Uncle Sam
Member
The use of ?fuel adjustments? on freight invoices has been common for a few years now and we have had to accept the realities of the cost of oil. We received notification recently of a new wrinkle; a steel price adjustments from our vending machine manufacturer that goes into effect July 1. We are all aware of the price increases of commodities over the past year and have had to adjust pricing to continue in business. We have worked very hard to get more efficient and smarter so we can keep our prices competitive in the market place. But there is only so much one can do.
One way to keep existing pricing is to ?cheapen? the product brand by using lighter weight steel and/or other materials used in manufacturing the equipment. This opens the equipment up to easier attempted vandalism and theft which seems to us to be counter-productive. We, at ShurVend, have chosen to continue to build strong, robust equipment so the operator can always depend on security, service, and a long, productive lifespan. The value of the dollar against other currencies has gone down so much that imports create very tough competition for ?Made in America? products. Companies are copying successful designs created in the U.S., having the parts and/or equipment made overseas using lighter weight materials, and then selling them as equivalents through our car wash discount houses. It doesn?t seem to make any difference to the American consumer what the quality, workmanship, or service is as long as it is cheaper.
Cont'd
One way to keep existing pricing is to ?cheapen? the product brand by using lighter weight steel and/or other materials used in manufacturing the equipment. This opens the equipment up to easier attempted vandalism and theft which seems to us to be counter-productive. We, at ShurVend, have chosen to continue to build strong, robust equipment so the operator can always depend on security, service, and a long, productive lifespan. The value of the dollar against other currencies has gone down so much that imports create very tough competition for ?Made in America? products. Companies are copying successful designs created in the U.S., having the parts and/or equipment made overseas using lighter weight materials, and then selling them as equivalents through our car wash discount houses. It doesn?t seem to make any difference to the American consumer what the quality, workmanship, or service is as long as it is cheaper.
Cont'd
