Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Sun Mar 10, 2013, 3:08am Subject: The Most Expensive Starbucks Barista Ever - Saeco owners must see
So we're all weird people on here, right? Well, I just happen to chair a local nonprofit that runs Everfree Northwest, a My Little Pony convention here in Seattle. One of the highlights of our event last August was our charity auction, where we raised no less than $13,000 for the Seattle Children's Hospital by auctioning fan-made, pony-related items. One of these items was a Starbucks Barista/Saeco Rio Vapore that I picked up on CL and had my friend Mandi paint one of the TV show's characters on it. The character's actress adored the machine and signed it, and when we put it up for auction, the demonstration shot alone (with fresh-ground coffee from my Skerton at the hotel) went for a staggering $30--to which the person bidding declared it "the best espresso I've ever had!" Kudos to him for chugging the shot on stage, fake white crema and all.
But the most impressive part of all was that this used, painted Starbucks Barista went for $700 at auction--Easily the most handsome sum paid for a Saeco semi-auto. The generous winning bidder got a congratulatory talk from me when picking up his prize, that included a recommendation to get a decent grinder and a nice, real PF from SCG.
Thought you all might find this amusing, if not simply heartwarming. These people were truly beyond generous in their bids for the kids.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,679 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Sun Mar 10, 2013, 8:19am Subject: Re: The Most Expensive Starbucks Barista Ever - Saeco owners must see
Cute, That went about on par with most charity auctions I have been to. The prices are reflective of the of the people not the value of the objects. I tend to go over the top at these things too. The most I ever bid on an item was at a blacksmithing event. The sculpture up for auction had nearly every high end smith in CA, work on it and a Chech smith who was the lead demonstrator. In the end, it was between just me and my good buddy for the last, oh, dozen bids. I let him have it at $7K. I really wanted it but I could tell, he was just going to end up with it in the end, I was sober and, well he had a few drinks... I hope the morning did not hurt too much! LOL!
Nice event. I am not sure what it was all about but in the end, the spirit of the people involved is the same. Nice auction and congrats on the machine!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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