Seattle Coffee Gear

07/16/2008 Posted by wolf55

I had been using a Breville espresso maker for the past 5-6 years with acceptable results. Until I tasted real espresso while in Europe. On a recommendation from a associate, I purchased a fully-automatic machine online from Seattle Coffee Gear. Almost immediately, it became clear that I had underestimated my abilities...the machine did not give me the same authentic espresso. Luckily, the return process was simple and fair, and the machine was on it's way back in two days. Moving on, SCG's salesperson took his time helping me match my higher expectations with a Semi Automatic model, which turned out to be the Rancilio Silvia and Rocky Doser Grinder package. I have to tell you, Seattle Coffee Gear took me from green, newbie status to well-informed and ready to brew with the utmost patience. I am hearing-impaired, and phone conversations can be challenging at times, but the two reps I spoke with were true experts in espresso. Maybe it's partially the attitude that turned me away from the more local east-coast companies, but I am confident that Seattle really cared about getting me into a unit that was appropriate for my experience and budget-rather than the pushy car-salesman types I have spoken with elsewhere. When I received my setup, I was thrilled with the quality of the machine, the espresso drinks I can now create on my own, and the service I have received from this company. I would recommend them to you as a 5 star experience, and I will be back for more gadgets and coffee!

06/25/2008 Posted by HelenZimm

We purchased our La Valentina espresso maker from Seattle Coffee Gear last week. We are only two states away, but we saw the package in 2 days! This company raises the bar in every way. Before choosing the La Valentina, I spent over a half-hour grilling their most patient phone representative on every aspect of the three machines we had narrowed down to. I feel like we made the most informed decision possible, aside from visiting them in person. When we were setting up the La Valentina, the manual was a little "fuzzy", so to speak. I scheduled some time with Gayle, who walked me through every step in preparing to brew our first "real" cappuccinos! Had we known authentic Italian-style coffee was this attainable, there would have been a shiny espresso machine in our kitchen long ago! We shopped around and found Seattle Coffee Gear to have the most approachable and knowledgeable salespeople on either coast.

Pros: Quick shipping-great product-highly trained folks

Cons: no stores in montana!

06/25/2008 Posted by AnneAndEd

I can't tell you how much I appreciated Seattle Coffee Gear's help in fixing our espresso machine. It had been out of commission for over 6 months, and had been misdiagnosed by 2 different repair shops at the cost of $145 before we found Seattle Coffee Gear. The service team was very professional and made short work of my machine's ills. Now our old Saeco is up and running like new, and the cost was reasonable. They look like they have a great selection in their store, so we will have to come back when we're not in a rush. Local expertise at its finest!

Pros: great service, friendly and patient

Cons: hard to get into driveway across traffic

06/25/2008 Posted by karensquirrel

Beware, this company is very expensive. Shop around. Starbucks recommened them to me to get a coffee grinder fixed. I took it in and they told me it was a fuse for $10. After the fuse came in they broke the news to me that their hourly rate for repairing items was $80! Can you think of jobs that make $80 an hour? Not many and it certainly should not be for coffee machine repair. The owner would only say it was industry standard. As a follow up to this.... They told me that replacing the fuse was a 45 minute job. I purchased the fuse for $10.00 which I am sure was over priced and left. One of my good friends replaced the fuse for me in 15 minutes. He actually damaged the fuse I purchased and ended up using a .50 cent fuse from an automotive store, but the grinder works great.

06/02/2008 Posted by asuttles

After reading a plethora of reviews online for espresso machines, I was so pleased to have the option of going into Seattle Coffee Gear's showroom to try out the machines I was considering. My husband and I spent over an hour pulling shots, frothing milk, tasting the results and arguing over what to purchase. It was wonderful! In the end, we bought a better (and more expensive) machine than the one we originally picked out, but we've been thrilled with the results. We wouldn't have known had we not tried them out first. A few months later, we purchased a grinder for my dad for Christmas. That purchase was handled through the website and on the phone. It shipped to my parents (who live in another state) with all the freebies promised. My dad, who used to regrind already ground coffee to get it to "espresso" fineness, is now showing off his new talents with his fancy grinder. SCG helped me pick the best possible option in our price range. Since our purchases, we've encouraged many friends to try out their shop. Everyone has been so pleased with the hands-on, knowledgeable, no-pressure experience. I highly recommend you visit Seattle Coffee Gear if you're even considering an espresso machine. It's worth the trip.

Pros: Extensive selection. Hands-on.

Cons: None

03/20/2008 Posted by AaronP1

I bought my first REAL coffee machine for X-mas at Seattle Coffee Gear over a year ago and have enjoyed every cup of joe since. The staff is professional, experienced, courteous, and down right good people. Their new establishment is a work of art in itself but the true experience is all of the fantastic and mesmerizing coffee gear they have on display. I am like a kid in a toy store when I am there. All kinds of cool, shiny, and sleek machines. I strongly suggest that you go by and take a look at their store before you go and shuck out another $4 for a cup at you know where. I have to honestly say, I have saved hundreds and I don't have to wait in a line to get a cup of attitude.

Pros: Two thumbs up with a cup :-)

Cons: None

03/11/2008 Posted by JoshTitan

We purchased our Rancilio Silvia and Rocky grinder from Seattle Coffee Gear in Nov. 2007. All in all, it was an excellent experience, beginning with spending over an hour over the course of 3 phone calls helping us make our decision. I had a tracking number in my email within 8 hours of placing the order, and the package showed up in 3 days. WOW! We had gathered advice from three online retailers and Seattle Coffee Gear was far and above the most knowledgable about their products. We felt 100% comfortable making an online purchase with them, and have since ordered 10 lbs of whole beans since the Silvia was obviously the most pupular gift under the tree this year! Thank you for your top-notch service and expertise. When is Seattle Coffee Gear coming to Denver so we can buy our beans in person?!

Pros: knowledgable, expedient and friendly. Thumbs UP

Cons: not local to us

03/11/2008 Posted by victorSean

I stopped by Seattle Coffee Gear and was surprised to see the number of machines they have set-up for demo. I was looking at the Rancilio Silvia but ended up purchasing the Quickmill Alexia. SCG installed a PID unit for me. They dialed in my Macap grinder for me and I really appreciate the training they provided in how to pull a great. I've called in for tips a few times and they are always very helpful.

Pros: Great selection, Excellent sales and cusotmer service

Cons: Wish they had more stores (I travelled to Seattle from San Diego)

02/28/2008 Posted by mncapara

I didn't think it was risky to order a $600 espresso maker online. They offered free shipping and no sales tax. So why not! One of the freebies that came with the order was not delivered as promised. Their excuse when I called them (Please note: I had to call because they didn't reply to my email) was that they're out of that particular size of the pitcher so they have the "right to substitute" the freebies with what's available and yes, it's (of course) a downgrade substitute. What a lie! I went to their website while I was on the phone with them and they have it available and I was able to add it to the shopping cart. They didn't run out of it! This company is so dishonest. I asked them if they can ship the right size pitcher and they said they'll gladly do that if I return the pitcher they sent. I asked if they can cover for the return shipping fee. They said 'No' - The lady said we'll cover the shipping for the pitcher one-way and you cover the return shipping one-way. It's just fair." She added. At that point, I was done. I simply said Thank You and Hang-up. It's not worth my time to argue for the freebie. It just simply means I was fooled! I hope this experience will help anyone to make a better judgment whether this store deserves your business. Objectively speaking, it doesn't. Purchase somewhere else.