Terms of Service, Repair Authorization, Storage, and Abandonment Agreement

Customer authorizes Austin Coffee Technician to inspect, diagnose, test, disassemble, repair, calibrate, clean, and otherwise service equipment left in our possession.

Customer acknowledges that diagnostic procedures may require partial or full disassembly of equipment and may reveal additional issues not initially visible during intake.

Submission of equipment for evaluation constitutes authorization for diagnostic inspection unless otherwise stated in writing prior to service.

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Austin Coffee Technician may provide verbal or written estimates when possible. Estimates are based on visible and presently known conditions at the time of inspection and are not guaranteed final prices. Customer acknowledges that: additional defects may be discovered during repair, hidden failures may exist, additional labor and parts may become necessary, and older equipment may contain deteriorated or previously modified components. If additional repairs materially change the estimated cost, customer approval may be requested before proceeding. Declined repairs after diagnostic work may still incur diagnostic labor charges. ---

Customer acknowledges that many espresso machines and grinders are:

* used,

* aged,

* previously repaired,

* modified,

* improperly maintained,

* scaled,

* corroded,

* or otherwise compromised prior to arrival.

Austin Coffee Technician is not responsible for pre-existing conditions, concealed defects, prior improper repairs, transport damage occurring before arrival, or failures unrelated to the performed service.

Customer acknowledges that improper water quality is one of the leading causes of espresso equipment failure.

Austin Coffee Technician strongly recommends the use of properly softened, filtered, and mineral-balanced water appropriate for espresso equipment.

Damage caused by:

* scale,

* mineral buildup,

* corrosion,

* improper water chemistry,

* or improper maintenance

may not be covered under any labor warranty unless explicitly stated in writing.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, Austin Coffee Technician warrants labor performed by our shop for 14 days from the date of completed repair pickup.

Warranty coverage applies only to:

* the specific repair performed,

* and the specific components serviced or replaced.

Warranty does not cover:

* misuse,

* abuse,

* shipping damage,

* improper water,

* electrical issues external to the machine,

* customer modification,

* commercial use of residential equipment,

* neglect,

* or unrelated future failures.

Manufacturer parts warranties, when applicable, remain subject to manufacturer policies and limitations.

Due to limited workspace and storage capacity, equipment must be retrieved promptly after notification.

Equipment not picked up within:

* 30 calendar days after completion notice,

* estimate approval,

* estimate denial,

* customer non-response,

* or request for pickup

may incur storage fees of $10 per calendar day unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Austin Coffee Technician reserves the right to relocate stored equipment within or outside active service areas as needed.

Customer authorizes Austin Coffee Technician to communicate through:

* phone calls,

* voicemail,

* text message,

* email,

* or other contact methods provided by Customer.

Notice shall be considered delivered when transmitted to the contact information provided by Customer.

Customer is solely responsible for:

* maintaining accurate contact information,

* monitoring communications,

* and responding in a timely manner.

Austin Coffee Technician is not responsible for missed communications caused by:

* spam filters,

* disconnected numbers,

* full voicemail boxes,

* ignored messages,

* or outdated contact information.

Equipment left unclaimed for more than 90 calendar days after:

* completion notice,

* estimate denial,

* estimate approval,

* customer non-response,

* refusal of recommended repairs,

* or other reasonable communication attempts

Customer agrees that equipment remaining unclaimed beyond the stated abandonment period shall be deemed abandoned property

Customer expressly authorizes Austin Coffee Technician to take commercially reasonable action regarding abandoned equipment, including but not limited to:

* refusal of continued storage,

* removal from active storage,

* resale,

* recycling,

* disposal,

* salvage for parts,

* liquidation,

* or recovery of unpaid balances, storage fees, administrative costs, and disposal expenses.

Any proceeds from disposition may be applied toward:

* unpaid invoices,

* storage fees,

* administrative costs,

* transportation costs,

* disposal expenses,

* and other outstanding balances.

Customer waives claims against Austin Coffee Technician relating to abandoned property processed under these terms.

Customer acknowledges that Austin Coffee Technician may retain possession of equipment until outstanding balances for labor, parts, diagnostics, storage, administrative fees, and related charges are paid in full as permitted by applicable Texas law.

Customer grants Austin Coffee Technician a contractual lien and security interest in the equipment for unpaid labor, parts, storage, diagnostics, and administrative costs to the fullest extent permitted under Texas law.

Customer authorizes Austin Coffee Technician to pursue recovery of reasonable attorney fees, court costs, collection costs, administrative expenses, and related enforcement expenses associated with unpaid balances, abandoned equipment, or disputes arising from services performed.

Customer authorizes Austin Coffee Technician to recover unpaid labor charges, parts costs, diagnostic fees, storage fees, administrative fees, collection costs, attorney fees, court costs, disposal expenses, and other reasonable expenses associated with enforcement of this agreement, abandoned equipment, or unpaid balances.

