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Coffeetec's frequently asked questions

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GENERAL FAQs

Please see CoffeeTec CEO Scott Plail’s message . Additionally, CoffeeTec is communicating regularly with suppliers to keep our customers informed of any changes in potential delivery impacts.

 

K-Cup Questions

No, we recommend Susanne Kath at North Atlantic Specialty Bags. You can contact her at 608-3692-0999, Ext. 1005.

Yes, some models have changeable trays to accommodate both.

Yes, they come with a one-year warranty on parts, plus lifetime support.

Yes.

Nitrogen Flushing

As coffee is roasted, the chemical changes produce carbon dioxide, an inert gas. Some roasters utilize this gas by putting one-way valves in their packaging to allow the Carbon Dioxide to purge the package keeping the coffee at its freshest state. In testing if the packages are packed just right, there is small amounts of oxygen still in the package.

 Others and most of the national producers have to let the coffee gas off, or the carbon dioxide to be released. This normally takes approximately 24 hours unless the coffee is ground which accelerates the de-gas process. Once the coffee is packaged, it can be flushed with nitrogen to try to keep it as fresh as possible. However, whether the first method or with nitrogen flushing, once the can or package is opened, the nitrogen is gone and the coffee has been exposed to atmospheric conditions, including moisture and oxygen, two substances that cause staling and a break down of the coffee or any other natural substance.

The whole bean coffee begins the staling process in approximately 7 days, ground coffee begins to stale in 15 minutes once exposed to atmospheric conditions. So you can see in the above examples how each process style affects the coffee and its freshness. As for K-Cups, the coffee has to be de-gassed and ground and thus why some, not all, K-Cups are nitrogen flushed. The nitrogen flushing process adds cost thus many roasters don’t do it or opt for the one way valve option.

Visit our "Nitrogen Flushing: Killing Oxygen, Creating Fresh Coffee, And Other Facts" Blog

Destoners

Storage Bins/Hoppers

Used Equipment

Company Information

We are a global coffee roastery development company that provides equipment, financing, and consulting services to coffee roasteries, coffeehouses, and coffee-related businesses worldwide.

We consider ourselves the “Amazon” of the coffee industry, providing new and used coffee roasters and almost every other piece of equipment you could possibly need for crafting your roast. To our knowledge, with more than 3,000 new and used items in our online store, we are the largest online retailer and reseller of new and used coffee roasting equipment.

Our mission is to help our customers in every way possible along their coffee roasting journey, achieving the success they deserve. We search the globe for the latest coffee technology from the US, Europe, and Asia. We attend major coffee shows and are members of several coffee associations to find the latest and best equipment and practices for our customers so you don’t have to. This keeps you focused on doing what you do best: growing your business. We even have our own experts and engineers working to design the future products for the coffee industry. 

As your one-stop-shop for all products and services roastery-related, we view your equipment sale as the beginning of an ongoing partnership. Need new equipment to replace what you’ve just sold? Seeking consulting and educational services to help with broader roastery business issues like site design and layout, silo and conveyance, equipment setup and commissioning, and more?

CoffeeTec was founded in 1972 by Jay Endres, a 44-year veteran of gourmet coffee machinery development who brought design changes to many brands of roasters, grinders, display methods, and lab/quality control instruments. 

Endres was part of the early coffee movement in the 1970s and 1980s, with Alfred Peet (Peet’s Coffee) and Howard Shultz (Starbucks) as industry colleagues. Endres continued to manage CoffeeTec until the company was purchased (and now managed) by CEO Scott Plail in November of 2017. 

CoffeeTec is based in Sandpoint, ID, approximately eight (8) hours from Boise. The beauty of the surrounding Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille makes Sandpoint a tourist favorite for water sports, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and skiing. We’ve also got a great coffee culture here!

We have full-time support team members in our Sandpoint office, plus additional team members across the US. Meet our amazing CoffeeTec team.

Shopping Our Online Store

  • PURCHASE a digital gift card.
  • If you are the recipient of a digital gift card and would like to redeem it, simply select the item(s) you want in the online store, proceed to checkout, and enter the gift card code in the appropriate form field during checkout. The code will automatically calculate your discount.

