Get rid of your soda machine!!!

[eighty20]

So Coke took out their coke machine in March, due to not selling enough.
We sold about 1 a day. (next to a convenient store) Net profit(not including utilities was around $25).

I was disappointed at first, thinking about the customer service issues. I didnt even really care about the profit.

WELL....while my gas and water have been the same over the last 5 months. Electric has dropped 10%. I am saving $30-$35 per month! And now have more folding space.

I couldnt believe how much energy they used. I never measured, but have read anywhere from 5-8kwh a day! Does anyone know for sure.

Mine was left on 24/7.

thanks,
paul

[Howard]

Yup that sounds about right. I put a KiloWatt meter on it once and recall the numbers were something like that.

[epic02]

My soda/juice machine does close $1,000 a month in sales during the summer.
Also theres a liquor store next store.
I think I'll keep it.

[AlanR]

First I have to ask what you are charging for sodas as compared to the convenience store. You don't have to under-sell them, but you don't want to charge more, either.

Like Howard, I used my Killowatt thingy and came up with similar consumption. A side note is that you should get one of them. They're available at Harbor Freight, they're quite reasonably priced, and they're handy for a lot of things, business or personal. You'd be amazed at how much energy your 'efficient' microwave oven consumes.

My situation is different because I lease my Coke machines from Coca-Cola for $25/month. I stock the machine and keep 100% of sales after expenses (utilities and inventory only). I'm thinking that Coca-Cola, in your case, gets a cut of the income.

An option you might consider is buying your own soda machine. A huge advantage, among others, is that you can offer whatever beverages you want - including Coke and Pepsi in the same machine.....imagine that! According to a local distributor, unbranded soda venders are usually more energy efficient than the ones offered by the soda companies. Most larger cities have firms that deal in new and used vending machines. You should be able to find a good used soda machine for about $1,000 or less.

One last thought is that, in my opinion, soda and snack machines are a 'must' from a customer service standpoint, even if you lose a few bucks a month on them.

[eighty20]

I hear ya, but we offer:
Free Poland Spring water
Free Lemonade
Free Coffee
Free Iced Tea
Free Hot Tea
Free Green

We also have a 3 headed candy machine.

Space is so tight, that selling 1 can a day, wasn't worth it. Especially to save 10% on my electric bill.

I was able to put a folding table in the spot the machine took up.

[BCW]

eighty20, Not to pick on you, but perhaps some constructive criticism. You were only selling one can of pop per day, because you were giving away beverages for free! I know, DUH, but giving all of those free beverages to customers is a recipe for disaster for any vended beverage machine. As long as your willing to give that stuff away, you did the right thing by getting rid of the pop machine.

Tom

[eighty20]

Hey Tom,

Nah, that's cool man. Free drinks started after the soda was gone.

For the costs of $20-25 a month, I think its well worth it in customer/employee satisfaction. We don't have AC, so anything that keeps them happy is worth it.

Paul

[Sudds]

I have a soda machine that stays on at my 24 hour unattended store.

I have a soda machine and a snack machine in addition to 8 video games at the larger mat.

The customers enjoy the convenience while I enjoy the added revenue. :-)

[otaat]

80 did you put a portable table in the same spot? what type and where did you get it or did you build it in?

[eighty20]

I re-finished a $30 folding table, with melamine wood. I then mounted it on 6" bed heigteners, that cost me $10. For $40, I have a beautiful table that is now the 2nd most popular one in store!

Customers love it.

[juleec]

You should post a photo of the table. Sounds like a good idea.