Q  -  Why would I buy my coffee from the Bean Lover instead of another online coffee retailer?

A  -  There are 3 things we feel a person should look for when selecting coffee on the internet – quality, service, and price. At Bean Lover, we take these things very seriously. We want you to be happy with all aspects of our business:

At Bean Lover, our Quality is second-to-none. In fact, our coffee has been awarded the title of “Finest Coffee in America” by the Fine Food and Beverage Federation of America! We start with the finest 100% Arabica beans that have been hand-selected and sun dried. The beans are then roasted in small batches using the European method, air-cooled, and hand-packed in one-way valve bags to guarantee maximum freshness. These steps are what make gourmet coffee so superior to the large-batch automated-roasting of typical grocery store coffee.

After quality, Service is next on our list. Customer service on the internet is extremely important – there are too many other places you can go if you feel that you’re not receiving the level of service that you deserve. We provide the highest level of customer service available. Your satisfaction is our number one goal!

Price is equally important to you -- and to us! There are many coffee web sites out there with many different pricing structures. Our goal is to give you the best product at the most reasonable price.

Q  -  Do you guarantee your products?

A  -  Yes - your satisfaction is our number one goal. We're sure that you'll love our gourmet coffee, however, occasionally the unexpected happens - your order arrives damaged, etc. If there's something wrong with your order, contact us and we'll tell you how to return it and receive a refund or an exchange.

Q  -  How safe is ordering online?

A  -  Extremely safe! The Bean Lover’s secure e-commerce server uses the strongest encryption available on the internet to ensure the security of your transaction. It is much safer to use your credit card to make purchases at our web site than it is to use it to pay for a meal at your favorite restaurant!

Q  -  What if I don't want to give my credit card over the Internet?

A  -  That's fine, simply continue through the ordering process until it asks you for a credit card number, then simply choose "check, bank money order, or postal money order" or "telephone order" as a payment option and we will receive your order electronically. You can then give us your credit card number over the phone, or write us a check, and as soon as we receive payment, we'll ship your order.

Q  -  What are the different payment options available for ordering your products?

A  -  You can use your credit card, write a check, send us a money order (bank or postal money orders accepted), or call us on the phone and we’ll help you process your order. Our phone lines are open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm CST Monday through Friday.

Q  -  Where do you ship to?

A  -  Currently, we ship to the United States only. We offer two shipping options within the 48 contiguous states – 2 to 5-day UPS Ground and 2-day UPS Air. Shipping to Alaska or Hawaii requires 2-day UPS Air. Remember, UPS will not ship to a P.O. Box address.

Q  -  How long will it take to receive my order?

A  -  All of our orders to the 48 contiguous states are shipped UPS Ground which usually takes 3-4 business days. If you need your shipment earlier, you can opt for our 2-day UPS Air shipping option. There is an additional fee for this option. Shipping to Alaska or Hawaii requires 2-day UPS Air. Remember, UPS will not ship to a P.O. Box address.

Q  -  Do you use cookies? What are cookies?

A  -  Cookies are yummy treats that you have with a large glass of milk. If you eat enough of them, you can put yourself into a sugar-induced stupor.
Cookies on the internet are a little different and we do use them, if you have your browser set to accept cookies. A cookie is a small text file that's placed on your computer and is read or written to by a web site. Cookies are often used for authentication. Once a user has been verified, the stored cookie value may be examined to permit - or deny - entrance to particular sections of the web site. Cookies also make life on the web easier. For example, if you allow some web sites to store cookies some of the information that you would normally have to fill in every time you place an order, such as shipping address, will be filled in for you automatically.

Q  -  What information do you collect from me?

A  -  To process your order, we need to know your name, address, city, state & zip code. We also need your phone number and email address in case we need to contact you regarding your order and for order verification. If you’re using your credit card, we will need to collect your credit card number and expiration date.

Q  -  What do you do with the information that you collect from me?

A  -  The information you provide to us is used to process your order – that is all. Your information will never be shared with any other individuals or companies. The Bean Lover provides our customers with the option to receive mailings regarding sales, specials, and e-newsletters – if you choose to receive this information, it will be delivered to the email address that you provide.

Q  -  Will you sell my information to other businesses?

A  -  Never.

Q  -  What advice can you give for brewing the best tasting coffee?

A  -  The best brewed coffee starts with clean, cold water and fresh coffee beans, preferably ground just prior to brewing. Clean equipment & unbleached filters are also important as is the proper grind and storage. You can find more information on our tips on brewing coffee page.

Q  -  What’s the best way to keep coffee fresh?

A  -  There are many schools of thought out there regarding the storage of coffee. At Bean Lover, we don’t recommend freezing or refrigerating coffee unless you need to store your beans longer than 3-4 weeks at a time. Your best bet is to purchase only the amount of coffee you think you’ll use in 3-4 weeks, grind the beans just prior to brewing and store the unused portion in a dark container away from light, air, heat & moisture. You can find more information on our tips on storing coffee page.

Q  -  What’s the difference between “regular”, “organic”, “fair trade” and “shade-grown” coffees?

A  -  It might seem confusing to some—all these definitions of coffee! Which one should you buy? To help you decide, here are definitions of the different coffees available:

Fair Trade coffees:  Fair Trade certification ensures farming families that they receive fair prices for their harvest. This enables growers to provide reasonable wages, better healthcare facilities, schools for their children, training in organic farming techniques, and financial support.

“Regular” or “free trade” coffees:  Conventionally traded coffee is part of the larger "free trade" system where coffee prices are determined by a volatile international market. The world market price often falls below a farmer's cost of production and leaves farm families in a struggle for survival. This is why Fair Trade coffees are becoming more popular.

Organic coffees:  Organic farming protects farmers and the environment from unsafe applications of fertilizers and pesticides while promoting a sustainable agriculture for future generations. To receive organic certification, it requires that every step along the way be inspected and certified to be free of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other chemical residue.

Shade grown coffees:  All Fair Trade coffee is grown by family farmers, most of who own traditional, shaded farms that host a diversity of birds, protect the natural flora and fauna in the region, and provide additional food for the families. 80% of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in the US is also shade-grown and bird friendly.

Q  -  Does Fair Trade consider environmental issues?

A  -  Yes. Environmental concerns are considered as part of the Fair Trade criteria. Over 80% of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in the US is certified organic. Fair Trade also encourages farmers to use sustainable post-harvest processing, keeping local water clean and free of chemicals.

Q  -  Does Fair Trade Certified™ coffee cost more than non-Fair Trade brands?

A  -  Since most Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in the US is also certified organic, which commands a higher price, Fair Trade consumers pay about the same price as regular organic coffee. Fair Trade coffee does not cost more—the difference is in how much the farmer gets.

Q  -  Why is there only one choice of roast available for some coffees?

A  -  Not all coffees are available at all roasts. We have selected the roasts available for each coffee based on past experience and demand. If you are interested in a roast that is not listed for the coffee that you are purchasing send us an e-mail and we'll let you know if we can make that available for you.