NEW KID on the block question, useful Vendor info

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katyocru

Tue Aug 07, 2018 8:37 am

hey guys! I'm new to this. So I'm trying to learn and research. I found some really useful info from this forum.
I've trying to make my own block ice to save money, what size containers do you guys usually use, and how do you prevent the ice from cracking? Does glass or plastic container matter?

Btw, I did have a different experience working with one of the vendors that people on this forum seem to dislike.
I found Icy Skyy online randomly, and I have spoken to them and worked with them a couple of times. They seemed really nice and professional. I received samples of flavors and flower cups from them, and the qualify of their products are good! I was hesitant at first because of what I read from this forum, so when I expressed my concerns, they happily emailed me their permits and stuff! Their prices are better, so that's why I decided to go with them, esp since cost is a big concern for me right now. Wanted to share my personal experience here since this is such a supportive community! :) thank you!
ShaveIceSupply
Posts: 156
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:44 am

Wed Aug 08, 2018 12:18 pm

Katy, check with your local health dept if they let you make your own blocks. Many do not and require you to buy from a ice company. I would normally recommend half gallon containers. Don't use glass! Plastic or metal is ideal. Don't open or close your freezer during freezing to prevent cracks and never run it under water to foce the ice out.

In regards to IcySkyy, I am glad to hear you had a good experience with them but that is not the case with everyone as you can see. There were reports last year they were operating with no health permits which shut them down, and there were reports of business dealings that are less than honest which we would not go into. They are new to the industry and they aren't making any friends with suppliers or other vendors. I have spoke
with other vendors in our industry and they are not pleased with their business ethics being a newbie, and I have word from manufacturers like Swan and Hatsuyuki refusing to directly sell to them.

As a vendor, I want you to have the best lasting experience while you are in this business. If you have questions , feel free to contact me.
Providing quality shave ice products in Hawaii and all over the mainland for over 20 years. Visit http://www.shaveicesupplies.com.

For current deals and offerings, visit the promotions and prize giveaway forum at www.shaveiceshaveice.com!
katyocru

Thu Aug 09, 2018 6:32 am

Thanks for the helpful tips for the ice! I will definitely try it. I don't think there's rule against making my own. thanks for the heads up!

I get the feeling there's some animosity from you guys towards Icy Skyy. It's kind of strange that this forum is targeting them. Being a startup business myself right now......I somehow feel a little bad that there seems to be active bashing going on here.....

Icy Skyy did mention to me that they feel helpless because there are companies out there that are trying to squash them as new competition. I hope when I start more officially on my business, that I don't get the same resistance from other shave ice owners. just my 2 cents, sorry if it's offensive to anyone.

btw, your post locked on top regarding Icy Skyy is wrong bc they do have their permits FYI as I saw it myself...so a little confused.
Loopdan
Posts: 53
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2016 8:51 am

Thu Aug 09, 2018 1:13 pm

I'm not so sure it's bashing. Seems more like people just reporting their experiences.

I don't have a dog in this fight. I've never ordered from IcySkyy, but I do think their prices are too high.
katyocru

Mon Aug 13, 2018 5:58 am

Hey Dan, sorry, I'm not trying to fight here. Just speaking from my personal experiences. I had a great experience with Icy Skyy, and wanted to share.

but bashing or not, judge for yourself. It also seems shaveicesupply's own associate Kakigori has some beef.
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ShaveIceSupply
Posts: 156
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:44 am

Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:00 pm

katyocru,
katyocru wrote:Thanks for the helpful tips for the ice! I will definitely try it. I don't think there's rule against making my own. thanks for the heads up!

I get the feeling there's some animosity from you guys towards Icy Skyy. It's kind of strange that this forum is targeting them. Being a startup business myself right now......I somehow feel a little bad that there seems to be active bashing going on here..... (There isn't animosity, but we are just telling things how it is. As you know, this is a public forum so opinions are welcomed here. If you look at the forums history, there are people who don't like Kona Ice, Tropical Snow, 1800, and even us as well. We don't filter it towards any particular vendor. We know almost all the vendors in the industry as they know us as well. If there is criticism by their customers, they are free to vent it here.)

