TOP NINE MISTAKES made by ice and water vending owners FRESHSTART GOODNESS IN ONE HIT Vitamin C+ WE GET IT. Ice and water vending is definitely an exciting opportunity that can generate a considerable revenue stream so you want to get started as soon as possible! However, you may want to learn from the mistakes of some experienced owners. There are a number of common mistakes that ice and water vending operators make on their first go-around, but that doesn t mean that you need to make them as well.
Mistake #1 BUYING A MACHINE WITH TOO MANY MOVING PARTS It is important to make sure that the machine is operational at all times. If the machine isn t running, your business isn t either! The main reason for ice vending machine issues are ice jams. These occur within the system because ice has either solidified together in the storage bin or one of the parts within the machine has broken down and is unable to move the ice to the ice chute. In most machines, there are a number of parts and steps (typically over 10!) to get the ice from the ice maker out the ice chute and to your awaiting customer. Each one of the parts, need to be adjusted and calibrated often because they are vital to the movement of ice within the machine. There are even some manufacturers that will charge you an annual maintenance fee of up to $1000.00 because without attention from the factory a few times during the year, these parts fail and your machine goes down. When buying a machine, most new operators do not ask about the ice delivery process and number of parts involved prior to making their purchase. This is a mistake. Basically, the more steps and moving parts you introduce into the process, the more parts you need to replace and adjust. This ultimately results in more opportunities for the machine to fail. Operators are often frustrated with machines that break down easily and the need to deal with service techs every time the machine is down. Make sure to ask about the maintenance schedule for a machine and how many steps there are to get the ice from the ice maker and into the bag. Make sure you have all the information up front so that you know what to expect. The main difference between Everest ice and water vending machines and the rest of the options in the market is that the Everest VX models are the only machines in the industry to have ONE moving part. ONE. Since there is only ONE moving part, there is nothing to adjust and therefore no annual maintenance fee. This system, VersaVend, is a patented ice storage and dispensing system that is exclusive to Everest Ice and Water Systems. With this system, Everest machines have seen over 2 million vends without a single jam. Simple.
Mistake #2 BUYING A MACHINE THAT IS TOO LARGE If you purchase an ice vending machine that does not store enough ice for the demand of your customers, then you will lose daily sales and ultimately lose your customer s business altogether. Some ice vending operators used this as a reason to get the largest storage capacity possible. This often doubles or triples the overall cost of the machine and significantly affects your return on investment. This is a mistake. It is more important to operate your business on average daily volume rather than the volume you might expect on a very few peak days. For instance, if a burger restaurant sells 100 burgers a day, but each year during their anniversary, they sell 1,000 burgers, should that restaurant have 1,000 burgers on hand for every, single day of the year? Of course not! It is the same way with ice. If on average, a business sells 50-60 bags of ice per day, why would you need a storage unit within the machine that holds 250 bags or more? Many new operators are sold on buying a machine with way more storage capacity and production than is needed, and they pay for that mistake in higher operating costs and a much higher initial investment. At the end of the day, make an educated decision on what you plan to sell on average per day and purchase the right machine for you (we can help!). The Everest Series of Ice & Water Vending machines have four different ice maker sizes to choose from, allowing you to select the right production for you and your location. Our VX Series also has 500 pounds of ice on hand, ready to vend anytime. More than enough for over 99% of all possible ice vending locations.
Mistake #3 BUYING A MACHINE THAT DOESN'T MAKE ENOUGH ICE Saving money is a good thing, however not at the expense of your entire business. Some ice vending machine operators skimp on their machines by getting a machine that cannot produce enough ice. Oftentimes, ice vending machine owners choose non-commercial, 110V ice makers or ice makers with small capacity or remote condensers that cannot keep up with the demand. This is a mistake. Make sure you truly know what the maximum capacity is for the ice maker within your ice vending machine. Furthermore, make sure that it is a commercial ice maker. One easy way to know if it can handle the production is the electrical requirements of your vending machine. If the vending machine needs 120V and not 220V to operate, it is a clear indication that it is not a commercial machine. Don t purchase a machine with a Remote Condenser. This will cause you to have to run long lengths of refrigerant piping and have a remote location for your ice maker condenser. This complicates installation and adds considerable cost. Lastly, make sure that the ice maker inside the machine is made by a reputable company, one that you know will produce quality ice for your customers, has a good warranty and will fully service your ice maker. The Everest VX ice and water vending machines are backed by the industry-leading, Energy Star rated Scotsman Prodigy Ice Cubers. These are commercial grade cubers that are commonly the choice for busy foodservice businesses and Scotsman Prodigy Series ice makers have the condenser built right in!.these machines also have the largest Service Network and longest warranty in their class.
