What Decent do you own and what's your experience been like? Quality? Functionality? Service? Do you still own one? Would you buy it again? Why? Here is my experience thus far. So I have just entered the world of Decent, having acquired a Decent DE1XL V1.42 from a current owner located in Vancouver. It's now sitting in my son's apartment awaiting my pick up in late August. I expect to be operational on August 30. The Decent team are just phenomenonal. Very helpful, very responsive, great service! Their approach to the sale and transfer of ownership of pre-owned units is rightfully very security conscious, but very supportive. They wisely understand that they are gaining new customers and fans. And, I can and will buy an extended warranty for piece of mind and convenience. It's worth every penny (well every $$). They will also sell me version upgrade parts at nominal cost. Assuming that I like the machine, which I am confident I will, Decent will have me hooked into their upgrade path. And an added benefit. As I was able to fund the purchase through prior / excess equipment sales, adding only $600 CDN (well$ 1,000 after I buy the extended warranty), my wife is now acclimated to this next price point in espresso machines 👌

I bought a DE1 Pro v1.43 in October, upgrading from a Gaggia Classic. The upgrade has been incredible in everyway. I get much better coffee from the DE1 and I love the control I can get from it. The integration with the Acaia scales is second to none, I couldn't imagine not using this feature, the ability to stop by weight is incredible. Being able to see the shot parameters mid flight is very useful. In terms of the actual machine, it's small compact and fairly light. I did have an issue in December where the group head ring light froze and I couldn't reset it. I spoke with Decent and I shipped the machine back to them and they repaired a board free of charge ( i didn't pay for shipping) Would I buy it again? - Yes. It's offerings are completely unique at the price point.

Congrats on the purchase @"JHCCoffee"#639 I've had my DE1XL for 2.5 years now. Hasn't missed a beat and comes with a life time extendable warranty. That speaks volumes about John Buckmans confidence in the durability of his machines. A swirl of espresso machines have come and gone around my Decent in those two and a half years.. It's simply extraordinary. For example, this morning I used a DF64V with Gorrilla Gear burrs which pairs well the "Adaptive" profile for medium roasted beans very well. Well balanced, full bodied, full flavored. Later I used a Niche Duo with SSP Espresso burrs and with just two taps on the tablet I switched to another solid match in Scott Rao's "Blooming" profile (designed for lighter roasts) and enjoyed all the bright juicy intenstity that those burrs can offer up. Adding to the easy-to-access diversity of options on the Decent, the Decent Diaspora has members such as John Weiss, the Barista Hustle guy, Scott Rao, John Buckman and a host of other vastly experienced and helpful professionals posting and contributing to anwers. It's really quite extraordinary. Almost as good as CT! People love or hate the Decent. They are like a black jellybean: people who like them tend to love them and the rest can't stand them. And that's just fine. Celebrate that diversity of opinions. Accept and applaud differences. The Decent is the mainstay of my coffee island... [URL=https://i.imgur.com/noTa2gn.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/noTa2gn.jpg[/IMG][/URL] PS my first shot of the day generally has me simply pushing the button through blurry eyes, just to get a quick caffiene fix. So it's not all about nerding out. The Decent can be as simple or as complex as you enjoy making it.

Thanks @"tompoland"#121. I appreciate your Decent insights. That's definitely a full bench! Just curious. What brand is the pour over kettle and base on the right side of the bench. I’d like something that is more temperature controlable than my current stovetop gooseneck kettle.

@"JHCCoffee"#p50221 yes Fellow Stagg with optional wood accents. Hario Server 01 with a Hario Switch on top. Acaia Pearl scale. The Stagg features a useful "hold" option that will keep the water at the set temperature for up to an hour.

I have the scales and the connection has died on one of the buttons. Despite it being a common occurrence they are not interested. Seems like they view the scales as a beta play thing that their customers who buy £4K machines can view as disposable and buy the next model they release. Won’t buy from them again.

