How do I check a coffee roaster’s online store and shipping process?

Start with the order records. Ask for a report of orders by month, split between one-time buyers, subscribers and wholesale accounts, and look for how many customers come back. Then place a test order yourself, if the seller agrees, and watch the confirmation, the packing, the timing and the tracking messages. A smooth experience on your side tells you something; a muddle tells you more.

Next, look at the shipping process. Ask who roasts, bags, labels and hands parcels to the carrier, and on which days. Find out how fresh beans are protected on the way, what happens when a parcel is late or damaged, and how refunds and replacements are handled. Review complaints and returns for patterns, such as the same carrier or the same product.

Finally, ask who controls the store itself: the domain, the platform account, the customer list and the payment processor. These should transfer to you cleanly. Ask whether the owner personally answers customer messages, because a store that depends on one person’s inbox is a different business from one with a routine. Ask to see the written steps, if any, and who covers when the owner is away.

Key takeaways

• Place a test order and follow it from checkout through delivery.
• Ask who roasts, packs and ships each day, and what happens when a parcel goes wrong.
• Confirm the domain, store account and customer list will transfer to you.