15 replies to this topic

[scottgtt]

Does anyone know if these guys are still in business. they don't answer phones etc... and I need to contact them.

[coinopdirect]

Does anyone know if these guys are still in business. they don't answer phones etc... and I need to contact them.

Good Question.

I noticed that their chat boards have been on "Upgrade Mode" for the past few months.

[nekegu]

I just received a freight shipment from them two days ago. Business as usual, as far as I know.

Rick

[caserri]

I noticed that their chat boards have been on "Upgrade Mode" for the past few months.

Yeah, I thought I was kicked off or something. I havent been able to log on over there since early this year. No respose to emails either. I recently spoke with Craig (ex moderator) and he told me "it was coming" wouldnt elaborate though.

Good to see you on here Rick! Im looking forward to your insight. Are you still doing the bulk or have you gone all coffee now?

[nekegu]

I recently spoke with Craig (ex moderator) and he told me "it was coming" wouldnt elaborate though.

Well that's more than I've heard (which is nothing). I hope it comes back -- there was a lot of great information there and I'd hate to think it's lost forever.

Good to see you on here Rick! Im looking forward to your insight.

Haha... like I have any.

Are you still doing the bulk or have you gone all coffee now?

Bulk's been on hold for lack of time, so I only have the two locations from early on. I still plan to ramp it up come Fall when my "benefits job" ends and I go full time with vending. Quite the opposite from going "all coffee," I'd like to branch into other areas as well when I can (soda for example). That won't be for a while, though.

Thanks for the welcome!

Rick

[caserri]

QUOTE
Good to see you on here Rick! Im looking forward to your insight.

Haha... like I have any.

I know better than that Rick. You have a wealth of knowledge and information to share. I enjoyed your insight on VT and I'm glad to have you here as well.

[Monty]

Has anyone heard of the barista Supremo Gourmet Coffe vending machines??? I am trying to find out if they would be a good way to start my vending business.

Monty

[VendingGuyNYC]

How much are the Gourmet Butler machines now?

[scottgtt]

How much are the Gourmet Butler machines now?

To the best of my knowledge they are still in the $3000.00 range. They will occassionally run a special, but I havent seen any in a while. I ended up getting in touch with them and they were still operating. I needed a part and found it. I have seven and can't decide if I want to keep them or sell them. Scott

[coinopdirect]

To the best of my knowledge they are still in the $3000.00 range. They will occassionally run a special, but I havent seen any in a while. I ended up getting in touch with them and they were still operating. I needed a part and found it. I have seven and can't decide if I want to keep them or sell them. Scott

Scott,

Are you still running the Gourmet Butlers?
I am curious how they have performed for you?

I liked the concept when they first came out but I thought they were overpriced.
Were you able to recoup your ROI?

Thanks,
Leo

[scottgtt]

I have one on location and am getting ready to pull it. It is not that these are bad machines or anything like that, they just require more attention than I can give them. Slow accounts still have to be cleaned as often as busy accounts and if you don't they gunk up and cause problems. We have had some good accounts, but we are in full line vending and just haven't been able to get these into the mix like we thought we would. Quite frankly, I would like to have a exclusive coffee route with nothing else, it is more profitable and takes less work. If I ever sell off the vending, I may go strictly with coffee. For the time being, I am trying to decide whether to hang onto the Butlers or sell them because I don't know when I will be able to focus on them again.
Scott

[coinopdirect]

I have been leaning towards coffee as well.

I just can't decide on what type of machine I want to utilize.

There is a lot of competition in my area (even the spring water delivery people have a coffee service now) and I want a quality machine to dispense a quality product that will reflect the quality of my service.

I am also not sure if I should go coin-op or lease / product purchase. It appears each has it's own pro's & cons.

So I am looking for a machine that can be equipped with coin-op if needed and run without when not required.
Plus if I stick to one machine make / model I should be able to keep repair costs to a minimum as I would only need to stock parts for one type and keep my equipment up more.

What other machines have you looked at that other than GB's?

[scottgtt]

I have a few full size AP machines which I would not recognize unless you are putting them in a full line vending location and a Crane cafe 7. This is a good machine, but the Butlers are lots easier to use. I really have no issues with the Butlers, I can honestly say my biggest problem with them has been me and my route guys. We just haven't done a good job of servicing them and I feel like we need to get away from it for a while then mabee get back in in a year or so. I have the luxury of stepping back because our full service vending is growing well so I consider ourselves lucky.

[tedk]

I have been leaning towards coffee as well.

I just can't decide on what type of machine I want to utilize.

There is a lot of competition in my area (even the spring water delivery people have a coffee service now) and I want a quality machine to dispense a quality product that will reflect the quality of my service.

I am also not sure if I should go coin-op or lease / product purchase. It appears each has it's own pro's & cons.

So I am looking for a machine that can be equipped with coin-op if needed and run without when not required.
Plus if I stick to one machine make / model I should be able to keep repair costs to a minimum as I would only need to stock parts for one type and keep my equipment up more.

What other machines have you looked at that other than GB's?

Leo: Where are you located? I have one Butler that I am going to sell. I had it on location for about a year, but I lost the location. Right now I'm not reallly doing any coffee so I'm just going to sell this one off.

Ted

[coinopdirect]

Leo: Where are you located? I have one Butler that I am going to sell. I had it on location for about a year, but I lost the location. Right now I'm not reallly doing any coffee so I'm just going to sell this one off.

Ted

Ted,

I'm in Richmond, VA.
I am still in the planning stage at this time but I may be interested in buying yours.

How much are you selling it for?

Thanks,
Leo

[scottgtt]

If your looking to buy some, I have seven I will let go cheap. We are getting out of this side of our business. We just don't have the set up to maintain them properly. Most of mine work fine althoug a couple need to be cleaned out etc... I will work out a good deal with you. If interested, let me know and we can get a hold of each other privately.
Scott