To find the product(s) you’re looking for, you may:

  1. Click SHOP from the main menu and select product categories.
  2. Type a keyword into the SEARCH bar at the top of our website. 

If you have trouble finding a product, feel free to contact Customer Service for assistance.

Some of our products have special options, and/or shipping and handling requiring additional information unique to your purchase. We find that having a conversation with you about your equipment needs helps us to better calculate a good price that also includes shipping and crating.

It depends on what you’ve ordered. Most smaller items ship within a week from our vendors. Roaster deliveries vary based on crating, shipping, location and destination. Our Customer Service team can give you proper time estimates for delivery.

Setting up an online account is quick and easy, but if you prefer to call us to place your order over the phone, please do. We’re here to help in any way we can.

Accounts, Order Information, and Tracking

  1. Click the “My Account” link at the top right side of our site.
  2. Enter your email address.
  3. Select “I am a new customer.”
  4. Follow the prompts to complete account setup. 

Please know your information is NEVER sold to or shared with any other company and is kept completely private. Please view our Privacy Statement for more information.

Sign into your account, then click the “My Account” link at the top right corner of this site to edit your account information.

Sign into your account, then click the “My Account” link at the top right corner of this site. Under the login box, you’ll see a link that says “Forgot your password? Click here.” That link will send an email to you with your password.

Sign into your account, then click the “My Account” link at the top right corner of this site to check your order status.

You will find your confirmation number on your current orders in your CoffeeTec online account. Confirmation numbers will also be listed on emails you receive confirming payment.

If you need to cancel or change your online order, please contact Customer Service to assist you.

Log into your account to compare your order history on our website with your financial records. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Customer Service for further assistance.

Log into your online CoffeeTec account to print invoices.

Credits usually take 7-10 business days from the time we receive your item(s).

Your credit card will be charged within 24 hours prior to shipment for your item(s).

  • Sign into your account and click the “My Account” link in the top right corner of our site. 
  • Make sure that all of the items in your order have shipped. 
  • If your order displays your package tracking numbers, check with the shipper to confirm that your packages were delivered.

If your packages show a status of “delivered,” please contact Customer Service for assistance.

Back-ordered items are those which our suppliers are unable to predict when they will have more in stock. As soon as they do, we will be able to ship the item to you. We can also help you source a similar item.

Our Customer Service team is happy to assist with questions you have about our products. You can contact us in two convenient ways:

  • Call: Contact us by phone to speak directly to one of our Customer Service representatives. Our phone number is 800-999-1600 in the US, and +1-650-556-1333 for international calls. We are available Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm PST.

  • Online:  Contact Customer Service. One of our Customer Service team members will get back in touch with you as soon as possible.

Promotional codes need to be applied in the cart before checking out. You can apply your promotional code in the “discount code” field on the right side of the cart, under the list of products being ordered. Make sure to hit the “Apply” button to ensure your discount is applied. Once applied, you will see the price change in the cart.

 Looking for a promotional code? See our current offers.

Product Condition

The condition of each item is outlined on the individual product listing pages. 

We use a 3-point process to vet all pieces we agree to sell. Each item must meet the high standards that we stake our reputation on. Our 3-point vetting process:

  • Review: Our team reviews each submission (including photos and/or video) and considers its overall condition, year, make and model, features, options, and history.
  • Research: Next, we research comparable used equipment, our current inventory, and market trends. 
  • Resale Quote: If the used equipment meets our product standards, we determine the best possible resale price and present it to the seller for approval. 

We also require sellers to clearly identify the condition of their used equipment per our Used Product Conditions Guidelines.

Refunds, Returns, Exchanges, Credits

All USED equipment sales are final.

Returns are few and far between for NEW equipment sales because we work hard to vet all items for reliability, accuracy, and relevance before adding them to our online store. Our number-one goal is to provide you with equipment that meets your needs. If you receive your items and are not totally satisfied with them, please let us know. We will work hard with you and the manufacturer to rectify the situation. Depending on the situation, this could result in replacing the equipment, a refund, exchange, or credit

Sale items are final and cannot be refunded.

