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Originally posted by 787B7F7F6B7F120 link=1250134836/23#23 date=1251424727
The boss has agreed to a $1000 set up..woohoo!!!!!
So is the combi the answer?
I think youd be happy with the Lelit, and your boss will be happy to have plenty of change from his $1k! I suggest you grab one while its still on special and purchase the rattlewaretamper we stock to go with it.
If youd like to send me a pm I can provide further details.
Originally posted by 356A72646F6468616162626A6669070 link=1250134836/21#21 date=1250572597
Originally posted by 2023272733274A0 link=1250134836/20#20 date=1250571348
OK we seem to have gone off track..I was asked what my budget was, I mentioed $500 and got people trying to convince me to spend more and "do some math". A few gave some great suggestions (Thank you Caffeine Junky, CuppaCoffee).
Quite simply this is coming out of my own pocket and can not justify (in the short term, right now) spending over $500 hence me posting the thread in the "Entry Level - Sub $500" catagory. so some advice on sub $500 machines is most welcome (used or new).
Thank you to those who have offered usful advice, it is most welcome.
Fair enough...
It may be harsh advice but my advice is buy the right machine for your circumstances when you can afford it rather than the machine you can afford now...
Better to spend the $500 elsewhere because in an office machine it will lead to money wasted and heartbreak.
2mcm
Agree with 2mcm...
See post number 5... If all you have is $500 tops.. Then that is the best option for the $$$ but will not provide the outcome your trying for... You will set your self up to fail and any upgrade will cost you even more monies; as the used items (other than the grinder) will return little if any thing..
You get what you pay for; the assumptions and what you forgot or chose to ignore will cost you twice as much...
At least with a Lelit Combi type approch /solution = not too far off the mark $$ wise.
A great system, something that will suit your Office needs and worse case... I and others would be happy to have on the bench at home..
And in the very worse case, would bring some good $$$ as a resale and or trade in..
Originally posted by 2023272733274A0 link=1250134836/20#20 date=1250571348
OK we seem to have gone off track..I was asked what my budget was, I mentioed $500 and got people trying to convince me to spend more and "do some math". A few gave some great suggestions (Thank you Caffeine Junky, CuppaCoffee).
Quite simply this is coming out of my own pocket and can not justify (in the short term, right now) spending over $500 hence me posting the thread in the "Entry Level - Sub $500" catagory. so some advice on sub $500 machines is most welcome (used or new).
Thank you to those who have offered usful advice, it is most welcome.
Fair enough Catseye...
It may be harsh advice but my advice is buy the right machine for your circumstances when you can afford it rather than the machine you can afford now...
Better to spend the $500 elsewhere because in an office machine it will lead to money wasted and heartbreak.
OK we seem to have gone off track..I was asked what my budget was, I mentioed $500 and got people trying to convince me to spend more and "do some math". A few gave some great suggestions (Thank you Caffeine Junky, CuppaCoffee).
Quite simply this is coming out of my own pocket and can not justify (in the short term, right now) spending over $500 hence me posting the thread in the "Entry Level - Sub $500" catagory. so some advice on sub $500 machines is most welcome (used or new).
Thank you to those who have offered usful advice, it is most welcome.
Originally posted by 526E7368626374616962060 link=1250134836/16#16 date=1250213897
I think its time for another full clean today......... :
Yep I always keep Friday afternoon free to give the machine a decent clean. Might wack on a new group seal while Im at it today. Probably getting close to descaling time too....
AM is completely spot on. If you want a coffee machine in the office you have to be prepared to put in the work. Trying to roster cleaning & maintenance simply doesn’t work.
No matter how many times you tell people not to, they will:
1. Not fill up the water reservoir
2. Leave dried/burnt milk on the steaming arm
3. Leave ground coffee everywhere
4. Not empty the knock bin
5. Not empty the drip tray
6. Leave the group handle in the group with coffee still in the basket
etc. etc.
To make matters worse, this is my coffee machine that I bought with my own money. I charge $0.50 per cup which probably just covers cost IF people pay.
I would estimate I spend at least 3 hours per week in cleaning & maintaining the machine. This does not include time making coffee for others who are too scared or lazy to use the machine.
