rindfest wrote:quite a while ago, 1st line had a demo mazzer mini e for sale [and a bunch of demo stuff], advertised only here on HB marketplace. I think it was about $100 off list.

iirc the ad said to contact Jim only as his staff did not know about the pricing

I emailed Jim and he told me to call

I called Jim with credit card in hand, and he was as rude as could be. he told me he didnt have time to speak on the phone as he wasnt making any money on the sale cos it was a demo and he was in business to make money. He said I should email him if I wanted to buy it and then pretty much hung up.

suffice to say I didnt buy it.

I have always found Chris at chris coffee to be incredibly helpful.

Rindfest,

I am very sorry that I came across this way. I will have to agree with you. I was rude.

However, please understand that my time is my paycheck. The equipment you were seeking (all demos) were sold at or below cost. In these cases, demo sales are referred to our web site. The HB ad at the time did say to email, but I do not recollect either way if I asked you to call, nor do I recollect if you mentioned demo or not in your email.

Either way, I do apologize for not being myself at the time you called.

Sincerely,
Jim Piccinich
Business Partner

rindfest wrote:I called Jim with credit card in hand, and he was as rude as could be. he told me he didnt have time to speak on the phone as he wasnt making any money on the sale cos it was a demo and he was in business to make money. He said I should email him if I wanted to buy it and then pretty much hung up.

suffice to say I didnt buy it.

I have always found Chris at chris coffee to be incredibly helpful.

Rindfest,
I don't know what happened in your case, but in my case, with numerous e-mails and phone calls to Jim for months, without buying anything (after my previous experience, I wanted to take it slowly and surely..), he was as friendly and as patient - way beyond my expectations. I have had a very bad experience with Chris coffee, but it is not in my character to "spill the guts" here or to blemish anyone, because things happen when you do business. Sometimes you are happy, sometimes you are disappointed. And since clearly there is no pattern here neither from Chris nor from Jim to fool with anyone (they are here after all to do business and you cannot do business screwing people), so let's assume you had a little mishap...Unfortunately.
I on the other hand, eventually did buy from Jim. Why!? because of all the time and patience he gave me, explaining things to me and we even had some laughs on the phone.
Today is one great example of how much Jim cares about his customer being happy with the new purchase: I purchased the Silvia from Jim which arrived within 3 days!, put it up immediately to try it... unfortunately, water did not come out through the group head and I saw that the pump doesn't suck water through the pipe. Having been in that story before, the first thing that got through my mind was that I am in the 'unlucky' category.. that I just can't get a working machine ever!!. It was 8PM (way after hours) that I decided to call 1st-line just to leave a message and to tell them what happened and expect them to call me 1st thing in the AM. To my surprise, Jim picked up the phone! I am sure I was a little upset on the phone but Jim calmed me down and asked me couple of questions about what and how I was trying to start the machine and he immediately was on the problem: Just air bubbles in the pump (oh the power of knowledge!). He first offered to overnight a new one and have this one picked up, even though the problem could be solved in a second but he wanted to extend his full support and let me choose: I of course opted to fix it on spot... He showed me a trick how to release that air bubble and in seconds, water started to flow and I was in business in no time... In fact I am writing while drinking a very good espresso (given that it is just the second dial-in, basically the second espresso on this new machine! still have some tweaks to do but I am beginning to enjoy it)...
One day after I placed the order online, I called to ask Jim a couple of questions, that's when I learned they were in the midst of moving to a new location, so Andrew took a message and he promised me Jim would call back. 20 min later I got a call from Jim. I am pretty sure he was tied up with the move, but he gave me the time I needed for my questions, answered them to my satisfaction and all is well...

Sometimes we need to take it easy, slow down and don't be quick to judge and think about the whole thing for a minute or two, maybe we - the customers - weren't perfect either... and nobody is perfect but I am sure if given a second chance, things could be corrected.

By the way, did you eventually buy a new one from Chris or a demo one? Either way I hope you are happy and that your next experience will be better.
Gedit.

Everyone has good days and bad and we are all human. The select list of HB sponsors are our sponsors for a reason. You won't find a bad one among the lot. If they don't live up to the home barista standards they get culled out and/or are not given the opportunity to join the ranks and there have been some. I have had a few bend over backwards to help accommodate me as well as the HB readership.

I have to say my espresso equipment is an accumulation of various purchases from BOTH Chris' Coffee Service and 1st-Line (along with a bit of this-and-that from Espresso Parts, NW). I have had numerous telephone conversations and email exchanges with both Chris and Jim, personally, and both have been very patient with my questions and very thorough with their explanations. Both have been readily available when I have called -- both before AND after the sale -- and I would whole-heartedly recommend both vendors to anyone.

Cheers,
Jason

cannonfodder wrote:The select list of HB sponsors are our sponsors for a reason. You won't find a bad one among the lot. If they don't live up to the home barista standards they get culled out and/or are not given the opportunity to join the ranks and there have been some.

Dave's right, all the HB sponsors listed on the Resources page under Commerce have a solid track record and have personally committed to support the HB community. Anyone is allowed an off day. In the end, I have complete confidence the HB sponsors will exceed expectations. We're lucky to have their support and they're lucky to have the HB community's support.

this thread seems to be asking for people's experiences with vendors. that was mine.

Jim has graciously apologized/acknowledged it.

gedit wrote:
Rindfest,

edited**

I have had a very bad experience with Chris coffee, but it is not in my character to "spill the guts" here or to blemish anyone, because things happen when you do business.

Gedit.

it seems you have posted your bad experience too?

rindfest wrote:this thread seems to be asking for people's experiences with vendors. that was mine.

Jim has graciously apologized/acknowledged it.



it seems you have posted your bad experience too?

Actually I didn't, I was just making a point that despite of my ill experience I have moved on without complaining or spreading the 'word' out, because as I said people do make mistakes. All of us.

Another greatness of a person is that he can recognize his own mistakes and even apologize. And I see that Jim has done so. That's a great trait.

gedit wrote:Actually I didn't, I was just making a point that despite of my ill experience I have moved on without complaining or spreading the 'word' out

you said in your original post that "I have had a very bad experience with Chris coffee"

how is that any different than my posting that I had a bad experience with 1st line?

same forum, same thread, same sentiment.

yet I am "complaining" and "spreading the word out", but you aren't?

The summary of the Guidelines for productive online discussion includes this point:

Please use these forums only as a last resort for complaining about vendors.

However, there's a preamble that explains this recommendation. Contributors to this thread are advised to re-read the above guidelines to avoid a tedious repetition of the six step cycle. Thanks.

Jim apology totally accepted

I also think its good info to know so you know the weak links and if your people are not taking customers requests and notes and getting them to you ?


we are all human we all have bad days and we all have people in our biz that can be the weak link
the fact you can come on and say sorry says a lot !!!!!!

that is also why I did not say you were a bad guy you arent in my book

I do want the elektra cups when you get the larger ones back in stock

I will still tell people that I talk to since they know I am into these toys to call up both 1st line and chris coffee , espresso parts and a few others see who they like and go with your comfort level

maybe it is a island thing ? but I dont care as much about price as I do want service and getting to know someone who helps me out etc..

as I say until I am perfect (long ways for that) I wont ever hold anything over anyone

Jim big kudos for apology