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Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

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tinybean
Senior Member

Joined: 7 Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Location: nj
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 9:58am Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

Thanks for the continued advice. How is the Baratza Virtuoso (will be drinking americano's and cappuccino's)? Amazon is selling for $212, which is slightly over my budget but more affordable then the Preciso. Click Here (www.amazon.com)

tinybean
Senior Member

Joined: 7 Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Location: nj
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 10:14am Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

The Gaggia MDF is in a similar price range, and reviews on CG seem more favorable - thoughts?

D4F
Senior Member

Joined: 15 Mar 2012
Posts: 1,225
Location: USA
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID
Grinder: Preciso

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 10:16am Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

The Virtuoso can happen to work, but what happens when it does not? The adjustment is too coarse. Preciso from Baratza.com, $239 refurb, plus shipping. Drink does not matter so much, you have to start with good espresso. Milk may hide a little.

tinybean
Senior Member

Joined: 7 Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Location: nj
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 10:18am Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

I think it may have been sold already - I don't see it on their website (or can you sen me the link?). How is the Gaggia MDF?

CMIN
Senior Member

Joined: 14 Jun 2012
Posts: 564
Location: South FL
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Crossland CC1
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 10:24am
Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

tinybean Said:

I think it may have been sold already - I don't see it on their website (or can you sen me the link?). How is the Gaggia MDF?

Posted August 8, 2012 link

If you wait till tomorrow they usually put updated refurbs by the end of Thursday. Can check Ebay too, lately last few months there's been some nice deals, used, for anything from Varios, Preciso, to Virtuoso.

D4F
Senior Member

Joined: 15 Mar 2012
Posts: 1,225
Location: USA
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID
Grinder: Preciso

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 10:28am Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

Refurbs are under products on the Website. They post new refurbs on Thursdays as they are available. They are not always available, but most every week. I have seen it go a couple weeks without, and then they are back. I think the MDF like the Rocky have been displaced by newer more adjustable grinders. Mostly I see the Preciso and used commercial grinders recommended. I have only had the Preciso several months and reviewed it then. I am going by my limited experience, but from a lot of reviews and reading like you are doing.

tracerbullet
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Feb 2012
Posts: 157
Location: Saint Paul
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 11:43am Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

I've purchased from WLL a few times and have had good luck. I haven't had to do much other than place an order, but in all cases things have been fine. I wouldn't hesitate to order from them again. I do like their prices. If you keep your eyes open you'll see things come and go on sale and / or have package deals (grinder and espresso maker). If nothing seems to be on sale I'd consider calling them and seeing if they'd offer any discounts. Keep in mind shipping costs when comparing stores. I give the Classic the edge over the Baby. I own a Baby and have been inside of both styles many times. Most primary components are the same (pump, boiler, portafilter, etc.) but I see two main differences: 1) The Classic has an adjustable OPV. You don't really have to worry about this but if the recipient of this machine likes to tinker, or gets into espresso as a new hobby, they'll appreciate having that adjustability. 2) A) There's a little more metal and less plastic in the Classic. In a normal kitchen it's unlikely to matter but if you ever move, or knock the thing off the counter, the Classic is much more likely to survive. B) The rocker switches are more robust on the Classic than the push buttons on the Baby. I wont' bother getting rid of my Baby, especially after modifying the heck out of it, but doing it again I'd get the Classic. I've had the Gaggia MDF grinder and own the Rancillio Rocky. I agree grinders are important, the better the better, but these are both entirely adequate. I prefer the Rocky because I have a doserless version. It's faster and less messy than the MDF that only comes with a doser. For that reason alone I recommend the Rocky. Otherwise they do similar jobs and again in my opinion are fine enough for the task. I haven't owned a Baratza but reading the forum here, and it may be a misrepresented sampling, it seems like people have nothing but problems with them. my Rocky on the other hand is like a dang tank, I think I could run gravel through it and it would laugh. Ebay would be a good source for used, you can get good machines there (I know because I refurb and sell them there once in a while). Especially with the Classics, there's only a handful of working parts inside and when they are cleaned and / or replaced the end result is that the machine is practically like new). But this is still not a great choice for a gift, newer would be better there.

tracerbullet
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Feb 2012
Posts: 157
Location: Saint Paul
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 11:50am Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

Click Here (www.wholelattelove.com) $718 at the moment and no shipping cost. Not cheap but it should be a solid, trouble free setup that will be a lot of fun to use and make great tasting espresso. It'll also have good resale value (ie ebay) if you guys decide that you hate making your own, or decide to upgrade in a few years.

MJW
Senior Member

Joined: 25 Jul 2012
Posts: 74
Location: Silicon Valley
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 3:38pm Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

Mark, thanks for clarifying your policies on refurbished and new products. I assure you there are no hard feelings on my side and I'm just stating what happened. My story about being charged 15% is relevant and accurate in terms of what other customers can expect; but you are right, if they buy a new product and not refurbished they have 30 days. -Mike

MJW
Senior Member

Joined: 25 Jul 2012
Posts: 74
Location: Silicon Valley
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Aug 8, 2012, 4:09pm
Subject: Re: Where to buy a Gaggia espresso machine?

tinybean Said:

I think it may have been sold already - I don't see it on their website (or can you sen me the link?). How is the Gaggia MDF?

Posted August 8, 2012 link

Hi Tinybean, in my opinion the Virtuoso is not good enough, and the MDF may be marginal. The Virtuoso Preciso is the least expensive one for espresso in the Baratza line. It is expensive, and at these prices, maybe it would be good to scour Craigslist looking for used Super Jollys just to see what's available in your area. You have a lot of options with grinders, but those are the best I know.

If you wish to downsize budget-wise, you could go for a pressurized machine and use a less expensive grinder.

Here is another grinder to consider: Capresso 560 Infinity. I hesitate to suggest it, I don't know if it's suitable but it's popular and well liked. And cheap.

-Mike

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