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Coffee Equipment $$$

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  • marcstolk
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Originally posted by Flo link=1158044954/15#22 date=1158202438
    A mate of mines dad always used to say: "The poor pay twice." So true, so true...
    Spot on... top post!!

    Leave a comment:


  • Flo
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    A mate of mines dad always used to say: "The poor pay twice." So true, so true...

    Leave a comment:


  • marcstolk
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    This is a good discussion. Im a believer that if you dont have the cash, dont buy it. Save ur pennies in a hi interest account (ie, ING Direct), make some interest (instead of possibly paying interest) and then buy what you are after.

    At the very least, layby!

    The only good debt IMHO is a mortgage, but even that can ruin people.

    Has the site sponsors considered teaming up with credit card companies? (Or, getting together in a Co-op ad use the same Voucher?)

    Example: Because my wife and I use our Credit cards for just about everything (pay it off inside the interest period each month), we accummulate "Points". Weve all heard about this - been going on for years. Most people (I think) use there point for "Frequent Flyer points", whereas I dont. We cash them in for "DJ/\/Myer vouchers. Perhaps, another way for our sponsors to gain sales would be this way. I can tell you I would have done this for my Grinder had it been available. I didnt have the cash, but I had vouchers... which is almost cash :-)

    Just my 2 cents worth (Or is it 5cents)

    Marc

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Originally posted by Flo link=1158044954/15#19 date=1158074021
    The sponsors on this site are excellent in the way that they give their time and expertise in helping us with all things coffee. Just last week I had a lengthy conversation with Chris (2mcm). I was trying to decide on what machine I should be aiming for and he gave me his opinion freely. Now I would be very happy to give someone like him my business (when I am ready to) because of his attitude, helpfulness, knowledge and reputation around here. Perhaps for the retailer that is the key....
    Flo

    I think that is the key to specialist sales - be it a quality coffee machines or a Steinway piano.

    People buying such quality items expect service from the retailer which matches the quality of the item (hence comments re buying items on Evilbay where you get low prices but no back up service or advice)

    Because most purchasers will be a member of some sort of club, group (or web group ) then word of mouth from other satisfied customers is probably the best advertising. Whilst most of us like to save a penny or two on a purchase, most are also aware of the value of the sellers knowledge, ability and willingness to support the product etc.- and make a value judgement taking all this into account.

    Providing the high level of support is a cost to the seller, further reducing profit margins compared to the cash and carry, or the 30 months interest free retailers (where the item is often in a box delivered from a warehouse- the first time you actually touch it is when you get it home!!!- and god forbid you want any expert advice on the item from the salesperson )

    IMHO I think the site sponsors have the right approach.

    Leave a comment:


  • Flo
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Hi Coffeechaser.

    Nah, Im not being hard on myself. I have no retail experience. When you look at it, people serious about their espresso, pay anywhere from $1K - $5k for their equipment. Thats a sizeable chunk of cash. Most people probably dont have this just sitting around, but then again, maybe they do.

    I admire people with enough guts to go into business for themselves and try to make a go of it. I was just wondering how guys like the CS site sponsors could actually get more of their equipment into the hands of more people.

    The sponsors on this site are excellent in the way that they give their time and expertise in helping us with all things coffee. Just last week I had a lengthy conversation with Chris (2mcm). I was trying to decide on what machine I should be aiming for and he gave me his opinion freely. Now I would be very happy to give someone like him my business (when I am ready to) because of his attitude, helpfulness, knowledge and reputation around here. Perhaps for the retailer that is the key....

    Leave a comment:


  • COFFEECHASER
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Originally posted by Flo link=1158044954/15#15 date=1158063376

    Then again Im not a retailer so maybe I should stop thinking... [smiley=lipsrsealed.gif]
    I think you are being a bit harsh on yourself there Flo. I think it is good to think out loud and see where it goes. It was a valid point you started with and one that was worth considering. If people held their thought back there would be no way of startign stimulating conversation. Who knows a seller may take it and run with it. Maybe it suits some buyers and they may be prepared to wear the extra cost that comes with it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Baristacrat
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Originally posted by 2muchcoffeeman link=1158044954/0#13 date=1158061274
    no...no need....but if you wanna purchase a cheap pack of dodgy contraceptives.... :-?   ;D 8-)
    So what you are saying is they have a one way valve that is not for C02 release [smiley=vrolijk_1.gif]

    Leave a comment:


  • Javaphile
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Other options that some companies use for large ticket items are lease or lease to own programs. Some lease directly while others use a third party as the actual leasing agent and get paid a flat price by them at the time of the lease signing.

    Java "Hates debt and avoids it at all costs!" phile

    Leave a comment:


  • Flo
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    All good points raised.

    I think that the scale of the current market clearly dictates the practices of retailers and how they provide their products and services. In all honesty, whitegoods retailers have a huge market with which to spread the impact of fees imposed by the financial institutions. High end coffee machine retailers have a relatively small market.

    I suppose I was thinking out loud because of points raised by some site sponsors in regards to shelling out a whole lot of time and effort with a potential customer, only to lose out in the sale when the customer "steals" a machine at a cheaper price elsewhere.

    Maybe the question then becomes: How does a retailer increase the size of their market share? What can they add to their arsenal to expand their client base? Or is this not a concern?

    Then again Im not a retailer so maybe I should stop thinking... [smiley=lipsrsealed.gif]

    Leave a comment:


  • COFFEECHASER
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Originally posted by 2muchcoffeeman link=1158044954/0#13 date=1158061274
    no...no need....but if you wanna purchase a cheap pack of dodgy contraceptives.... :-?   ;D 8-)
    Would you offer those on interest free terms though?

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    no...no need....but if you wanna purchase a cheap pack of dodgy contraceptives.... :-? ;D 8-)

    Leave a comment:


  • COFFEECHASER
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Originally posted by 2muchcoffeeman link=1158044954/0#11 date=1158059751
    Ive always believed the "if I cant afford it, I cant buy it yet " rule...The one exception is a house...

    You buy now, pay later means that you will pay big time....

    2mcm
    I agree 2mcm, I guess it depends on personal moral guidelines on that one though. I have done the interest free thing before and would chose not to again. The annoying phone calls and junk mail that follow up cancelling the account once it is paid is enough to drive one crazy. But cant really blame people for going down that path. And if you are going to go down that path why not a shiny stainless steel coffee appliance. Would be more stimulating than a plasma wouldnt it?
    After Loveys quote maybe people will want to have another baby so they can put $4000 toward some new machinery. Maybe the site sponsors will have to throw in a pair of baby booties with every machine sold.  

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Ive always believed the "if I cant afford it, I cant buy it yet " rule...The one exception is a house...

    You buy now, pay later means that you will pay big time....

    2mcm

    Leave a comment:


  • Baristacrat
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Originally posted by Lovey link=1158044954/0#9 date=1158055136
    Yeah, point taken.
    Ever since the baby bonus started Ive seen plenty of girls patting their pregnant tum tum uttering hello plasma, but Ive never heard one say hello Giotto  
    Unless of course you just happen to know a lot of women who are into futuristic baby names  ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • Lovey
    replied
    Re: Coffee Equipment $$$

    Yeah, point taken.
    Ever since the baby bonus started Ive seen plenty of girls patting their pregnant tum tum uttering hello plasma, but Ive never heard one say hello Giotto
    With the credit card though, you cant get the same level of deferredness (is that a word?) as with the interest free schemes, 55 days v up to 40 months. Apart from a huge interest rate after the interest free period expires, theres also an administrative monthly fee to factor in.
    IIRC I was stung about $6 per month to keep my account open >

    Leave a comment:

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