POLL: Soda Vending Machines

[nanette1985]

I voted no because I wouldn't trust it. How do i know it got enough sun to keep it powered? Don't want to waste my dollar or get icky soda.

I think you'd be better off marketing the thing to the eco-crowd who are really into solar this and that. And, it should charge $2.00 or even more, so that people know it's really upscale.

 

[Toastedlightly]

I just meant the added expense of CC transactions.

Just giving him a hard time, though :sneaky:

We've been grilled on these questions over and over and over during this process. I think we've given ~4 15 minute presentations on this product for class. I do however appreciate these comments so we can address them in our final presentation.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Refrigeration takes a bit of power. I don't think that a solar panel the size of the top of a vending machine would be able to provide enough power for the compressor. Then throw in a cloudy day....

 

[rcpratt]

I voted no because I wouldn't trust it. How do i know it got enough sun to keep it powered? Don't want to waste my dollar or get icky soda.

I think you'd be better off marketing the thing to the eco-crowd who are really into solar this and that. And, it should charge $2.00 or even more, so that people know it's really upscale.

Interesting thought. Don't most vending machines show the refrigerator temp on the little screen though? I think that'd be enough for me.

 

[BurnItDwn]

If it took a credit card and sold beer, then yes.
Or if it ground up coffee beans and made a bigass cup of coffee, then yes.
Or if it dispensed hot water into a bigass cup and came with a tea bag, then yes.
Or if it was a free water fountain then yes.

 

[Numenorean]

A can of soda? No. A bottle of soda? Yes.

 

[Joseph F]

Where's the option for "Hell Fucking No"?
I can get a 2-liter bottle of Soda for 89 cents at my store.

 

[mmntech]

We get hosed on soda pricing here. I've seen cans go for $1.50. So yeah, I definitely would.

 

[Spikesoldier]

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.

sorry, that answer doesnt work because the parking meters are very much within the infrastructure of the city.

 

[hanoverphist]

i voted no, but only because a buck is too much for a can of soda. i can see people paying for it tho if they are tired and in the middle of something where they didnt want to walk to a close store or snack bar. the whole purpose for using solar is to cut down the costs of dragging electrical service to the location, as well as continued power costs.. if you couold anchor it and be reasonably sure it wouldnt get stolen or broken, id say its a good idea. im writing a submittal right now for free standing, solar powered repeater sites in the middle of nowhere, and we have some pretty stringent requirements for bulletproofing.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Yea, a dollar is too much. I won't spend more than 50 cents on cans of soda. Is this stuff even going to be refrigerated? You're going to have a machine out in the sun running on only solar power. What's this vending machine going to be shaped like to fit enough panels on it, and what happens after a few days of cloudy weather?

 

[PottedMeat]

i figure if it's going to be in a well trafficked area lights and wired electric power will be close behind.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Thanks for the replies. We've designed a unit that has a large enough solar panel to work for this application (its ~5m^2 or so, rather ungainly). The only reason I have cans right now is that all of our pricing information is in cans. A bottle would probably be

Hanoverphist, you do have the idea down (and it sounds like you are doing something similar but for real ).

 

[Paladin3]

The fact that the machine is solar powered would have zero weight on my decision to buy the soda. My purchase would be based on my thirst, the product offered, convenience and the availability of cheaper alternatives.

I don't find $1 for a 12oz can of name brand soda to be an especially exorbitant price since I've paid $3 for a 20oz bottle at places like theme parks. Even at a grocery store or a discount retailer like Wal-mart, a cold 20oz bottle of soda is often closer to $1.30 and cold single cans are usually not even offered.

Then again, when I go out for the day and think I may need drinks I usually bring my own. I'd rather buy a 24 pack of soda for $7 then buy single cans for $1, or just drink water.

 

[hanoverphist]

Hanoverphist, you do have the idea down (and it sounds like you are doing something similar but for real ).

yup, but for radio repeaters, not for refreshments. although when i was a drafter, i used to line in a cappuccino machine for the last spare in the power schematics. one frumpy engineer complained tho and i had to stop doing it.

 

[hanoverphist]

The fact that the machine is solar powered would have zero weight on my decision to buy the soda. My purchase would be based on my thirst, the product offered, convenience and the availability of cheaper alternatives.

I don't find $1 for a 12oz can of name brand soda to be an especially exorbitant price since I've paid $3 for a 20oz bottle at places like theme parks. Even at a grocery store or a discount retailer like Wal-mart, a cold 20oz bottle of soda is often closer to $1.30 and cold single cans are usually not even offered.

i must be spoiled in that respect, the machine here at work is 50 cents, and the only other place id buy a can of soda out of a machine is my friends custom shop, and those are 75 cents. otherwise ill get a 44oz iced tea from circle k for 79 cents.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

answered no, but not because of location or price. well maybe price, but its the same reason i avoid vending machines in general. dont want to pay a premium for something i can elsewhere cheaper

 

[alkemyst]

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

79 cents now at many convenience stores here. 21 cents to not deal with some stoner at the register is a godsend.

 

[MotionMan]

The fact that it is solar does not factor into my decision.

If I wanted a soda and was willing to pay $1 for it are the only factors.

Since I have doen that in the past, I voted yes.

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

OP, are you asking if people would pay more for a can of soda if they knew is was from a solar machine?

(I don't think you are, but I just want to be sure.)

MotionMan

 

[Cerb]

Soda? No. If it's remote enough to not get power, I'd be walking. So, non-carbonated beverages, especially less sweetened ones (like steaz), water, nasty electrolyte drinks, etc., would be way better, though I still wouldn't pay for them.

Solar or not would have no influence. Whether it is a good location for a vending machine would, though, and if good locations can't get electrical service...

However, lychee or coconut nectar? Oh Hell yes. I pay $1/ea. for those, as it is, though .

$1 is now on the low side of costs for vending machines, these days, as well, so I don't get its significance.

 

[ShawnD1]

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.

Add $50 car battery to store charge. Done.

OP, are you asking if people would pay more for a can of soda if they knew is was from a solar machine?

Most machines I see charge $1.25 for a can of soda so $1 would actually be a discount

 

[soulcougher73]

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

This. So $1 in a remote area would be no problem...assuming i had cash. May want to put in some kind of satelite credit card swipper as well

 

[chusteczka]

Very few refrigerated vending machines are placed outside in direct sunlight. The sun's energy heats and raises the internal temperature of the machine. Therefore, most refrigerated vending machines are either placed indoors (as mentioned previously), in a shady area, or on the north side of a building.

This means that a refrigerated vending machine as a single unit will be of little use. However, a solar paneled roof built directly over an outdoor vending machine could be used both to block the sunlight and generate power for the vending machines.

 

[Toastedlightly]

OP, are you asking if people would pay more for a can of soda if they knew is was from a solar machine?

(I don't think you are, but I just want to be sure.)

MotionMan

No. I just added in information to preempt the questions about why there is a soda machine located "remotely" with no visible source of power.