Forum Activity for @Alan Crofut

Recent retail scams I've had...

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

My shop is smallish, but I've had a few fraudulent attempts, I wonder about everyone else's experiences.

First guy...
Emailed "My daughter's birthday chocolates", I sent him a quote for a little over $1200 worth of chocolate. All seemed well as we emailed back and forth regarding the details. He claimed to be travelling out of the country, tight schedule etc. I have many customers like that.

The wierdness started with payment. Of course. He wanted to send a credit card number and charge the shipping amount also, saying he had someone to pick it up when the order was ready. He wanted to charge $600 for shipping and have me give the driver the cash.

That was an easy one to catch. The credit cards these people use are valid for about two weeks and then you get a chargeback for that amount, plus penalties. So, it all looks good, you get the money, then it gets taken away by your merchant account processor.

I Googled the email and physical address, it came up with red alerts from other people they had scammed. I called the FBI, because here I was, in contact with a known group of criminals. The FBI said they had too many of this type of crime, and sent me away.

Second one...
Bride says she's getting married, 600 people, wants samples.
She's from Tulsa, a place I rarely, if ever ship to. I ask her "Why me" she says she found me in a magazine. That's plausable, but I'm already skeptical.

I offer her 4pak truffles, she says great. We agree on flavors & time, I tell her it's $6000 plus shipping. She says "great, I'll send you my credit card information when I get the samples". I responded - I'm sorry, we'll need your credit card number to hold the shipping charges for the sample. If you don't purchase, we charge you $25, if you do order, we take it off the bottom line.

Up until that point, all emails were answered within minutes. Never heard from them again. Maybe, just maybe, it was a real order and I offended them. Highly doubtful.

These were pretty easy to spot. Neither customer was in to the chocolates, like a real customer would be.

Care to share any of your experiences?


updated by @Alan Crofut: 04/11/25 09:27:36

Child Slave Labour Doco

Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Child slave labor is a major issue with the cacao used by a lot of the "big boys" of chocolate manufacturing. It is truly difficult to maintain integrity when dealing with through-puts the size of a companies like, oh say, Hersheys.This is a huge problem, and is exactly why it is encouraged for consumers to support artisan chocolate producers, and chocolate producers to develop relationships with cacao growers, at lease in my opinion.Sirius

Child Slave Labour Doco

Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Last night on Auussie and NZ TV was aired a doco on chlid slave labour in the cocoa industry, specifically Ghana and Ivory Coast. If you go to the link below you can read more.

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/

If you are in Aust. or NZ you will be able to watch the program over the web, I am not sure about access in other countries.

The in the doco the investigative reporters found many children in forced labour with no pay or schooling.

updated by @Tom: 12/13/24 12:16:07

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

TRY CHOCOSPHERE.COM

THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE TOP BRANDS... VALRHONA GRAND COUVA...if still produced.

Ralph

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Leena and Anthony,It's so nice of you to invite me to your shop. When the weather gets nice I would love to stop by and visit. I have always wanted to open a choclate shop. I once had an antique/candle store in a quaint little town and I loved it! If only I could do the same with my chocolates. Recently I've had difficulty tempering and I'm not sure why. I was thinking of buying the Rev Delta and wonder what your thoughts are on the machine? Since you also live in Florida I know that you too deal with our humidity issues. Any thought on the subject would be appreciated. Good luck with your business and hopefully I will have the chance to stop by and say hello soon.Lisa

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

You all might want to contact Tierra Nueva down in Miami, they will custom manufacture chocolate for you and they also have standard products. http://www.tierranuevacocoa.com/site/ or if you're interested you can make your own chocolate recipes starting with Liquor, sugar, etc with the NETZSCH ChocoEasy www.chocoeasy.com

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

You can contact Tierra Nueva in Miami Gardens. They have their own chocolate production machinery and can make a custom product for you or they have standard couvertures. http://www.tierranuevacocoa.com/site/?page_id=43

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

I have a question for you....Merckens chocolate is a coating type chocolate correct? I am looking for couverture chocolate in Florida. I didn't see anythng other than Merckens on the website.Lisa

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Thank you for the information...I will check them out today.Lisa

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

I personally use Merckens chocolate and you can buy it at D& G Occasions in Orlando and they will sell you bulk depending upon the amount of bulk chocolate you need...I have not tried anyone else simply because I LOVE their dark chocolate (not bitter) and my customers really like it too.....

