I stand corrected. Emotions are not fashionable as a basis for morality; although Adam Smith, the original rational economist, also wrote a treatise on moral sentiments. So maybe we should trust our sense of decency more than our sense of duty.

another_jim wrote:So maybe we should trust our sense of decency more than our sense of duty.

Cheers to that!

another_jim wrote:If somebody is an agent for a company, that person has an unconditional duty, fully deontological, to do everything legal to maximize stockholder equity. This is why we need economic regulation - executives are doing their jobs with spotless morality when they screw everyone over, if that is both legal and makes more money than being nice.

This perspective is out of date. Modern executives, especially CEOs, do not do everything they can to maximize shareholder equity. They do everything they can to line their own pockets, often at the expense of shareholders.

These people have no sense of duty. They take massive salaries/bonuses/options/perks that are obscenely out of proportion to their contribution (in some cases when the company's share price has declined), raise their own pay while cutting that of the workers below them (or laying them off), pack the Board with their own people, gamble shareholder assets on questionable acquisitions, negotiate absurd golden parachutes in case they fail, and so on. This reduces earnings and dilutes shareholder equity. In other words, the shareholders get screwed like everyone else.

That's why we need regulation. The sad truth is that, without regulation, the strong and powerful will always exploit the weak and defenseless, in a sort of social Darwinism. That's the flaw in the so-called free-market system touted by so many right-wingers as the solution to all our problems.

Did I mention that I'm an entrepreneur, venture investor, do M&A consulting and teach classes at a business school? If a career business-person like me thinks we have a problem, then we really have a problem.

another_jim wrote:Most web based shipping, e.g. Amazon's regular and free shipping, is FOB origin. That means the recipient takes possession at the moment the package is on the truck, and is liable for all delays or losses. Any rebate would be based on maintaining good customer relations, not on fulfilling a contractual obligation.

Can't speak for other places but I can tell you that if anything at all happens to a package shipped from Amazon they will not only pay for return shipping, they will send out a replacement right away (no charge).

Obviously, this does not apply to 3rd party sellers that are selling something on Amazon.

drgary wrote:But before I go further, I am not posting this thread to pressure any roaster and because of this, please do not name names or air complaints with specific roasters.

Would seem if it was about helping coffee consumers that mentioning names would be a good thing. I understand it opens a can of worms that really shouldn't be opened (i.e. airing problems, false posts, advertising, etc etc...).

However, I personally would like feedback on places where you can buy "roast to order" whole beans online.

Once things are "sponsored" you can lose objectivity and/or otherwise potential good places to purchase from (not to mention warnings about places to stay away from).

FYI for those living in Canada and particularly Ontario. I have ordered online twice now from Social Coffee & Tea Co. The first time I placed my order late Sunday evening and the second time early Monday morning before leaving for work. Their website says that orders received before 9:00AM go out the same day and orders after 9:00AM go out the next day. In both instances I found my package of coffee sitting on my front porch Tuesday morning as I left for work. The roasted date on the bags was Monday. I don't think you can ask for better service then that. Social Coffee & Tea Co. is in Toronto & I live in the Niagara area.

drgary: what I mean by "roast to order" is basically fresh roasted with the roast date clearly marked...ability to pick the blend/type and roast level...I realize not many places have all those options so fresh roasted (roasted and shipped same day or within a day) will suffice IMO...obviously price is a factor...there aren't any local places near me so I have to order online until I get a new roaster.