The Best Ice Vending Machine for the Money

The Ice Business

I am sure you have seen the fancy new ice vending machines popping up around your community. I know you wish that you would have thought of that and your second thought is did I miss the boat? The good news is that those ice vending machines can be purchased directly from the manufacturers and there are still many excellent locations where these machines can be placed. Ice vending machines vary in price from $35k to $150k. The drastic difference in price is generally related to the amount of ice that can be sold on demand. The largest and most expensive machines can deliver up to 200 10lb bags of ice on demand; however, in most cases, less expensive machines with 50- 70 bags of ice on demand is as much capacity as you will need. In most cases you can be in the ice business for around $50K.

When shopping for your ice business equipment, place a premium on reliability. How often your ice vending machine notifies you of trouble and how often your customers call you because of an unsuccessful transaction will determine how long you remain in the ice business. The least complicated your machine, the less trouble you will experience. For example, many ice vending machines auto-bag or pre-bag the ice for the consumer. These auto-bagging systems require a lot of service and constant tweaking. Most customers empty the same bag of ice right into their cooler, so it is much better to purchase a ice vending machine the allows the customer to hang a bag and or place a cooler below the dispenser. and not just during the warmest months.

How much Ice or Water will I sell with an Ice Vending Machine?
Option 1, is to place one large high production ice vending machine house able to sell a large quantity of ice from one location.

Option 2, is to place smaller, lower production ice vending machines that can be expanded as and if demand requires. The much smaller size allows for the possibility of many different type locations and the affordability allows for multiple locations.

Option 1: Large & Junior sized Ice Houses
Cost - Approximately $125,000 to $160,000
Size - 10' x 18' - 9 x 15"
Return on Investment: As previously mentioned, every ice vending machine location is different and produces a different quaintly of sales, we have heard delightful stories of machines working to capacity in superb locations; however, most are similar to an owner of 8 large ice vending machines houses in Southern US, whose gross sales average per machine is $35 per year per machine or sells approximately 64 bags per day not 800 equaling a very slow return on your investment. (ask for a retail projection workbook)
Cost - Approximately $34,000 to $66,000
Size - 52" x 35" - 52" x 78" Multiple sizes and production capabilities allow for multiple solutions. Return on Investment: (ask for retail projection workbook)
Locations: "use your imagination" Car Washes, RV Parks, Parking Lots, Convenience Store Side Walks..most places a Soda machine can fit.
Rent will be relative to size of property required.

Cons:
Production - Smaller ice vending machines will not produce the tremendous amount of ice at one time as the large ice houses, and are aware of very few instances where it would be prudent to do so.

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The XL1900 is the smallest ice machine, most productive, green ice machine on the ice business market. In addition to its low initial cost, the Bag of Ice's XL1900 makes ice on-site and on-demand…at a fraction of the cost of other ice machines. Are you an entrepreneur or small business owner looking for a flexible, affordable and low maintenance way to make money? If so, the Bag of Ice Vending Machine business is the perfect business opportunity for you! We are 100% committed to our clients and

Posted on 2011-04-07, By: Wilburn Mathews *

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Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Wilburn Mathews