Bev Max Glass Fronts

[Chard]

I'm starting to consider glass fronts for our business.  Up to now we've always used stack vendors.

The models I've looked at are the Dixie 5591, Bev Max 4, and DN 5000.

There are not many of these floating around in the Midwest for sale so we have to ship them in.  This leaves me without the opportunity to test them and look at each to determine which direction we should go.

I understand the Bev Max 4 is a great machine, but they cost a lot.

We can pick up the 5591's for around $1,000 a piece.  I don't like the bottle drop and I expect bottles of all different shapes (squared bottles like starbucks) and materials are going to become more common as time goes on.  The thought of dropping any bottle from 3 or 4 feet up doesn't seem like a good idea.

As I have read the posts of the forum, I also am quite aware that the Bev Max 4 is superior to the 1, 2 and 3.

The model that I am unfamiliar with is the DN 5000.  This thing looks like a monster.  I would hate to move one of these, but I thought I would ask anyways.  What is this thing?  Is it a precursor to the Bevmax?

All info would be greatly appreciated!

Also for those of you who have purchased some after owning all stack vendors, what were the results on sales?

[AngryChris]

I'm not 100% sure on the history but, if I understand correctly, the DN 5000 was a coke model with an elevator and a conveyor belt.  I have my doubts if the model was ever made for anyone other than coke but I honestly don't know.  However, I would never recommend the DN 5000 to anyone.  In fact, I don't think you make a lot of sense going for the 5591 since the 5591 is an older model machine that predates the bevmax 1.  I think the DN 5000 was being produced around the time of the 5591.  For numbers sake, the Bevmax 1-4 are known as the DN 5800's.  Having said that, the Bevmax 4 is the most superior model, whereas the bevmax 2 and 3 are better than the bevmax 1, but the 5591 is probably better than the bevmax 1 due to reliability issues with the first version.  I may have my history or models off a bit, but I can tell you that the Bevmax 1 had problems, but those problems could be fixed by upgrading the machine ELECTRONICALLY to a bevmax 2, 3, or 4 (today, you would upgrade any of them to a bevmax 4).  However, there are some parts that are not interchangeable between versions due to the cabinet.  I know this first hand because I have a Bevmax that was originally a Bevmax 1 but "upgraded" to a bevmax 4, but I have to specify what kind of cooling deck I have inside or have the entire machine delivered to the place I have refrigeration work done (which is what I did last time).

Now that my rant is over, I think you should consider a few things.  The 5591 is known as a bottle drop version as you already know.  There are many people here to have those models and they are known to be decently reliable and can make a lot of money.  However, I feel like deciding between a bottle drop or a stack vendor is a tossup.  A stack vendor is far more reliable and controlling dates is MUCH easier, but a bottle drop machine sells more varieties and can drive better sales because of it.  You WON'T get the "oh wow" factor when people use the machine just to see the robotic movement that you would with a bevmax 1-4, but you can still have better sales.  However, the machines are getting older and these machines should really only be put in a place that needs a variety, but not in a location where a competitor might try to take it from you by offering a newer glassfront or even a newer stack vendor that "works better" in the event that people complain about your bottle drop machine.

I'm not against bottle drops and I think they still have their place, but I believe stack vendors are just too reliable.  You probably got where you are because of stack vendors (in addition to snack machines) and you already know that most stack vendors just keep working and working with proper maintenance.  Plus, they have a smaller foot print.  So... in summary, if you are dealing with a high volume location (ie. you sell 10+ cases of bottles each week) and you want to maximize your profits, then you should probably consider biting the bullet and going with a bevmax 4.  They are pretty reliable (not as good as something like a 501e or Royal Merlin IV though), they hold a lot of bottles (about 360 bottles/15 cases), and they drive extra sales due to having more varieties AND because people like to see them work.  You could also warrant putting a refurbished stack vendor next to a bevmax at such a location with your best sellers as an auxiliary machine/backup, but you don't have to.... I just don't like the idea of putting a glassfront without some sort of backup stack vendor.  If you are talking about locations that sell less than 4 cases each week, then a bottle drop may work out fine but a stack vendor would too.  Bottle drops do increase sales due to extra variety, but they also suffer at slow locations because you have to put something in the slots to make them look like you are actually stocking the thing.

I know it's a long post, but I have dealt with a few glassfront soda machines in the past and I own a bevmax now.  If I could, I would rid the entire industry of them so that we would only be able to use stack vendors OR coolers at micro markets.  I feel like glassfronts are in an odd spot and should really only be used at high volume locations where you can fit a stack vendor next to it.  I have really struggled with this, but I decided to avoid the large locations that warrant such machines and focus more on the accounts that do no more than $15k/year.  I know your situations is different though and you're trying to get a much bigger bite in your local market.  I just think you're better off either going big or going home (go with a bevmax 4 at the larger locations or stay with a stack vendor at the smaller locations).

[AZVendor]

JC Chris, you write a book in every post.  The DN 5000 was an abortion designed primarily for Coke (5800) though the generic 5000 was only a bit better.  You should still avoid either as they are the Bev 2s that never worked right for long.  The Bev 3 was the result of the updates to the Bev 2 but it also had problems.  The much better Bev 4 has all the updates that the previous models needed.  The original Bevmax in the 5591 configuration is a good machine if you shim each selection properly.  Dropping a drink from the top shelf is not a concern due to the design of the recovery unit (delivery bin) that ECC originally designed.  Just make sure you have working drop sensors so a second product can't be dropped on another.

[AngryChris]

16 minutes ago, AZVendor said:

JC Chris, you write a book in every post.  The DN 5000 was an abortion designed primarily for Coke (5800) though the generic 5000 was only a bit better.  You should still avoid either as they are the Bev 2s that never worked right for long.  The Bev 3 was the result of the updates to the Bev 2 but it also had problems.  The much better Bev 4 has all the updates that the previous models needed.  The original Bevmax in the 5591 configuration is a good machine if you shim each selection properly.  Dropping a drink from the top shelf is not a concern due to the design of the recovery unit (delivery bin) that ECC originally designed.  Just make sure you have working drop sensors so a second product can't be dropped on another.

Sorry Randy.  I am who I am lol.

[Chard]

Thank you guys.  What are the prices you should expect to pay for a good Bev Max 4?

[AngryChris]

New? An arm and maybe a leg.  I think they are over $6,000.  

[arkhusker]

I agree with what's been said. The DN5000 is a lousy machine. Coke has tried twice to bring me one and I just send them back. People could stick their hand in the port to block delivery of product and the machine would vend a second one and give them two. The Bevmax 4 is worth the extra $. We have very little trouble with them; the slides/pushers and the product cup being the worst of it, at least for us. The Royal RVV500 is also a good machine once the bugs are worked out of them. When Coke sends them, I have to spend several days periodically testing them and fixing what they didn't. After that, we have very little trouble with them. 
 

[arkhusker]

Oh and Royal's support is far better than Crane/Dixie Narco.

[PHX1]

1 hour ago, arkhusker said:

I agree with what's been said. The DN5000 is a lousy machine. Coke has tried twice to bring me one and I just send them back. People could stick their hand in the port to block delivery of product and the machine would vend a second one and give them two. The Bevmax 4 is worth the extra $. We have very little trouble with them; the slides/pushers and the product cup being the worst of it, at least for us. The Royal RVV500 is also a good machine once the bugs are worked out of them. When Coke sends them, I have to spend several days periodically testing them and fixing what they didn't. After that, we have very little trouble with them. 
 

We also have some of the new bevmaxes with the touch screens. They have worked great and have allowed us to be more competitive with other vendors that use old or re manufactured equipment