Αυθεντικός καφές στην εποχή των marketplaces: The abundance of choices hides risks that we should be aware of.τι αξίζει να προσέχουμε

The abundance of choices hides risks that we should be aware of..

The prevalence of e-commerce and the widespread use of all kinds of digital platforms and marketplaces has increased competition among businesses active in the trade of goods and services, and this naturally applies to the coffee sector as well. Dozens of new shops are popping up on all kinds of platforms, claiming their share of consumer attention and related sales.

Of course, the existence of many stores favors the conditions of healthy competition, limits the conditions for the development of monopolies and is certainly to the benefit of the consumer. However, along with the flourishing of trade, the related problems have also appeared.

The reason for the products - imitations, which are channeled into the market by opportunistic, irresponsible professionals, who act parasitically to the detriment of both consumers and sound-minded merchants. And if in previous decades, the term "monkey" referred mainly to bags, clothes and watches with imaginative names, now the scourge also touches our favorite drink. Coffee beans of dubious origin (and safety) are packaged in bags that imitate well-known, beloved and trusted brands, ending up in our cups or in the cups of our trusted customers, if we run a catering business.

What impact does this situation have on the coffee industry and how can we protect ourselves and our customers from such unpleasant surprises? How can we distinguish serious professionals from opportunistic scammers and why is it important to know what coffee we are buying every time?

Why should we avoid counterfeit coffees?

- We cannot be sure of the quality: We trust a coffee brand, not only because we have found the taste and aroma that we love, but also because we know that it adheres to all the prescribed and necessary procedures for our safety. With a counterfeit coffee, we cannot for any reason be sure not only of its quality, but even of its suitability.

- We cannot be sure of the taste and aroma: The coffee we liked last month is likely to have nothing to do with the one we will receive today. This becomes much worse when we run a catering business. Customers deserve stability in taste and aroma, but also guaranteed quality. If we try to reduce costs with counterfeit products, we will most likely simply lose our customers.

- We harm responsible professionals: The sale of counterfeit and smuggled products seriously harms healthy competition between businesses, the winner of which is always the end consumer. In order to enjoy even better products and services at even better prices, it is essential for all businesses to comply with the legal framework and for responsible consumers to reward the right professionals.

How do we distinguish shops that sell authentic coffee from the rest?

- We read online reviews: Today, every business has a strong digital presence, which is available to us with just a few clicks. Of course, we will not rush to condemn a professional based on a few bad reviews (mistakes can happen to anyone), but the opinion of other consumers is and remains important and capable of leading us to useful conclusions.

- We check the documents: Tax compliance should be self-evident for every professional, and its lack is usually a “bell” that something is wrong. Lack of a receipt or invoice, incorrect VAT, “strange” amounts or dates often reveal unscrupulous professionals, with all that this implies for the legality or authenticity of the products they sell.

- Contact the store: Serious stores always have many communication channels available, such as phone, email, live chat, etc. and, most importantly, they have staff who are informed and willing to handle every complaint and every customer request with professionalism. If you have difficulty finding contact information for a store, you should be concerned, while if during your communication you only receive evasive responses, you should also seriously consider the store you have chosen.

- Avoid too good to be true offers: It is normal to look for the lowest available prices (always in combination with other factors, such as quality and service) but an… unnatural offer usually involves products – counterfeits or products available through smuggling – certainly, products that we certainly would not want to be in our cup.

- We do not hesitate to contact the platform or marketplace that hosts suspicious stores: If we notice something strange, we should not hesitate to contact the platform or Marketplace that hosts the store that we consider suspicious. By leaving room for conscientious professionals, we benefit first of all ourselves as consumers and also our own business.


At Coffees.gr we have forged long-standing relationships with both the largest coffee brands and the most reliable and solvent wholesalers in Europe and beyond. Every product that passes through our warehouses and shelves to end up in your coffee machine, whether you are a simple coffee lover or a catering professional, is exclusively authentic and of top quality. We build solid relationships with both the thousands of coffee lovers and the professionals who trust us, as we want you all to know that every sip of coffee from coffees.gr is the espresso you deserve.