BACK ORDER REALITY

The wine cooler and beverage center manufacturers enjoyed record sales for the months of November and December last year.  Up to that time, the industry showed a great reluctance to maintain high stock levels of their products.  As a result, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers were faced with many orders that they couldn’t fill.  Back orders of these products became the rule rather than the exception.  Demand exceeding expected levels and lack of stock caused many a customer frustration.  The back order situation is still an issue as we start 2012.

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 

The last couple of years, manufacturers generally did not expend a lot of money with new product development because of the general state of the economy.  For the last couple of years, the cooler models available for purchase remained a relative steady and unchanging list for customers to consider.  Since the first of the year, our business experienced an increase of discontinued models.  In our case, the discontinued models accounted for about 6 to 8 percent of our offered products.  Manufacturers at the same time began introducing new replacement wine cooler models, but the reality is they are still trying to catch up.

PRICE ESCALATION

Another customer reality is that prices on beverage and wine cooling appliances are increasing.  Pricing on many items have increased anywhere from 5 to 15 percent in the last 30 days.  Everyone will be paying more for these products as the year progresses.  Most manufactures now employ MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) pricing strategies for most of their best-selling top of the line models.  Customers will find it harder to find deals on the MAP priced products as everyone is required to advertise them at the same minimum price.  Retailers that violate MAP pricing directives can be suspended from offering these products in the future.  Pricing competition is obviously reduced as manufacturers and suppliers seek higher profits after a couple of tough years of declining business revenues.

THE FUTURE STATE 

I believe that the industry will use 2012 to settle into a situation where they will continue to develop new and innovative products to sell and get a better handle on demand so they can reduce the constant back order situation we are now in.  Of course, the state of our American economy and its ability to sustain consistent growth will ultimately define any industry outcome.

MY RECOMENDATIONS 

I do have some recommendations for you the consumer.  First, if you run into a situation of a back ordered product, don’t be reluctant to get on the list for the first restocked items.  Sometimes it is better to wait a bit rather than “miss the boat” on what you want.  Be sure and ask for price protection as newly stocked items might come with a price increase if you wait to purchase them later. Second, seek out a company where customer service is important.  Call the company and talk to a real human-being rather than a menu.  Companies that value you as a customer should make personal contact with you as your order moves forward.  Third, when purchasing the more expensive appliances, call the company sales people and ask for delivery capabilities and price breaks.  You will never know what is possible unless you ask.  Fourth, large companies don’t always have the best deals nor are they necessarily able to provide the best personalized customer services.  Some smaller retailers will be able to fill your needs just as well.  Lastly, when buying anything of significant price, do your research and perhaps go beyond page one of the search engine listing.

Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, 1/24/2012

Weight and Distance

If one is looking for a wine refrigerator that will store 24+ plus bottles of wine or a beverage center that will store over hundred cans, you must realize these appliances are going to weigh in at 100 pounds plus.  Weight is not the only factor related to shipping.   UPS, FedEx or standard freight shipping is also based on distance from the warehouse pick-up spot to the home or business of the consumer.  Obviously, an item warehoused in Los Angeles, for example, will cost more to ship to New York City than the same item warehoused in New Jersey.

Over Sized Package

Most shipping companies also have restrictions based on package sizing.  UPS typically will add an additional charge of over $50.00 per package for shipments exceeding their predetermined size limits.  This additional charge often results from “double-boxing” the wine cooler and beverage center appliances.  These appliances often come with glass doors and adjustable legs making them particularly vulnerable to damage from the shippers without the added box protection.

Delivery Issues

UPS and FedEx home deliveries are really geared to handle smaller packages quickly and efficiently, but give them something that weighs over 100 pounds and that quick and efficient operation begins to deteriorate.  Image a package delivery driver that comes to your neighborhood to deliver a heavy package to you and has to “man-handle” this heavy package to your door.  Our neighborhood UPS driver doesn’t even have a dolly to move it with.  One of our customers reported that their driver struggled with their delivery and eventually dropped it on the ground.  Our “double-boxing” requirement saved it from damage.

Wine Cooler Pricing Verus Cost

Any seller of wine and beverage refrigerators obviously has to purchase their products from a factory or wholesaler.  They also must determine the best pricing structure for retailing the appliances considering base cost, overhead expenses and required profit margin.  Shipping costs also become part of the marketing consideration.  Consumers are going to look at the bottom line by adding up product cost, shipping cost and potential sales tax costs.  The retailer that can market the “best bottom line” to the consumer will get the sale.  Retailers will use several different strategies for determining market bottom line figures.

Consumer Bottom Line

Consumers will rightfully continue to look at their bottom line total cost.  However, I believe they need to be more aware of the shipping dilemmas related to appliance weights, distance and boxing protection.  Before you buy take the time to call the retailer, some times better deals can be made than are presented on the web site.  For example, if a buyer is from an area near our warehouses, they will have much reduced delivery prices that apply or they may even be able to pick-up the item themselves.  Lastly, look for personal customer service where you can talk to a human-being and get the true facts about your bottom line.