Austin Coffee Technician shall not be liable for:

* incidental or consequential damages,

* lost business revenue,

* lost product,

* downtime,

* spoilage,

* loss of use,

* personal injury,

* or damages exceeding the amount paid for the specific repair service performed.

Customer assumes all risks associated with continued operation of aging or previously compromised equipment.

If Customer requests delayed pickup, deferred repair, storage accommodation, or extended holding periods, Austin Coffee Technician reserves the right to assess additional storage or handling fees.

Equipment declined for repair, deemed beyond economical repair, or awaiting customer decision remains subject to storage and abandonment policies.

Diagnostic labor and disassembly charges may still apply even if repairs are declined.

Commercial customers acknowledge that:

* turnaround times are estimates only,

* parts availability may vary,

* and operational downtime is an assumed business risk.

Austin Coffee Technician is not responsible for lost sales, employee downtime, or business interruption resulting from repair delays or equipment failure.

By scheduling an appointment through our website or scheduling platform, Customer acknowledges that they have:

* read,

* understood,

* and agreed to these Terms of Service, Repair Authorization, Storage, and Abandonment Terms.

Electronic acceptance, including checkbox acknowledgment during scheduling, shall constitute binding agreement to these terms.

These terms shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Texas.

Any disputes arising from services performed by Austin Coffee Technician shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the appropriate courts located in Texas.

By:

* scheduling service,

* checking acknowledgment boxes,

* submitting equipment,

* approving repairs,

* paying invoices,

* or otherwise engaging Austin Coffee Technician for service, Customer acknowledges and agrees to all terms contained herein.

Mail-In Espresso Machine Repair Shipping Instructions

To help ensure your espresso machine arrives safely and to avoid shipping damage, please follow the packaging requirements below carefully.

Simple Shipping Checklist

Before shipping your machine, please make sure you have completed the following:

Get approval first

• All mail-in repairs must be preapproved by Austin Coffee Technician.

• Do not ship a machine without prior authorization.

Know the current queue

• Mail-in repairs are added to the active service queue when they arrive.

• Typical turnaround before bench evaluation is approximately 7-8 weeks.

• Timelines may vary depending on workload, parts availability, and machine condition.

Use the correct carrier

• UPS is preferred.

• FedEx is acceptable.

• USPS is not accepted.

Use proper packaging

• Original manufacturer packaging is strongly preferred.

• If original packaging is not available, expanding foam packaging bags are required.

  (Expanding Foam Bags on Amazon https://amzn.to/4wxDpyg‍ )

• Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, towels, blankets, crumpled paper, and loose fill materials are not adequate for heavy espresso machines.

Include a printed information sheet inside the box

• Customer name

• Phone number

• Email address

• Return shipping address (if available)

• A clear list of issues or concerns to focus on

• Any recent repairs, unusual noises, leaks, error messages, or events that may help with diagnosis

Prepare the machine

• Empty all water from the machine and reservoir.

• Remove or secure loose accessories.

• Remove water tanks, drip trays, bean hoppers, portafilters, loose cups, tampers, and accessories not required for repair whenever possible.

• Secure movable components to help prevent internal damage during transit.

Clean Machine / No Loose Coffee Requirement

• Machines must be emptied and cleaned before shipping. Do not leave water, coffee beans, loose grounds, pucks, accessories, or removable parts loose inside the machine or box unless specifically instructed.

• Loose coffee, beans, grounds, or debris can shift during shipping and may enter vents, panels, electronics, pumps, valves, grinders, or other internal areas. Any additional cleaning, debris removal, contamination inspection, damage assessment, or disassembly required because of loose coffee or improper packing may be billed as additional labor.

Document the shipment

• Take multiple photos of the machine before packaging.

• Take 5–6 clear exterior photos of the completed package from different angles.

• Keep your tracking number, receipt, and insurance documentation.

Insure the shipment

• Customers are strongly encouraged to insure the shipment for full replacement value.

• Signature confirmation is also recommended.

Shipping Address

Austin Coffee Technician
217 Millington Lane

Final Step: Book Your Mail-In Appointment

Once the machine has been fully packed according to the instructions above and is ready to be shipped, book your mail-in appointment through my Calendly page:

https://calendly.com/austincoffeetechnician/mail-in-espresso-machine-repair

The appointment lets me know that your machine is on its way and gives you a place to provide:

• Your contact information

• The machine make and model

• The issues you want addressed

• Any relevant symptoms, leaks, noises, error messages, or repair history

• Your shipping carrier and tracking number, if available

Please complete the appointment before officially shipping the package. Do not send the machine until the appointment has been booked.

______________________________

Mail-In Repairs Must Be Preapproved

All shipped repairs must be approved by Austin Coffee Technician before sending a machine.

