too high. If their prices were competitive, or even reasonable, they wouldn't be afraid to show them up-front.

 

[jdot6]

If a store doesn't label its prices, it means that they KNOW their prices are too high. If their prices were competitive, or even reasonable, they wouldn't be afraid to show them up-front.

Ya I thought that too but everything is right on or lower than other places or even online. They're competitive and always answer all your questions to help u out. Def what a home brew shop should be.

 

[VladOfTrub]

It is evident you are juniors when it comes to a home brewing haberdashery that doesn't post prices. The owner can change prices at random, depending on the person on the other side of the counter. An old saying goes, "if you have to ask price, you can't afford it." Since, hombrewers are tight wads like golfers, some being so tight that if one hop pellet fell into the cats litter box, they'd dig it out and use it. The no pricing method opens the door for tight wad low balling negotiations. If you don't haggle with them you will lose their respect. They are quick to pick up on when a junior's world is centered around the keyboard. They become the cat playing with the mouse. They are naturals.

 

[Rhumbline]

Thank you for a delightfully bewildering post. Do you have a newsletter?

 

[MaxStout]

It is evident you are juniors when it comes to a home brewing haberdashery that doesn't post prices. The owner can change prices at random, depending on the person on the other side of the counter. An old saying goes, "if you have to ask price, you can't afford it." Since, hombrewers are tight wads like golfers, some being so tight that if one hop pellet fell into the cats litter box, they'd dig it out and use it. The no pricing method opens the door for tight wad low balling negotiations. If the shop is owned by a Greek or Jew, if you don't haggle with them you will lose their respect. They are quick to pick up on when a junior's world is centered around the keyboard. They become the cat playing with the mouse. They are naturals.

What on earth is this babble????

 

[tgmartin000]

Thought this was appropriate:

http://www.gifbin.com/981588

 

[alane1]

hey leave him alone, I know a drunk post when I see one (guilty myself)

 

[MaxStout]

hey leave him alone, I know a drunk post when I see one (guilty myself)

Based on the time stamp of his post, I'd say it's a bit early to be that far in the bag. Then again, maybe he works the night shift.

 

[jdot6]

Lmao. I couldn't follow it either. Btw all the prices r set in their system just not stamped on the product

 

[alane1]

Based on the time stamp of his post, I'd say it's a bit early to be that far in the bag. Then again, maybe he works the night shift.

or brushes his teeth with breakfast stout

 

[patsan]

Quick update to Hearts Homebrew!

Same type of experience. Will never visit again. As a matter of fact, my wife (by the way is very tolerant woman. Face it, she married me!) will never buy, shop or walk anywhere near there either. The owner isn't a bad guy, I just don't think he likes people at all. Hence the mail order only kind of guy. Because of that I won't even mail order from him either. There are too many other choices of stores and experts who have no issues in giving advice and being overall nice individuals.

Bottled and drinking: IPA
Fermenting: Belgium Trippel
Fermenting: Chocolate/Coffee Imperial Porter

I've just returned home from the worst LHBS experience of my life. I am so upset I had to calm myself down for 10 minutes before writing this. NEVER in my life have I been treated so callously by any store owner. I will give a brief description now of what happened.

I live in Orlando and Heartshomebrew.com (my LHBS) is the only LHBS one I know of around here. I've been in there about 10 times and the man knows my face I'm sure of it. Today I walked into the store and here went my conversation with the owner.

Me: "Hey buddy I'd like to talk to you about your Brown Ale recipe"

Owner: "OK"

Me: "I wanted to kick it up a notch and add a pound of honey. What do you
think?"

Owner: "I think it will be too sweet"

Me: "Yea I thought I would add some more hops to balance this out. Do you think that would work?"

Owner: "You have to look that kind of stuff up on your own. We dont give recipe advice here."

---------------------------BREAK-----------------------------------

This was their own recipe BTW and on the wall they have nothing but awards, ribbons, and trophies for their brews. The guy knows how to give recipe advice.

--------------------------BACK TO CONVERSATION--------------

Me: "Isn't that what these stores are supposed to be all about, helping your customers brew beer?"

Owner: "We are mostly mail order so we don't care about local business."

Me: "Are you saying you dont care about making your customers happy and helping them out"

Owner: "Our local ones, nope. Thats not the kind of business we're in."

Me: "Well buddy you just lost a local one."

Owner: "Ok see ya"

I will stop here because anyone reading this should at this point be as flabbergasted as I am. I've never once in my LIFE heard a store owner say he didnt care about his local customers. This place is set up for retail for sure. Its not like I was walking into a garage were he just ships his supplies out from.

To speak to someone like that, especially someone who you know is a beginner in the awesome hobby of homebrewing, is just downright evil and cruel. If it was might first time in there I would probably be pretty heart broken and not even try to make beer. As it is now I know I can order supplies from online stores and continue my hobby.

This is a vent post but also one to get you'alls thoughts.


Has anyone had experiences like this at their LHBS?

Thoughts please, to make me feel better and not go hurt somebody...

 

[djbradle]

It is evident you are juniors when it comes to a home brewing haberdashery that doesn't post prices. The owner can change prices at random, depending on the person on the other side of the counter. An old saying goes, "if you have to ask price, you can't afford it." Since, hombrewers are tight wads like golfers, some being so tight that if one hop pellet fell into the cats litter box, they'd dig it out and use it. The no pricing method opens the door for tight wad low balling negotiations. If you don't haggle with them you will lose their respect. They are quick to pick up on when a junior's world is centered around the keyboard. They become the cat playing with the mouse. They are naturals.

Lol....still made me chuckle!

I do find myself making sure every pellet does get out of the bag though😜

 

[catdaddy66]

Wasn't an absolutely horrible experience but before my local LHBS opened up 10 months ago I had to travel 45-60 minutes to one of two stores. One was in Lexington, and I stopped in at 5pm three different times. I was either the only customer or one of two... Not once did I get an employee asking me "Can I help you? Are you looking for anything specific?" so I left after 15-20 minutes of browsing. The third and final time I went to the only worker there and asked about grain prices and she said "I don't sell that, the owner does. He'll be back in the morning."

Ok then...

 

[Schlenkerla]

I read that post above, while it sucks, I'd bet that you'd get bad advice. He had no passion about brewing. It's just a job.

I would not labor over the fact that he's an ass.

If they rely on internet business, I'd write negative posts on their website or blog.

If I was really feeling *******, I'd buy 10 internet addresses, creating names similar to theirs then make websites saying how they suck.

See how they like shiz.