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

Ideal Wine Coolers recognizes that much of the country is covered with that wonderfull white stuff called SNOW.   We are trying to melt some of it down by offering a sizzling hot winter sale of all of our products.  We feature an extensive line of undercounter, freestanding, dual zone, countertop, thermoelectric and locking wine coolers.   If you would like beverage storage that adds to your stylish furniture collection, we also carry wine cabinet furnture in many capacities and finishes.

Ideal Wine Coolers has over 200 different products for you to peruse that will meet your needs.  We pride ourselves on the personalized services we provide.  If you want to talk to a human-being instead of a computer, just call us on our toll free line (888-501-7749).  We will be more than happy to answer your questions and we even will take your order over the phone.  Just ask for Ron or Belinda.

We also want to extend our thanks and appreciation to our many customers from last year. 

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

Be sure an take advantage of our Year End Inventory Sale.

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

(discounts up to 30% off our regular pricing)

Ideal Wine Coolers  decided that our customers should not have to wait until the Friday after Thanksgiving to find shopping bargains.  We decided Black Friday should start today!!  Additionally, to make this a real bonanza for some lucky buyer during our Black Friday Sale Event, we will award one of our customers with a $100 rebate on their purchase.  This special sale will last until December 15th, 2010.  All buyers during this sale event will qualify for the drawing.  December 16th we will randomnly draw the winner’s name.  The winner will received a $100 rebate on their credit card statement.  During this Black Friday Bargain Sale, we have discounted up to 30% off on all of our wine coolers, beverage centers, ice makers, compact refrigerators, mini freezers and beer keg coolers.  See our Sale Pricing Page of our website for further details.

All of our primary brand name products (Danby, EdgeStar, Summit, Haier and Vinotemp) are included in this special BLACK FRIDAY SALE.  This sale will last until December 15, 2010.  If you ever had an inclination to purchase one of these products, do it now and save money.

Special note for you buyers:  To guarantee a December 24 delivery, items should be purchased by December 15th, 2010.  

Visit our website and see our over 195 different products by Vinotemp, EdgeStar, Danby, Summit and Haier.

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

On a brighter note, I am pleased to announce our October Halloween Super Sale.  We have discounted all our wine coolers, wine refrigerators, beverage centers, ice makers and keg coolers from 5% to 30%.  This special offer will last through the month of October.   All four of our primary product brands (Danby, EdgeStar, Haier and Vinotemp) are included in this special offering.  If you have ever contemplated a purchase of a wine cooler, beverage center, portable ice maker or beer keg cooler, this sale provides you with a great opportunity to save some real money.

Author:  Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

Beer Keg Sizes 

In the U.S., common keg sizes are the 1/6 barrel, ¼ barrel, and ½ barrel.  The 1/6 barrel is often called a “torpedo” keg, ¼ barrel is also called a “pony keg” and the ½ barrel is most often referred to as a “full keg”.  When full, the ½ barrel will weigh some where around 160 pounds, only 30 pounds when empty.  Full kegs are typically 23 to 24 inches tall, 16 to 17 inches in diameter and generally hold 15 ½ gallons of beer or approximately 165 12-ounce glasses. The standard keg size in Europe is 50 liters, but 20 and 30-liter keg options are also available. 

Keg Construction 

Aluminum and occasionally stainless steel are the primary metals used to manufacture draft beer kegs.  From the opening in the top, a tube extends to the bottom of the keg.  At the top of the tube, a self-closing value is opened when the tapping key is inserted.  A small opening allows the carbon dioxide to drive the beer out of the keg.  The coupling fitting has valves that control the flow of beer out of and the flow of gas into a keg. 

The Life of a Keg 

A brewery will receive large quantities of empty kegs each day.  Each keg is first pressure washed with a water and detergent mixture and then completely rinsed with fresh water.  Before the keg is refilled, it is sanitized to kill all bacteria that maybe present.  Each full keg is then filled, sealed and the exterior is again rinsed off.  The kegs are loaded on racks and moved to a cold storage room for a few days before they are ready to ship.  The entire process from the initial cleaning to the distribution to retail and home customers could take as long as 15 to 20 days.  Because the vast majority of draft beer is unpasteurized, keg beers will usually only stay good for a total of 45 to 60 days after filling.  It is important to know that once you purchase a keg for your use that generally means it had better be used in about 30 to 40 days.  You must subtract the time spent refilling and distributing the kegs from the total keg beer life.  Kegs are usually stamped with a “use before” date that will make it easy to track. 

Draught Beer Euipment NEEDED!! 

If you really like draft beer, you will need the right equipment to keep it fresh as long as possible.  Draft beer must be kept refrigerated between 35 and 44 degrees F.  If the temperature gets above 5o degrees, the beer will start to turn sour and cloudy in a matter of a few days as bacteria starts to grow.  The fresh brewery taste and aroma will be lost.  Beer dispensing refrigerators are readily available from a number of quality manufacturers.  Most kegerators come with CO2 bottles, tapping devices and approved beer-dispensing lines.  Some of the keg coolers also come with extra shelving that make converting your cooler to a refrigerator easy.  A key factor that will help keep your beer from foaming is keeping your tubing and taper clean.  You can purchase cleaning kits especially designed to keep all your keg equipment from tainting the taste of your beer.

