For those who have not seen the advertisement on TV, the Philips Senseo is a coffee machine that originated in Europe and has *finally* made it to Australia. I bought mine over there and brought it back because it is that good - even if it did mean that I would be relying on friends to mail replacement pods over to me.
I'm now down on my knees begging Moccona to import some decent coffee milk to use with the machine as well because there is no equivalent on sale here in Oz.
Hello!
This is not a complaint - about the Senseo anyway….
I was in Europe last year and managed to use a Senseo while in Holland. Upon my return, I approached Philips (email) and they put me through to Breville who said that there were no plans to import the device, so I purchased one in Germany and brought it back with me along with many, many coffee pods (Customs rolled their eyes at me but didn't complain :)
(stay with me, this is going somewhere….)
Anyway, upon my return, I discovered that Australia is …well… at the *rsehole of the world when it comes to coffee quality and variety and if Moccona and Philips *really* want to help this device gain a hold here in Australia (as opposed to the Russell Hobbes version which sells it's pods for a disgustingly expensive rate), I would like to make a suggestion that will be both advantageous to your company as well as myself.
Are you ready? Here it comes….
** Please, please, PLEASE start importing some REAL coffee milk like they have in Europe to use with the Senseo (did I say "please"? If not: "pretty please with sugar on top")
Using the Senseo (and the RussHob wannabe) is …uh… CRAP with normal milk. The same with cream. It is only bearable with 'The White Death' (Coffee Mate) - but NOTHING will sell this product like word of mouth and COMPLETING THE PACKAGE!! Senseo coffee is consistent and amazingly good when black but it is SO much better with the real deal in coffee milk. I can understand 'market forces' and supply-and-demand and such, but is there really a point to only half-completing a job? I see the Senseo dying on the market if left to be used with normal milk to be 'enjoyed'.
Please, do not think that you have seen the product of which I speak if you have never been out of Australia - it is not available here. I have been to specialist delicatessans and coffee manufacturers (local) and all sorts of places and people just DO NOT know what I am talking about unless they have been to the continent and actually used this coffee milk. I've even approached Aldi (supermarket) and asked them when or if they will be importing the milk. This is considering that they are based in Hannover (Germany) and even their smallest outlets over there have (maybe) 6 or 8 different brands available.
Shall I say "please" again?
On the upside, at least I won't be relying on friends in Holland & Germany sending me care packages of coffee pods anymore…. :)
I notice that there is a cash back offer on the device in Myer at the moment - I need to work on my mates getting one each so that I can have decent coffee when I go over there instead of (yecch) instant coffee [even though I assume that the Senseo *is* instant coffee, it is SO much better….]
Please be kind to this coffee addict.
Thank you for your time
**** *****
Ph: ** **** **** a/h
M: **** *** *** anytime
Ps: letter posted on my blog: www.spanishredneck.blogspot.com
8 comments:
Great letter, jai. Fingers are crossed for your coffee pods. Do I want to know what they are?
You most certainly do if you like a half-decent cup of coffee! :)
The pods, or pads, are the tea-bag-like items that go into the Senseo in which the water runs through to make the coffee.
Be aware that the cups are quite small and are roughly equivalent to a short black or even an espresso.
The consistency between the cups is virtually identical every time.
I am immensely happy with my Senseo but I will add that I can get 2 cups of coffee out of 1 pad with the 2nd cup being slightly weaker. You cannot get 3 cups per pad :)
I think I might just stick with my hot chocolate or sav blank.
My limit is about 3 long blacks a year purely for the caffeine intake. Coffee just doesn't do it for me.
It doesn't do anything to me either. I can have 3 of these short-blacks at night between 9:30 and 10 and still be out like a light before 10:30! :)
I just like the taste so even decaf is OK for me :)
Jai - may I ask what the coffee machine cost, in equivalent Auzzie dollars?
When I bought it, they were selling (in Germany) for Euro64.99 (about $100) on their own, and Euro75.99 (I think) with 4 packets of coffee pads and 2 nice little coffee glasses in the kit and a tin for the coffee pads.
They're selling for roughly the same here but I notice that Myer is advertising a $20 rebate from Philips if you get one now. Brings it back to $99.
Very, very tempting, especially with your rave review. I am a coffee fiend; with only the occassional foray into a genteel cup of tea when I whip out the Wedgewood for visitors.
Wedgewood, eh? Does the pinkie rise when sipping you tea as well?
My mum used to crack used to crack up when she would see me giving the cockatoo a drink of tea from the first cup I found, which would usually be her cup - Royal Albert (red rose pattern :)
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