October Beans

[grendel]

Re: October Beans

LOL the desperation of the Tiger Mountain Drinker! The Yemen sounds very tempting though and Ive been wanting to try some so I might be persuaded

[andrew]

Re: October Beans

I have a kilo of tiger mountain - as to whether it is spare, well that depends on what you have in stock!

Ok Grendel,
I just finished the very last of my tiger mountain, name your price...
Yemen Ismaili?

Ill double whatever LongMatt is offering :P

[Andy]

Re: October Beans

Relax guys, we were told that the next batch of Tigers wont be far away so keep your eyes peeled.

[grendel]

Re: October Beans

no no panic panic - Im getting bargaining edge!

[chris_p]

Re: October Beans

Hello again,

I have some questions regarding the new bean bay buying process. Firstly, I really appreciate the heads up as to which beans will be on offer BUT I dont understand why there is no information regarding the price of these beans prior to the poll date? Plus the navigation around bean bay is a bit of a dog when you are required to enter into each bean type to obtain pricing, even more so when the system is congested.

It seems, reading the last five pages, that quite a few CSs experience regular frustration and difficulty when it comes to ordering as a result of poor connection speeds, beans running out quickly, etc. At last count you had over 1400 members and I am asking myself can you guys handle that many people ordering beans from you? I am aware that all green bean sites work on a first come first served basis but with 1400 members and the limited beans on offer by you this no longer seems to cut it and generates alot of disappointment. So how much green do you typically order offset against the number of people buying? Because it would seem from the limited information contained in the forum, these two factors dont reconcile.

Cheers, Chris

[TC]

Re: October Beans

Hello again,

I have some questions regarding the new bean bay buying process. Firstly, I really appreciate the heads up as to which beans will be on offer BUT I dont understand why there is no information regarding the price of these beans prior to the poll date? Plus the navigation around bean bay is a bit of a dog when you are required to enter into each bean type to obtain pricing, even more so when the system is congested.

It seems, reading the last five pages, that quite a few CSs experience regular frustration and difficulty when it comes to ordering as a result of poor connection speeds, beans running out quickly, etc. At last count you had over 1400 members and I am asking myself can you guys handle that many people ordering beans from you? I am aware that all green bean sites work on a first come first served basis but with 1400 members and the limited beans on offer by you this no longer seems to cut it and generates alot of disappointment. So how much green do you typically order offset against the number of people buying? Because it would seem from the limited information contained in the forum, these two factors dont reconcile.

Cheers, Chris

Im sorry to hear that you feel the way you do, Chris. Im sure that Andy will respond to your feedback later. On reading this thread, the feedback seems overwhelmingly positive to me? A question about postage was asked and responded to. Other than that, all I see is excitement over the whole process.

Firstly, Coffeesnobs started and continues to operate pretty much as a co-op. There are 1400 members, but like any other forum, not all of those members are active and similarly not every member purchases green beans. I recall Andy mentioning that a tonne of coffee was moved in a previous poll  :. This coffee needs to be sampled, purchased, bagged into 2.5 and 5kg batches and freighted- not to mention the accounting that must occur back of house. This back-breaking work takes time and a whole lot of energy. All this happens as a second job for Andy. CS is not a full time occupation. Just think about the energy that this takes.

With regard to bean bay, perhaps you dont have a heap of experience with e-commerce sites but it is typical of other models- easy to use and efficient. The unique thing about CS is that when a poll opens, many members (up to 60 at last count) connect simultaneously to one web server and that causes things to slow. You might think about blaming telstra for that as our broadband system breathes through straws. Member feedback of the whole process is overwhelming positive. A monthly poll allows Andy to have a life....

We are very fortunate to have this supportive environment where information is freely provided and those of us who wish to purchase beans can get them at very fair prices. Other sites sell generic beans at up to $30 per kilo- green.

Finally, membership is not compulsory  >. There is no onus on any member or you for that matter to stay, but I for one will be.

I greatly value CS as a the best forum in OZ for all things coffee and for knowledge and friendships gained.

2mcm

[Presso]

Re: October Beans

Hi Chris,

I just read Psalm 84:10:
"For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."

Pretty intense stuff.

I quite enjoy the anticipation and disappointment involved in a bean bay scramble. I missed out on the PNG Peaberry this time but I will leave feedback ing the "wishing well" part of the site.

Andy will read it and add it to his list of chores.

Have faith in Andy and he will provide.

[fatboy_1999]

Re: October Beans

I just wanted to say that I had very little problem doing my order on Sunday.

I logged on to look at 1pm. I browsed 4 coffees and the tea, added 3 items to my cart and then went to checkout. I was all done by 1.10

It was a little slower than normal, but that was bound to be the case with our first Mountain Top coffees on offer.

I think the site copes just fine. It would be folly to expect Andy to invest in more bandwidth/hardware/web design for the once a month (well. once only so far), spike.

Believe me, if you choose to hang around this site for a while, youll NEVER be worried about running out of green beans. The issue is going to be "Can I justify more beans?" and "Will I be near a computer for the next poll?"

I missed a poll a couple of months back. I was away and not checking e-mail. Its not the end of the world. If you are really desperate for green beans (IE: You are running out), put up an SOS in wishing well. Someone like me might be able to sling you a couple of kilos of something to tide you over.

