Chocolate distributors
 

Ive ordered quite a bit from Chocosphere and am pleased both with their
selection and customer service. I was just curious if there were any
other online distributors? It doesnt seem like there would be much of a
market to support many distributors and I dont get the impression the
markup is too high so there is little wiggle room to compete on price.

k

"Karstens Rage" > wrote in message
...
> Ive ordered quite a bit from Chocosphere and am pleased both with their
> selection and customer service. I was just curious if there were any
> other online distributors? It doesnt seem like there would be much of a
> market to support many distributors and I dont get the impression the
> markup is too high so there is little wiggle room to compete on price.
>
> k

There's www.seventypercent.com, but they are in the UK, so if you are in the
US it means it will cost a little more than ordering from Chocosphere.
However, they do have several brands that Chocospere doesn't carry. I
ordered Pierre Marcolini from them and Bonnat (at that time Chocosphere
didn't have Bonnat). Also, it appears that a lot of Valhrona products are
going to be unavailable through Chocosphere for a while. They have been
unable to get a lot of stuff shipped over. I believe there is another UK
online vendor, but I can't remember right now. I'm sure others such as Alex
will know.

Mike

Karstens Rage wrote:
> Ive ordered quite a bit from Chocosphere and am pleased both with their
> selection and customer service. I was just curious if there were any
> other online distributors? It doesnt seem like there would be much of a
> market to support many distributors and I dont get the impression the
> markup is too high so there is little wiggle room to compete on price.
>
> I use chocolatesource.com and I buy callebaut.

I keep a chocolate database of about 260 different chocolate bars (around 80
different "manufacturers", but some who don't actually start with cacao
beans).

Of these, Chocosphere by far sells the greatest selection of manufacturers,
and from my chats with the owners (when I pick up my orders), they are
continually working on (and succeeding at) bringing in new brands, so their
selection will only get better.

Their prices are not always the best that can be found on the web, but those
not living in Portland may still save money by ordering from them and
consolidating an order into a single shipment, lowering the per-item
shipping cost. I don't begrudge them the slightly higher costs, since they
sell only chocolate and therefore have a different business model than other
U.S. sellers.

But here are some other good web sources:
www.chefshop.com
www.chocolatesource.com
Erika's Delicatessen (http://store.yahoo.com/erikasdeli/)
www.GermanDeli.com
www.gourmail.com
www.chocolat.com
www.belgianshop.com
www.chefdepot.net
Flyer Chocolate Source (http://store.yahoo.com/parisflyer/)
www.franschocolates.com
www.goldstarchocolate.com
www.islandnatural.com
www.lacuisineus.com
www.levillage.com
www.recchiuticonfections.com
www.mothernature.com
www.senses.ca
www.stoneandgiacomotto.com
www.sweetc.com
www.tableandvine.com
www.teuscherusa.com
www.frenchmancorner.com
www.thegourmetlady.com
In addition, if you have a Cost Plus (World Market) in your area, their
chocolate selection is excellent.

Geoff

"Karstens Rage" > wrote in message
...
> Ive ordered quite a bit from Chocosphere and am pleased both with their
> selection and customer service. I was just curious if there were any
> other online distributors? It doesnt seem like there would be much of a
> market to support many distributors and I dont get the impression the
> markup is too high so there is little wiggle room to compete on price.
>
> k

at Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:13:59 GMT in >,
(Karstens Rage) wrote :

>Ive ordered quite a bit from Chocosphere and am pleased both with their
>selection and customer service. I was just curious if there were any
>other online distributors? It doesnt seem like there would be much of a
>market to support many distributors and I dont get the impression the
>markup is too high so there is little wiggle room to compete on price.
>
>k

There are many more than you (probably) care to imagine. Geoff's list gives
you the idea, and there is also http://www.echocolates.com (good chocolate
but *terrible* web site setup and customer service that doesn't seem to
know which end is up), http://www.chocolateman.net (great selection of bulk
chocolates for baking and confectionery at very cheap prices),
http://www.bakerscandc.com (similar to chocolateman.net in format),
http://www.chocolates-elrey.com (the best place to order El Rey if you need
total selection and/or wholesale quantities), http://www.cooksshophere.com
(nice selection, if not the best prices).

