Well Dav, regarding your latest question, we currently use fancy POS software. We used a standard till for many years though. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses. I would use either. They both serve the same purpose.

So Dav, this week I got my Robur-e. What a grinder! But after some very bad luck. We have two Mazzer Super jollies. 17 years of grinding between them. Never broken. This year I replaced the switch on the oldest one. 1 month ago, the same switch went on the other grinder. Then just last week, the same thing happens to the backup grinder. The old timer switches dont like being forced on and off 200 times a day it appears for on demand grinding. I bought a robur e for next day delivery. Beautiful!

Secondly, yes I pay my staff monthly, and also, I have some leverage when it comes to pay so no one can screw you over. Pay day is the 5th but the pay period is the month before from the 23rd to the 22nd of the last month. So have about 2 weeks to solve problems and make sure people are not doing what they want. It also gives time to account for till shortages if this arises.

You must be busy this next few weeks, have you found a barista yet? And trained them too? You mentioned about your support staff pool being students. I dont think you can rely on them. Having new and incompentent staff is so much trouble. Look for people who specify in their cv that they are looking for a coffee oriented position or a manger oriented position. The people who are seeking other things than money or just a job or mindlessly handing out cvs.

Has HasBean given you any training?

Alex

No worries Dav, happy to share the info. We don't have a Synesso yet. YET. I'd love to have one to play around with. We're using the LM Linea 3 grp. Its old and im literally just kitting it out this week with a PID, new steam valves and arms and a new tank to stop these pressure dips we've been having.

I wouldn't say that anyone can tell the difference in the taste, no. Our best espressos are still as good as they've ever been. What I can tell though, is that we are achieving consistently better espresso, shot after shot.

Nice, I think I saw that Royal on ebay last week. Good price. The hopper you could get from espresso products.com or coffeehit.com. They are two good speciality coffee suppliers. Coffeehit has a wider selection having been around for longer. But they are expensive. Espresso products will source you whatever you want if you ask for it, and they have good prices. Both are good service.

Regarding your service that you asked.
Check the AIEE.org. its a group of independent espresso machine engineers across the country.

Daisy Rollo? Who is she with?

Let me know how the trip to HasBean goes, I'd be interested in seeing them too.

It's always go go go by the way. It'll never stop. Just when you think you are close to accomplishing everything, another dam breaks and you get flooded with more things!

Hope all goes well for you.

Alex