Hottop, Digital

[Andy]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Thanks for the info Ben, Ill contact the company and see if we can get a CoffeeSnob test roaster.

I notice that their "digital" one will not be available till October so it looks like it will have to be the Manual version.

Ill keep everyone posted on the progress.
(prob in a new thread to leave this to the hottop discussions.)

[JR]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hi all

I just received an e-mail from Hottop directly from when I enquired a while ago and I am sure you will all be interested.

Extract below:

"We also would like to inform you that now we have a distributor in Australia. All the machines you purchase will be ship from Australia now. The shipping will be about US$20.00. The sample price for these two models are as follow:
KN-8828 US$700.00 + US$20.00 (shipment)= US$720.00
KN-8828D US$800.00 + US$20.00 (shipment)= US$820.00"

KH-8828: Normal Machine
KH-8828D: New digital version

Regards
Dan

[papalui]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Thats very interesting Dan. Did they tell you who the Australian Distributor is and if they are taking orders.

Cheers,

Louis

[benthx]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hello Fellow Snobs

Well all has moved rather quickly re Hottops apparent appointment of Australian Distributor.

It was only just over a week ago that I spoke to Hottop in Taiwain about a possible purchase. It was still to be paid to them in Taiwain.

I beleive that they have been monitoring the traffic here. Perhaps they are worried about the Gene Caffe getting a foot hold here in Australia.

Interesting to see the prices displayed in USD. I smell something fishy here!!

Ben

[Andy]

Re: Hottop, Digital

;D
as a site admin am I allowed to agree... or should I just deny or ignore the previous post?

;D

[JR]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Louis

They have qualified themselves but saying the distributor is not external but there own warehouse in Australia. The goods would be shipped from the Australian warehouse, but the paperwork and payment (hence the USD) are done in Taiwain. First shipment due in Australia at the end of June (26th from memory).

Cheers
Dan.

[benthx]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I would be dubious about this set up. :

One of the roles of a distributor/importer is to factor in their wholesale price. A margin to be allowed for repairs under the warranty period. A distributor in this case MAY mean a wharehouse to facilitate the taking of orders and shipping (an authorise agent to purchase on your behalf) For a transaction to be valid in the case of a warranty claim. The purchase should be done in Australia and paid in Australian dollars.

If you buy something from overseas (eg coffee machine)and the transaction is processed over there and in its currency. Try and get that same product serviced under warranty if the same item is sold here. Bet you cant! UNLESS a international warranty is offered. The likely scenario is you would have to send it back at your expense from the country that it was purchased from.

This setup is good for international companies as they dont have to pay Australia taxes. But you may have to pay the goverment charges upon landing.

I would like to see if a invoice is issued here in Australia from whom ever THEY are.

Like to make sure their are no SURPRISES

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

It does seem a bit odd to have it quoted in USD. I think I would want to know who is going to provide the warranty etc.

They are a nice unit but I think over the next year we will be seeing a lot of new roasters. It seems to be catching on.

I am sticking with my popper. It is the right way to do it. You know the B&D dittie.

$20 including GST and shipping. So far has lasted 3 years and about 300 roasts or more.

Mmm 6 cents per roast, maybe 6.5 cents with electricity!

I am interested though .

Grant

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hi:

I emailed them direct and I got $700 plus $40 freight (USD) or $800 for the digital version.

Is everyone aware that the only difference is a $100USD stick on display between the $700 and $800 digital model?

I saw it for sale on Marias site (I think).

In my opinion it isnt worth the extra money.

[joe]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Thats strange. When I emailed Hottop a month ago, this is what they said:
"Dear Joe,
Tks your interested in our hottop Roaster.
Yes, we can sell you one pcs. we have tow models
KN8828    US$700 with 7 setting
KN8828D US$800 Digital with timer and tempture display
shipping by air is uS$100.00
Pls let us know which one you like? "

I ended up getting the 8828 from hasbean in the UK for 405 pounds, which was not massively cheaper, but cheaper anyway. (its still an expensive machine!) I wonder if the US$40 they quoted you was for air transport.

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hi:
I got the initial email from them below then bitched about the prices of their machines they then lowered the air freight to $40USD. See their email below.

I am going for the i-roast (I think). I mean the hottop is a great machine but it is 3.5x the cost.

Grant

Dear Grant,
Tks your inquiry the prices as follows;
Kn8828 US$700
KN8828D US$800
Shipping by air is US$100.
Delivery within 7 days after receive your payment.
shelly

Grant,
I hope you understand USA machine is 120v that can not be used for 240v. also you need pay the freight fee and without any after service. actually total is expensive than buy from us.
The most inportant is that the if 120v used in 240v that is not under correct using way, so we can not warantee this for you.
If you like, we can give you the shipping uS$40.00 that is about the same from Aus.
shelly

[joe]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Thats a bit cheeky - trying to charge US$60 more than necessary for shipping .

Fair enough re the I-roast. I looked at that & the Alpenroast.
I hesitated and finally justified the Hottop (weakly) on the fact that my spending on coffee equipment over the last 19+ years has been just two machines (the Gaggias - Baby & Classic). My MDF was given to me 13 years ago. Whilst the Hottop is a great machine, it remains to be seen if it was a good purchase. It will need to last several years...

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Joe,

Let me know how it goes. When is the new baby expected?

I will be interested in your report on it. It sounds like you have been pretty economical regarding the hardware. I think you are right to spend some money on roasting equipment.

I think the bean is the most important followed by roasting, grinding then finally making it into espresso.

I quite like the idea of a drum roaster. I just modified my popper to use a chimney (Campbells Pea and Ham soup ) which is working quie well. I just emptied the can, took a snip out of it with the tin snips, ate my soup then roasted 130g of Brazilian from my newbie pack.

Anyway, a proper roaster will give us both more control over the roasts whether using the i-roast or the hottop.

Grant

[Andy]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Try not to jump too quickly into the roaster buy... Im sure we can strike some good CS deals for those who can wait.

The I-Rosto from Korea looks like a better sized machine (300gm roasts... eg: 250gm roasted) and might be the ideal CS machine if we can wait a bit.

[Avi]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I agree Andy. I am in no hurry, and would rather wait for the "right" roaster (at the right price!), rather than have any roaster right now. While my heatgun drives me to distraction, I am sure that I could live with it for a while longer