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Main
Date: 21 Apr 2007 12:25:36
From:
Subject: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
Hi,
I've been looking around and I think I've finally decided on
purchasing an Expobar Pulser as my first machine. Actually my
Girlfriend and I are moving in together and we want to buy ourselves a
great gift.
I'm actually planning on buying a grinder as well this summer to go
with the Pulser.
I've read a lot of great comments on the Pulser (moslty on coffeegeek)
and a few bad ones here which actually seem quite old).
I'm still not decided if I should buy a used one on Ebay, a
refurbished one from WLL, a new one from WLL, a new one in Montreal,
Canada (where I live).
Buying in Montreal is very safe since I get a good waranty and local
service for it. But it's also much more expensive. (1300$ CDN instead
of 950$CDN if I buy it new from WLL). The Canadian version is more
expensive since the distributer changes the PStat in it for a much
more robust one, they give a second portafilter and they've modified
the machine to plumb it in.
I'm very temted to buy it on ebay or refurbished from WLL but I'm also
a bit scared by those options.
Any thoughts on that ? How would you rate WLL's service these days.
I've seen a lot of complaints but they were made 2-3 years ago.
I haven't decided on the grinder yet. I'm actually thinking about a
Zassenhaus which would be quite cheap or a used mazzer on ebay if the
budget permits it.
What do you think about that ?
Thanks,
Chandi
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Date: 28 Apr 2007 04:53:00
From: Dogshot
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
There is no duty on espresso machines purchased from the US into
Canada. If you purchase a machine and have it mailed into Canada, UPS
and Fedex charge criminally high brokerage rates. This brokerage can
be avoided by asking your retailer to ship USPS - the only problem
with USPS is that they have a weight limit.
I have a BrewtusII purchased from WLL. It has performed beautifully
for the almost 1.5 years that I have had it. Espresso machines rarely
have problems that are so severe that the machine needs to go back to
the vendor. Usually the vendor can diagnose your problem over the
phone and ship the appropriate parts to you, so having a US vendor is
not a liability for a CDN customer IMO.
For the sake of clarity of intent, I want to point out that Daveb
works with Chris from Chris Coffee to PID some of his machines. Not
that that should disuade you from purchasing from Chris (he is an
excellent vendor, despite the fact that he freely trashes his
competitors and their wares).
Mark
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Date: 02 May 2007 19:43:09
From: Chandi Bernier
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
Mark,
Thanks for your advices. You know what? I've learned yesterday that you
can tell UPS (and Fedex I guess) that you're not going to use their
brokerage service and that you're going to pay the fees by yourself to
the border service agency. You can save quite a big amount doing that.
Thanks,
Chandi
Dogshot wrote:
> There is no duty on espresso machines purchased from the US into
> Canada. If you purchase a machine and have it mailed into Canada, UPS
> and Fedex charge criminally high brokerage rates. This brokerage can
> be avoided by asking your retailer to ship USPS - the only problem
> with USPS is that they have a weight limit.
>
> I have a BrewtusII purchased from WLL. It has performed beautifully
> for the almost 1.5 years that I have had it. Espresso machines rarely
> have problems that are so severe that the machine needs to go back to
> the vendor. Usually the vendor can diagnose your problem over the
> phone and ship the appropriate parts to you, so having a US vendor is
> not a liability for a CDN customer IMO.
>
> For the sake of clarity of intent, I want to point out that Daveb
> works with Chris from Chris Coffee to PID some of his machines. Not
> that that should disuade you from purchasing from Chris (he is an
> excellent vendor, despite the fact that he freely trashes his
> competitors and their wares).
>
> Mark
>
>
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Date: 27 Apr 2007 19:06:25
From:
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
Hi Chandi:
I've had the Expobar Pulser for about 2 months now. I went through all
the questions that you have. In the end it came down to price and
counter space. When I finally decided to go with the Expobar (after
much research) I looked around in Canada for the best price.
Creativecookware.com website has it on sale for $1525.00!??! Tried
Edika but they would neither respond to e-mails nor phone messages.
Quick
search on posts showed no bargain there either.
Seeing as we live in Toronto and WLL is only a couple of hours away
it sounded like a good excuse for a roadtrip. Bought the machine -
Pulser/Rocky combo by Visa a couple of days before.$1050 American
translates to $1279 Canadian after exchange and Visa charges.
