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Launch HN: Bottomless (YC W19) – Coffee Restocked with a Smart Scale

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181–190 of 262 posts

Re: Launch HN: Bottomless (YC W19) – Coffee Restocked with a Smart Scale

#182

I think the business case with the same idea and tech, but a lot better market cap, would be providing a restocking service to businesses who are using tens of thousands of dollars of consumable shop supplies than the small audience of people who are willing to buy coffee from a subscription for $3/mo. To make the pain point that I'm familiar with on a daily basis crystal clear to you: I'm an engineer at a small, sho…

Thanks for laying out the use case!

I’ve previously worked in restaurants and there’s an analogous problem there. I think this tech will be everywhere someday.

I’mcurious about your insight on the tech. Could you flesh that out a bit more?

Re: Launch HN: Bottomless (YC W19) – Coffee Restocked with a Smart Scale

#186
Yet another startup that throws tech at a non-issue. People buying cheap coffee just do that when doing their groceries. And people buying expensive ones are probably inclined to try new ones based on recommendations of their local dedicated store. Congratulations, you removed chit-chat with the clerk, smelling the different varieties of products, buying something unplanned, i.e. what’s make interesting to go buying coffee.

To add insult to the injury you even charge for a monthly subscription, which is quite expensive if you compare to any real service (Netflix, a vps vm, iCloud storage, etc.)

Re: Launch HN: Bottomless (YC W19) – Coffee Restocked with a Smart Scale

#187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I kind of like going to the supermarket. I also like variety. This sounds like it would work better for offices etc

Yeah love grocery shopping when I’m making a meal or shopping for something unique. Personally, I’m not a fan of shopping for the same stuff over and over.

That's kind of my point. I buy coffee every week but rarely the same one. In fact discovering, comparing and contrasting various beans, washes, roasts and preparation types is half the joy of coffee.

Re: Launch HN: Bottomless (YC W19) – Coffee Restocked with a Smart Scale

#188

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think this is very clever and I wish you success but I do not buy the coffee “more than a week old is not fresh” line. Coffee is fermented - stored well it lasts a hell of a lot longer than two weeks. We stock up on our family’s favorite coffee from Colombia three or four times a year, where relatives travel long distances to collect it for us from a non-exporting roaster. Many months is a normal shelf life.

This is counter to everything I've ever read on coffee freshness. Perhaps you are right! Do you have any links?

The experts in the field are wary to put a definitive time frame on 'freshness' because there are many variables at play (and a lot of product to sell). Here is a good overview: https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/blog/2016/06/26/long-coffe...

I will grant that not very long ago, the fear of coffee going bad pretty quick was probably valid. But today packaging systems available to even the home roaster allow you to flush oxygen, displace C02, and/or vacuum seal.

I am not trying to argue that flavor stays the same for several months. But I call marketing BS on the warning that you have a week from when your beans were roasted to either enjoy them or to suffer the consequences.

Re: Launch HN: Bottomless (YC W19) – Coffee Restocked with a Smart Scale

#190

Yet another startup that throws tech at a non-issue. People buying cheap coffee just do that when doing their groceries. And people buying expensive ones are probably inclined to try new ones based on recommendations of their local dedicated store. Congratulations, you removed chit-chat with the clerk, smelling the different varieties of products, buying something unplanned, i.e. what’s make interesting to go buying…

I’m a big coffee fan, but my routine leaves me buying whatever is fresh from Counter Culture at Whole Foods. I don’t make regular trips to a coffee shop, because it doesn’t fit my schedule. If many of those roasters are decent, this would give me more variety. And today I definitely end up running out of beans at inconvenient times.

Price: I brew at home, and buy roughly two bags a month, typically $11-14/bag.

So I’d at least consider this.

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