Mystery Barrel Aged box

For a few reasons, I think you need to maybe calm down a bit. First, I'm not sure where you're getting those individual bottle prices, but personally, I've seen a few of those retail for more than what you have them as. Second, of course you're going to have to pay for shipping. I don't know why you would complain about it. It's obviously a decent amount of weight. Lastly, to complain about your bottles retailing for $30 less than what you paid for them is a bit much. You're obviously going to pay a bit more for the 'excitement' of a surprise box. My fucking girlfriend does this shit with these damn surprise cosmetic gift boxes or whatever every month - and nearly every time it's a complete waste of money. But she pays it b/c the surprise is exciting for her - which is exactly what's going on here.

TL;DR - Calm down. I don't think you really got as hammered as you think.

 

Not that I live and die by the rankings but when a beer gets a 73 I do not classify it as a delightful treat.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/619/70718

 

Perhaps contacting them and allowing them time to respond would have been in order.

I ordered from Letspour.com and there was an initial problem with my order. I waited until they had resolved the issue before posting about my experience. I posted that my order was wrong, but also posted what a bang up job their customer service did to resolve the issue.

Give them a chance to make it right before declaring' "This is a big plateful of fail, with a heaping side of poor customer service"

 

I got most of the prices from the craftbeerkings website. That's what they're selling them for. The few that aren't listed on their site I did web searches for.

Reread their email to me. "And let me tell you.. you will get your money plus more."

I did not get my money plus more. If I'd bought them separately I could have saved $33, plus shipping.

Normally I don't mind paying for shipping, because I'm getting beer that isn't available in my area. But the majority of the bottles sent to me are common, with widespread distribution. None of the beers sent to me were particularly hard to find. I certainly wouldn't pay $40 in shipping for a case of Stone Arrogant Bastard when I can pick up a case three miles away from me.

The point of surprise boxes is to get more than you expect, plus a greater value than you paid. That's why Beer It Forward is about busting porches, right?

 

They still have ample opportunity to make it right. But there were people considering buying this mystery box. Is it wrong to inform BAs so they don't make the same mistake I did? Should I have waited a week for this to be resolved (if it even does get resolved) and in the meantime let another BA experience the same frustration? How cool is that?

Of course, if you don't believe this is a fail, I'd be happy to trade this mystery box for $240 worth of beer in your cellar.

 

Holy crap, I'm sorry. I'm not sure how you got "your money plus more" there. Definitely all beers you can find on shelves too.

 

That's pretty terrible. I think all that + a parabola wouldve been a little less painful.

 

Really don't see the logic here. Why would anyone pay more to not know what they get? If anything you would pay more for the sure thing, not the mystery pu pu platter of leftovers.

 

Well that sucks.

 

Whooof! Anytime I see Indian Wells I don't just walk away, I run!

 

Yeah it makes no sense to me either. But people clearly pay money for it.

 

Those prices are actually on the HIGH side, and it still fell short of $200

Clown Shoes Very Angry Beast, Ovila Quad, Shipyard Double Scottish, and FW DDBA are all significantly less here in CT/Mass than they are on the website. Total ripoff!

 

Good point, but to say your were served a heaping pile of poor customer service before giving them a chance seems a but premature.

Either way, good luck and caveat emptor!

 

Isn't the guy who filled the mystery box involved in customer service? I'd rate the job he did as "poor." Either he intentionally sent me beer worth less than I paid, or he wasn't paying attention.

Thanks for the good wishes, and I agree on caveat emptor.

 

Please let us know if they make it right.

 

Customer service starts before you make the purchase. To state on the website you will get your money back PLUS some was a false claim and therefore could be considered the "heaping pile of poor customer service". And he already did give them a chance by buying the box!

 

Definitely. I'll post all correspondence I get.

My hope is that they make sure, going forward, this doesn't happen again with their mystery boxes.

 

Mail order can be a gamble. Since it's called a "mystery box" you can't really fault them for what is or isn't in it as they made no promise they didn't keep. I looked at them and thought that they were a bit high priced and the flat rate shipping charge they advertise is $35 for any twelve bottles. You can say that you were over charged for that.

The best thing to remember about mail order is not to order beers if you can't be sure of their freshness, order beers that can take the travel and have a longer shelf life. Also order beers that are at least bomber size to make the price of the bottle plus shipping actually worth the cost.You are also paying for their shipping materials as well so keep that in mind when you think the price is too high.

 

This is why I stay away from "mystery" boxes. Just a way to push shit you otherwise can't get rid of. I can't believe they had the balls to send out that abhorrent Indian Wells barrel aged amber.