could it possibly be that with both set to the same number it was causing a conflict? Slic3r didn't know whether to do a brim or a skirt?

This is exactly what I was trying to communicate.

A log wile back I was trying to understand the relationship between these two and I did a few slicing tests.  Here is the link to those results.  Hopefully this will clear up some of the misunderstandings regarding this.

http://www.soliforum.com/post/46613/#p46613

could it possibly be that with both set to the same number it was causing a conflict? Slic3r didn't know whether to do a brim or a skirt?

That's what I figured however I expected that conflict would have occured 3mm out from object and not between the object and where the brim is supposed to start.

I don't typically use brim, but it is kind of a one or the other type of thing.  If using a brim there is no real need for a skirt as the brim will purge the nozzle.  Unless you use a tall skirt for other reasons mentioned earlier.

not necessarily - i use both in slic3r with no problems, but - my numbers are not the same for both....

skirt is 1 loop at 8mm distance, brim is 3-5mm wide...depending on the size of the item being printed and whether or not there are sharp or rounded corners...
granted, the skirt isn't really necessary when doing a brim, but I just never bothered to turn it off...I kinda like knowing where on the bed all the parts will be printed...the skirt gives me a quick visual of where everything will be, if I need to relocate, I kill the print before it actually starts on the parts - move things as needed, re-slice and start again.

could it possibly be that with both set to the same number it was causing a conflict? Slic3r didn't know whether to do a brim or a skirt?

In slicer, if you select a brim value, you should disable the skirt by putting a value of 0 in the skirt loops.  The distance fro object value only applies to the skirt.  It will have no effect on the brim.

This brings us to Cura.  The latest versions of Repetier now include Cura, The Cura engine has a selectable option under "Adhesion Type" where one can select either skirt or brim.  The Cura brim doesn't always touch the object all the way around.  Sometimes, it only touches the corners and the res of it is offset by a millimeter or so.  Nevertheless, it's still effective.

So is it possible that the user may be slicing with Cura instead of Slic3r ?

Try setting minimum extrusion length to 150. Right now your telling it the minimum to extrude is 0 which it is doing.

I could be wrong but I think that setting only applies to skirt and its brim that's causing the issue.
You might want to look at your extrusion widths in the advanced tab of your slice profile.  I don't remember if there's a separate extrusion width setting for things like brim.

Or possibly if that isn't the issue maybe use a skirt in place of a brim and increase the loops?