Vending Prices

[washme1]

After reviewing costs and shipping for vending items, it clearly is time to adjust prices. Like others, I've been hesitant to go above price points like $1 or $2.

For example, it just doesn't make sense to sell AA Tire Foam for $2 when the cost is $1.11, sales tax adds .12 and shipping is probably another .15 (est).

The items are offered from a refrigerated vendor that sells for over $5000. 30% net doesn't cut it.

 

[washnvac]

I agree. I went to $3 on all bottles/cans a while back. Went $2 on a bunch of other items, as well. Amazingly, vending revenue has more than doubled. I did stick with $1 on little trees and cheap towels/shams, though.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

Totally agree, over the past year or so I've increased all prices in my shurvend.
In the process of re-jiggering which items I sell and prices - actually driving to KR tomorrow for supplies, plan to spend a few hours in the vendors this weekend.

Drop shelves are another issue... I really like the $1 price point, partly due to using $1 tokens. But from a profit perspective it doesnt cut it. Little Tree fresheners still work well for a buck, but everything else I'm going to switch the drop shelves to "economy" items, ie cheaper towels etc. (Havent resolve exactly what yet.)

 

[slash007]

Hmmm. I have always thought that vending prices were too cheap on those items. I have been buying mostly when I can get free shipping to help, but margins are still slim. I am going to raise prices to either $2.50 or $3 on some items now that you bring it up.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I have had AA foam at $3 for ever it seems. KR has the jenn ray sexy topless airfreshners for .65 a piece and vend for $2 and barely can keep in stock. The big seller is wash cloths from Wmart , I buy them for $4 for 18 usually on an end cap- you can get all white or assorted colors , and I sell a package of them sometimes on a weekend per wash. Those are at $1.25 . I also get large microfiber towels from a big box hardware store. (30) for $10. I sell them for $3. I have more $2-3 items than $1 items. The blue and white paper towels are at $1. Also KR has a Kleen scene free ship offer on now

 

[slash007]

What are you guys selling the AA cleaning and protectant pads at? Those are my best sellers. Along with Wet Towel as well.

 

[dewey9876]

I think many things are under priced in this industry. ($3.00 express car washes) Every couple of months my coffee goes up at Dunkin Donuts, do I stop getting my coffee? No. Last year we replaced all of our Vacs with new 3 motor vacs with Bill acceptors. We went from $1.00 for 4 Min to $2.00 for 5 min. We have had no complaints and doubled our Vac income. You are right, next I need to look at raising my vending prices. AA pads and Wet towels selling at $1.00 currently. I only have the old drop shelf vendors so perhaps they need an upgrade as well.

 

[slash007]

I went ahead are raised prices yesterday. All $2 went to $2.5 and all $1 to $1.50 except for the little trees. We'll see how it goes, but it needed to be done.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

all $1 to $1.50 except for the little trees

slash 007 is this drop shelf vendors?

I'm debating whether to raise drop shelf prices to $1.50 or to move those items to my shur-vend and put $2 items in the drop shelves.
FYI my tokens are valued at $1 and about 30-40% of drop shelf sales are tokens... I dont want customers to drop in 2 tokens and be irritated. Also I have very common / high volume items in the drop shelves (AA & towels mostly), I think thats the most effective products to have in them since I also have a shurvend.

And yes of course the 5 column little tree vendor priced at a buck is STILL the best vending item I've ever purchased. Hopefully I can keep the little trees priced at a buck for a long time!

 

[slash007]

I have a few drop vendors that are not in the best location and those all stayed at $1. I raised my prices in my Shurvend which is by the vacuums.

 

[MonroeStreetPowerwash]

I have looked on KR's website, where are you finding the free shipping from Kleen scene.

Thanks
John

 

[vinh]

sometime it is ok to not make money on everything at the wash.

My prices have not change for a while. Little trees $1. AA can and bottles $2. glass cleaner and AA cleaner and conditioner $1. Soda cans $.75. All towels are wrapped- Microfiber towels $1.25, Cloth towel $1, paper truck towel 0.75.

My philosophy is the cheap vending supplies is a convenience to the customer. A way to keep customer loyalty. On hot days, I buy the soda or bottle water for myself.

Free shipping from Kleenrite- Kleen scene offer#23

 

[Whale of a Wash]

The free ship is in the Kleen scene flyer. Free ship on an order over $750 during August. Must put reference in the notes. (offer#23)
There are some exclusions for big heavy single items.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

Off subject but I wish that Laurel or whoever makes the Little Tree vendors would make a 10 to 15 selection vendor.

 

[Waxman]

for tha amount you'd spend you'd be a good chunk of the way to affording a used Shurvend, like what I got.

51 selections!

 

[JMMUSTANG]

Waxman you might be right but I wonder what it would cost considering it would already have the electronic acceptor.
I would include it with my Shurvend forming a larger vending area.
I think that having a large seperate Little Tree vender with all of it's visual advertising would actually help my Shurvend produce more sales. Plus the fact that I could then use the LT space in the Shurvend for some other products.
I bet that LT's are our industries #1 selling item that we vend. I believe having a large seperate LT vender would have a huge impact in customers noticing the vending area.

 

[Uncle Sam]

I Like what I hear!!!

These are the kinds of posts that I like to hear!!! Vending prices should go up since the costs of all the products has increased over the years. The costs to buy the vending products plus adding the freight to get it to your site will give you a number; double that number to get the price that you should charge in the vending machine. Round it up to the next quarter is even better rather than rounding down. In my opinion the prices of vending products is the last place you should use as traffic builders for any wash. So raise the prices to where you can make some money, and enjoy the extra money that you put in your pocket!!!

JMMustang----Sounds like you need a new VendPro-iG4 32-selection vendor to put by your other ShurVend and we will make it all Little Trees and frangrances of some kind.

Uncle Sam

 

[MEP001]

I have looked on KR's website, where are you finding the free shipping from Kleen scene.

Thanks
John

Kleen Scene is a small publication they mail out. The offer is in there.

 

[cdreed06]

I can't tell you how many times I have asked them to send me Kleen Scene and I never get it. We also sell bags of chips in our glass front vendor. They have worked out great so far. Our best sellers lately have been the Moonshine hanging fresheners and of course the Armor All.

 

[slash007]

I can't tell you how many times I have asked them to send me Kleen Scene and I never get it. We also sell bags of chips in our glass front vendor. They have worked out great so far. Our best sellers lately have been the Moonshine hanging fresheners and of course the Armor All.

Lol I called them on Friday and told them the same thing. I have been requesting it for two years and still don't get it mailed to me.