Apple Leisure Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 I moved it up to that price from a dollar some time ago and it seems to have really affected sales. Perhaps I should have gone to $1.10 or $1.15 but those seem like awkward prices to me. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen watson Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 $1.25 is good. $1.50 if you pay a commission. I don’t see a difference in sales between the 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 I'm at $1.10 on average. It has affected sales but so many customers (particularly small ones) complain about a $1 candy bar that I don't care if they don't want to buy them. I'm trying to reduce candy selections anyway. Don't want a candy bar? Fine, buy a bag of chips instead. I saw a competitor that had a Google review and a customer complained about "high prices" because a candy bar was a dollar. The bulk of these people just can't accept that prices go up over time, especially in vending machines. They complain no matter what, even if you're the cheapest vendor around. One tip I have is to try to have card readers whenever possible because it will be easier to get sales over $1. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randymire Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 $1.25 is a good price now . From my experience, anytime I go up on price my sales go down and sometimes it may be down for a few months but it’ll go back up . Whatever you do don’t go back down because once you do that then your customer knows that that can make you go down whenever you increase the price again. I learned this the hard way when I was new in the business. Personally I go up every January but sometimes you do have to go up during the year. Be patient and stick it out . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen watson Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 Hi Chris 🤚 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post allen watson Posted August 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 15, 2020 About 10 years ago I had all my prices super low and people loved me. But then I went broke and had to file bankruptcy. While sitting in court I looked around and notice that not one of my loyal low price loving customers were there to support me. So now when someone asks for lower prices I think back to that time and just smile and tell them that ain’t ever going to happen. In fact, prices are going up. Also, vending machines are not a bargain, they are a convenience. Say it to yourself over and over until you believe it. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southeast Treats Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 I went to 1.25 and am thinking about going to 1.50. Look at candy prices in your local c-stores. I'm cutting selections also. Candy sales are down and it's not just prices. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 I went up from $1.00 to $1.25 on my regular accounts and up to $1.35 for the few commission accounts I have. Sales died, but covid hit right after I did it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc vending Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 I went to 1.25 awhile ago sales dropped but we make more money per candy bar. Sales eventually level off I convert all machines with two candy trays to one. Candy should probably be 1.50 but a $1 is to cheap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tblake05 Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 Ours are going to 1.25 first of the year also. Candy sales have definitely slowed, but they'll rebound after the election when covid is gone. At least they have a decent shelf life. Couldn't agree more with the previous comments. Some people would complain if prices were at .50 cents a candy bar. They just don't get it. The machine is not free, My time is not free, My fuel is not free, My product is not free. They'd complain a lot more if I raised prices every time my cost went up. Had a guy complain one time to me stating "you should let me know next time your going to increase prices so I can buy stuff right before you do".... Yeah.... My response.... "Does the gas station tell you they are increasing gas prices before they do? He probably didn't like that, but he didn't buy much from me anyway. Plus he doesn't work there anymore. Sometimes the biggest complainers are the ones who never buy anything. I just don't get peoples thought processes. Candy bars are 1.00 from a vending machines??? Thats a Rip-Off!!!!, the same people pay 1.69 at the convenience store plus sales tax and don't even think twice. I've become immune to the pricing complaints. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post allen watson Posted August 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2020 I went to a convenience store and bought a snickers. It was $1.59. None of them were outdated. So I raised mine to $1.50 and taped copies of the receipt to the inside of the machines. A vending machine is a convenience store but more convenient 😂 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamvend Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 I came on here today to find this exact discussion. I've been at $1.25 on candy bars for quite some time now. The manufacturers are squeezing us with the cost of most bars costing upwards of 70 cents or even 75 cents here in the Northeast, I am toying with the idea of going to $1.50 after the first of the year. I am probably going to do the same with pastries. I just activated two tier pricing on all of my USAT devices which at one time I thought i was going to get hell for but, sofar I haven't heard a peep. I mean, if we can't earn a reasonable living doing this then what the heck is the point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen watson Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 I’m running both 1.25 and 1.50 For candy and pastries on separate machines just for comparison. Both hotels in the same area. I see no difference in sales whatsoever. End of the year I’m going to 1.50 for both. My thought on price hikes are not to do them at the beginning of the year but at the end. Just Incase I have to raise them in June/July I can say I haven’t raised them since last year lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southeast Treats Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 6 hours ago, Gamvend said: The manufacturers are squeezing us with the cost of most bars costing upwards of 70 cents or even 75 cents here in the Northeast, It's that way everywhere. Prices for sugar and cocoa are going up on the manufacturers. I'm paying 79 for some of my candy now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NexusLuke Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 I have been at $1.25 since the beginning of the year, then COVID hit. My candy sales have plummeted, nearly stagnated, to the point I am trying to think of other things to sell in the candy row. Even before the virus hit they went way down. The one exception is Sweet Tart Ropes, but they have been out of stock since March at Sam's Club Online, and I have exhausted my supply. They were selling out weekly. Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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