soda machine help!

[pete f]

Anyone know anything about soda machines? Mine is not working, I am sure it is not freon. The compressor does not come on, though it seems to when first plugged in, and cools, but the next day it is very hot, and not cooling, also do not hear it start.

[srhaz]

My pop machine refrigerator unit just went out. The repair service charged $575 to install a rebuilt unit. Did not have time to shop around - but heard that is typical.

[pete f]

I think I will just call the guy who I know can fix them. It is always a $30 part and $150 labor :(

[Anonymous]

I would throw the machine out before spending $575 on it. I would then get a machine from coke or pepsi for free. How long is it going to take to make $575 profit on your machine?

[pete f]

I make about $170 clear a month, so spending $200 to $500 is no problem. If Coke puts a machine in for "free" I make about $80 a month.. I am going to upgrade to a combo snack/soda with a chiller very soon. about 5k. Invest in yourself, who else will?

[Anonymous]

When I switched to a bottle machine from Pepsi I saw a increase in sales. I do net less, $120 compared to $145 but I no longer have to go pick up soda they deliver it. For me its worth it to save the time.

[Ken]

Try to clean the heat exchanger by using air compresser.
unplug the machine for 10 mins then plug in again,if this still don't work,you need to call serviceman.
Lint always get stock in the heat exchanger.
If you need to replace them,try to buy a used Vendo.I always can find cheap pop machines in my area,$500-$50.I have 2 in my house right now,one was free,one was $50.I had 5 before,I only can drink so many beer,so I sold them.
Ebay have a lot cheap one too,as long as they are in your area.

[Anonymous]

Pete,

I had a refrigerated sandwich machine doing the same thing. Turned out to be the temperture control mechanism. Pretty cheap part - might be worth trying.....

I also agree with Ken regarding cleaning. In addition, I would make sure the compressor is clean.

-dave.

[Duane]

My unit has a door switch that shuts down the compressor when the door is opened. When you close the door you hear the unit start up again.

When I first got my machine it would not come on unless the door was shut real tight. I adjusted the switch a little and it works great now.

Check to see if you have a door switch and see if it needs adjusted or cleaned.

[pete f]

I thought you moved to Bonaire..

To much skin?

I called my favorite repair guy for the soda machine. As normal, he took the skid out and has had it for a week...
I don't care about the cost, but I hate having stuff broke for over a week. That was the main reason I wanted to try and fix it. I messed with it some, but do not have a clue what I am doing.

The compresor would run for a few mins when turned on, then shut off. I am trcking reapirs I have had done in the past and try to trouble shoot from that.

[Anonymous]

There can NEVER be TOO much skin!

[pete f]

The compressor was shot, he wanted about $350 to fix it. I have been looking at the Combo 300E, a soda/snack vendor with a chill snack option. I decided to buy one of those new. My soda sales are pretty high, and I am in a unique situation were think I can sell lots of snacks, not only to customers, but also the neighbors around me. The vender was $3800.
I am low on write offs this year anyway, so why not.

[BWJR]

Pete,

I have a Pepsi Distributor in my area that rents me a machine for $20.00 / month. This includes all repairs. It's a 20 oz. bottle machine which has a dollar bill validator, (not that I need one in a coin laundry), but anyway I pay $14.00 / case for the bottled soda, and like you mentioned business for soda is good. A new machine like this one is about $2400.00 and at $20.00 / month thats a 10 year pay-off if you buy one.

Good Luck,

BWJR

[Anonymous]

You are paying too much for the machine, where I am in Northern NJ the going rate from both Coke and Pepsi is $0.00/month rent on the machine.

[BWJR]

Are you required to buy a certain amount of cases per month or week? How much are you paying per case?

BWJR

[SudsMan]

For anyone who owns their own machine, Ken is right on the money about cleanliness. In addition, there usually is a small fan that blows air through the heat exchanger and also cools the compressor. Sometimes it's hard to see if that fan is working at the proper speed. It can slow down, due to age, dirt, etc. and hence won't cool the compressor as efficiently as it should. This leads to premature compressor failure.

[Anonymous]

No minimum quantity required, but when I order I must order a minimum of 10 cases

[BWJR]

I spent 10 years in vending, while I was still in the Laundry Business. I found that Coke was a Corp owned business and pepsi was a Franchise Business. The machines from Coke, you could get for nothing, but if your sales started to drift off, falling below a certain number per machine, per month, i would get a phone call, saying that they were going to pull the machine if my ordering amount didn't increase. In regards to pepsi since i was in the vending business, i was given an option to buy as a third party vendor, or as a retail sale customer. As a third party vendor you paid a monthly fee, but the price per case was very low. As a retail customer, you paid nothing for the machine rental, but you paid a lot more per case for the soda. As a retail customer, you were also required to buy a minimum of 10 cases per month, which grante isn't much, butagain the price per case was very high. i do a lot of volume in soda, so i opted to go for the lessor price per case and pay the mo. rental fee.