TOP TEN MISTAKES MADE BY ICE AND WATER VENDING OWNERS Mistake #4 BUYING A MACHINE WITHOUT BUILT-IN WATER VENDING Typical ice vending companies will offer water vending as an option. This is strictly a way for them to charge more money. Most new ice vending operators elect not to get the water option due to the added cost. This is a mistake. Ice vending operators who initially choose to skip this option often end up purchasing a completely separate water vending machine unit a few months later. Why not have water vending as part of your machine from the start? Limiting your offerings to just ice is turning away from an additional revenue stream for your business. On average, for every ten ice vends, you can expect three water vends. Make sure you purchase a machine that can offer both ice AND water. After all, you are paying to deliver water to the machine and to filter it. Why not make a profit on it?. Get the most revenue you can out of your machine. The Everest VX machines are the only machines on the market to offer both ice and water as a STANDARD feature, not an extra cost option. Also, Everest designed the VX machines to offer a powerful filtration system by Everpure that makes sure the water and ice that you sell is the freshest and best tasting there is.
Mistake #5 BUYING A MACHINE THAT COMES WITH COSTLY RECURRING FEES Some ice and water vending machines in the market come with additional fees that the operator may or may not be aware of. With some machines, operators have to pay for expensive franchise fees, licensing fees or mandatory machine maintenance fees. This is a mistake. Ice and water is a convenience purchase and the machine brand is not a main factor in your customer's purchase decision. These fees add up and can cost you thousands. If the manufacturer's name doesn't get you more business or make you more money, what are you paying for? Get to know what what the ongoing costs are for a machine before you purchase it. The Everest VX is not a complex purchase. There are no hidden fees and we don t charge you any franchise, licensing or annual maintenance fees.this is YOUR business. We don t charge you to run it.
Mistake #6 BUYING A LARGE MACHINE THAT IS A STAND-ALONE STRUCTURE Some companies sell ice and water vending machines that are stand alone structures. Oftentimes, operators opt for this because they feel bigger must be better and they are able to produce and store more ice. This is a mistake. While the benefits may sound good, there are a number of issues with choosing this as an option. First off, these types of machines are considered an independent structure. This means that in order to get started you need permits and approvals from local and state agencies and you will need to hire a General Contractor. The second issue with the stand alone structure is the loss of business flexibility. With smaller ice and water vending machines, you can easily move the machine to an alternate location if you find that home run location, even after you have owned the machine for a while. If you have a machine that can t be moved, you are locked into your first location forever. A third issue with the stand alone structure is the cost. These stand alone structures are typically four or five times the cost of more reasonably sized machines simply because of their size. While you do have a greater ice capacity and production, if you do not have the market potential to cater to that demand, you will have overpaid for a huge machine you don t need and capacity you will never realize. On average, an ice and water machine caters to a three to five mile radius. That being said, the size of the machine doesn t dictate the market potential. The Everest VX ice and water vending machines were designed to have a small footprint but the largest production and capacity in its class. This allows the operator to do two things: 1.) maximize the machine s profit potential per square foot and 2.) have the flexibility of moving the location of the machine inside a store or easily move it to a completely different location. Our machines are easily installed by you without the need for a Contractor or pulling expensive construction permits. There are simple electrical and plumbing connections and you can have your machine up and selling ice the same day it arrives! (Please check with your local municipality to determine what, if any, electrical and plumbing permits may be required).