We made a day trip out of it and did some shopping in Rochester.
At the border taxes (GST/PST) worked out to $163.62. If you go this
route, I suggest you go through the week when it is not busy.
Oh and I'm very happy with our choice. Since purchasing I've added
on the Eric Svendson thermocouple/PID (for temp measurement only), I
probably could have mastered the flushing/timing/guessing ritual if I
had the patience and a good supply of coffee. I would reccomend this
upgrade to all
HX owners who want precise measurement of brew water temp but do not
want to fully convert to a PID
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Date: 02 May 2007 19:40:08
From: Chandi Bernier
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
Cool.
Thanks for the advices. I'm thinking about going over to WLL or Aabree
this summer and cross back to Canada around Niagara Falls. My Girlfriend
and I have never seen it yet! And I've learned that crossing back in a
province where you don't live makes you save the PST!!!
Creativecookware had it at 1300$ and I went at Edika (it's 5min away
from home and they are the Canadian Distributor) and they were selling
it at 1500$. I told them it was 200$ more than Creativecookware and the
boss got a little angry at Creativecookware and called them so they
increase their price ;) You see ? They do seem to make a lot of profit
on those. I've managed to bring the price at Edika down to 1200$+Taxes
but it's still too much for my budget. They were very friendly and helpful.
Before going to Edika I was trying to make Creativecookware give me a
good rebate if I'd pick it up at their place (Montreal as well) but
since I've been to Edika and that has made him increase his price he
doesn't answer to my e-mails anymore ;)
I've seen that aabree has a refurbished Office Leva for 820$. I might go
for that one. It's better looking than the Pulser and it has a real E61.
Anyways,
Thanks for your advices !:)
Chandi
brheron@hotmail.com wrote:
> Hi Chandi:
>
> I've had the Expobar Pulser for about 2 months now. I went through all
> the questions that you have. In the end it came down to price and
> counter space. When I finally decided to go with the Expobar (after
> much research) I looked around in Canada for the best price.
> Creativecookware.com website has it on sale for $1525.00!??! Tried
> Edika but they would neither respond to e-mails nor phone messages.
> Quick
> search on posts showed no bargain there either.
> Seeing as we live in Toronto and WLL is only a couple of hours away
> it sounded like a good excuse for a roadtrip. Bought the machine -
> Pulser/Rocky combo by Visa a couple of days before.$1050 American
> translates to $1279 Canadian after exchange and Visa charges.
> We made a day trip out of it and did some shopping in Rochester.
> At the border taxes (GST/PST) worked out to $163.62. If you go this
> route, I suggest you go through the week when it is not busy.
> Oh and I'm very happy with our choice. Since purchasing I've added
> on the Eric Svendson thermocouple/PID (for temp measurement only), I
> probably could have mastered the flushing/timing/guessing ritual if I
> had the patience and a good supply of coffee. I would reccomend this
> upgrade to all
> HX owners who want precise measurement of brew water temp but do not
> want to fully convert to a PID
>
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Date: 24 Apr 2007 04:18:00
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
On Apr 24, 7:12 am, Dave b <davebobbl...@gmail.com > wrote:
> On Apr 23, 10:21 am, Chandi Bernier <burn...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Dave b wrote:
> > > On Apr 21, 3:25 pm, burn...@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> > >> What do you think about that ?
>
> > >> Thanks,
>
> > >> Chandi
>
> > > I have in-depth experience with Quick mill.
>
> > > NO direct experience with expobar. -- but am not impressed.
>
> > > buy a quick mill from Chriscoffee.
>
> > > dave
>
> > Hey Dave,
>
> > Ok... Even if you were right It wouldn't feel good with myself to spend
> > 1100$US on an espresso machine right now. It's 300$ more than the
> > Expobar pulser. But I'm still open to find a used one. But I got to
> > leave some money to buy myself a grinder ;)
>
> > But I'm very curious to know why you like the QM and not the Expobar ?
>
> 1) Higher quality materials
> 2) better workmanship
> 3) solid design
> 4) the seller.
>
> dave
P.S.
Call Chris -- on the phone. you may find it worthwhile [or ask for
Mary]
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Date: 24 Apr 2007 04:12:40
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
On Apr 23, 10:21 am, Chandi Bernier <burn...@hotmail.com > wrote:
> Dave b wrote:
> > On Apr 21, 3:25 pm, burn...@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> >> What do you think about that ?