But really, there is no compare to Chocosphere. They are just head and
shoulders above the competition in every way - number of brands carried,
quality of the brands they choose, customer service, Web site setup,
shipping policies. There's little need to go anywhere else unless somebody
else has something specific you need that they happen not to have.
--
Alex Rast

(remove d., .7, not, and .NOSPAM to reply)

at Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:13:59 GMT in >,
(Karstens Rage) wrote :

>Ive ordered quite a bit from Chocosphere and am pleased both with their
>selection and customer service. I was just curious if there were any
>other online distributors? It doesnt seem like there would be much of a
>market to support many distributors and I dont get the impression the
>markup is too high so there is little wiggle room to compete on price.
>
>k

There are many more than you (probably) care to imagine. Geoff's list gives
you the idea, and there is also http://www.echocolates.com (good chocolate
but *terrible* web site setup and customer service that doesn't seem to
know which end is up), http://www.chocolateman.net (great selection of bulk
chocolates for baking and confectionery at very cheap prices),
http://www.bakerscandc.com (similar to chocolateman.net in format),
http://www.chocolates-elrey.com (the best place to order El Rey if you need
total selection and/or wholesale quantities), http://www.cooksshophere.com
(nice selection, if not the best prices).

But really, there is no compare to Chocosphere. They are just head and
shoulders above the competition in every way - number of brands carried,
quality of the brands they choose, customer service, Web site setup,
shipping policies. There's little need to go anywhere else unless somebody
else has something specific you need that they happen not to have.
--
Alex Rast

(remove d., .7, not, and .NOSPAM to reply)

Alex Rast wrote:
> at Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:13:59 GMT in
> >, (Karstens
> Rage) wrote :
>
>> Ive ordered quite a bit from Chocosphere and am pleased both with
>> their selection and customer service. I was just curious if there
>> were any other online distributors? It doesnt seem like there would
>> be much of a market to support many distributors and I dont get the
>> impression the markup is too high so there is little wiggle room to
>> compete on price.
>>
>> k
>
> There are many more than you (probably) care to imagine. Geoff's list
> gives you the idea, and there is also http://www.echocolates.com
> (good chocolate but *terrible* web site setup and customer service
> that doesn't seem to know which end is up),
> http://www.chocolateman.net (great selection of bulk chocolates for
> baking and confectionery at very cheap prices),
> http://www.bakerscandc.com (similar to chocolateman.net in format),
> http://www.chocolates-elrey.com (the best place to order El Rey if
> you need total selection and/or wholesale quantities),
> http://www.cooksshophere.com (nice selection, if not the best
> prices).
>
> But really, there is no compare to Chocosphere. They are just head and
> shoulders above the competition in every way - number of brands
> carried, quality of the brands they choose, customer service, Web
> site setup, shipping policies. There's little need to go anywhere
> else unless somebody else has something specific you need that they
> happen not to have.

Just a note on El Rey: when I was originally looking for a place to buy it
in wholesale quantities, I found that it was actually cheaper to deal with a
distributor in the next state. Buying directly meant paying a lot more in
shipping costs. Like $50 instead of $10. I get El Rey discos from Chocolate
by Sparrow in Massachusetts. The situation may have changed, but it is worth
checking before assuming that the manufacturer is actually cheaper. (I use
four different El Rey chocolates, but it is true that my distributor does
not carry their newer, less expensive line.)
--
Janet

Dear Artemesia! Poetry's a Sna/Bedlam has many Mansions:have a
ca/ Your Muse diverts you, makes the Reader sad:/ You think your
self inspir'd; He thinks you mad.

