POLL: Soda Vending Machines

[Toastedlightly]

Hello ATOT!

For a class project, I am doing a bit of "market research". This is an engineering course, so I figure an ATOT poll will cover market research, right?

I'm collecting data on vending machines and potential for solar powered vending machine.

The questions above are pretty self explanatory. I appreciate all responses!

HOLD ON, THE POLL WILL BE UP SHORTLY

I think I goofed. How do you do polls in vBulletin!!?

EDIT: Only 1 poll allowed?


To clarify the question:

The product my group is envisioning is a vending machine powered by a solar source. As such, it can be placed in remote areas typically not serviced by traditional wired vending machines. This goal of this poll is to determine the likelihood of some one buying a soda from a remote vending machine.

Don't worry, we have done a design for it and I am just doing a simple financial analysis on it.

 

[SamQuint]

Most vending machines are inside of buildings. How do you get the sun inside? Would you have to place the machine near a window?

 

[Toastedlightly]

Most vending machines are inside of buildings. How do you get the sun inside? Would you have to place the machine near a window?

This is for an outdoor vending machine... If I had the poll it would make it much easier to understand.

 

[lxskllr]

You're doomed. You can't even engineer a VB poll :^P

 

[shortylickens]

1 dollar is too much but sadly I've seen exactly that price at many places.
Fuck soda.
And fuck 2 dollar water.

 

[rcpratt]

I wouldn't buy soda from any vending machine, anywhere, solar or not.

 

[ultimatebob]

Most places around here already charge a dollar or more for a can of soda, so I'm voting yes.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Probably not since I never have cash on me.

 

[Scotteq]

The soda machine needs an internal paint shaker, and a webcam to a YouTube stream.

 

[SamQuint]

I think it all depends on the economic model. Let's assume the solar powered vending machine is more expensive to purchase.

Not all machines purchased are paid for by the site that operated them. My company has an outside company that put it's machines inside our buildings. They manage them and stock them and take the profits. We do not own any of them.

So then it all comes down to who pays the electric bill. If the person that owns the machine pays the electric bill then you would need to show that the solar power machine saves enough electricity to justify the higher price. In my case above if our company pays the electric bill then the vending company would have no incentive to buy the higher priced solar machines.

The only way this really seems like a good idea is if you are selling this to vending companies as a way to get their machines into unusual places where electricity is a problem. Maybe they could set up machines temporarily at places like outdoor concerts and street fairs where you do not always have access to electrical outlets. They would have a mobile vending station they can put anywhere outdoors.

 

[mcvickj]

Probably. I spend $0.85 for a can or $1.25 for a bottle at work.

 

[Bignate603]

Probably not since I never have cash on me.

I vote yes, but only if the machine can take credit card.

 

[xSauronx]

how remote?

i generally dont buy or drink soda...but if you mean remote as in "not anywhere near people or places" then i think the more important question is "how likely is it to get smashed to pieces so someone can take some cold sodas and your solar power system?"

/maybe if i was dying of thirst or something, i might buy one

 

[Toastedlightly]

To clear up some more questions:

Will the machine be able to accept credit card? In our design, yes
Who gets the profit/pays for the machine? This doesn't matter for the poll

And yes, the plan for this is to sell to vending machine companies to open potential new markets. Again, this is for an engineering course where we are going through a stage-gate development cycle to simulate how many companies operate their R&D.

 

[Scotteq]

I vote yes, but only if the machine can take credit card.

Or bill your cellphone, like in Europe and Asia.

 

[AstroManLuca]

if it can take cards then sure, if I'm thirsty

 

[Toastedlightly]

how remote?

i generally dont buy or drink soda...but if you mean remote as in "not anywhere near people or places" then i think the more important question is "how likely is it to get smashed to pieces so someone can take some cold sodas and your solar power system?"

/maybe if i was dying of thirst or something, i might buy one

Remote is up to the person placing it. I envision something ~1 mile into a park or something. A place where it isn't a problem to keep it stocked, but far enough so someone is more willing to purchase a soda instead of walk back.

 

[rcpratt]

I'm not really convinced that a $1 solar vending machine that accepts CCs in a remote location is going to be economically viable.

 

[KaOTiK]

If it sold water, yes. I don't drink soda

 

[PottedMeat]

a can of soda for $0.50 maybe, not $1.00

oh and a solar vending machine in the middle of nowhere -> stolen/disassembled/cracked open

 

[Toastedlightly]

I'm not really convinced that a $1 solar vending machine that accepts CCs in a remote location is going to be economically viable.

A remote location that gets traffic. We've costed a machine to be ~$7,000-8000 with a battery update after 7 years which costs $2500. A traditional soda machine of similar capacity costs ~$4000.

These machines typically last ~13 years. A few rough calcs showed profit in about 3 years on a regular vending machine and 5 years on the solar one.

It seems doable and besides, this is for a class. I'm not actually making this.

 

[Scotteq]

If it sold water, yes. I don't drink soda

A can of bottled water??

 

[Bignate603]

I'm not really convinced that a $1 solar vending machine that accepts CCs in a remote location is going to be economically viable.

They can do credit card transactions over cell phone systems. It could be in a place where getting power is prohibitive but still gets cell service.

 

[Imp]

There are already parking meters that run on solar that can take change, credit, and debit. They can also print shit, so vending machines shouldn't be too far out. Unless the mechanism uses that much juice.

 

[rcpratt]

They can do credit card transactions over cell phone systems. It could be in a place where getting power is prohibitive but still gets cell service.

I just meant the added expense of CC transactions.

Just giving him a hard time, though :sneaky: