The Money Mustache Community
Around the Internet => Antimustachian Wall of Shame and Comedy => Topic started by: maizefolk on April 19, 2017, 04:46:26 PM
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Apparently the business model for this company was to become the "Keurig for juice." First you buy their $400 fancy juicer. Then they ship special packets for you to load into the special juicer to your home. But...
...after the product hit the market, some investors were surprised to discover a much cheaper alternative: You can squeeze the Juicero bags with your bare hands. Two backers said the final device was bulkier than what was originally pitched and that they were puzzled to find that customers could achieve similar results without it. Bloomberg performed its own press test, pitting a Juicero machine against a reporter’s grip. The experiment found that squeezing the bag yields nearly the same amount of juice just as quickly—and in some cases, faster—than using the device.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-04-19/silicon-valley-s-400-juicer-may-be-feeling-the-squeeze
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Considering what happened to Keurig's shares when they released their newest model that wouldn't accept open source pods...
I agree that the startup founders didn't have the whole business canvas thing tested. As for the investors? Sometimes more money than brains?
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Further evidence that one of the most powerful words in marketing is "NEW." Don't worry, the trendy consumer will move on to the next life-changing gadget shortly.
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"Some investors were surprised... "
Thank you M-man, this is my favorite story of our current news cycle!
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Wow, sound like this guy has taken a lot of VC guys for a ride. He sold this thing as a 4 ton cold press that could juice large chunks of fresh fruit. But in practice now you can do it by hand???
What the hell are they doing to the fruit to make it hand juiceable? I'm imagining chunks of apples soaked in some kind of solution that turns them into mush.
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Am I reading this right? One eight-ounce serving of juice costs $8! And that's after you purchase a $400 machine?
How the hell is this viable in a commercial setting after markup? Are restaurants selling $14 servings of juice? I realize we are probably more cost sensitive than the average consumer, but this is beyond insane.
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Am I reading this right? One eight-ounce serving of juice costs $8! And that's after you purchase a $400 machine?
How the hell is this viable in a commercial setting after markup? Are restaurants selling $14 servings of juice? I realize we are probably more cost sensitive than the average consumer, but this is beyond insane.
Clearly you don't understand. Its Organic. And direct to the Consumer. Its the future!
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Company might be OK just selling the $8 bags of chopped fruits and veggies anyway. Razor and blade model without the razor is the dream right?
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Am I reading this right? One eight-ounce serving of juice costs $8! And that's after you purchase a $400 machine?
How the hell is this viable in a commercial setting after markup? Are restaurants selling $14 servings of juice? I realize we are probably more cost sensitive than the average consumer, but this is beyond insane.
Clearly you don't understand. Its Organic. And direct to the Consumer. Its the future!
Didn't one of the investors say something about how it was also "low cost?" I recall seeing that somewhere in the article. Man, it must be nice to live with the means to consider an $8 serving of juice to be "low cost."
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Stories such as these make me wish I could sit-in on the VC pitches. How does someone pitch a product and product line as absurd as this and have more than one VC company throw millions of dollars at them? What revenue projections do they show to make people jump at this?
$8 for 8oz of juice? I rarely buy juice at the store but when I do, it is only when it is on sale for $2.50 or less for 30oz or more.
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Stories such as these make me wish I could sit-in on the VC pitches. How does someone pitch a product and product line as absurd as this and have more than one VC company throw millions of dollars at them? What revenue projections do they show to make people jump at this?
$8 for 8oz of juice? I rarely buy juice at the store but when I do, it is only when it is on sale for $2.50 or less for 30oz or more.
I've had a chance to sit in and participate with a few (though nothing as ridiculous as this) and I can actually imagine how it would have gone.
Chart of the growth rates in health food sector.
Something vague and hand wavey about the benefits/desirability of cold pressed juice.