>
> >> Thanks,
>
> >> Chandi
>
> > I have in-depth experience with Quick mill.
>
> > NO direct experience with expobar. -- but am not impressed.
>
> > buy a quick mill from Chriscoffee.
>
> > dave
>
> Hey Dave,
>
> Ok... Even if you were right It wouldn't feel good with myself to spend
> 1100$US on an espresso machine right now. It's 300$ more than the
> Expobar pulser. But I'm still open to find a used one. But I got to
> leave some money to buy myself a grinder ;)
>
> But I'm very curious to know why you like the QM and not the Expobar ?
1) Higher quality materials
2) better workmanship
3) solid design
4) the seller.
dave
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Date: 23 Apr 2007 17:38:44
From: wes
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
I have a Pulser, bought it used, and for the money I think it's a
really good machine, has a lot of the same components as other
machines. Are Chris' QuickMIll machines better, or more reliable, or
heavier duty? Yes, but they cost more as well. There is a website for
Expobar owners at www.expobarownersgroup.com where you could ask
questions.
I think you'd be fine. I have a Pulser with a Sylvia Rocky, and the
result is very very good. Someday I'll upgrade my grinder, but I'll
probably keep my machine for a while. My next machine won't be an HX,
but a PID double boiler like the LaSpaziale Vivaldi or something.
I guess I'm saying don't feel like if you end up with a Pulser that
you've settled for a junk machine. That's not the case. . .
Wes
On Apr 23, 10:47 am, "Sylvain Scaglione" <scagl...@cae.ca > wrote:
> email sent.
>
> "Chandi Bernier" <burn...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1n3Xh.40113$wC.187512@weber.videotron.net...
>
>
>
> > Sylvain Scaglione wrote:
> > > Chandi, I'm from Montreal, I'm very curious where you found that
> Expobar?
>
> > > Anyway for that kind of money, I'd strongly suggest the same as Daveb.
> > > Actually that's what I did, I even drove to Albany to pick it up
> myself...
>
> > > Locally, you can find the QM Anita for around 2000$CAN+Tx and from
> visual
> > > inspection it, the machine doesn't have all the same parts as mine.
>
> > > As for the grinder, keep looking on ebay for a Mazzer.
>
> > Hey Sylvain,
>
> > I've found the Expobar at 2 different places in Montreal, Edika imports
> > (St-michel/Masson). They are the exclusive distributor of Expobar in
> > Canada. Andwww.CreativeCookware.comis also located in Montreal and
> > they are an Authorized dealer (approved by Edika).
>
> > I'll ask you the samething as I've asked Daveb, why wouldn't you go for
> > an Expobar ?
>
> > Did you have to pay taxes when you bought your QM at Chris' ?
>
> > Chandi- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
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Date: 22 Apr 2007 16:59:56
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
On Apr 21, 3:25 pm, burn...@hotmail.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've been looking around and I think I've finally decided on
> purchasing an Expobar Pulser as my first machine. Actually my
> Girlfriend and I are moving in together and we want to buy ourselves a
> great gift.
>
> I'm actually planning on buying a grinder as well this summer to go
> with the Pulser.
>
> I've read a lot of great comments on the Pulser (moslty on coffeegeek)
> and a few bad ones here which actually seem quite old).
>
> I'm still not decided if I should buy a used one on Ebay, a
> refurbished one from WLL, a new one from WLL, a new one in Montreal,
> Canada (where I live).
>
> Buying in Montreal is very safe since I get a good waranty and local
> service for it. But it's also much more expensive. (1300$ CDN instead
> of 950$CDN if I buy it new from WLL). The Canadian version is more
> expensive since the distributer changes the PStat in it for a much
> more robust one, they give a second portafilter and they've modified
> the machine to plumb it in.
>
> I'm very temted to buy it on ebay or refurbished from WLL but I'm also
> a bit scared by those options.
>
> Any thoughts on that ? How would you rate WLL's service these days.
> I've seen a lot of complaints but they were made 2-3 years ago.
>
> I haven't decided on the grinder yet. I'm actually thinking about a
> Zassenhaus which would be quite cheap or a used mazzer on ebay if the
> budget permits it.
>
> What do you think about that ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chandi
I have in-depth experience with Quick mill.
