FAQ - The True Cost of Cheap Chocolate Powder

I recently ran out of the usual chocolate powder that I use. I went to a supplier that had quoted a great price and purchased 90kg (10 boxes) of chocolate powder to last me the week until my regular supplies arrived.

This was a BIG mistake.

Once the chocolate started to reach the bottom of the canister I started getting phone calls from clients. The first couple of calls expressed a dislike for the weaker tasting product. Then the real trouble started ...

I started getting calls about chocolate based drinks not getting dispensed. As any vending operator knows this leads to a trip to the machine and refunded drinks - expensive at the best of times. Once I got to the vending machines I noticed that the chocolate mixer bowls were clogging up. I cleaned them, changed the chocolate powder, reduced the gram throw and moved on. Unfortunately the calls kept coming, even from sites where I'd replaced the substitute powder with product that I knew would work.

It turned out that the clogging had caused breakages in the machines. In total, I lost 2 mixer motors ($59 each) and 1 broken chocolate canister ($88 each). A total of $206 in repairs. Ouch.

Always stick to quality products, preferably granulated. Your customers and your machines will thank you.

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