Analogies to blue apron and other food-mailed to your home businesses (plus their growth rates if public)
But the downside of that business model is high customer churn, low barriers to entry, lots of money spent on customer acquisition.
But here's the kicker: because people are buying a proprietary juicer than only works with our proprietary juice packets* we project substantially lower customer churn.
Chart of projected revenue per customer.
Projected annual profit and valuation if only 1% of american households ultimately buy our product.
Allowing us to become .... uber for pets twitter for bananas keurig for juice. [/li][/list]
*Bonus points for internet-of-things reference here.
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Um, I think you're all missing the fact that the Juicero is connected to the internet for "real-time updates." It uses this information to squeeze the premade juice packets in the optimal manner, and it connects to an app you can look at on your phone. So you can, er, read about the juice on your smartphone while you wait for the machine to squeeze your juice package open. Magic.
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Stories such as these make me wish I could sit-in on the VC pitches. How does someone pitch a product and product line as absurd as this and have more than one VC company throw millions of dollars at them? What revenue projections do they show to make people jump at this?
$8 for 8oz of juice? I rarely buy juice at the store but when I do, it is only when it is on sale for $2.50 or less for 30oz or more.
Commercial juice is basically just poison. Poison! (sarcasm intended) But in seriousness they're comparing to stuff like this: http://order.nekterjuicebar.com/menu/nekter-juice-bar-westwoodlos-angeles (which is still <$4/8oz so I dunno)
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Um, I think you're all missing the fact that the Juicero is connected to the internet for "real-time updates." It uses this information to squeeze the premade juice packets in the optimal manner, and it connects to an app you can look at on your phone. So you can, er, read about the juice on your smartphone while you wait for the machine to squeeze your juice package open. Magic.
Next VC presentation will be on Bluetooth-enabled underwear. It's part of the Internet of Thongs.
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Um, I think you're all missing the fact that the Juicero is connected to the internet for "real-time updates." It uses this information to squeeze the premade juice packets in the optimal manner, and it connects to an app you can look at on your phone. So you can, er, read about the juice on your smartphone while you wait for the machine to squeeze your juice package open. Magic.
Next VC presentation will be on Bluetooth-enabled underwear. It's part of the Internet of Thongs.
I thought those were flip-flops?
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Um, I think you're all missing the fact that the Juicero is connected to the internet for "real-time updates." It uses this information to squeeze the premade juice packets in the optimal manner, and it connects to an app you can look at on your phone. So you can, er, read about the juice on your smartphone while you wait for the machine to squeeze your juice package open. Magic.
Next VC presentation will be on Bluetooth-enabled underwear. It's part of the Internet of Thongs.
I thought those were flip-flops?
It's possible to wear them that way, yes.
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Would the Internet of Thongs be equipped with cameras?
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Would the Internet of Thongs be equipped with cameras?
Yes, but to access the footage requires a per-minute fee.
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Stories such as these make me wish I could sit-in on the VC pitches. How does someone pitch a product and product line as absurd as this and have more than one VC company throw millions of dollars at them? What revenue projections do they show to make people jump at this?
$8 for 8oz of juice? I rarely buy juice at the store but when I do, it is only when it is on sale for $2.50 or less for 30oz or more.
Commercial juice is basically just poison. Poison! (sarcasm intended) But in seriousness they're comparing to stuff like this: http://order.nekterjuicebar.com/menu/nekter-juice-bar-westwoodlos-angeles (which is still <$4/8oz so I dunno)
We eliminated all forms of commercial juice a few years back, after realizing that the fiber in juice is added back, and understanding the process. We eat the actual fruit, and my kids think juice boxes at parties is a treat, like cake and candy.
I'll manual squeeze juice when oranges/tangerines are in season and bags are on sale for a couple of bucks. Or I'll offer neighbors to cut down their fruit while offering a pruning service. My neighbors don't eat tree fruit. Dunno why, but 'Murica!
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My neighbors don't eat tree fruit.
