BJ’s discount store that we belong to, has discontinued a wonderful coffee they were offering – Executive Choice. They are offering in its place a proprietary band they call Arabica. I bought it in desperation because I was running out of coffee. It is slightly bitter, less flavorful, and not as strong.

I sent an E mail and complained. More than a week passed with no response so I called the company and got a rep who told me they had discontinued Executive Choice, no explanation, an unsatisfying conversation.

I was in the process of writing one of my graceful fulminations to the corporate headquarters, when I got a call from another rep named “Karen”, no last name. I didn’t press the point. She said Executive Choice is one of the BJ brands and that they are just repackaging it and it is the same coffee.

Au contraire I said. It smells different coming out of the package, it has a slightly bitter taste, that Executive Choice does not, it is less flavorful, and it is not as strong per measure. The first rep, moreover, I informed her, didn’t say anything about Arabica being the same coffee. Or maybe he wasn’t in the room when they talked about this change, being a lowly sort who has to answer phones and talk to customers.

She was surprised to hear what I had to say and said she would report what I said to her management God. I said the producer of the coffee you are doing business with may be pulling a fast one.

I also said I had talked with someone at Executive Choice out in California and they were willing to research a price for me as an individual consumer, assuming I bought a decent quantity. She said it wasn’t the same company. How weird. The fellow I talked with let me assume it was.

Meanwhile, I have a box of coffee that will last for the next three months. Karen said why didn’t I try their organic brand in the bean that was getting raves. I said life was too short to be grinding beans every day.

Let’s see what happens next.

Meanwhile, I used more Arabica and less water this morning. When it tried to climb out of the pot, I decided I could drink it.

xx, Teal