If you haven’t received your refund yet, please check with your bank and the company for your method of payment (e.g., credit card company). It may take some time before your refund is officially posted. If you have done all of this and have waited at least 10 business days, and you still have not received your refund, please contact Customer Service

If you feel that you have received the wrong product, please contact Customer Service within 72 hours of receiving the product and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Warranties

Read about how warranties work.

Shipping Methods, Rates, and Delivery Times

CoffeeTec ships anywhere in the world.

If your item has arrived damaged, please contact Customer Service within 72 hours of receiving the product and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Shipping is automatically calculated prior to submitting your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the Checkout page where you will be offered shipping method choices and their prices.

  • Please see each individual item page for more information on the availability of each item. 
  • After placing your order, you can log into your account to track the status of your order.
  • You will receive a shipment confirmation both on your online CoffeeTec account and via email when your order has shipped, and tracking information within 24 to 48 hours of shipment.

Equipment Financing

Roaster’s Choice is CoffeeTec’s new financing program that puts the choice in your hands. See low, affordable monthly payment options integrated on every product page in our online store, submit a quick electronic application to receive competitive financing offers by three lenders, and take advantage of our consulting expertise to help you make the best financing decision.

Used the right way, financing can help you hold on to your cash and even generate revenue, preserve other lines of credit, hedge against inflation, provide tax advantages, and increase your competitive edge.

Applying for equipment financing through CoffeeTec’s Roaster’s Choice program is easy. Simply fill out our quick, 60-second online application, and then sit back while our network of lenders race to approve your application. The first three to approve it compete by presenting their best offers to you. Then, you can compare and review the competing lender offers and choose the best one.

Once you submit your online application, you’ll receive an email right away confirming the receipt of your online application. From there, it usually takes anywhere from two hours to two days to hear from the top three lenders who want to earn your business. 

You will hear from these lenders via email that will be clearly marked that they are reaching out on behalf of your CoffeeTec equipment financing application. Some of these lenders will be able to communicate with you solely via email; others may prefer to schedule a quick call with you to answer questions they may have. 

Each email from these lenders will include a link to CoffeeTec’s online portal that will display these three lenders’ offers to you in one place for easy side-by-side comparison. 

The speed of approval is largely dependent on how quickly you respond to email or phone communication from the lenders. And, CoffeeTec is here to help you make a decision if you get stuck and need some advice. Once you select the lender you’d like to use by clicking the Select button in the portal, the lender will send you online documents to sign electronically. From there, the lender coordinates payment details with CoffeeTec, and then we ship you your equipment. Depending on how quickly you respond and make your decision, you can have your equipment financed and shipped to you pretty quickly!

Our financing program has minimum qualifications that are quite variable, due to the fact that we have a number of lenders competing for your business. Like most loan application processes, you should have decent personal and/or business credit. Our lenders will also consider the number of years you’ve been in business, with some requiring a guarantor if your business is less than three years old. 

Bottom line, though: By gaining access to a network of lenders, the chances of your approval increase drastically. Our lending network includes different lenders with varying appetites for lower credit profiles. There’s nothing to lose by applying. Remember, once you receive the top three offers, the choice is yours.

Depending on your personal and/or business credit, a small down payment may be required. Again, the beauty of having access to our national lending network means that these vendors will creatively compete for your business — and this typically translates into a down payment not being required.

Our equipment financing loans can range from 12 - 60 months in one-year increments (e.g., 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60-month loans), allowing you to choose the best payment time frame that aligns with your business’ budget and cash flow.

The interest rate you pay is completely contingent on your personal and/or business credit. Again, since the lenders in our network want your business, they will present the most attractive offers they can based on the information you provide in your application. As a general rule, the shorter loan repayment term you select usually results in a lower interest rate.

Many coffee roastery and cafe business owners find they can save money both on the cost of roasting equipment and taxes by financing equipment and taking the Section 179 deduction. This IRS deduction allows a business to deduct, for the current tax year, the full purchase price of equipment and off-the-shelf software that qualifies for the deduction. If your equipment qualifies, you could save money now on your taxes by deducting up to 100% of your equipment cost. 