Please do not ship a machine without prior authorization.

Current Queue

Mail-in repairs are placed into the active service queue upon arrival.

Typical turnaround before bench evaluation is approximately 4–5 weeks, though timelines may vary depending on workload, parts availability, and machine condition.

Approved Shipping Carriers

Please ship your machine using:

• UPS — preferred

• FedEx — acceptable

USPS Is Not Accepted

Please do not ship espresso machines through USPS.

Return Shipping

All repaired machines will be returned using UPS unless otherwise arranged in advance.

Packaging Requirements

Original Packaging Preferred

If you still have the manufacturer’s original box and inserts, please use them whenever possible.

Original packaging is specifically designed to protect the machine during transit and is strongly recommended.

If Original Packaging Is Not Available

If original packaging is unavailable, the machine must be packaged using the following method:

• Use a sturdy box large enough for the machine to remain standing upright.

• There must be approximately 3–5 inches of space on all six sides of the machine.

• That space must be filled using expanding foam packaging bags.

Recommended Expanding Foam Bags

Recommended expanding foam packaging bags can be found here:

https://amzn.to/4wxDpyg

Expanding Foam Packaging Method

Expanding foam packaging is required because it forms directly around the machine and provides superior protection during shipping.

Basic Procedure

1. Start an expanding foam bag at the bottom of the box.

2. As the foam begins expanding, place the machine on top of it to create a molded bottom support.

3. Continue placing expanding foam bags around all sides of the machine.

4. Allow the foam to expand and contour naturally around the unit.

5. Ensure the machine is immobilized and protected on all sides before sealing the box.

Required Pre-Shipping Preparation

Before shipping your machine:

• Empty all water from the machine and reservoir.

• Remove or secure all loose accessories and removable components.

• Remove water tanks, drip trays, bean hoppers, portafilters, loose cups, tampers, and accessories not required for repair whenever possible.

• Secure any movable components to prevent internal damage during transit.

Austin Coffee Technician is not responsible for loose items or accessories damaged or lost during transit.

Packaging Materials That Are Not Recommended

The following materials are not considered adequate protection for heavy espresso equipment:

• Bubble wrap

• Packing peanuts

• Crumpled paper

• Blankets

• Towels

• Loose foam

• Other soft-fill materials

These materials may shift, compress, or fail to properly support the machine during transit.

Required Information Sheet Inside the Box

Every shipped-in machine must include a printed sheet of paper inside the box with the following information:

• Customer name

• Phone number

• Email address

• Return shipping address

• Machine make and model

• A clear list of the issues, symptoms, or concerns you want Austin Coffee Technician to focus on

• Any recent repairs, parts replaced, unusual noises, leaks, error messages, or events that may help with diagnosis

This sheet is required so the machine can be properly identified and matched to the correct customer, especially if shipping labels are damaged, removed, or separated from the package.

Shipping Insurance & Documentation

Before shipping your machine, please protect yourself by documenting the shipment thoroughly.

Customers are strongly encouraged to:

• Fully insure the shipment for replacement value.

• Require signature confirmation on delivery.

• Retain all shipment receipts and tracking information.

• Take multiple photos of the machine before packaging.

• Take 5–6 clear exterior photos of the completed package from different angles.

These photos may be necessary for any shipping insurance claims involving transit damage or cosmetic damage disputes.

Damage Assessment & Repackaging Policy

If a machine arrives packaged in a manner other than expanding foam or original manufacturer packaging:

• The unit will first be inspected for shipping damage.

• Repair work may or may not proceed depending on the severity of the damage.

• Concealed shipping damage may not be immediately visible upon arrival.

• Shipping damage, corrosion, prior repair attempts, or pre-existing damage may affect repairability and final estimates.

• Machines arriving in clearly unsafe or compromised packaging may be refused.

If necessary, the machine will be repackaged using proper materials before return shipment.

The client will be responsible for:

• Packaging materials

• Repackaging labor/handling

• Return shipping costs

Repackaging charges may apply even if no visible damage occurred if the incoming packaging is deemed inadequate for safe return shipment.

All unusable incoming packaging materials may be discarded upon receipt.

Liability Statement

Austin Coffee Technician is not responsible for shipping damage resulting from inadequate packaging, carrier mishandling, or failure to follow the packaging requirements outlined above.

Customers are strongly encouraged to fully insure shipments for replacement value and retain all shipment photographs and carrier documentation.

Shipping damage claims are handled through the carrier and may require customer cooperation and documentation.

Cosmetic damage claims must be supported by pre-shipment photographs provided by the customer.

Important Note

Improper packaging is the single largest cause of shipping damage in espresso machines. Machines that are not packaged correctly may sustain frame, panel, boiler, or internal component damage during transit.

Thank you for helping ensure your machine arrives safely.