My coffee is wanted at a local coffee shop.  Most coffee suppliers supply them with a Bunn type maker.  I will probably have to do something like that to make the deal work.  Any suggestions?  I wonder if I could get her to pour over all her drip coffee needs.  Not like its a big volume shop.

I would surely like to steer her away from coffee sitting in airpots, etc.  Help me people, help me.....  :)

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When you say "most suppliers", do you really mean "the commodity suppliers", or do the good specialty roasters supply brewers in your area? Around here, supplying brewers is something that roasters are getting away from... unless it is a high-profile or high volume account. I'm not sure how else you make a $800+ brewer plus install, maintenance, and water filters be a profitable account.
The roasters here do supply them.  This place is not near busy enough to supply them with an $800 brewer.  The present roaster does though and if she switches to me, she will need a brewer.  She needs to go press pot or pour over.  I have to meet with her Monday, so I need to ponder this quickly.

In my opinion it becomes a question of what's MOST important to her. If you have a better product than the company she is currently using then make sure they understand that distinction. Trying to chase a low volume customer by supplying them with equipment can become a dangerous game with little to no profits to show. Remember, your in business to turn a profit. Quality vs. quantity as far as wholesale accounts. I choose quality over quantity every time.

Good luck!!

 

Nick

I live in a unique part of the country.  Let me put it this way, anything but gas and groceries is 120 miles from here.  You dont balk at ANY business here.  Plus, you have to start somewhere.

Peter I understand what you mean and I don't want to see you lose business but I also don't want to see you commit to an account that winds up costing you money and putting you behind the eight ball from the beginning. The pour over is cheap, but will she be able to use this method while tending to other part of her business. In other words is it practical from a retailers standpoint. Another option might be to supply her with an inexpensive drip into glass airpots (I personally hate these) and work it into the price of the coffee until the pot is paid off and explain this to her. Then at the end she owns the equipment and you have an account.

Just another thought. Keep me posted. I hope it works out for you.

 

All my best.

Nick

I meant to say glass decantors, not glass airpot.

Hey Nick,  I know what you mean.  No, I am not going to do this and go backwards.  Its a very low volume shop because people can go to the local food store and get free coffee...lol.  We're going to do somethings to drum up some business with her.  Its not her fault, she doest know coffee and how to use it to attract people.  The place is kinda a yuppie coffee shop, which wont work here.  We need to change that and I think things will flow better.

 

I'm not sure she goes through more than one airpot a day.  Monday I will find out just how much coffee she goes through and go from there.  Thanks for your input!

Before even considering supplying a brewer absolutely need to know volume! Something like a used Curtis airpot brewer (pourover not plumbed) may be the way to go, should be able to get one for around $200. Then if enough coffee to justify it gratis or sell or lease it to her for a low price, $10-20 month. The next question does she have a grinder for other than espresso?
If the account is such low volume but is "high visibility" offer to do a joint venture.  You supply the coffee and the equipment, both of you do the marketing and she does the labor your way.  You guys split the revenue.  If it works then you guys can redo the deal based on the new volume numbers.
Mike I like that suggestion. It's more palatable for her because you are kind of investing in her business with a vested interest in its success. Very creative. Nice job.

Mike, thats what I am thinking.  She does not have a grinder at this stage.  I forget what espresso machine she has but its a 2 hopper, 2 head, with a built in grinder.  Will know more tomorrow.

 

Other Mike, the airport brewer sounds like an option too.  I'll fill you all in tomorrow when I find out more. Its on Main St in town, its a good location....you can get deli sandwiches, soup, etc there as well.

 

Thanks all for your input!

This will come along with her deal.  It will be the first thing she sells. 

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