BWJR

[Andy]

Five years ago I switched from a can machine to the bottle machine. What a great move, sales doubled, margin is about the same. I net about $350 per month. When I order from Pepsi I have to order a minimum of 9 cases, no problem I usually order more than that.

[Duane]

My machine will do can or bottles. I prefer bottles since they don't leave hardly any mess in the store compared to cans. Customers will open the bottle, take a drink and then replace the cap. With cans there are always spills and recycling is a sticky mess.

[BWJR]

My sales more than doubled since I put a bottle machine in the Laundry. Customers Like the bottle, because if they don't finish it, they take the rest home, unlike the can that is left behind to get knocked over on my floor, like Duane mentioned.

BWJR

[pete f]

It took about 3 weeks for my machine to arrive. Trucking company they blamed. I bought it from a local guy, he delivered it and set it in place. The machine wieghed about 1000 pounds. The combo300 can keep snacks chilled, so I put it outside where the soda machine was. It is somewhat protected. I filled it with soda, got some snacks and candy and loaded that side. As I was testing the vends a guy came up behind me with a dollar bill, he wanted to buy some chips. As I had not tested the validator yet I let him put in his money:) It has been a few days, the snacks are selling very well. I had always sold lots of soda so I assume that side is good also. I may put bottles in after reading some of your comments, thank you. This vender was about $5000, twice what a soda vender would go for. I had no room inside so it was the only option for this store. I think it will prove to be a good investment.

[srhaz]

This is interesting that bottles sell better. How is the cost versus cans? My Sams club does not have cases of bottles.

Also,
My compresser kicks on for 1 second then stops, then maybe a minute later kicks on again for second then stops - this continues on. So it wants to cool but can't. Any ideas before the repair man tells me the compresser is shot??

[goingtoarizona]

We currently have an OOOOOld Pepsi machine that we rent for $14.00 a month from Pepsi. We contacted our distibutor about a machine, the machine is free, but we have to place 10 case orders, at .45 per can, plus crv. We're eventually going to get a newer used machine, but I'm currently paying .20 to .30 per can. I don't see why I should pay higher than retail for sodas to get a machine I can buy in good used condition for 500 dollars.I think sales will go up when we get a new machine.

[Bob]

I get a Coke machine for free. I must order at least 10 cases per order. The soda costs me .76 cents and I sell it for $1.25. They repair the machine and deliver the soda, I re-stock it. I think it's great.

Bob

[pete f]

Not sure how this thread got life. Here is follow up...
I bought a new combo vendor, does near $400 a month, so it paid for itself in 2 years. Since then I have bought other machines.
Bottom line, if you own the vending machine you make twice as much money. Stores around me sell soda for 5 for $10 right now, That is less than 20 cent tax in. I sell for 75 cent. Even the average deal from Sam soda cost 25 cent or so. You spend 200k, 500k on a store and don't want to spring a few grand on a good used soda machine? And it will make you back your money in 3 years or less, given the averages.

Srhaz.. your compressor is shot

[Ken]

I love soda machines,have 6 in my house right now ,from 1950 to 2000 model.I am a big fan of "own my machines",I hate to split money with others.
Soda companies give free machine but overcharge the pop and you can only sell their soda,not other companies.If you don't order for a few months,some companies will deliever 10 cases to your store then bill you.
It is not a really free deal.

[William]

Pete - I should have read this thread sooner! Dixie Narco sells rebuilt compressors on the their web site for $225. I just bought one as I had the same problem as you. It is a complete unit. Pull the old one out, put the new one in. No core charge, just throw the old compressor away.

[mjwalsh]

William, Will you have to have a certified freon guy to the swap?

[William]

It comes fully charged. It is a complete unit, compressor, condensor, etc. The old one is held in by two bolts. Loosen them and slide the entire unit out the front door. Install the new unit, plug in and chill out!

[Ken]

If your system is R 134A freon and NO LEAK,you may able to do it,I think it come with a quick connect no soilding require.
If you have a R12 system,you may want to check it.
Serviceman charge $400-500 in my area to put one in with 1 year warranty.

[Bob]

Pete,

I don't quite understand how you are making double by owning your machine. You make .50 profit per can, I make .49 per bottle. I started making profit on the first bottle of soda that I sold, you started making profit 2-3 years later, if the machine didn't break down. I understand that you have the freedom to put in whatever you want but Coke products are pretty well accepted and I get it delivered! I have owned machines in the past and I think that this is a much better deal.

Bob

[srhaz]

Pete f, you were right - compressor shot.

William, THANKS for the recommendation. I bought a whole new (refurbished) unit for $240 and it was so simple pulling the old one out and just popping in the new one.

[William]

Srhaz - glad it worked out. Did you send the old one back? My box had a return shipping label in it but they did not charge me a core fee. I am going to ship it back anyway.

[pete f]

Bob, I own to many snack.soda machines now, and the one time I rented a coke machine they charged me $10 case!