> @"simonc"#p50391 have the scales and the connection has died on one of the buttons. Despite it being a common occurrence they are not interested. Seems like they view the scales as a beta play thing that their customers who buy £4K machines can view as disposable and buy the next model they release. > Won’t buy from them again. That’s unfortunate. They should stand behind everything that they sell. I’ve had pretty good service thus far. Who did you deal with?

@"simonc"#p50391 I’m sorry you’ve had that experience, that seems really weird. I’ve had several dealings with Decent and their support team, and they have been amazingly helpful every single time. I had an issue with one of the buttons on my v1 scale and they replaced the entire scale for free with the updated v1.2 model. It hasn’t missed a beat since. I’d definitely raise this with them again. I know John was away on a trip recently but should be back now. If it was me I’d go through the Decent support portal on their website or message him directly on Diaspora and I’m sure he’ll sort this for you.

I like that the machine heats up quickly, I just wonder how long it takes for the portafilter to heat too? There’s always the kettle to speed things a long but when spending £3k that seems a bit bonkers. I’d say by BDB takes 10 minutes from a cold start.

@"simonc"#p50391 Seems their entire approach is beta... granted some are fine with constant beta testing and 'possible' improvements, but when I buy an item I like it to be quite finished and tried/true for some time to come. Decent has approached trying to bring out the ultimate in every type of item coffee related, but IMBHO most items look like child's play, but to each their own. Seems every other month an updated version of their machine will be available... like oh it's 1.45111 in 2 weeks and there will be a slight price increase, blah blah blah. Personally don't care to have a featherweight espresso setup with that type of water reservoir among other oddities. More power to those constantly seeking, but rarely finding, satisfying cutting edge items that are never fully refined. I like something that will work every single time I need it to and do so indefinitely and have parts available infinitely.

Decent Experience and Poll

Ernie1

Cuprajake but you know you’re going to get the niche vat thing thrown back at you lol

Exactly this.

It’s fine for Niche to run questionable VAT practices under the guise of ‘swallowing the cost’ but when someone else does it it’s wrong?

Lol.

DavecUK

Ernie1 It’s fine for Niche to run questionable VAT practices under the guise of ‘swallowing the cost’ but when someone else does it it’s wrong?

1st Niche were not doing anything questionable with VAT, they just had a cheaper price for UK customers.

2nd I very clearly stayted Decent are doing nothing wrong, but people who don’t declare VAT, are committing VAT fraud.

That doesn’t sit well with me, especially the amount of VAT being defrauded, because the declared value is so low $500

Ernie1

DavecUK

Fair point.

For the record I also agree it’s pretty shocking. I’m not aware of any other products with similar practices.

JHCCoffee

I agree. We all pay our fair share of taxes, to provide the government with the means to provide the services that we expect. This is just one area where people avoid paying their fair share of the taxes that everyone else pays.

Corporations are even more delinquent by registering in countries with low tax rates (such as Ireland, the Caymans, etc.). Corporate tax evasion is actually the bigger issue.

Cuprajake

The sad thing with all this is that UK companies miss out.

The likes of Bella barista.

I try to buy local if I can before going to the internet, sadly the internet has killed the bricks and mortar shops,

Bella barista are my go to, in fact most my machines have come through them.

Ernie1

Cuprajake

Yeah, I think I’ve bought 5 machines from BB including the Moccamaster and it’s a nice experience seeing their showroom as well as the great service.

I’ll always try and buy in a bricks and mortar if possible.

MediumRoastSteam

Cuprajake The sad thing with all this is that UK companies miss out.

The likes of Bella barista

But manufacturers do what work for them, and same as retailers. ACS, as an example, sells direct to customers. Would you say because of that UK companies miss out?

BB used to sell them, but then stopped stocking them.

I don’t think it’s as simple as that.

JHCCoffee

I bought my Lelit Elizabeth from Espresso Planet in Mississauga, Ontario and still buy accessories from them and also from a couple of retailers in Calgary. Both have combined physical and online stores. There is no such thing as true bricks and mortar anymore.

