BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Coffee Monthly Auto-Ship Coffee

The coffee company that I'm affiliated with has started doing a monthly auto-ship program. I haven't really been promoting this to my customer's and have even been a bit hesitant to sign up for myself. The problem I have with it, is that you don't get a choice of the coffee flavor(s) and you're not told ahead of time what you'll be getting.

Yes, it's a good way to try new flavors and I've only had one flavor that I really didn't like in the years I've had my coffee & tea business, but once you open it to try it, you're stuck.

So, I'm wondering what other people think? Would the idea of getting a 'surprise' coffee flavor once a month be appealing or would you prefer to know what you're getting ahead of time? Would you prefer to get the same flavor each month?

I'm asking because I've thought about it and I could set up my auto-ship program for my own customers and do it differently. I'd like to get opinions first, so anyone willing to respond I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

I use to belong to the Gevalia coffee club, but I think we got to pick our own flavors. I can't remember...it's been a long time!

Personally, I wouldn't like to receive surprise coffees only because I have a pretty sensitive sense of both taste and smell. When I used to pick Gevalia coffees, I'd actually use their charts on acidity, body, etc. For example, I don't like highly acidic coffees, like the ones you get at Gloria Jean's. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I also don't like flavored coffees if they taste too artificial. I much prefer buying different types of roasts, and if I want flavor, then adding it with creamers and such.

For those who just love coffee and aren't really discriminating, most would probably love getting a surprise every month, though. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

See, I'm not the only one. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> The idea of a surprise coffee does NOT appeal to me. I do like the idea of having a bag shipped automatically though. I've got four kids in addition to all the other stuff I do and sometimes I put off ordering just because I think "I don't have time right now" and then I run out <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> .

Yeah, that can be a pain. Don't you like Starbucks? You can get it in the grocery store, and their Breakfast Blend is heavenly. What's your favorite type/s of coffee, by the way?

I've been pondering the whole auto-ship coffee service too, as I just started a web business with my own roasts. I want to do a flavor of the month club, with exclusive flavors just for those who sign up. A way to do it is to preview the next month's coffee on a special page for coffee club members, so they have a chance to see what they're getting. And have the option for them to choose an alternate flavor. Also, I think it'd be good to allow them to unsubscribe from the club at any time with no minimum months to join. Those are the ideas I've come up with so far.

[color:"purple"]i don't drink coffee, but have gotten the gevalia stuff (i wanted the $10 coffee maker to use to make my tea). i gave the coffee to a family member who likes coffee & then just cancelled the membership when i could. they do offer you a choice on what kind of coffee you receive (reg/decaf) as well as what type flavor-wise.

gevalia offers tea as well as coffee. i don't know if they have a monthly club for it...i just ordered it a few times. because of that, i ended up on their 'special coffees' shipments. this is something that's done quarterly and it's some kind of unique coffee. like i said i don't drink the stuff & i just passed it on.

my reason for bringing it up is...give the customers the choice of what they want for the regular shipments and do 'special blends' a few times a year. adds some interest and provides the opportunity for trying something new, but they aren't stuck with something different every month (which is important as they may not like something a couple months in a row & then they'll cancel the subscription).[/color]

A surprise coffee Hmmmmm. Flowers from your husband those are the kinds of surprises we like. Coffee surprises that can't be returned I'm not so sure of. I love my coffee. Having been born in Germany coffee was a ritual. I just moved to Arkansas and to my Surprise and pleasure have found a coffee factory not 15 miles away. They roast every Tues. and Wed and you can come and watch. They sell both wholesale and retail and the varities are immense. If you are interested in more info let me hear from you. <img src="/images/graemlins/easter.gif" alt="" />