NO direct experience with expobar. -- but am not impressed.
buy a quick mill from Chriscoffee.
dave
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Date: 23 Apr 2007 10:21:56
From: Chandi Bernier
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
Dave b wrote:
> On Apr 21, 3:25 pm, burn...@hotmail.com wrote:
>>
>> What do you think about that ?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Chandi
>
> I have in-depth experience with Quick mill.
>
> NO direct experience with expobar. -- but am not impressed.
>
> buy a quick mill from Chriscoffee.
>
> dave
>
Hey Dave,
Ok... Even if you were right It wouldn't feel good with myself to spend
1100$US on an espresso machine right now. It's 300$ more than the
Expobar pulser. But I'm still open to find a used one. But I got to
leave some money to buy myself a grinder ;)
But I'm very curious to know why you like the QM and not the Expobar ?
The final choice if far from being closed at the moment. I give myself a
few more months to make the right choice. I don't understand why I find
excellent comments and excellent in-depth reviews on the web for the
Expobar and you guys here don't seem to like it. I'd really like to know :)
At the moment, we drink 75% milk-based drinks and 25% espresso. I guess
that wouldn't change much having a machine at home.
Thanks Dave,
Chandi
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Date: 23 Apr 2007 08:02:07
From: Sylvain Scaglione
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
Chandi, I'm from Montreal, I'm very curious where you found that Expobar?
Anyway for that kind of money, I'd strongly suggest the same as Daveb.
Actually that's what I did, I even drove to Albany to pick it up myself...
Locally, you can find the QM Anita for around 2000$CAN+Tx and from visual
inspection it, the machine doesn't have all the same parts as mine.
As for the grinder, keep looking on ebay for a Mazzer.
"Dave b" <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1177286396.471352.69640@l77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> On Apr 21, 3:25 pm, burn...@hotmail.com wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've been looking around and I think I've finally decided on
> > purchasing an Expobar Pulser as my first machine. Actually my
> > Girlfriend and I are moving in together and we want to buy ourselves a
> > great gift.
> >
> > I'm actually planning on buying a grinder as well this summer to go
> > with the Pulser.
> >
> > I've read a lot of great comments on the Pulser (moslty on coffeegeek)
> > and a few bad ones here which actually seem quite old).
> >
> > I'm still not decided if I should buy a used one on Ebay, a
> > refurbished one from WLL, a new one from WLL, a new one in Montreal,
> > Canada (where I live).
> >
> > Buying in Montreal is very safe since I get a good waranty and local
> > service for it. But it's also much more expensive. (1300$ CDN instead
> > of 950$CDN if I buy it new from WLL). The Canadian version is more
> > expensive since the distributer changes the PStat in it for a much
> > more robust one, they give a second portafilter and they've modified
> > the machine to plumb it in.
> >
> > I'm very temted to buy it on ebay or refurbished from WLL but I'm also
> > a bit scared by those options.
> >
> > Any thoughts on that ? How would you rate WLL's service these days.
> > I've seen a lot of complaints but they were made 2-3 years ago.
> >
> > I haven't decided on the grinder yet. I'm actually thinking about a
> > Zassenhaus which would be quite cheap or a used mazzer on ebay if the
> > budget permits it.
> >
> > What do you think about that ?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Chandi
>
> I have in-depth experience with Quick mill.
>
> NO direct experience with expobar. -- but am not impressed.
>
> buy a quick mill from Chriscoffee.
>
> dave
>
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Date: 23 Apr 2007 10:27:01
From: Chandi Bernier
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
Sylvain Scaglione wrote:
> Chandi, I'm from Montreal, I'm very curious where you found that Expobar?
>
> Anyway for that kind of money, I'd strongly suggest the same as Daveb.
> Actually that's what I did, I even drove to Albany to pick it up myself...
>
> Locally, you can find the QM Anita for around 2000$CAN+Tx and from visual
> inspection it, the machine doesn't have all the same parts as mine.
>
> As for the grinder, keep looking on ebay for a Mazzer.
>
>
Hey Sylvain,
I've found the Expobar at 2 different places in Montreal, Edika imports
(St-michel/Masson). They are the exclusive distributor of Expobar in
Canada. And www.CreativeCookware.com is also located in Montreal and
they are an Authorized dealer (approved by Edika).
