FAQs
How do I pay my Subscription Fees?
What happens if my machine breaks?
What happens if my machine breaks on a Holiday?
Who will handle water filter changes, PM, and cleaning of the ice machine?
How do I know that preventive maintenance was done on time?
Do you offer some sort of guaranteed ice supply if my machine breaks?
How do you help to make sure the ice I serve is clean and safe?
What if I make a mistake and get too large or small a machine?
What if I decide I want to stop my subscription?
Can you help me during those times in the year when my ice needs triple for an event?
I have the money. Isn't it smarter to purchase my own machine?
I can get a loan for an ice machine. Isn't it smarter to purchase my own machine?
My local dealer has a current promotion of 2 years at no interest. How can you beat that?
If I buy a new machine, isn't the purchase price for the machine the largest cost of ownership?
I am currently in a lease plan. How is this subscription plan different?
What is an ice subscription?
An ice subscription ensures your business gets a specified quantity of ice* on a daily basis, dispensed according to your needs (bin, hotel dispenser, etc.). You can also choose which compressor type you prefer. For a flat monthly fee you will get the ice you need on a daily basis. We are accountable for providing the appropriate machine/bin/dispenser/water filter, installation, maintenance, cleaning, water filter replacement, and back-up ice. All you need to do is maintain the water and electric supply and notify us when the ice maker is not working correctly. For a higher monthly fee you can increase your desired capacity at any time. You can also terminate your ice subscription plan, at any time, without penalty. We offer the ultimate "Hassle Free" on-site ice solution. We take responsibility for your ice. A subscription with Easy Ice is like receiving gas or electric from your local utility. It's predictable, reliable and risk-free.
* The quantity of ice is specified by the equipment manufacturer, measured in pounds/day and dependent on the operational conditions present in your establishment.
How do I pay my Subscription Fees?
We have two simple, hassle free monthly payment options. You can set up automatic debit authorization from your bank account. Or you can charge your monthly subscription to a major debit or credit card. With either choice, you will be charged your first month's partial subscription fee, based on your installation date, plus a set-up fee equivalent to two times your subscription fee. And our monthly subscriptions start as low as $129 per month.
What happens if my machine breaks?
Simply call our Easy Ice 24/365 toll free number or visit our website to indicate you need service. Our guarantee to you is to have ice back in your bin within 3 - 6 hours of your call. If your machine is not repairable within that timeframe, we will deliver ice to your door at no additional charge. And, we will continue to provide this delivery until your machine is back up to peak performance. That's part of our Easy Ice guarantee. We take operational concerns off your shoulders.
What happens if my machine breaks on a Holiday?
That's part of our Easy Ice Pledge: we will be there when you need us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We will be here to take your calls during weekends as well as holidays and our 3 - 6 hour guarantee holds for these special times.
Who will handle water filter changes, PM, and cleaning of the ice machine?
As part of your subscription, we will schedule and handle preventive maintenance and water filter changes, in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations for machine maintenance. As a routine part of our bi-annual preventive maintenance visits we will clean your machine. Certain uses and environments may dictate the need for more frequent cleaning of your machine. For an additional charge, we will arrange to clean your machine more frequently to meet the needs of your business. (Due to local situations and with rare exception, filters may not be installed on the water supply to your ice machine.)
How do I know that preventive maintenance was done on time?
Easy Ice provides every customer on-line access to all information regarding the equipment installed at their locations. Simply go to www.easyice.com and log in. You can view the entire history of service and maintenance for your equipment, along with monthly invoices, repair requests and the service time and personnel scheduled to complete repairs or PM as well as the answers to other questions you may have. Your ice is no longer your responsibility - it's ours, but you get complete visibility by logging onto your account on our website. One more reason we are the hassle free on-site ice solution.
Do you offer some sort of guaranteed ice supply if my machine breaks?
Yes. That's part of our Easy Ice guarantee. For no additional charge we deliver up to your daily machine capacity in bagged ice to your door until your machine is back up to peak performance. Your ice is no longer your responsibility, it's ours.
How do you help to make sure the ice I serve is clean and safe?
You need an uninterrupted supply of clean, safe ice. We will schedule and handle preventive maintenance and water filter changes, in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations for machine maintenance. Part of the bi-annual preventive maintenance process is to clean your machine. In addition, we install a water filter with every subscription. The water filter removes lime and scale deposits from your local water supply and provides cleaner, safer ice.