Janet Puistonen wrote:
> Alex Rast wrote:
>> at Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:13:59 GMT in
>> >, (Karstens
>> Rage) wrote :
>>
>>> Ive ordered quite a bit from Chocosphere and am pleased both with
>>> their selection and customer service. I was just curious if there
>>> were any other online distributors? It doesnt seem like there would
>>> be much of a market to support many distributors and I dont get the
>>> impression the markup is too high so there is little wiggle room to
>>> compete on price.
>>>
>>> k
>>
>> There are many more than you (probably) care to imagine. Geoff's list
>> gives you the idea, and there is also http://www.echocolates.com
>> (good chocolate but *terrible* web site setup and customer service
>> that doesn't seem to know which end is up),
>> http://www.chocolateman.net (great selection of bulk chocolates for
>> baking and confectionery at very cheap prices),
>> http://www.bakerscandc.com (similar to chocolateman.net in format),
>> http://www.chocolates-elrey.com (the best place to order El Rey if
>> you need total selection and/or wholesale quantities),
>> http://www.cooksshophere.com (nice selection, if not the best
>> prices).
>>
>> But really, there is no compare to Chocosphere. They are just head
>> and shoulders above the competition in every way - number of brands
>> carried, quality of the brands they choose, customer service, Web
>> site setup, shipping policies. There's little need to go anywhere
>> else unless somebody else has something specific you need that they
>> happen not to have.
>
> Just a note on El Rey: when I was originally looking for a place to
> buy it in wholesale quantities, I found that it was actually cheaper
> to deal with a distributor in the next state. Buying directly meant
> paying a lot more in shipping costs. Like $50 instead of $10. I get
> El Rey discos from Chocolate by Sparrow in Massachusetts. The
> situation may have changed, but it is worth checking before assuming
> that the manufacturer is actually cheaper. (I use four different El
> Rey chocolates, but it is true that my distributor does not carry
> their newer, less expensive line.)

I just checked the El Rey website. They have changed their pricing structure
considerably, including free shipping on large orders some of the time
(beware the $25 surcharge after May 1!). But basically, you can't match
Sparrow's price unless you buy 44 lb cases of discos of one type.
--
Janet

Dear Artemesia! Poetry's a Sna/Bedlam has many Mansions:have a
ca/ Your Muse diverts you, makes the Reader sad:/ You think your
self inspir'd; He thinks you mad.

Check out Belgian Chocolate Online (www.chocolat.com), and you will see
that no one is able to compete with their prizes. Customer service is
great!

Check out Belgian Chocolate Online (www.chocolat.com), and you will see
that no one is able to compete with their prizes. Customer service is
great!

Sparrow customer service stinks

wrote:
> Check out Belgian Chocolate Online (www.chocolat.com), and you will
> see that no one is able to compete with their prizes. Customer
> service is great!

I guess this is fine if all you want to buy is chocolate bars.

We sell other types of chocolates in unique designs - anyone can make a bar
of chocolate. The taste comes from the freshest ingredients. We have made
and eaten these types of chocolates for years. Check out
http://www.thechocolateofthemonth.com


"Janet Puistonen" > wrote in message
news:B_gde.6465$yd1.4406@trndny01...
> wrote:
> > Check out Belgian Chocolate Online (www.chocolat.com), and you will
> > see that no one is able to compete with their prizes. Customer
> > service is great!
>
> I guess this is fine if all you want to buy is chocolate bars.
>

The Chocolate Of the Month wrote:
> We sell other types of chocolates in unique designs - anyone can make
> a bar of chocolate. The taste comes from the freshest ingredients.
> We have made and eaten these types of chocolates for years. Check out
> http://www.thechocolateofthemonth.com
>
>
> "Janet Puistonen" > wrote in message
> news:B_gde.6465$yd1.4406@trndny01...
>> wrote:
>>> Check out Belgian Chocolate Online (www.chocolat.com), and you will
>>> see that no one is able to compete with their prizes. Customer
>>> service is great!
>>
>> I guess this is fine if all you want to buy is chocolate bars.

This is from the dim dark past, but I think my point was that your service
is not geared toward people who need to buy chocolate in bulk in order to
make their own products.