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Hello Lisa,May I suggest the company I work for? It's Swiss Connection in Orlando at 1-800-537-9477. We are a food service distributor in Orlando with a large variety of different chocolates and ingredients. You can check out the assortment at www.leswiss.com . We ship nationwide and have no minimums. If you ever want to call and just get information, please don't hesitate. It's not always about the sale - it's about the passion for chocolate!Regards,Graziella

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Assuming that you wish to purchase couverture for using to make confections (and not bars to sell) you will want to talk with either the importer or the local distributor.So - think of the brands you want to use, look them up on the web site, contact them and find out who the local distributor is. In many cases working with the local distributor is going to be easier for you. For example, you might get better prices by going direct to Guittard but they have a 500 lb minimum order. You might get your local distributor to match that price by giving them the business - they may qualify for larger discounts based on bigger order volume.The importer for Felchlin is Swiss Chalet Fine Foods ( www.scff.com ) down in Miami. They have an 800# so give them a call and ask for the name of the rep who handles your area. Keep in mind that Felchlin makes more than just its Grand Cru line. There are other, less expensive, lines that you can consider.I know the name of the national sales manager for Guittard, but again you want a local rep. Go to the Guittard web site ( www.guittard.com ) for the 800# and ask for the name of the rep in your area.There's been some success lately with TCHO's PRO line. They mostly sell direct but call them and ask.Another reason to consider going with an American-made chocolate is that you don't have to worry about fluctuations in the exchange rate. Right now the Pound and the Euro are down from their heights six months ago, but prices have really not fallen as companies are trying to retain their margins.Cluizel's US organization is at www.noble-ingredients.com .Barry Callebaut is in Pensauken, NJ and the phone number can be found on this page at www.barry-callebaut.com . B-C has not only the Callebaut line but Cacao Barry and Carma, and others.Qzina is a multi-line distributor - they carry Callebaut, Valrhona, and others. Th Qzina website is very badly designed and hard to navigate, so it may be best to give them a call. However, they do have a national footprint.I would recommend contacting Matt Caputo if you haven't already ... I always recommend giving business to ChocolateLife members wherever possible - plus we've been having some fascinating offline conversations and he's a great guy and I think you'd enjoy doing business with him.Finally, at this point, and with all due respect to Christopher Taylor, I don't think that making your own chocolate is where you should be thinking. It takes an entirely different skill set to make a couverture-quality chocolate (where consistent technical workability as well as flavor is important) from that required to make confections. Given some of the other questions you've been asking, my counsel would be to concentrate on what you're doing, make money, and decide later on if making your own chocolate is in your future. If it is - we'll be here to help. It will take no less time, money, and research to find a good chocolate distributor than it will to find sources of cocoa beans.

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Thanks Chris, I'll be in touch soon.Lisa

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

LisaI live up the road from you in Valrico, FL and am a consultant to the chocolate industry - having been Head of Corp. R&D for Jacobs Suchard in Switzerland for 9 years and worked for a major engineering company in the industry.To be honest - the only places that you may be able to buy chocolate is from Vahlrona in France or Max Felchlin, Switzerland.Guittard is the only North American Manufacturer that may supply small quantities. Even Schokinag that was doing this (not especially good quality) has been bought by ADM.It is coming to the point that you need to make your own, but even that has its difficulties - depends on how much you need per day.if you e-mail me at ctaylor1@tampabay.rr.com I will call you (anytime).RegardsChris Taylor

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Matt,Thank you for the info. I will contact you soon.Lisa

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Thank you so much for the info. I will check them out today.Lisa

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Are you looking for bulk or retail packaged bars? What brands are you interested in? I sell Amano, Amedei, Pralus, Patric, Valrhona and Domori in bulk and retail. In either case I would be happy to provide you with a price list. We are based in Utah, but have shipping down to a science. It would not cost much to ship it there. Give me your email address if you are interested and I will send you a price list.ThanksMatt Caputo

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Try Qzina - here is the location informationQzina Miami (US headquarters)1726 W. Atlantic BlvdPompano Beach, FLUSA 33069Tel: 954-590-4000Toll Free: 1-800-532-5269Fax: 954-975-5421diegoa@qzina.com

Where can I purchase wholesale chocolate in Florida?

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Hi Everyone!

I have a question that has probably been asked a million times but I can't locate the answer on this forum. Does anyone know where I can purchase wholesale chocolate in the TampaBay Florida area? I am also willing to have my chocolate shipped but I can find only one or two websites to compare prices. Thanks in advance.

Lisa

updated by @Lisa - Girasole Chocolate: 04/07/25 13:00:14

Source of single origin beans

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Source of single origin beans

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Yes me! Interested in bolivian cacao?