I'll ask you the samething as I've asked Daveb, why wouldn't you go for
an Expobar ?
Did you have to pay taxes when you bought your QM at Chris' ?
Chandi
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Date: 23 Apr 2007 11:47:21
From: Sylvain Scaglione
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
email sent.
"Chandi Bernier" <burni13@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:1n3Xh.40113$wC.187512@weber.videotron.net...
> Sylvain Scaglione wrote:
> > Chandi, I'm from Montreal, I'm very curious where you found that
Expobar?
> >
> > Anyway for that kind of money, I'd strongly suggest the same as Daveb.
> > Actually that's what I did, I even drove to Albany to pick it up
myself...
> >
> > Locally, you can find the QM Anita for around 2000$CAN+Tx and from
visual
> > inspection it, the machine doesn't have all the same parts as mine.
> >
> > As for the grinder, keep looking on ebay for a Mazzer.
> >
> >
>
>
> Hey Sylvain,
>
>
> I've found the Expobar at 2 different places in Montreal, Edika imports
> (St-michel/Masson). They are the exclusive distributor of Expobar in
> Canada. And www.CreativeCookware.com is also located in Montreal and
> they are an Authorized dealer (approved by Edika).
>
> I'll ask you the samething as I've asked Daveb, why wouldn't you go for
> an Expobar ?
>
> Did you have to pay taxes when you bought your QM at Chris' ?
>
> Chandi
|
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Date: 22 Apr 2007 16:54:57
From: Moka Java
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
burni13@hotmail.com wrote:
I've seen a lot of complaints but they were made 2-3 years ago.
>
> I haven't decided on the grinder yet. I'm actually thinking about a
> Zassenhaus which would be quite cheap or a used mazzer on ebay if the
> budget permits it.
>
> What do you think about that ?
>
You will absolutely drive yourself nuts trying to use a Zassenhaus for
espresso. It really doesn't have the range of adjustment needed for
espresso. Apart from that, the burrs touch when you grind in that
fineness range so you can expect some metal filings in your brew. It
takes about 2 minutes to grind enough for a double shot so the romance
of a hand grinder wears off quickly. Zassenhaus has gone through some
corporate restructuring and hasn't exported a coffee grinder to the US
in almost 2 years. It's not clear when or if Zassenhaus will be
shipping grinders again, what they will look like or how much they will
cost. Good used 169 DGs sell on Ebay in the $200 range. For that price
you should be able to find a good used pro quality espresso grinder that
will suit your purposes.
R "Zassenhaus for press pot, Mazzer for espresso" TF
|
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Date: 22 Apr 2007 20:23:46
From: Brian Colwell
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
<burni13@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:1177183535.981720.77250@y80g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I've been looking around and I think I've finally decided on
> purchasing an Expobar Pulser as my first machine. Actually my
> Girlfriend and I are moving in together and we want to buy ourselves a
> great gift.
>
> I'm actually planning on buying a grinder as well this summer to go
> with the Pulser.
>
> I've read a lot of great comments on the Pulser (moslty on coffeegeek)
> and a few bad ones here which actually seem quite old).
>
> I'm still not decided if I should buy a used one on Ebay, a
> refurbished one from WLL, a new one from WLL, a new one in Montreal,
> Canada (where I live).
>
> Buying in Montreal is very safe since I get a good waranty and local
> service for it. But it's also much more expensive. (1300$ CDN instead
> of 950$CDN if I buy it new from WLL). The Canadian version is more
> expensive since the distributer changes the PStat in it for a much
> more robust one, they give a second portafilter and they've modified
> the machine to plumb it in.
>
> I'm very temted to buy it on ebay or refurbished from WLL but I'm also
> a bit scared by those options.
>
> Any thoughts on that ? How would you rate WLL's service these days.
> I've seen a lot of complaints but they were made 2-3 years ago.
>
> I haven't decided on the grinder yet. I'm actually thinking about a
> Zassenhaus which would be quite cheap or a used mazzer on ebay if the
> budget permits it.
>
> What do you think about that ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chandi
>
Have you checked out what shipping, import/gst taxes will be ? I have found
that the actual savings, when importing an item, kinda evaporate !!
Regards, BMC
|
| |
Date: 21 Apr 2007 22:46:38
From: D. Ross
Subject: Re: Expobar ? grinder ? WLL?
|
|
|
