Brew Seller, anyone used them

[photek1000]

Tripped across a video from these guys yesterday http://www.brewseller.co.uk/ they do 5 litre all grain kits for a tenner, seems like a fun way into All Grain Brewing with existing equipment.

Anyone tried them or know if any of our sponsors also do 5 litre grain\hop collections for small run all grain brewing?

 

[Duncs]

Not sure I'd buy anything from a website that has no contact details, no terms and conditions, no returns policy and no information about the company, but maybe that's just me.

 

[MattN]

Not sure I'd buy anything from a website that has no contact details, no terms and conditions, no returns policy and no information about the company, but maybe that's just me.

+1 and it all looks over priced.

Matt

 

[timbowden]

seems weird to have no details.

 

[photek1000]

Think they've gone got that design over substance look to their website, so with all these points noted do we know of more tried and trusted sellers that do a grain kit for 5 litre runs, would be nice to run a couple alongside my normal kit brews.

Maybe something a bit unusual, or stronger than the norm for 330ml bottles.

 

[rpt]

If you put something in your basket and then checkout there is a return policy.

We hope you love the item that has been sent by us. But, if you are not 100% happy, please get in contact with us and we can discuss the issue and arrange the best solution.

So I take that to mean they will persuade you not to return the item. I notice no mention of the distance selling regulations.

It's also another one of these annoying websites that doesn't tell you the delivery charge until you check out - it's £6.95.

 

[Rhys]

seems weird to have no details.

Agreed I never buy from any website with no details.
It's a silly way to market products especially when it's so easy to check who owns the website.
in this case takes 30secs to find out that its one:-
Patrick Seller (gedditt)
Shalesmead
Primrose Lane
Forest Row
East Sussex
RH18 5LT
United Kingdom

 

[JonathanSeller]

Hi,

Thank you for starting a thread about my company. I thought I should answer some of your misgivings about the site.

Thanks for highlighting the lack of T&Cs, returns policy etc. They were available on the site, but probably not as obvious as they should have been. I have updated the different areas you have commented on and will make a page outlining the company information ASAP. This is obviously more important than I realised to prospective customers.

About the company location: We recently moved from our first location and are due to move into a more permanent home at the end of the year in East London. The address you found is indeed where the company is registered but is actually my family home. (Feel free to pop in for a cup of tea with my Mum if you are in the area!)

I am a little disappointed that you guys feel the site is more ‘design over substance’. But can understand with the shortcomings you have highlighted. As with all good ideas this is something that I started after a good pub chat with my friends. I have been brewing for some years now and they were keen to access the small batch brewing I was doing. The company is starting gain interest more quickly then I first anticipated. But not have basic things like full T&Cs is not okay.

Photek1000 – If you would like to try one of the kits please contact me directly. I would be really happy to offer you a deal on the first kit you buy.

If any of you have any further questions I would be more than happy to answer them either through this thread or directly to me via email. My main aim of selling the kits is to get more people involved in home brewing. Hopefully the site I have made will allow experienced brewers to buy great ingredients kits and a new audience to have a go and find out how much fun it is!

Thanks.

Jonathan

 

[EskiBrew]

Thanks for replying Jonathan, I can't see it can do anything but help :thumb:
It sounds like you are taking the comments as a chance to improve instead of out and out criticism which is ideal - good luck with your updates, I'm sure the users who posted would be happy to check again for you once the updates are complete :

 

[love6060]

Jonathan,

Hi

Firstly, :thumb: to starting your business, and by hitting this and other forums (admin permitted of course) should aid you in R&D.

Secondly, although your website is crispy clean like a fine pint, it is lacking in some important features, regarding internet SECURITY. Now I highlight that word security because it's a dirty word to most.

1 pointer: if you can, have the https phrase throughout the website, this or a padlock which is on the address bar is first indication to customers that their info is secure. It must be highlighted in green mind.

Next you really should have more info about your company on the home page, ie what your about how you started etc (a short story).

Payment methods, delivery and returns policy should be on the home page also even if it is a link to a different page.

Consider different payment methods such as paypal, it's common through out the internet and secure, and customers feel safer using it.

Thirdly, on your store page it's clear your just starting out, you could add that fact and mention that as you grow so will your stock.

I noticed you sell at market, you could advertise this on your website HOME page. You may find locals make a visit to see you, allowing you to put a friendly face to your business.

Notice how I say home page a lot? Back it the old days (I'm 32 by the way) you could tell how someone keeps there home by their front garden, that's why my grandad use to compete with his neighbours :whistle: moral! your home page sells you! Which in turn sells your products.

I would like to add that, I am not a web designer. Nor do I run any kind of business.
In fact I am just a humble sailor in the Royal Navy, which happens to administer IT systems onboard a submarine.

Hope you don't mind me sharing my thoughts with you.

 

[rpt]

The website looks secure enough to me - when you checkout it switches to squarespace.com which appears to offer a secure payment facility using https.

I see no great value in adding Paypal - as long as the website accepts credit and debit cards it is ok for me. I guess some people may have to use paypal if they don't have these cards though.

Your returns policy is much better now. I'd just suggest you read up on the Distance Selling Regulations to get it exactly right - I think you have 7 working days starting with the day after delivery to cancel an order.

 

[love6060]

The website looks secure enough to me - when you checkout it switches to squarespace.com which appears to offer a secure payment facility using https.

I see no great value in adding Paypal - as long as the website accepts credit and debit cards it is ok for me. I guess some people may have to use paypal if they don't have these cards though.

Your returns policy is much better now. I'd just suggest you read up on the Distance Selling Regulations to get it exactly right - I think you have 7 working days starting with the day after delivery to cancel an order.