You’ll also be protecting your cash reserves by making periodic payments for the equipment instead of purchasing outright. Depending on the equipment, combining financing with the Section 179 deduction could greatly help your bottom line.Section 179 deduction. Of course, as with any tax issue, please check with your tax professional for details.

At this time, our equipment financing option is only available in the US.

Yes, equipment financing can also include coverage for soft costs like freight and shipping. These costs are calculated and rolled into your monthly payment.

There is really no cap on lending for qualified customers. We've seen finance deals as small as $2,000 all the way up to several hundred thousand dollars. Most of our lenders are happy to help financing equipment purchase over a million dollars if needed.

SELLERS

Used Equipment Submissions

CoffeeTec’s CT Connect program is built on four pillars: Selling, Buying, Consulting, and Education. We connect:
  • Buyers and sellers by brokering used equipment transactions benefiting both parties
  • Our CoffeeTec Community to consulting and educational services

The equipment purchase is just the first investment in our partnership. Our consulting and educational services support you before, during, and beyond the sale.

No. Our online store includes 3K+ new and used items, making CoffeeTec the largest online retailer and reseller of new and used coffee roasting equipment.

We accept coffee roasters and equipment in a range of product conditions, from as-is pre-owned to like new. See our Used Product Conditions Guide.

We currently do not accept espresso machines, equipment that is not working, or items that you wish to sell for parts only.

Yes, photos are required to sell used equipment. We also highly recommend creating a short, clean video of your equipment. Listings with video have higher traffic and exposure. You can upload photos and video in the Equipment Listing Form.

Please see our Used Product Conditions Guidelines.

Yes. All equipment remains at your location with you until we locate a buyer and we have received funds for your equipment from the buyer.

Pricing and Benefits

Our goal is to sell your coffee roasting equipment at the best possible price within 60 days using a 3-point process:
  • Review: We review your submission (including photos and video) and consider its overall condition, year, make and model, features, options, and history.
  • Research: We research comparable used equipment, our current inventory, and market trends. 
  • Resale Quote: We determine the best possible rate we believe we can get for you, and contact you with our resale quote.
Consider first the value of your time. Our expert team helps you protect and direct your time to where it matters most — your business. We:
  • Research the market to ensure the best selling price for you
  • Offer your item priority listing on our SEO-enabled website with highly clickable terms specific to selling coffee equipment
  • Position your items to be seen by thousands who search our website daily, with traffic of 10K+ unique visitors per month 
  • Promote your item through our website’s home page, robust pay-per-click advertising, social media channels, and targeted email outreach to 15K+ opted-in industry contacts
  • Connect with our extensive roastery network whom we think may be interested in your equipment to potentially expedite a sale
  • Interface on your behalf with potential buyers and handles all terms of the sale
  • Handle the time-consuming process of equipment crating and shipping logistics
  • Manage all payment matters and negotiates the best price on your behalf

We are powerfully positioned to get you the best price on your equipment, and fast! How do we know? Because for almost 50 years, we’ve been helping people just like you sell their coffee roasting equipment, as well as source new equipment.

There is certainly nothing stopping you from posting your equipment on one of these sites, but once you post that’s where the service value ends. These sites don’t offer sales and customer support, research and broker the best selling price for you, promote your item through a consistent, multi-channel sales strategy, handle all negotiations, financial transactions, shipping and crating logistics, and so much more. 

Most importantly, these sites are not interested in or have the capability to build a relationship with you — not only to support you during the equipment sale process, but also after the sale is finalized. 

As your one-stop-shop for all products and services roastery-related, we view your equipment sale as the beginning of an ongoing partnership. Need new equipment to replace what you’ve just sold? Seeking consulting services to help with broader roastery business issues like site design and layout, silo and conveyance, equipment setup and commissioning, and more? 

Those other basic self-serve resale sites can’t do that. CoffeeTec can.