Mistake #7 BUYING A MACHINE THAT IS NOT CERTIFIED BY NAMA INational Automatic Machine Association (NAMA) is the association representing the U.S. convenience services industry, providing advocacy, education and research for its members. Additionally, NAMA offers certification to vending machine manufacturers whose machines meet the public health requirements set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Not all Ice and Water vending machines are NAMA-certified; Everest s machines are. Why is it important that Everest Ice and Water vending machines are NAMA-certified? First, it means that our machines are built with your customers health and safety in mind. Secondly, NAMA certification is a demonstration of the manufacturer s intent and capability to promote public health. Purchasing a NAMA-certified ice vending machine demonstrates that you as a vendor also value the health and safety of your customers. While your customers will not necessarily know what the NAMA certification is, having a machine that is NAMA certified shows that you are serious about the health and safety of your customers. In addition, a manufacturer that has the NAMA certification on their ice vending machine shows you, the future ice vending operator, that they are serious about the manufacturing quality of their machine. In order to get certified, a third party has to review all of the machine specs and drawings to make sure it is up to par. Machines are are not certified at all, do not get reviewed by anyone...
TOP TEN MISTAKES MADE BY ICE AND WATER VENDING OWNERS Mistake #8 BUYING A MACHINE THAT DOESN T OFFER BULK ICE, OR USES A COMPLICATED BAGGER Some manufacturers don t offer Bulk ice. Bulk ice is ice that is vended directly into your customers cooler, container or ice chest. Most outdoorsmen, hunters, fishermen, blue collar workers and people that just plain like cold beer want this feature. When a customer dispenses ice into their own container, it is better for the environment and saves you the cost of the bag. If you don t offer bulk ice, you could be alienating more than 50% of your customers! This is a mistake. Some manufacturers also add a complicated bagger that bags the ice for your customer. Their machines are already complicated enough, without adding this unneeded feature that will cost you more money in downtime service headaches and bag expense. Another mistake. The Everest VX Series Ice & Water Vending Machines offer your customers the choice they want and no complicated, expensive, serviceintensive bagger to get in your way. Your customer can choose to dispense bulk ice directly into their cooler, or bag it up and take it away! Simple.
Mistake #9 BUYING A MACHINE THAT USES REVERSE OSMOSIS TO PURIFY WATER Some manufacturers offer Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) as a method of water purification. Reverse Osmosis will produce VERY clean water, however it s the method in which the water is purified that makes it the wrong choice for ice and water vending. When an R.O. unit filters water, the process is very wasteful. More than three gallons of water are flushed down the drain for every single gallon of water that is produced. This is a mistake! This requires you to find a location with a very robust drain or a sewer connection, thereby severely limiting installation locations. R.O also makes water VERY slowly...literally at a drip. This means that you will need a large tank to hold water, so that you will have enough water to sell when a customer wants to purchase. Most machines come with a tank that is 50-60 gallons. This tank will feed both your ice maker and your water vending station. What happens when you have a lot of water vend sales on a busy Saturday morning? If you sell all the water in the tank, you are out of business for the day. The VX Series of machines do not use Reverse Osmosis. We use a Five Stage Filtration System from Everpure, one of the most recognized brands among foodservice operators. This Five Stage Filtration System runs your water through a 0.05 Micron Sediment Filter to remove and particles smaller than 1/100th the width of a human hair. Then the water travels through two carbon taste and odor polishing filters that remove chlorine and chemicals and make the water taste great. After that, it travels through a scale filter to remove water hardness and then is exposed to ultraviolet light which sterilizes it. The result is VERY clean, tasty water that can be filtered at the rate that it s used, so you can sell as much as you want!
TOP NINE MISTAKES MADE BY ICE AND WATER VENDING OWNERS Mistake #9 the machines that can GIVE YOU EVERYTHING INTRODUCING ICE AND WATER VX SERIES Everest Ice and Water Systems consultants understand the ins and outs of operating an ice and water vending business and can help you to avoid these mistakes and more. Our consultants will share all of the tips and tricks of the business so that you can easily operate and maintain your machine as well as your overall business. Just pick up the phone and call. We are happy to answer any questions you have. We are here to help!