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Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

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  • #16
    Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

    Apologises I havent replied earlier. Took some time off for the long weekend.

    Thanks to all those that have commented.

    Just some developments - I spoke to the boss about the possibility of a semi-auto machine, to which hes basically gave a flat out no to.

    So unfortunately, its full auto.

    At present, Im pretty much deciding between the:
    - Saeco Touch
    - Saeco Royal Cappuccino
    - Saeco Royal Professional

    Price wise, there doesnt seem to be too much difference (Ive received a few quotes, and theyre all coming in around the $1800~1900 mark). AFAIK, the Royal is the older model, which doesnt have the fancy touch screen, but has the larger capacity tank.

    Quick question - what does the Expresso Thermoelectric 20 lt cooler do? as shown here - mod edit- commercial link removed in line with site sales and posting policy

    Also - which model would be the more reliable and suited to my needs? (the Touch seems to be very fancy with modern look + fancy touch screen... but it has a smaller water tank (1.8 lt compared to the 2.4 on the Royal) + bean holder (250g compared to 300g on the Royal)). Im not sure what the difference is between the Royal Cappuccino & Professional is.

    Another thing - are milk bays worthwhile?

    Anything else I should look out for?

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    • #17
      Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

      Originally posted by 0C313D35275E0 link=1232519966/14#14 date=1233142564
      Lavazza Blue pod machine (machine free- you buy the pods at $1. each)
      I did some research on this, and found the pod/pod machines almost perfect for my needs (clean, reliable, low maintenance, able to handle volume cups) - except for one thing -> cost.

      Machines are free, but you need to go on a contract, with a min pod buy per month. There are a few places that allow you to buy the machine (costs are lower than that of the auto machines Im looking at).
      But even a search on the net shows pods to be fairly hefty in price (the cheapest I found was approx $0.40. On average, looking at between $0.50~$1.00 per pod).

      Considering we go through around 20 cups per day/100 cups per week, just not practical.

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      • #18
        Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

        Unless your office is next door to the Saeco repair agent, I strongly advise you to avoid this make. Ive chronicled my Saeco expereince elsewhere and despite my warnings, my brother bought the top-of-the-line new one, which has spent more time on the repair bench than the kitchen bench.
        In an office environment, where you cant guarantee it will be used properly, Id say the Saeco is doomed from the outset.
        If you must go fully auto, look at a commercial machine or at least a Jura which seems to have better reliability.
        I really dont want to have to say "told you so", so please avoid Saeco.

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        • #19
          Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

          Originally posted by 6E64697C7F60617C6D080 link=1232519966/17#17 date=1233181140
          If you must go fully auto, look at a commercial machine or at least a Jura which seems to have better reliability.
          Thanks for the heads up, and Ill definitely take that on board.

          Can I ask - what Jura model you would recommend?

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          • #20
            Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

            Id check with site sponsor Gilkatho.

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            • #21
              Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

              Whilst I carry no brief for the Pod style machines I do think they offer something for coffee drinkers who are not connoisseurs but might like something better than Instant. I am of the understanding that our Social Clubs contract with Lavazza Blue requires the purchase of a minimum of 100 pods per month at $1. per pod.
              Another way of using the pod system is to purchase a Pod machine of which there are several types all cheaper than $500. and then purchase the Nespresso (or some other brand that fits) pods at your discretion (no contract).
              Our work experience is suggesting that most people really dont care about the quality of their coffee and are happy with Instant whilst there are always a few in the workplace who want something a bit better and will actually pay for it. (We also have a Coffee Van that calls daily for another part of the organisation-for those that want to pay $3.50 for their coffee.)

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              • #22
                Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                Let me suggest that you do NOT cater for the people who dont care--after all THEY DONT CARE! and will probably drink instant anyway just cause its cheaper. Some in my office do just this.

                The fussy ones appreciate good coffee and are supportive of efforts to provide decent coffee at work. They will pay for this because otherwise it costs over $3.50 at the Coffeemart for stuff that is usually pod quality at best.

                Some in between will be converted, if only because the real stuff is cheaper than $1 a pod. The better taste will get more.

                If you can, try and persuade the boss to subsidise the good coffee for staff meetings and official functions. This will suck in more as they try and go back to instant.

                Greg

                ps--this is the way it works at my office anyway.

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                • #23
                  Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                  Originally posted by 52585540435C5D4051340 link=1232519966/17#17 date=1233181140
                  Unless your office is next door to the Saeco repair agent, I strongly advise you to avoid this make. Ive chronicled my Saeco expereince elsewhere and despite my warnings, my brother bought the top-of-the-line new one, which has spent more time on the repair bench than the kitchen bench.
                  In an office environment, where you cant guarantee it will be used properly, Id say the Saeco is doomed from the outset.
                  If you must go fully auto, look at a commercial machine or at least a Jura which seems to have better reliability.
                  I really dont want to have to say "told you so", so please avoid Saeco.
                  Id agree with this - our office spent over $10K on a Saeco superautomatic office-grade machine and it kept breaking down - repeatedly. Often multiple times per week. Frequent problem was a 20c hose inside which simply was of insufficient quality.

                  Ironically, it was replaced with a Jura which produces rubbish coffee and also breaks down nearly as frequently.

                  Having said that, my previous employer had a Saeco Royal and whilst still occasionally problematic, it was on the whole quite reliable for medium duty cycle (office of say 20 ppl) and made a half-decent coffee (and was in fact extremely easy to texture milk).

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                    according to the details you provided in your first post, and that your work place manager has indicated they want an auto machine, my recommendation is you buy a new current model Jura S9.

                    The ***dealer*** network for Jura is excellent, they are small business owners who believe the philosphy for growing their business is to look after their clients. they give personal sevice. they service what they sell, they run delivery sevices, supply coffee and accessories etc.

                    If you buy from a dept store on the other hand even if it is the same brand, there wont be any of the personal service you will get through the ***dealer*** network.

                    Jura ***dealers*** are the OFFICE COFFEE SUPPLY arm of the Jura distributorship network in Australia. That is why they offer the services that they do, while the dept store network does not.


                    My own company CosmoreX Coffee, and Gilkatho are both dealers. You need to find out who the dealer is for your area, and approcach them....or one of us will pass on the lead if you contact us about it. You have to go through your local dealer as it is they who carry the guarantee on your machine and that means, if you buy a machine by maiil order from out of your area, when you need service orr warranty work you will need to pack it up and send it back to the place of purchase or to the dealer service agent for that area, not yours. Your local dealer is not obliged to honour any warranty on a machine that he did not sell.  Also, machines get damaged in transit when they go by interstate courier.

                    It is not unheard of for these machines to develop legitimate problems...what machine doesnt? BUT, in most cases someone that has a problem with a Jura machine usually hasnt understood it. They either havent listened when their delaer demonstrated its operation and use, or they werent present at the time, or they didnt read the instructions, or they never wanted to know but got the job of looking after the machine in the office. This is nothing more than coffee machine psychology and we see it all the time and lets not forget, some people ***just dont get it*** and shouldnt be the designated coffee machine lookerer afterere!

                    Regardz,
                    Attilio
                    first / original CS site sponsor.

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