During the Easy Ice in-depth site survey prior to scheduling your installation date, we will help identify any special needs for your operation. If, for example, you have circumstances such as a high yeast environment from making bread or pasta, your machine may require more frequent cleanings to prevent the growth of mold. We will help to identify this early on and for an additional charge we will arrange to clean your machine more frequently to meet the needs of your business. It will always be your responsibility to ensure that the ice in your bin does not become contaminated by staff storing soda or personal items in the ice, and that all ice carrying containers are kept properly sterilized.
What if I make a mistake and get too large or small a machine?
That can happen. Just let us know by calling our Easy Ice 24/365 toll free number or by visiting our website. We will install the size you need at no surcharge or fee and you will pay only the subscription fee level of the new machine size. We offer complete flexibility to meet the changing needs of your operation. There is a one-time service charge to convert from a water-cooled to an air-cooled compressor set-up. See Subscription Plans for detail.
What if I decide I want to stop my subscription?
We doubt this will happen. But if you wish to cancel for any reason, just call our Easy Ice 24/365 toll free number or visit our website to let us know your plans. We will remove the machine, no questions asked. We only ask that you give us 30 days advance notice. There's never any risk involved with a subscription to Easy Ice. That's part of our Easy Ice guarantee. In fact, why not try us out for 60-120 days? If, for any reason, you are not satisfied you can cancel and then take on the responsibility of owning your own ice machine.
Can you help me during those times in the year when my ice needs triple for an event?
Yes. That's one more way Easy Ice is the smarter choice for ice supply. Simply call our 24/365 toll free number or visit our website 3 days prior to let us know your needs. For a market competitive per bag cost, we will keep you in ice even during your peak demand periods. We eliminate the hassle of securing back-up and peak demand suppliers. It's that easy!
I am running a summer program at one of our local facilities with no ice machine. Can we take out a subscription on a machine for our use during the summer?
Unfortunately not. We are not a provider for seasonal or short-term ice machine rentals. In this case, your best options would be with local equipment rental outfits or the use of bagged ice for your event.
I have the money. Isn't it smarter to purchase my own machine?
The Easy Ice subscription plan cost less than owning. The purchase and installation cost for an average 600 lb ice machine is $3,094 and represents only 12% of the Total Cost of Ownership over its expected 10 year life. During those years you would spend an additional $9,445 on repair labor, replacement parts, preventive maintenance, and filters. In addition, if you do not have a backup ice supply, you can expect to spend an additional $1,500 on packaged ice while your machine is being repaired and cleaned. The data below represent the actual cost analysis on 10,000 installed ice machines in the US over a 15 year period.
Ten Year Total Cost of Ownership
| Ownership | Subscription | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | % of Total | Cost | |
| Purchase/ship/install vs. Set-up Fee | $3,094 | 12% | $250 |
| PM & filter cartridges | $4,875 | 18% | Included |
| Repair parts & labor | $4,570 | 18% | Included |
| Back-up ice | $1,500 | 6% | Included |
| Energy | $8,230 | 32% | $8,230 |
| Depreciation and tax savings | ($8,752) | NA | ($9,228) |
| Management Time | $3,600 | 14% | $300 |
| Monthly subscription | N/A | N/A | $15,000 |
| Subtotal | $17,117 | 100% | $14,552 |
| NPV: Actual 10 year cost (15%) | $10,304 | $8,463 | |
What is NPV?
NPV stands for Net Present Value. It is a business tool that companies use to evaluate different investment/purchase alternatives. NPV quantifies the total cost of an asset over its life and presents it in "today's" dollars, and it is the most common method used for choosing between investment choices such as buying vs. leasing. The main features of NPV are that 1) it takes into account the fact that the cash invested in assets needs to earn a return and 2) a dollar invested today is more expensive than a dollar invested a year from now (sometimes referred to as the time value of money). As stated before, NPV quantifies the total cost of an asset over its life and presents it in "today's" dollars. When comparing two different ways to "acquire the benefits" of an asset, the alternative that results in the lowest cost (as measured by NPV) is generally more attractive.
One fact you might want to consider is that an ice machine, while necessary, does not create profit or value for your business. Ice from an ice machine is typically provided free of charge, making it an expense. Secondly, ice does not differentiate you from your competitors. No one chooses to eat an establishment because of their ice. Hence, since an ice machine does not create value, minimizing the dollars spent over time (as measured by NPV) is a smart business decision.
