WTF is this monster?

[olllllo]

I'm torn here. Do we leave this up or bring it behind the google wall so that someone can put the sting on them?
Google makes this the #1 result when beermachine@gmail is searched.

Think BYO or Zymurgy would be interested in an investigative piece?

 

[Grimsawyer]

I'm torn here. Do we leave this up or bring it behind the google wall so that someone can put the sting on them?
Google makes this the #1 result when beermachine@gmail is searched.

Think BYO or Zymurgy would be interested in an investigative piece?

Is the bigger threat the fact that someone is trying to scam people with some possible stolen goods or someone with less pure intentions could get their hands on them. I'm thinking the first is most likely true. Just looking at the pictures the thought occurs that If yuri, kladue or a number of unnamed DIY'ers were to make one of these It would much more shiney, be of better design and be even more automated, not to mention be more efficient, then that of the pic illustrated in the craiglist ad!

 

[BeerAg]

So, is it possible that this guy started a business selling microbiological fermenters to Universities and research labs? Then, maybe he had some success, ramped up production, and realized that he had saturated his market, and no one else would buy them?

So now, he has 200 biofermenters on his hands with no market. Instead of scrapping them, he is trying to sell them to a different market.

So, he could probably have provided a better description of capabilities of the machine, but I'm not sure that this is a guy who stole a bunch of biological equipment and is trying to pawn it off.

Based on my knowledge of brewing in the pharma industry, what you basically have is a very accurate, self-cleaning 35 gallon lagering machine capable of doing a diacetyl rest. Worth $3,500? Not to me.

 

[olllllo]

So, is it possible that this guy started a business selling microbiological fermenters to Universities and research labs? Then, maybe he had some success, ramped up production, and realized that he had saturated his market, and no one else would buy them?

So now, he has 200 biofermenters on his hands with no market. Instead of scrapping them, he is trying to sell them to a different market.

So, he could probably have provided a better description of capabilities of the machine, but I'm not sure that this is a guy who stole a bunch of biological equipment and is trying to pawn it off.

Based on my knowledge of brewing in the pharma industry, what you basically have is a very accurate, self-cleaning 35 gallon lagering machine capable of doing a diacetyl rest. Worth $3,500? Not to me.

If one only looked at this item, you might reach that conclusion, however, look at all of the subterfuge involved here.

Coupled with the MLM ebay feedback and the other images in the directory posted above, it seems to paint a far sketchier picture.

 

[blacklab]

I love the no shipping charge if you pick it up! Classic!

Jason

You beat me to it! No shipping if you pick it up, yay! Now that's customer service.

Edit: ollllo, I would dump it. It's a pure scam. Even if it's not, it's clearly not what they say it is.

 

[Homercidal]

There is no way they would make 200 of these things without POs for purchases. That would just be WAY TOO STUPID! If they were sellign to universities, they would probably only need a coupld of dozen to have on hand. These could be built in a couple of weeks, and universities would not need a short lead time.

I wonder how it is that they even got 200 of these, or if that statement is actually even true.

 

[wildwest450]

More importantly, where are the pics of the sportzgirlz?

 

[XxonValdez]

I am a microbiologist, never seen a fermenter that looks like this pile, also looked up BioJet, apparently they do exist...and they make quality bathtubs....

http://www.biojet-international.com/

I would stay far away from this, also if the fermenter does actually exist the filters would get clogged trying to brew anything in them (would likely get clogged to if you ran normal city tap water through them as well) and they are $$$$$ and good luck not having the CIA knock on your door when you place an order for a .22um filter to your home address haha.

To bad there are people out there like this making actual good deals seem shady....

damn it is 10:30am and I already need a brew

 

[jrpark22000]

damn it is 10:30am and I already need a brew

I feel the same way. This will be a long day

 

[boothbrew]

I went to photobucket (courtesy of Richab) to take another look at that weird looking time machine and stumbled across some other extremely strange pictures.
One picture, looks more like a power point slide, says "Now is the time, the most unique business opportunity if 5 decades"
Another is about stopping foreclosure today!

