I've gotten in contact with ACS about the Minima cost since I can't find a UK retailer and Maria got back to me with a standard stainless steel Minima for €1200,00 (approx. £1050) including shipping to UK with 24 months of warranty where they will support for any issue/s or replacements (free of charge for the warranty period) by emails, pictures and video calls. Am I right in thinking this is a fantastic price right?

@"Verion"#p28064 It used to retail £1179 to £1379. Please note, unless they have advised you otherwise, you will be charged VAT and import duties by DHL for customs clearance in the UK.

@"LMSC"#p28065 Good point about the VAT and import duties by DHL for customs clearance in the UK. I'll ask Maria about that.

Still a good price though. Is there another dual boiler in or around that price available from a UK retailer?

id buy now before it goes 2 euro to a pound haha there a good machine tbf

@"Verion"#p28066 One point to note - there should be no duties, only VAT, as the machine is made in the EU. I was charged (incorrectly) a fairly minimal amount of duty on my ACS machine, and I didn't challenge it. I was charged a much higher % amount on a recent import of a sweater (from Italy, as it happens)… and DHL backpedalled very quickly when I challenged them. Just make sure that ACS adds a declaration of origin to the paperwork if you go the 'direct from manufacturer' route.

@"dfk41"#p28067 The only dual boiler that comes close is the Lelit Elizabeth v3 at Bella Barista for £1,149 in price. But I'm not into the design. Maybe it looks too much like my current Sage DTP which I'm ready to move on from after a number of years. If Black Cat Coffee had the stainless steel Minima in stock it would have been £1,279, so the prices direct assuming I am liable for VAT and Import duties makes it around £1,260(ish). If not, then it makes it better value at £1,050 with everything included than the Lelit Elizabeth v3 or if I wanted an HX machine, then the Lelit Mara X v2. The next jump is closer to £1,800 with the Lelit Bianca v3 or something from Profitec or ECM. It's a lot of money when a Minima is a lot, lot less.

@"CoyoteOldMan"#p28071 Can I assume you bought your Minima direct?

@"Verion"#p28073 It was a Vesuvius Evo Leva, but yes - direct from ACS, so dealing with exactly the same people and carrier that you'd be!

@"Cuprajake"#p28070 Would be good if it did go 2 euro to the pound - Minima would only cost £600! Sadly parity is more likely.

haha you know what i mean lol the bianca is a different kettle of fish, alot more for your money than the minima - but its £600 more

ACS Minima

PortafilterProcrastinator

@Verion That price with VAT etc is what I paid for mine, direct from ACS, beginning of this year. I got a bottomless portafilter and a couple of other bits too on top.

Note on warranty parts you do pay shipping/ postage.

Verion

PortafilterProcrastinator Can I ask, did you get or have a heavy 58cm tamper to replace the plastic one? And if so, which one?

DavecUK

PortafilterProcrastinator Note on warranty parts you do pay shipping/ postage.

I didn’t know that?

PortafilterProcrastinator

Verion I got a Normcore because I’m lazy.

Self-levelling and three different strength springs.

The plastic tamper is utterly useless.

Verion

PortafilterProcrastinator You got the 58.5mm V4 version? If so, I’ll see Amazon drop the price on Prime Day from around £45.

If it doesn’t drop, I think might go for a Espro calibrated flat base tamper for £68 from Blak Nektar which might be more what I’m looking for in terms of repeatability.

https://www.blaknektar.coffee/products/espro-calibrated-tamper

LMSC

DavecUK I guess default postage cost by DHL is itself £50. That’s what they quoted when I quizzed them about the cost of purchasing the new legs for Evo.

PortafilterProcrastinator

DavecUK It is a bit of a pain, but it is what it is. I haven’t needed any replacement parts yet (I am managing the steam issue) but quotes from ACS are generally €25-30 depending on what’s being shipped.

DavecUK

LMSC I remember when I had to send my graphics card to MSI Poland one carrier (might have been DHL) wanted £80, another was £18 both services were identical, and Inc pick up from my house.

Just checked UPS was the cheaper one.

LMSC

DavecUK When I ordered the Bravo tamper from Gilberto, I paid about £35 (BRL 210) for Fedex.

Verion

So I’ve slept on the idea and I’ll get back to ACS and purchase the Minima.

They don’t have a UK distributor or seller, so it’s only direct.

Pics when it arrives!

DavecUK

Verion What colour are you going for?

CoyoteOldMan

Looking forward to seeing the pictures!

CoyoteOldMan

DavecUK Verion What cilor are you going for?

Verion Stainless steel. Trying not to add more to the cost.

dutchy101

It’s a great, great machine - I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I picked one up (in black) in January - the last one from Black Cat I think.

Cuprajake

@Verion what grinder are you paring with?

good thing with the minima is you can add the flow control down the line should you want to play, so upgradable

Verion

Cuprajake I have a Niche.

The flow control add-on looks great, but wished I could get it in black rather than wood.

dutchy101

Verion

Can always paint the wood black

Verion

dutchy101 Giphy - curb your enthusiasm television GIF

HVL87

I bought the Minima from BlackCatCoffee back in Jan 21. Even if it failed under warranty I probably wouldn’t have bothered returning the machine to the retailer for repair. I would instead have requested any necessary parts and attempted the repair myself (if it was simple), or have it repaired locally.

So if you can get the machine to you in one piece (that would be my biggest concern), then I don’t think it makes too much difference. I have also purchased parts from ACS directly, and other than the high shipping costs, it was in fact easier! Maria is always helpful.