Helpful Tips in Selecting Espresso Equipment

More than 50% of selecting a new machine is selecting the vendor from whom you will buy it. cost is always a big factor, but is best considered in relation to value obtained, security and success fro your business, and the return your investment will produce. This is, after all, the most important investment for your new coffee business. Some helpful things to consider:

Expertise

How long has this vendor been in business? Have they ever made their living selling coffee? How long have their employees been in their present jobs? Are their technicians certified to maintain the equipment?

Integrity

What is the vendor's general reputation for direct and honest dealing? Do they go that extra mile? Are these people genuinely helpful, supportive, and generous with their knowledge, or does it feel like you are buying a used car? When checking references, try to talk to some clients who no longer deal with this vendor and learn why they switched.

Training

Almost every vendor provides training on how to make the machine work, but this is not nearly enough. You need to learn how each drink is made, differences between hot and cold preparation, how to develop bonds with customers, special drink promotion, general marketing, coffee brewing, the care of coffee, cleaning and maintaining your machines, and most importantly, how to be your own machine mechanic. Does this vendor have a formal training process? What is the background and experience of the trainer? What books, videos, and manuals are provided?

After Sale Support

What after-the-sale retraining is included? Do they help coordinate your build-out? Are they connected with the full range of industry resources you need to fully furnish and equip your store?

Machine Parts

Do they have every part for every model of machine they carry in stock? If not, how long will it take for a part to arrive? What is the longest it will take for a special order to arrive? Will they provide a temporary machine while yours is down? Is there a rental rate? Does the rental cost cover special order delays?

Inspect the Service Area

Do they service all brands of machines or just one? What is the length of employment for service manager and technicians? Interview these persons to learn their experience. How do they handle after-hour emergency calls? Verify what you are told by calling some customers.

What Other Support Do They Offer After the Sale?

Look for training, marketing, and operations review. How about research and locating hard-to-find items.

Cost

This is an important consideration, especially since most have very limited budgets, but there are better ways to evaluate this:

Reliability

Buying a machine for $1000 or even $2000 less does not mean much when you consider that it will probably pay for itself within 90 to 120 days. You can lose this much in two or three days of down-time, then lose an employee through frustration, and finally lose several hard-earned customers because they get reliable service down the street. Reliability is your customers most important buying criteria. Shouldn't it then also be yours?

Certifications

Do not buy a machine that is not certified to meet UL/safety and ETL/NSF sanitation standards. Health departments have the power to close your business down.

Remember, there is no single best espresso machine. The espresso machine you purchase is only as good as the people supporting it.