Self service ice machines

[ScubaLatt]

I am thinking about buying one of those self service ice machines. Anyone on here have any ownership experience with one of these? I use them all the time but have a location (which i won't disclose) that would be ideal for one. Any input good or bad would be appreciated.

[adamsfence]

i have researched them the one here in oakdale does good business..i even call and talked to them guy told me to make sure they are pretty close cause when everything is good its good but when it starts messing up you will probly make several trips......i was going ahead with it till my wife shut me down said we had to many businesses now and she wasn't doing anymore paperwork.

good deal though no labor and most of the time self sufficent

[weedeater]

need one in westlake or tractor supply in the bluff or around gillis area

[ScubaLatt]

any idea of total start up cost?

[adamsfence]

Depends on the size one I was looking at was around 70.....not counting land and plumbing and other startup stuff

[booyagasha]

Seen em go for 99K BUT THAT WAS WHEN it first came out

[weedeater]

Originally Posted by booyagasha

Seen em go for 99K BUT THAT WAS WHEN it first came out

divide that by $1.25 and all the bags stuck on the post in front of the machine and it be paid for in bout a week, who would have thought that somthin that puts out ice would do so well in the bluff. i have an ice maker at home that will fill a 48qt chest every few hrs and i still go buy ice out of them things to fish and hunt

[Cajun Outdoors]

here is a link to some cheaper versions.

http://www.icemachinesintl.com/index...d=69&Itemid=87

I looked at getting into these around 2002 after seeing them in FL on business travel. The IceHouse versions require you to purchase parishes/counties for fees then the machines from them at about $100k each back then. The parishes I wanted were bought up and I ended up nixing the idea. Some buddies of mine ended up buying the ones above, they have two side by side and do pretty well with them.

It's an ideal setup for a C-store, bait shop already selling ice and not making much off of it. This way you can capture more of the profit. I don't use them that much as I usually buy my ice wherever I buy my beer/bait.

[weedeater]

does that girl come with the machine to fill bags, sign me up i will have everyone wanting ice at my machine

[Salty]

Vending machines! I'm tellin' ya...that's the way to go.

[Lake Chuck Duck]

Talk to a guy tonight that owns one. His startup was around 110 grand. You dont want one that is gonna stay broke. Location is gonna make or break you.