Easy Ice is the right choice
With Easy Ice all the services and costs are included in one low monthly subscription fee. You are only responsible for electricity, water and a space to put the ice machine. You have no surprise repair bills. No staff needs to run out for packaged ice when your machine breaks. And you can invest your capital in something that brings a return and greater profitability to your business. We offer the ultimate "Hassle Free" on-site ice solution at a great price!
I can get a loan for an ice machine. Isn't it smarter to purchase my own machine?
The Easy Ice subscription plan costs less than owning (See previous question.) When you add the interest you pay on a loan to purchase your ice machine, the Total Cost of Ownership becomes even greater than our low monthly subscription plan fee.
Over the years I have found that I can avoid all PM work if I purchase a new machine every 5 years. Can you provide details regarding your costs versus my current arrangement?
There are business owners that take this approach. Below is a table with the estimated costs of this ownership model. The Easy Ice subscription plan costs less than owning. The purchase and installation cost for two 600 lb ice machines is $6,576 and represents 29% of the Total Cost of Ownership. During those years you would spend an additional $4,115 on repair parts and labor, and filters. In addition, if you do not have a backup ice supply, you can expect to spend an additional $1,000 on packaged ice while your machine is being repaired. The data below represent the actual cost analysis on 10,000 installed ice machines in the US over a 15 year period.
Ten Year Total Cost of Ownership
| Ownership | Subscription | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | % of Total | Cost | |
| Purchase/ship/install vs. Set-up Fee | $6,576 | 29% | $250 |
| Cleaning labor | $0 | 0% | Included |
| Filter cartridges | $1,675 | 7% | Included |
| Repair labor | $1,800 | 8% | Included |
| Repair parts | $640 | 3% | Included |
| Back-up ice | $1,000 | 4% | Included |
| Energy | $8,230 | 37% | $8,230 |
| Depreciation and tax savings | ($7,829) | NA | ($9,228) |
| Management Time | $2,520 | 11% | $300 |
| Monthly subscription | N/A | N/A | $15,000 |
| Subtotal | $14,612 | 100% | $14,552 |
| NPV: Actual 10 year cost (15%) | $9,351 | $8,463 | |
My local dealer has a current promotional offer of 50% off the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for a new ice machine. How can you beat that?
We offer a smarter option. There are no hidden costs, and no undefined discounts. Our subscription rates start as low as $129 per month. We publish the subscription fees our customers pay. When you consider the purchase of a new machine, you will pay some percentage of MSRP - but everyone seems to pay a different percentage. Avoid tying up your money, avoid any question of what price is fair, and avoid the risk of owning. Let Easy Ice supply all your ice needs at a set monthly subscription rate. It's smarter than owning an ice machine.
My local dealer has a current promotion of 2 years at no interest. How can you beat that?
For the average 500 lb. ice machine, 2 years at no interest will save you around $450. When you consider the time you and your staff spend managing your ice machine (maintenance, repairs, backup ice, etc.) does this savings make a difference? Our Easy Ice subscription plans start for as little as $129 per month and our pledge to you is Hassle Free ice service.
If I buy a new machine, isn't the purchase price for the machine the largest cost of ownership?
The Easy Ice subscription plan costs less than owning. The purchase price on an average 600 lb. ice machine represents only 12% of the Total Cost of Ownership. Please see the question above, "I have the money. Isn't it smarter to purchase my own machine?" for additional detail on Total Cost of Ownership.
I am currently in a lease plan. How is this subscription plan different?
With a lease plan you sign a commitment for a specified lease period, usually 3 - 5 years. You commit to a size machine and service provider for the length of that lease. But, what do you do if their service declines? What can you do if you need a larger or smaller machine? What happens to that lease commitment if you close one of your locations? With an Easy Ice subscription plan, you can increase or decrease the capacity of your ice supply and simply pay the new monthly subscription rate, plus a small incremental Set-up Fee, if applicable. You can also cancel at any time, for any reason. It's risk free, it's easy!
I have an old machine that still works. If I decide to subscribe, can you help me do something with my old machine?
Yes. As part of your Easy Ice subscription plan, our service personnel will remove your old machine at no additional cost. That's part of our pledge, no hassles - guaranteed.