Draft beer is better for you than canned beer.  

The Diamondbacks did win the game I was watching by beating Milwaukee 2 to 1.  They now have a mini win streak of three games.  Some people argue that draft beer is better for you than canned beer.   As I always say, buy the draft beer of your choice, get a beer keg cooler to preserve the brew’s flavor and enjoy it immensely. 

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, August 2010

Our Danby Black 4.4 Cu. Ft. Stainless Door Pony Keg Beer Cooler will cool your 1/4 beer keg with ease. The kegerator comes with a black cabinet with a stainless steel door. The molded worktop, black beer tower dispenser with chrome trim and the chrome guard rail give this keg cooler a professional look. Features that will add to the enjoyment of this beer keg cooler are 2 cantilever wire shelves, auto cycle defrost, reversible door hinges and included drip tray. This Danby Keg Cooler comes with a Co2 tank and all the necessary fittings to start serving cold draft beer immediately. The Co2 tank is shipped empty for safety reasons. You can fill your tanks locally at places like welding shops, fire extinguisher service centers, hospital gas suppliers and party stores. A full Co2 Tank will provide enough gas for about 5 to 7 kegs. You will be the envy of all your friends the first time they enjoy an ice cold draft beer at your home. Look no further for superior kegerators.

FEATURES:

* Pony Sized Kegs
* Black Cabinet with Stainless Steel Door
* Auto Cycle Defrost
* 5 Pound Co2 Tank with Hardware Included (tank needs charging)
* Scratch Resistant Top
* Reversible Door Hinge
* Chrome guard rail included
* Black/chrome Beer Tower Dispenser
* 2 Cantilever Wire Shelves
* Drip Tray included

CAPACITY:
* Pony Sized Kegs
* Co2 Tank: 5 Pounds under 1800 PSI

DIMENSIONS:
* Kegerator: Width 20 3/4 Inches x Depth 21 8/16 Inches x Height 33 Inches
* Co2 Tank: 5.5 Inches Diameter x 18.25 Inches Tall

SHIPPING UPS:
* Calculated Based on Weight & Zip Code

IN STOCK; READY FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING. ONCE IN A LIFETIME CLOSE-OUT PRICING!!
LIMITED STOCK ON THIS CLOSEOUT ITEM: BUY IT TODAY

MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY:
* 18 months parts and labor

EXTENDED WARRANTIES:
* Available For Purchase On This Product
* For More Information Go To the “Warranty” Page Tab

Check out our selection of free-standing and undercounter wine coolers

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

A sports fan as defined in the dictionary is “an enthusiastic devotee or follower of sports.” A sports fanatic, as I am, is “a person with an extreme enthusiasm or zeal for sports.” The difference between a fan and fanatic is a matter of degree. A fanatic will follow, watch and comment on any and every sport that is on the forefront for the day.

A sports fanatic will know something about every sport played. They know whether a sport is presided over by a referee, umpire, official, timer or judge. They know which sport requires the players to police and enforce their own rules. When asked in what sport do the game officials run around in shorts, a fanatic will know the answer. They know that some sports officials are “zebras,” and they know why.

A sports fan or fanatic will try his or her best to attend every sport in person. Most of the time that is impossible. Therefore, sports fans and fanatics need a minimum set of tools to advance their passions. The first tool is old school, the AM/FM radio. Of course, satellite radios with multiple sports channels are an advancement that is often pursued. The next tool in the set is the various kinds of computers and hand-held electronic devices that can send text messages, pictures, e-mails, news flashes, surf the web, etc.

The ultimate and most vital tool is the television, but not just any ordinary one. The television must be Hi-Def with a screen as big as a drive-in movie theater. The sound system must be multi-speaker surround sound that will rattle the walls. The theater furniture must include big soft couches, recliners and footstools, enough for all your sports-watching friends. You cannot claim to have been there “to see it” unless at least you watch it on TV.

To complete the ambiance of the sports watching experience you also need food, chips, dip, peanuts, pizza, nuts and of course the basic hot dog with mustard, ketchup and onions. The last item is the beverage. Canned beverages are okay, but just like being at the ballpark, the draft beer would be the ultimate.

Today, there are many options for draft beer at home. Some companies offer mini-kegs that easily slip into the refrigerator, if there is room. A better solution is to purchase one of the many keg refrigerators, coolers or dispensers now available on the market. There are mini, pony and standard keg refrigerators that can handle pressurized or non-pressurized products. Some keg coolers are set up to dispense more than one type of beer, are insulated for indoor as well as outdoor use and can convert to keep other beverages cool as well.

Whether you are a sports fan or a rabid fanatic, the enjoyment is the experience of seeing the “big play” or the “once in a life time match up.” My home theater is fully equipped and ready for use with my sports friends. I was lucky in life because I found and married another sports fanatic. Actually, I would have to say she is more like a sports “nut,” which is even more severe than a fanatic is.

For more information see: http://www.idealwinecoolers.com/page/home/index.html

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers