Where are you at? I've used kits from several different mail order places and they were all good. B3, Northern Brewer, Williams Brewing, and 7 Bridges (I think that was its name). Local shops are usually your best bet if you have one. The buckets are fine for what you are doing. A lot of people aren't using the glass carboys at all anymore because of the possibility of them breaking. I still use them for my long term stuff like meads and ciders. I do all my ales in plastic buckets.
Travis