Finally, "Become a Master Craigslist Marketer":
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/0903/sportzgirlz/?action=view&current=CLPantherSm.gif

What a shady situation

 

[pickles]

if you look closely at the control panel it says "BioJect" not biojet. a quick search pulls up this http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-105617679.html the contact she gives is Bill Pensegrau who works for International Pest & Vegetation Management . On their Industry Links page is a link for "Turf Labs" http://www.ipvm.net/industry_links.html; the new apparent owner of the entire BioJect product line. From there who the heck knows whats going on. One thing is for sure, the lady on the motorcycle (see photobucket) is definately trouble.

 

[stevecaaster]

One thing is for sure, the lady on the motorcycle (see photobucket) is definately trouble.

^^lol


this is sooo sketchy, i cant believe all the crap everyone on this site dug up on this stuff, lol

 

[DougJohanningsmeier]

The conversation ended back in March. These things were made to ferment a strain of bacteria that was then injected into irrigation systems of golf courses and some ag applications such as potatoes to prevent and or control certian diseases. I would love to know if anyone has been able to convert to brew. It can be used to process used fryer oil to fuel for diesel with modification.

 

[sportzgirlz]

Well,

Interesting reading on this forum. Found my name smeared all over the place after a friend of mine said, "did you know people were talking about you on a beer brewing forum"? Do you honestly think that I would leave my name, address, and phone number available for the general public if this was all a scam?

So to clear the air..................
This is a legitimate 32 year old, muti-million dollar business (Hocking International Laboratories, Inc.) located in Vista, California with an additional warehouse in Glen Rock, PA. There were over 300 of these BioJet machines and some are still in action. They were designed for fermenting non-pathogenic, bio-chemical solutions for agricultural applications and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

I originally put the BioJet (a.k.a. - Beer Brewing Machine) on my Ebay site to help sell the item. A 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse had been housing these units for 10 years and it was time to sell the BioJets and downsize the warehouse. Then the company decided to disassemble them because they were too large and heavy to ship as a single unit. Now they are being sold as individual parts on Ebay (username: hocking2121). Search for "35 gallon stainless steel tank", "Laing Pump", "Magnetek Pump", "Micropump", etc. The tank is being sold with a heating element and most are being purchased to produce biodiesel. I did have one gentleman from West Virgina purchase 10 tanks to brew beer. You'll also find over 100 "Feedbacks" from happy Ebay customers.

I am the person in charge of listing all Ebay and Craigslist ads. I live 90 miles away from the Vista office so many of the tasks are delegated to the employees in Vista. If you'd personally like to see the items, you can call (760) 471-9306 and set up an appointment.

It would be nice if people would make contact with another human being before bashing a person's integrity and deciding if it's a scam or not.

The truth will set you free................so will riding a motorcycle.

Sincerely,
Paula Vidad

PS - At least one person researched - DougJohanningsmeier

 

[kenche]

Sketchy internet marketing is still sketchy

 

[sw341034]

This thread has been dead for a while but just to clear things up. I own two of these tanks (Just the tanks). There are legit. And a quite a buy if you can find them cheap. Picked mine up for $150 a piece.

 

[DougJohanningsmeier]

I now own 12 of these complete units and they are for sale. Will post pictures and details soon.

 

[sw341034]

how much are you looking to sell them for?

 

[DougJohanningsmeier]

Picked up in South Lyon MI.


Units all contain:
1 Inlet pressure regulator
2 Water Filters
3 UV water teatment units to kill micros in water
4 electric circulation valves
5 Recirculation punp
6 Heat exchanger
7 Heater and chiller for fermentation tank
8 Coolent pump
9 Air compressor with microbe filters to aid fermentation
10 small refrigerator
11 Injection pump high pressure
12 Acid pump for cleaning

What are they? It was a progrmmable field bioreactor used for the application of microorganisms for bioaugmentation. It was designed to automatically brew ,disspence clean itself. Can they be used in brewing beer? Some parts for sure. As a stand alone brew machine...depends on your ability to modify and fabricate.

 

[olllllo]

I'm still not convinced. Where are the pics, etc.?

 

[DougJohanningsmeier]

Send me a address and I can send the pictures or tell me how I can post here.

Doug