Appreciate the benefits of all we do to support you through your used equipment sales process. List your equipment now.

Contract and Payment

To submit your Equipment Listing Form, you must review and agree via online checkbox to CoffeeTec’s Terms of Service.

Yes, CoffeeTec earns a portion of each total sale over and above your selling price for the time and expertise we invest to promote, seek and negotiate with buyers on your behalf, and arrange delivery of your equipment. This fee varies based on the equipment being sold and the details of each deal unique to the buyer and seller.

With research, conditions, and all factors to be considered, CoffeeTec will work with you to find the best current market price, imagery and equipment description, (which supports our Digital Marketing, Social Media, SEO and PPC Ad Work).

Upon a successful sale transaction, you'll receive the amount for which you agreed to accept for your equipment prior to listing. The difference between the final selling price and what you agreed to accept for your equipment is CoffeeTec's marketing and selling fees. We will work with you to achieve the quickest and most profitable transaction possible.

We send a wire transfer to the seller once the equipment is crated and ready to ship.

Shipping and Crating

We handle all shipping and crating logistics for you! We verify your item’s weights and dimensions through our internal database and online research, and gather freight quotes.

If you live outside the US or in an area without access to shipping or crating companies, we will often partner with you to find a suitable shipping or crating source.

The buyer pays for all shipping and crating costs. We research the best shipping and crating options for the buyer, prepare an estimate, and they pay for this at the same time they send payment for the sold item.

Most items are crated at your location. Occasionally, your item is transferred to a crating facility for crating.

Other Questions

We have historically sold most used equipment within 60 days. More specialty equipment may take longer to sell. If your equipment has not sold by then, we will contact you to discuss why the item may not be selling, and suggest a revised sales strategy or new price to move your item more quickly.

BUYERS

Used Equipment Details

CoffeeTec’s CT Connect program is built on four pillars: Selling, Buying, Consulting, and Education. We connect:

  • Buyers and sellers by brokering used equipment transactions benefiting both parties
  • Our CoffeeTec Community to consulting and educational services

The equipment purchase is just the first investment in our partnership. Our consulting and educational services support you before, during, and beyond the sale.

No. Our online store includes 3K+ new and used items, making CoffeeTec the largest online retailer and reseller of new and used coffee roasting equipment.

When you buy used equipment through CoffeeTec, you’re able to access top brands at affordable prices.

We currently do not accept espresso machines, equipment that is not working, or items that you wish to sell for parts only.

We use a 3-point process to vet all pieces we agree to sell. Each item must meet the high standards that we stake our reputation on. Our 3-point vetting process:

  • Review: Our team reviews each submission (including photos and/or video) and considers its overall condition, year, make and model, features, options, and history.
  • Research: Next, we research comparable used equipment, our current inventory, and market trends. 
  • Resale Quote: If the used equipment meets our product standards, we determine the best possible resale price and present it to the seller for approval. 

We also require sellers to clearly identify the condition of their used equipment per our Used Product Conditions Guidelines.

Yes, if the seller has it. Thanks to the Internet, one can find digital copies of manuals and other equipment details online.

Shipping and Crating

We handle all shipping and crating logistics for you! We verify your item’s weights and dimensions through an internal database and online research, and gather freight quotes. 

If you live outside the US, or in an area without access to shipping or crating companies, we will often partner with you to help find a suitable shipping or crating source.

The buyer pays for all shipping and crating costs. We research the best shipping and crating options for the buyer, prepare an estimate, and they pay for this at the same time they send payment for the sold item.

Payment and Financing

We accept payment by credit card (US only), PayPal, and wire transfer.

Only Washington and Idaho residents pay sales tax.

Yes, we ship worldwide!

Yes! It can be applied to both used and new equipment sold through CoffeeTec.

Yes, you can apply for financing on new and used equipment if the purchase is $2,000 or more. Just click the "Apply Now" button under the product's pricing.

Financing is only available in the US.

Have More Questions?
We’re happy to help.

US: Call 800.999.1600
International: Call 650.556.1333

Monday to Friday (PST) 8am — 5pm
Or contact us