But I bought my NZ online from Niche, which is (like Decent) a manufacturer that sells online.

Its just that Decent’s VAT structuring is predatory. This being said, I do wonder whether if Niche had found a way to reduce the declared tax value of its machines (that it sells locally and to overseas markets), whether folks on this UK based site would object so strongly. 😁

Cuprajake

Point being you can buy a timemore over in the UK already.

Then the kick starter under cut it all.

There’s never going to be one solution to everything

I just prefer to buy local, where possible and have all the warrenty and come back that come with it.

MediumRoastSteam

Cuprajake Point being you can buy a timemore over in the UK already.

Sorry I missed the point. I thought we were talking about the Decent and the fact they sell direct to customer only.

JHCCoffee

MediumRoastSteam Sorry I missed the point. I thought we were talking about the Decent and the fact they sell direct to customer only.

Actually the OP (me) was actually querying about who owns a Decent (and which one). Interesting segue through.

MediumRoastSteam

JHCCoffee Actually the OP (me) was actually querying about who owns a Decent (and which one)

Not me then. Actually my comment was related to the most recent posts, rather than the OP, as he thread took a slight digression.

Enjoy your day, over and out.

Cuprajake

Be better on the decent group for stuff like that, given there cost to the UK there are not loads here.

I’ve always fancied one, but the noise is not for me.

Decent have dropped the price some what though from looking

delta76

DavecUK interesting you put it that way. I have never gone that far to order a Decent, given how much it costs in the cart, but that’s … interesting.

If we speak frankly, they are trying to avoid VAT upfront to make the machine more appealing to buyers. I am certainly not a tax expert, but it feels shady to me…

DavecUK

delta76 If we speak frankly, they are trying to avoid VAT upfront to make the machine more appealing to buyers. I am certainly not a tax expert, but it feels shady to me…

No, decent are not avoiding VAT, the purchaser is doing that. Decent even state clearly you need to declare the software value in line with any applicable laws in your country.

It’s understandable you might feel as you do…

simonc

DavecUK I’ve bought a lot of software, via download, from overseas and the vendor has charged vat. It’s perfectly possibly for Decent to do so as they do for hardware.
Giving their customers the option to not pay given they know they are shipping to the UK ~~feels~~ is wrong.

delta76

I know you are wording carefully. But from my perspective they are “hacking” for their advantage. The proper way would be declare the whole value, or to let the customer buy the software and pay the VAT at the same time.

As I said I am no Tax expert, I am quite sure they have done their homework carefully to avoid any liability. Also I used the work “avoiding”, not “evasion” or “fraud”. Just think they are smart, but somewhat shady for doing so.

DavecUK

delta76 I do understand and in the end, we all pay for it, if we pay taxes. That uncollected VAT has to be made up somewhere.

james65477564

delta76 I think it is very shady.

If their claimed value was true you should be able to buy the machine for $500 and run different software which they already advertise as a feature.

You should then be able to ‘upgrade’ to their software and pay appropriate tax.

You cannot and this proves the true value (and therefore tax liability). They are exploiting a grey area in tax law and if it was more mainstream I am sure it would be closed.

I would happily buy a decent for $500 and run alternate software!

Redla

This thread has been derailed completely…

Cuprajake

theres not really many decent owners on here, so you wont get much in the way of feedback,

ive been tempted a few times by a decent but the poor milk performance and the vibe pumps really put me off, i also dont like the closed forum, but thats just me,

its a very clever machine,

james65477564

Cuprajake I would be the same, if I could buy from somewhere like BB I would probably already have one.

delta76

Cuprajake obviously not a decent owner but i heard a different story, it is capable of making great microfoam. Comparable to GS3 which is said to be barista dream.

Of course not first hand experience but I would say if the older versions were weak on steaming power they would have fixed it by now. They keep evolving, quickly. I have to give them that

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