How is a Fergana Roaster?

[mattshax]

Do not buy from fergana!

If you are an international buyer, do not buy from Fergana.

I was communicating with Bukhari, Fergana's main contact, over email for a number of months before deciding to make a purchase of their 5KG roaster around April 20th 2013. Bukhari assured me that the roaster would be produced and delivered to the Philippines by May 20th. After wiring over ($7000 - I have since learned to use escrows for all transactions) to his bank account, I patiently waited.

One month went by and little word from Bukhari, communication was getting more and more intermittent. Another month went by with only one or two messages claiming that he was sick or on vacation. It has now been over 4 months, and the situation has not changed. I even call their number in Istanbul a few times a week - I got through to Bukhari's colleague Ahmed, who repeated said he would be sure Bukhari is made aware of my predicament, but now that phone number seems to be disconnected. The client I was working for is now about to cancel the order, and I will return the money thinking this as a lost cause.

As a small business operator, this is a significant financial hit (and learning experience). Be warned that Fergana cannot deliver on what they claim.

 

[Glatte]

Fergana disappointment!

If you are an international buyer, do not buy from Fergana.

I was communicating with Bukhari, Fergana's main contact, over email for a number of months before deciding to make a purchase of their 5KG roaster around April 20th 2013. Bukhari assured me that the roaster would be produced and delivered to the Philippines by May 20th. After wiring over ($7000 - I have since learned to use escrows for all transactions) to his bank account, I patiently waited.

One month went by and little word from Bukhari, communication was getting more and more intermittent. Another month went by with only one or two messages claiming that he was sick or on vacation. It has now been over 4 months, and the situation has not changed. I even call their number in Istanbul a few times a week - I got through to Bukhari's colleague Ahmed, who repeated said he would be sure Bukhari is made aware of my predicament, but now that phone number seems to be disconnected. The client I was working for is now about to cancel the order, and I will return the money thinking this as a lost cause.

As a small business operator, this is a significant financial hit (and learning experience). Be warned that Fergana cannot deliver on what they claim.

Hi

I'm really sorry that your lost your money with Bukkari. I was in istambul in February with the specific intention of visiting the Fergana factory. I spent 24 hours with him and managed to view the 5kg roaster in action to great disappointmen, that I had made a trip to view a machine where flame control was primitive and build quality poor. It only proved to me that quality speaks volumes and their really are no cheap alternatives that will help you to produce a quality roast. I bought an IR 12 instead and just love it!

Bukkari is a very religious man - a good Muslim he would say ! I am surprised that he seems to have behaved in this way as he looked after me extremely well during my short stay and even encouraged me to turn to Islam. i would never have parted with my money once I had seen with my own eyes what I would be getting for it however a short trip to Istambul only cost me about $600 and I think it was money well spent and helped me to make up my mind to spend much much more on the IR 12 and I don't regret a bean of it.

The trouble is you are obviously a westerner like my self and seen as an easy target to extract money from.
Perhaps take a positive look at this negative. You might have ended up parting with even more money and then ended up with the delivery of an uncontrollable bean burner. Same thing happened to some people I know who bought a Toper and burned roast after roast and they could not get any joy with the manufacturers who just did not seem to want to know. Aren't Toper and fergana both Turkish manufacturers ? Be a bit more streetwise next time my friend and hope you can get the roaster you need for your client in the future.

 

[mattshax]

Streetsmart and not a unique occasion

Thanks for your response. Indeed more street smart I will be next time. I was in good communication with him about 8 months before placing the order and he seemed responsive and met the requests I asked (ie provide pictures, manual, timeframes, etc).

As an update on this Bukhari did get in touch with me about 1.5 weeks ago saying he will deliver the roaster and he swears on god that he will. Everytime I ask for a bill of lading (claims the roaster has been completed for some time) however I do not hear from him and it is continually frustrating. Also the same lapse of response occurs when I ask for my money back.

Perhaps if you know Bukhari you could get in touch with and ask about the status of the machine? I would be most greatful. I also know for a fact that I am not the only one that has experienced this behavior. Please see the links below for other references - of course these links were not available until after I made the purchase:

From Billy Canu Forum:

"Hate writing this stuff. I am part owner of a coffee roaster in San Diego, CA. I ordered via Alibaba one of the coffee roasters for Fergana – they sent me specs, etc. Really made me feel like this was a legit operation. After I wired the money to them, they fell off the grid and I didn’t hear much back. Now the “Order has been lost” and I am out of $4500.00. They are based in Turkey.


Stay away from Fergana Coffee Roaster."


From Ripoff Report:

Muzaffer Bukhari who represents Fergana Coffee Roasters on Ali Baba is a scam. I bought a Fergana Coffee roaster and (unfortunately) wired $4,500 to them. For weeks they have been putting me off. The first story was that the roaster got damaged, so they had to fix it.


It was an attractive offer and through communication they made me feel confident. From here it was downhill. They said that it was shipped, but it failed to turn up. Soon enough they started ignoring my communication and now state it's been lost in shipment. They didn't have a tracking number or insurance.


Do NOT buy from Fergana Coffee Roasters.

 

[Toper]

Distributed in over 101 countries, Toper is one of the leading manufacturers of coffee processing equipment in the world. We work with an understanding of professional service from production to servicing with latest technology, advanced technique and material of good quality. Toper equipment is durable, reliable, user friendly and efficient for processing premium coffee. Toper - Master of Coffee Roasters and Grinders

 

[Toper]

Well I wish you luck with your fergana and perhaps you will be lucky and get a better build quality one than I looked at however I know there have been various build problems with roasters out of Turkey recently . Some clients of my suppliers bought a Toper roaster which seems to consistently burn the roast however when they approached the manufacturers about the problem they were not interested. Perhaps those clients were not very good at controlling the heat !! However for my needs I wanted something more controllable hat could repeat the same profiles once I had developed them so I have gone for the diedrich ir 12. I really like the quest m3 for a sample roaster that roasts only 125 g at a time and is hand built in Taiwan but again it's not for the amateur but I have been getting some really good results. Good luck with your fergana I hope it serves you well.

Hi Glatte, Can you please let us know the contact details of your friend who purchased a Toper Roaster and still has problem. He cannot be un-answered. Anyway please make him contact with Osman from Toper. We are waiting to hear about the problem to solve the issue as soon as possible. [email protected] www.toper.com Thanks, TOPER ROASTERS

 

[kboom1]

I was thinking the same.... lol...

I did talk to people at north coffee and they did send one to Norfolk Michigan but I can't seem to find where the Norfolk Michigan is located... Help... Anyone???? lol

I would call Steve Green at Mill City Roasters. He imports these and would be the best person to talk to about the build quality. I bent his ear for a few hours right before I decided on a USRC 1lber. Was thinking on a North 1k but it weighed over 200lb for a tabletop roaster. Steve also istalls Phidgets before he ships them out. Great way to datalog real time with roasterscope or the likes. If your close by he will even let you come play with one.Here is his contact info:

Mill City Roasters, LLC
1050 33rd Ave SE,
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 1-888-475-8383
Email: [email protected]