There's a buzz around Camelback Road and this time rather than the latest great car deal, the excitement centers around a proposed vending machine to be installed at Frye Fleet Sales’ retail location at 2226 W Camelback Road in Phoenix, Ariz. by the end of the year.
"This is definitely a game changer," said Patrick O'Connell, Internet director for the independent car dealer in a prepared statement. "I like to think of it as a 'Freedom Machine.' It's our little way of making the world a better place. Instead of outrageous prices for a can of soda varying from 65 cents to $1.35 that only the so-called 1 percent can afford, we’re resetting the clock back to the 80’s with prices at 25 cents a can."
Currently in its initial stages of planning, the new machine promises even more radical changes. There has been a major push to introduce snacks. The current machine offers a limited selection of four carbonated soft drinks, iced tea, and two kinds of bottled water. The new machine is expected to offer more choices.
"Optimally, we would like to have five beverages available along with nine different snacks," O’Connell further elaborated. "I would like to see the snack line complement the traditional meals of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For example, cereal bars would be a great choice for the morning whereas we would have items such as beef jerky and pretzels for later times of the day."
The project has run into some hurdles, though. The prices of vending machines locally have been fluctuating wildly, making it difficult to project an accurate budget. Shipping costs and concerns regarding quality prohibit acquiring a machine from out of state.
"This is a purchase we would only feel comfortable with if we could physically inspect and test the machine beforehand as many vendors offer little or no guarantee in regards to operational life-span and have questionable reputations," O’Connell explained. "What really worries me, though, is the apparent scarcity of 12-ounce cans of iced coffee. I would personally love to see that as an option in our future machine, but I have found 16 and 20 ounces as the only available sizes, which will not fit."
Beverages are also in for a big change. There has been new demand to introduce diet soft drinks. The age old debate of Diet Coke versus Diet Pepsi rages on here behind closed doors. In this matter O’Connell remains vague, only commenting, "As long as it has Coke, I’m fine. Though, I’m sure we can make room to accommodate everyone’s preferences."
Low prices and popular products will not only be found in the vending machine at Frye Fleet Sales, they already exist in abundance out on their pre-owned car lot. "Regardless of how innovative our new vending machine may be, I’m fairly certain we will still be known primarily for our pre-owned vehicles, outstanding pricing, and guaranteed credit approval.” O’Connell ends with this note, “I am proud to be part of an organization that not only has 2010 Toyota Corollas priced at $10,900 but soon ice cold cans of soda for only 25 cents each. Now that’s what I call a good deal all around!"