At the end of the day though, I put up with it all just so that I can drink a decent coffee whenever I feel like it.
Anyone wanting to have a coffee machine in their office needs to be prepared to do the same IMO.
Originally posted by 24212626292D26480 link=1250134836/13#13 date=1250208536
All of this sounds good in theory - however, who is going to end up cleaning the thing?
In my experience of using any shared kitchen, most people using equipment will only give things a cursory wipe down, if that.
With the added cleaning requirements of an espresso machine; backflushing, descaling (most will not bother to put softened water in), steam wand cleaning etc, I think you could be asking for trouble.
Added to that is the possibility of many untrained users, who will end up costing the time of the few that do know how to use the machine properly.
Good points that need to be considered...
But I have assumed from the first post that Maintenance / Use and teh numbers involved would make it workable..
Dumping any machine in a place where there are more than a few users and no ownership is asking for trouble..
All of this sounds good in theory - however, who is going to end up cleaning the thing?
In my experience of using any shared kitchen, most people using equipment will only give things a cursory wipe down, if that.
With the added cleaning requirements of an espresso machine; backflushing, descaling (most will not bother to put softened water in), steam wand cleaning etc, I think you could be asking for trouble.
Added to that is the possibility of many untrained users, who will end up costing the time of the few that do know how to use the machine properly.
go buy a nice machine / grinder / setup on your credit card
balance transfer the amount to a creditcard that offers 6 months interest free (still a few around not many but )
start charging $2.5 a coffee
make $100 a week after costs on 10 coffees a day?
pay back ccard then bank the profit for any service the machine needs etc
start selling chockies and chips bought from woolworths etc on special for a small markup
trial small boxes of breaky ceral etc, for those no breakfast people?
wow you just set up a micro-business, it could pay for the social drinks on a friday night once a month and improve relations between all employees (not that sort of relations you dirty minded people)
Originally posted by 7144494E7A664A43434040250 link=1250134836/10#10 date=1250205290
Originally posted by 2F2C28283C28450 link=1250134836/9#9 date=1250204121
Sure if we all put in 3-6 bucks a day into a kitty it would all add up..but in the mean time what are we gonna drink?!
I reckon Dennis hit the nail on the head. Get a good grinder and drink freshly roasted coffee in a french press. It will be a quantum leap. Keep in mind if you sign up to spend more than $1k pre dec 31, Kev will give you a big tax bonus
A fair approach:
For the tax break; the company still has to meet the guidelines to qualify...
As it appears to be for your selves...
I would chat to the boss...
Depending on who is interested and how it is managed...
You could do a deal with the boss and or set up a joint funding arrangement..
Thus teh Lelit Combi would be an ideal solution and not too far off the mark $$ wise.
In addition Andy makes some very good points in his post; http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1250134836/7#7
From experience at my last place... Two of us split the start up costs and every one pays $2 and shares in providing milk... The kitty pays for fresh coffee beans and minor maintenance....
As teh kitty has grown... The primary owners are in a position to recover some of their initial outlay.... In fact we soon were in a position to drop our contribution to 1$ and every one else was still happy to pay the $2... Every one drinks LARGE mugs, so always a double shot...
It once cost many of us $10 to $15 a day for coffee off site and instant in teh office :-( = $50 to $60 a week... Thats almost $200 plus a month... That could be coming off ya mortgage
Now they have it on demand and costs $15 to $20 a WEEK, including milk etc... And no driving or coffee runs off site... Happier boss :-)
So after that; $80 a month for self and good coffee - $120 off the mortgage and a few $ in teh kitty.. Over a year etc... The machine will not only pay for its self, but you will all be in a stronger position... THEN UPGRADEITUS will get involved :-) But that another story...
Do the maths... If your got a good crew... And your prepared to make teh effort, you will save significant $$ in a very short time..
Originally posted by 2F2C28283C28450 link=1250134836/9#9 date=1250204121
Sure if we all put in 3-6 bucks a day into a kitty it would all add up..but in the mean time what are we gonna drink?!
I reckon Dennis hit the nail on the head. Get a good grinder and drink freshly roasted coffee in a french press. It will be a quantum leap. Keep in mind if you sign up to spend more than $1k pre dec 31, Kev will give you a big tax bonus
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