I did see the http switch but I was taught on a course to look for sites with http or a green padlock! And also site with a certificate (ie when it was last signed) can't really remember what that's for lol

Like you say paypal is a nicety! But it does open up potential customers who trust no other method! And I sort of used it as an example! I have a Visa card and when I shop on certain sites with it I have to be transferred to a pop up and use a visa secure payment protocol. Which gives me a warm feeling inside.

Distance selling regulations is an awkward topic in regards returns! My wife says it's all about how quickly the seller can turn the order around and how long it takes to be delivered! Some retailers go with 14-28 days. But I have heard 7 days somewhere before! This has triggered a debate at my house lol.

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

F.A.Q...
Q: How long does it take to brew beer?

A: The process of brewing the beer is pretty quick at around 2 1/2 to 3 hours. You will need to wait approximately 3 weeks from brewing until you can drink it.

Wish they'd show me how to... :wha:

5 litre for a tenner?

 

[Templar]

I'd second the question about which market you sell at. Those 5 litre kits are exactly what I'm looking for, but I'd baulk at paying that much in postage (I know that's what it costs and all, but the price of the kit is increased by 69%!). I am based in London, so it isn't impossible for me to pop by the market (depending on where it is) to pick one up.

Otherwise, good luck! I think it's a cracking idea personally!

 

[sam.k]

The website looks really nice, the kit presentation look bloody good aswell.
Kudos!
I will say however that £10 for 5l seems a lot to me, I can usually make a 21l brew for about £6-£12 depending on the yeast/ingredients I use.
Now I understand that these kits a ready to go (and thinking about it they work out no more expensive then the brewferm tin kits) so I am certain that they will appeal to those with limited storage space/newbies to all grain brewing.

May I ask what is included in the kits?
Is it all the grain/hops/yeast? Or do you do it with DME and flavour with speciality grains?
Are your yeasts powder yeasts or do you supply liquid (I imagined dry for the money)

Also arnt those demijohns the 1 gallon ones?

I look forward the the answers.

Edit- Templar I think I saw that if you buy three kits you get free postage.

 

[photek1000]

Nice to get a response from the owner on this forum, not something I expected at all, but kudos for reading and taking the criticism as constructive to aid the progression of your business.

I hope it does well for you, as I imagine that there are plenty on here who would love to make their hobby also a career.

Once the Xmas spending us done I think I'll get at one if not three of the kits and get some reviews written.

 

[JonathanSeller]

Morning all.

Thank you for all your comments. I really appreciate any feedback. I have tried to answer every area highlighted by you.

Love6060 - Thank you for commenting on the security. The website is hosted by Squarespace. They are a great company, with a fantastic reputation. The Stripe payment system is the only one that is available to run through the site. I have done lots of research on this and it is a very secure system.

I will also add some information on the company to my website so it is obvious. It is important that people have some background about who we are.

Rpt & Love6060 – I will do some further research and update if needed on the returns policy. I want to give people every opportunity in returning the item if they are not entirely happy.

Templar – I am moving into a new location at the end of the year in London. I want people to have the option to come and collect anything on the website directly from me. I am also planning to start selling the hops and grain that have not been made into kits. The price of this will be comparably cheaper. I feel it is about time people have access to great home brew ingredients in London. At the moment I can only find one home brew shop in West London (Please correct me if this is wrong)?! I am also hoping to have a stall at Netil Market next to London Fields in East London on a Saturday. This is to be confirmed in the New Year. I hope people will come and be able to purchase some interesting hops and grain on the day, or pre order what you are after the week before.

Sam k – Thank you for your comments on the website. I’m glad you like it! Within the kits you get grain, hops and dry yeast - either Safale or Muntons, depending on the brew. The equipment that is included is a 5 litre demijohn, bubbler airlock, natural cork, thermometer, tubing, racking cane, tap, large brewing spoon, steriliser and funnel. You also choose one ingredients pack with the complete kit. The demijohns are 5 litre capacity.

Cost!
I have tried to produce kits that are good value, but understand the criticism when compared to other large home brew websites just offering ingredients. The slightly higher cost comes from the time spent in researching the brews, aspects of the website such as the video, packaging etc. (the list could go on!). I know this might be annoying to seasoned home brewers, as you are looking for low costs in terms of raw ingredients and then coming up with your own brews. At the moment the amount of ingredients that I am selling is relatively small. If the business starts to sell more and I can buy in bigger quantities, I will pass this straight on to the customer.

Thanks again for all your comments. If I have missed anything, please let me know.

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

[EskiBrew]

Cost!
I have tried to produce kits that are good value, but understand the criticism when compared to other large home brew websites just offering ingredients. The slightly higher cost comes from the time spent in researching the brews, aspects of the website such as the video, packaging etc. (the list could go on!). I know this might be annoying to seasoned home brewers, as you are looking for low costs in terms of raw ingredients and then coming up with your own brews. At the moment the amount of ingredients that I am selling is relatively small. If the business starts to sell more and I can buy in bigger quantities, I will pass this straight on to the customer.

Hi Jonathan,

I have a feeling the comments on price were assuming you were supplying just the ingredients rather than the equipment too. You might want to consider doing a version of the kit that does not include the equipment. Consider once someone has brewed using your kit, they are unlikely to want another complete set of equipment with the second kit but would most likely appreciate buying a set of ingredients again :thumb:

 

[Rhys]

Good to see a new business responding to comments . Well done and good luck. :

 

[love6060]

Good to see a new business responding to comments . Well done and good luck. :

I know right bloody awesome! +1 :