As for postage, well it is what it is. Andy is not making money on the postage (in some cases he is losing on it). Its just a fact of life, kilos of stuff costs money to freight around. I think youll be hard pressed to find anywhere else that will deliver green beans to you for the price range this site can do it for.

I think the site is doing fine. I think beanbay is coping at present and Im more than happy with the experience I have here.

Just my opinion.

Brett.

[grendel]

Re: October Beans

Im another newbie to Coffee Snobs - I joined in August a week or so before the coffee poll - I got beans in that poll, and remember sitting over my keyboard at work hitting the refresh button until the coffee came online. For this Poll I was away at my sont Birthday party - and not at all close to a computer. I asked the question - can anyone bid for me as well, and the offer was made, Ive never met this fellow CSer but he bought beans for both of us. I think that is pretty indicative of the crowd here and from what I have seen this arrangement is unique - and pretty special.

The trading is frenetic, and the server does suffer, but but if you persevere you get green treasures - and at the coop price instead of some commercial sites retail price.

[Viviane]

Re: October Beans

Promised to take my son and nephew fishing yesterday, so missed out on the rush. And the Bundja. Got some Boomerang naturals though, so its still good.

chris_p, sorry you dont like the way were set up. Most of us are more interested in the type of beans available than their cost - thats why there are different beans on offer each month. We already know the price will be good. I suggest you vote with your dollar - if this site isnt good enough, then find another.

[blweaver]

Re: October Beans

I heartily second 2mcms comments.

Im sure too many CSers take the site and the huge effort Andy puts in for granted.

Did you pay a joining fee? - NO!!

Have you been asked to put is a lump sum into a kitty pot to cover off the initial purchase of beans? - NO!!

It is obvious that the tremendous energy put into this collection of like minded people by Andy and others is understated.

Someone has to pay for the beans I assume, upfront payment, freight, computing power etc. I also guess that someone is Andy.......who at $10/kg could be several thousand dollars out of pocket at any one time......and if all beans arent sold then carrying that through to the next bean bay......WOULD YOU?

The short supply of beans is usually a cary over of left over beans from previous sales....the new beans mostly carry through.

I think critical comments or tones from members is ill conceived........ Have you the time and funds to do better??

I, for one, thank Andy and the team of CSs for the great public forum available for us coffee lovers in Oz.

While the bean bay has some small capacity issues it is a great system........

Well done Andy, the site and service has been much appreciated....

[rowdee]

Re: October Beans

Chris, I think you have misunderstood the spirit of CS.

Having been a member since March and participated in all the polls since then, things have gotten better and better.

BeanBay is an excellent ecommerce experience. The variety and quality of beans is sensational. All of this reflects wonderfully on the work Andy does. As membership grows and the word gets out more and more people participate but it is all in good fun and enjoyable to see whats on offer.

The site is comprehensive about all things coffee and full of helpful and expert participation.

It is my favourite site and reflects the passion that coffeephiles have toward their beans.

Geoff.

[Sparky]

Re: October Beans


Ive been around for a while, but yesterday was my first bean buying experience from CS. Ive gotta say I loved it. Even though it was just me at the computer, I could feel the excitement as people frenetically bought some very interesting beans. It was the MT Bundja that finally got me into the thick of it, and I think Ill be back for more.

One point about the price. For me the price is secondary. Its the beans that are the most important. I loaded my cart, checked the price..... waited to recover consciousness... Had a bit of a think about what I was really after and put a few beans back. When I was happy with the beans and the price, I went to the checkout. Im not sure how it could be better than that. Besides it also means that some others can have a second chance at the beans I couldnt afford.


Great stuff Andy. I think theres more than a few people here who really appreciate what youre providing.

Cheers,

Mark.

[Baristacrat]

Re: October Beans

Id like to 3rd, 4th and 5th the comments so far. Those new to the site and the frenetic hilarious bean-fight that is bean bay have to be mindful of its context.

We are a community who are united across a shared interest. The moderators, the sponsors and the participants all facilitate this experience, with humour, advice, and in Andys case, enabling the forum users who wish to, to buy a variety of green beans we may not normally have access to ( MT Coffee case in point) so we can enrich our home roasting experience.

This is not a formal e-commerce site, and as such, participants must expect that on a blatantly hapharard, first in first served basis, it works a treat. At any given month, we could miss out because we arent around at when the beans come online. Cest la vie. The next month, there will be WOO-HOOs up the wazoo when the beans are in the bag.  8-)

Its great to see the CSers support for Andy, and the recognition that he is doing us a favour, and that the majority are tres tres grateful.

So I hope next month Chris you are hunched over the computer frantically punching refresh to get your order in, and in the meantime perhaps enjoy a starter pack and get involved in posting and sharing with everyone else. Im sure in 30 days you will see the bl**dy miracle that bean bay actually is and love it like we do!

Polly  ;D

[sirhc8]

Re: October Beans

In a way, Andy is becoming a victim of his own genorosity. As long as the site is open to all (as it should be), membership will increase and eventually the process may become less and less manageable. From the users end, at the moment, the process is brilliant.

Eventually, you learn to manage your stock so if you miss out in a poll or two, you wont be caught short.

In terms of the lack of pricing details on the front page of BeanBay; from my experience, the range tends to be between $7-$12, some, such as the oz coffees obviously exceed this. Given the difference is not that great, I think most of us choose the beans we like rather than saving a few $ but if thats an issue (which I can certainly appreciate), its really not that hard to click on a number of beans to gather pricing details.


Chris