Source of single origin beans

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

David;A grower, by the name of Jim Lucas posted a reply to your query. I've been using his cacau since my shop first opened, and it's by and far the most popular of the varieties I use.He has to date shipped me some of the best quality beans I've seen yet.Feel free to contact me at 403-472-8701 (my direct number) if you have any questions.Brad Churchill www.SoChoklat.com

Source of single origin beans

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

David - if you can import good quantities, we can help. We are Coffee growers/exporters in the Dominican Republic with good contacts to D.R. sources, Peru, Ecuador, other Central America. We are brokers but you probably need that anyway. I should mention that although we are primarily in Coffee and Coffee/Cocoa machinery, we will deal in Cocoa if the quantities are big enough and we have the contacts.Bent

Source of single origin beans

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Hi David. I'm a NZ currently taking a break in Auckland but returning to Samoa in about three weeks to set up a small scale business making chocolate from the local Trinatario beans. Cocoa growing used to be a major part of Samoan agriculture with Samoan beans commanding a premium price but the industry has fallen on hard times because of fluctuating world prices, bad government policies and inefficient processing. Let me know if you'd like to try some Samoan beans and when I get back there I may be able to help you. I'd be interested in hearing about your chocolate making experiences in NZ. - Bob Rankin

Source of single origin beans

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

David,I am a producer of excellent quality beans...I assume they are single origin as they are all producedand processed in our farm. No co-op, no intermediary.Jim LucasFazenda VenturosaFloresta Azul Bahia Brazilcacaufarmer@yahoo.com

Source of single origin beans

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

Talk to Philip Buckley atphilipbuckley.hotelchocolat@candw.lcHe has a small plantation in St. Lucia, WI & many contactsChris taylor

Source of single origin beans

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

I am a chocolate maker in New Zealand and want to find small coops with good qualty single origin beans I can import. At the moment I am most interested in central and south America.Are there any good ones that anybody can put me in touch with?
updated by @David Knoef: 04/07/25 13:00:14

Just curious...

Posted in: Opinion

My thoughts exactly, Jeff...Thank you for the replies.

Just curious...

Posted in: Opinion

actually clay I would be very surprised if they made their own shells. They are thick and there is a break away between the enrobing and the shell...so the shells are certainly filled.for the price they charge they better use felchlin...but I suspect they are not....I have no proof one way or the other, I only know they certainly a pre-made shell, filled, and then enrobed.

Just curious...

Posted in: Opinion

Jeff:You know for sure that they use *Felchlin* truffle shells? I know that Felchlin produces the chocolate Vosges sells for their 74% Dominican origin bars. Maybe they're using a one-shot machine?:: Clay

Just curious...

Posted in: Opinion

yes theydo....

Just curious...

Posted in: Opinion

Does Vosges use truffle shells, because it is quite thick and the taste reminded me of Felchlin truffle shells?

updated by @Cherry Bodey: 04/09/15 20:16:49

How to transport chocolates?

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Oh thanks! It didn't appear -- at least to me, last night. I guess you could delete the extra one and this part of the thread now. Probably not good reading for anyone else. But thank you!

How to transport chocolates?

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Click the link in my reply. OR, look at the list of forum discussions on the home page of the site ... they are right next to each other.

How to transport chocolates?

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Where is the other discussion? I searched but didn't find it...

How to transport chocolates?

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

From the other question with the same title. That question has been closed to further discussion. Please answer either/both questions here.Hi all. I've been wondering how people transport large numbers of chocolates to customers (in this case a cafe). This assuming that they will be put out on trays in a case and sold by the piece. How do you pack them so they don't get marred or broken? I'm just a beginner in this business so please forgive me if this seems like a simple question.

How to transport chocolates?

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi all. I'm just a beginner in this business so please forgive my elementary questions. I would like to know how people transport large numbers of chocolates to clients. The chocolates would be put on trays and sold by the piece. If the client is in long driving distance (i,e, up to two hours) would you deliver them or ship them? How do you keep them from getting marred or broken? How about during the summer? All help will be appreciated!


updated by @Susanna Harris: 04/11/25 09:27:36

How to transport chocolates?

Posted in: Uncategorized

I added this question to the other discussion by the same name.This discussion is now closed.

How to transport chocolates?

Posted in: Uncategorized

Hi all. I've been wondering how people transport large numbers of chocolates to customers (in this case a cafe). This assuming that they will be put out on trays in a case and sold by the piece. How do you pack them so they don't get marred or broken? I'm just a beginner in this business so please forgive me if this seems like a simple question.

updated by @Susanna Harris: 04/12/15 04:26:50

Cocoa species

Posted in: Opinion

Thanks will look into this variety.

Cocoa species

Posted in: Opinion

There's supposedly a new high yielding variety being grown in Sacha, Ecuador. HIgher yielding than CCN-51. I don't know the specifics but they're calling it "super cacao" here because it supposedly has great flavor and enormous yields. I was just at Tulicorp last Wednesday and they claim it's true....

Cocoa species

Posted in: Opinion

Tell us more and does Ecuardor have a distinctly different variety to be considered in a class with the 3 other varieties commonly accepted as different. PS why are all origin chocolates from most of Africa grainy that I have tasted to date?