Icy Skyy did mention to me that they feel helpless because there are companies out there that are trying to squash them as new competition. I hope when I start more officially on my business, that I don't get the same resistance from other shave ice owners. just my 2 cents, sorry if it's offensive to anyone. (You don't get resistance if you follow the codes of business ethics in our industry. Shave ice been around for a 100 years and their are proper rules to follow and toes to not step on. Don't poach another stores clients, don't copy other peoples ideas, don't steal territory etc. There is always going to be infighting between people, just look at Southern Snow vs Sno Wizard. Competition is good when people bring new ideas to the table. It is not good when people are just trying to sale products for dirt cheap like what Icy Skyy does. This is why they are not popular in the industry among their peers. Just call up any vendor and they will tell you their opinion of them...)

btw, your post locked on top regarding Icy Skyy is wrong bc they do have their permits FYI as I saw it myself...so a little confused. (The post was locked because one of their staff was trying to stir drama on the site. As you can see, that user was deleted and the topic locked to prevent further arguments. We lock posts when it is not constructive.)
Providing quality shave ice products in Hawaii and all over the mainland for over 20 years. Visit http://www.shaveicesupplies.com.

For current deals and offerings, visit the promotions and prize giveaway forum at www.shaveiceshaveice.com!
ScottShaveIce

Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:20 pm

business is slow today...so I came to learn more about servicing machines, but whoa, is that HTK's instagram account? they are aiming profanity at another company? now that is a little unprofessional... what's the scoop you guys?
katyocru

Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:48 pm

Interesting....Since I'm new to this, how do I prevent myself from stealing customers since I'm in the same shave ice business as many in my area? Do I refuse to cater to customers if they've had shave ice from another store? That's a little confusing. What about stealing ideas? I thought the purpose of this forum is to share, and we can all be successful......It's kind of hard to do if I have do everything completely different?

As far as selling things "dirt cheap" by Icy Skyy...that's also weird..I don't know what's considered dirt cheap, but I don't see anything wrong with running sales....but I like the sales as a consumer since I get to save a little. Are the other people in the shave ice industry mad because they are the ones selling these products, so the sales are threats to them? I don't get it.

Again, I didn't mean to start anything here. But i seriously didn't know there are serious rules here, I thought some friendly competition is healthy and unavoidable.
ShaveIceSupply
Posts: 156
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:44 am

Mon Aug 13, 2018 2:50 pm

Katy, when we talking in the industry about "stealing" business is don't step on toes of other people in your area. If you are doing private events (which seems the case), then don't poach another shave ice caterers clients if they are already servicing them. Don't set up shop across the street from another existing vendor unless you are providing something unique from them. Those are just ethical business practices. You would be surprised on how much people talk to one another and how often you have to go to a competitor for assistance.

Since you are a selling shave ice, when I mention Ideas it pertains strictly to icy skyy and not to you. For example, we started selling our signature blossom cup and icy skyy ripped it off and created a "cherry blossom cup". That is what we called stealing ideas. I think anyone with a pair of eyes can see they are copying our websites layout. From the pictures, descriptions, prices, to even keywords. That is stealing ideas. If you don't believe me, look for yourself and compare! Bring in new ways to market, new flavors, new products and concepts. That is how they can prove themselves to be worthy of peer respect, if not they won't last long in this business, and we seen alot of them come and go....

Katy, there are rules to any industry. Whether you are selling ice cream or pancakes, a doctor, lawyer, or a accounting bookie, it doesn't really matter. Just ask any forum member on here and they will tell you the same thing.

I am going to leave this topic at this as it becomes nonconstructive to debate Icy Skyy's business formula. In the end we let the clients decide and you can decide for yourself being a new business owner. Once again, don't take my word for it. Call some local shave ice supply vendors in your area such a Real Hawaiian Ice and ask them for their thoughts on Icy Skyy's as they are in So Cal themselves. I can even refer you to the owner!

Also, I am assuming you are a legitimate new forum member opening a shave ice business and not a surrogate for Icy Skyy. If you aren't, we would love to see your set up as you mentioned you bought products and a machine, perhaps we can provide you some experience feed back. I believe that is your purpose here right; to help your shave ice business grow. If you are here to fight their fight for them, then that is quite pitiful as it shows that they lack the ability to defend themselves on this forum.
Providing quality shave ice products in Hawaii and all over the mainland for over 20 years. Visit http://www.shaveicesupplies.com.

For current deals and offerings, visit the promotions and prize giveaway forum at www.shaveiceshaveice.com!
katyocru

Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:52 am

:lol: I see. Even tho I don't think the website,the blossom cups and other stuff you mentioned look the same but...rest assured I'm not a "surrogate". Just a happy customer who got to know them, and felt that the situation is unfair is all. :|
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