Information On Home Roasting.

[BSB]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

OK, I have seen this here - why doesn't Coffee Bean Corral get any love? I don't normally check out the homeroasting threads, but... I have never gotten my beans from unclebeanz (spelling), have occasionally gotten them from Sweet Marias, but for the lion's share of my bean purchases the last 10 years, I have gotten them from CBC, as I compare prices, their's are usually the best.

So, what is it I am missing that these other places get all the love here (Sweet Marias & UncleBeanz) but CBC doesn't? I mean, if it is inferior beans, or sending out inferior beans in place of others, I'd like to know.

Thanks!

Peace of the Lord be with you.

The old owners were righteous, the new guy I don't trust. On some "expensive" beans, I order a pound and like it, order 5 and get something different. Also, I don't think the new guy really knows coffee, like the old or SM. I think he is mostly a buy and sell kinda guy. just my

[floydpink]

Plus, there's some serious behind the scenes bribing going on to have us pimping the other guys' beans.

That was just a joke.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Plus, there's some serious behind the scenes bribing going on to have us pimping the other guys' beans.

I was wondering about that.

That was just a joke.

I am sure there is some kernel of truth there. Maybe getting good deals (a form of bribery, if you will) so that you'll talk up that guy's beans? It wouldn't be the first time that is done. In fact, many places give "bird dog" rewards to those who bring in other customers. If a business does good things, has quality product and decent prices, I'm not opposed to such practice. In some other places, they call this word of mouth. And when the owner founds out that you talked them up, they "thank you" with discounts.
That's good business sense.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by BSB

The old owners were righteous, the new guy I don't trust. On some "expensive" beans, I order a pound and like it, order 5 and get something different. Also, I don't think the new guy really knows coffee, like the old or SM. I think he is mostly a buy and sell kinda guy. just my

I got to know Russ pretty well. Russ spoke well of the new owner. As for him being a buy & sell kinda guy, isn't that what he's in business to do if he's going to make money? I also think that in taking over the business when he did, he got it during an economic downturn.

The part about ordering and getting two different things, that is bothersome.

[BSB]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

I got to know Russ pretty well. Russ spoke well of the new owner. As for him being a buy & sell kinda guy, isn't that what he's in business to do if he's going to make money? I also think that in taking over the business when he did, he got it during an economic downturn.

The part about ordering and getting two different things, that is bothersome.

I liked Russ, too. As far as the buy & sell, let me clarify. Some of the companies, like SM, go out and meet the growers, visit the plantations, check on the processing, look for the best beans at the source. I think CBC just gets samples from his suppliers and buys what looks good, marks it up and passes it on. He doesn't really KNOW what he's got. Again, just my

Yeah, it was Purple Mt Kona. The first pound was awesome so I ordered 10 more. What I got did not look the same (I still had a little of the first pound left) or taste even close. Needless to say, that was my last order from them.

And as for getting kickbacks, I have never even gotten a discount coupon from SM, EVER! That actually pisses me off a little, I have spent a lot of $ there.
I've gotten a few small samples from Uncle Beanz, not really kickbacks. I just like Norman personally, a lot. And I love that he is just 1 guy, busting his hump, trying to make a go of it. And, he has a limited selection and ALWAYS top shelf stuff. And he smokes cigars

[floydpink]

In all seriousness, one of the main reasons I like Sweetmarias is the customer service I have recieved over time.

For example, I broke the glass roasting chamber on my Freshroast and they overnighted me a new one free of charge and included a return label for the broken one with no questions asked. If that qualifies as a kickback, so be it.

Another thing I like is their cupping notes. They can be a bit overwhelming and fancy, but they give the roaster a good idea of what to expect as well as roasting ranges.

Another supplier I like a lot is CCMcoffee in Tampa.

They have been in business for a very long time, the shipping is fast, and their prices are some of the best.

They're a no-nonsense company that doesn't do much advertising and always delivers quality.

As far as Unclebeanz goes, I really like their stuff, I like Norm, and if I can send business to a fellow BOTL, I will do so as long as quality and service is good. It always is.