.... wow. ...
Now I want to have an argument about when a bush becomes a tree, but there is no one to argue with.
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The connection to the internet is to verify that the fruit pouch hasn't expired and that there are no recalls in place. So it's almost a good reason.
A friend posted about this on FB last night (laughing at it as we are), and one of the commenters asked if anyone had cut the pouches open to see if there's any actual chunks of fruit in there, or if it's just pre-filled with juice. I would have some major schadenfreude if the latter was the case.
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But you'll really love the JUICERO+!
https://www.juiceroplus.com/
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The connection to the internet is to verify that the fruit pouch hasn't expired and that there are no recalls in place. So it's almost a good reason.
A friend posted about this on FB last night (laughing at it as we are), and one of the commenters asked if anyone had cut the pouches open to see if there's any actual chunks of fruit in there, or if it's just pre-filled with juice. I would have some major schadenfreude if the latter was the case.
It is definitely pre-filled with juice. All the more reason to laugh.
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The connection to the internet is to verify that the fruit pouch hasn't expired and that there are no recalls in place. So it's almost a good reason.
A friend posted about this on FB last night (laughing at it as we are), and one of the commenters asked if anyone had cut the pouches open to see if there's any actual chunks of fruit in there, or if it's just pre-filled with juice. I would have some major schadenfreude if the latter was the case.
It is definitely pre-filled with juice. All the more reason to laugh.
Ehh, this whole situation is indeed ridiculous, but the pouches are not just filled with juice... https://vimeo.com/214185009
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LOL, came to to the site to create this thread if it hadn't already started. Yep, the cost of packets alone is most of my entire food spending.
Must make sure stache is ready for downtown... must make sure stache is ready for downturn...
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Regardless of price this is taking something simple and making it complicated. What are the supposed benefits?
Leaving fruit intact you might argue that the end product is less oxidized but this is mashed up fruit pulp in a bag. How did anyone take this seriously at any stage in the process?
I'm scared for the future.
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Stories such as these make me wish I could sit-in on the VC pitches. How does someone pitch a product and product line as absurd as this and have more than one VC company throw millions of dollars at them? What revenue projections do they show to make people jump at this?
$8 for 8oz of juice? I rarely buy juice at the store but when I do, it is only when it is on sale for $2.50 or less for 30oz or more.
I've had a chance to sit in and participate with a few (though nothing as ridiculous as this) and I can actually imagine how it would have gone.
Chart of the growth rates in health food sector.
Something vague and hand wavey about the benefits/desirability of cold pressed juice.
Analogies to blue apron and other food-mailed to your home businesses (plus their growth rates if public)
But the downside of that business model is high customer churn, low barriers to entry, lots of money spent on customer acquisition.
But here's the kicker: because people are buying a proprietary juicer than only works with our proprietary juice packets* we project substantially lower customer churn.
Chart of projected revenue per customer.
Projected annual profit and valuation if only 1% of american households ultimately buy our product.
Allowing us to become .... uber for pets twitter for bananas keurig for juice. [/li][/list]
*Bonus points for internet-of-things reference here.
If they had just said it's for babies or dogs, it would be best seller!
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Stories such as these make me wish I could sit-in on the VC pitches. How does someone pitch a product and product line as absurd as this and have more than one VC company throw millions of dollars at them? What revenue projections do they show to make people jump at this?
$8 for 8oz of juice? I rarely buy juice at the store but when I do, it is only when it is on sale for $2.50 or less for 30oz or more.
I've had a chance to sit in and participate with a few (though nothing as ridiculous as this) and I can actually imagine how it would have gone.
Chart of the growth rates in health food sector.
Something vague and hand wavey about the benefits/desirability of cold pressed juice.
Analogies to blue apron and other food-mailed to your home businesses (plus their growth rates if public)
But the downside of that business model is high customer churn, low barriers to entry, lots of money spent on customer acquisition.
But here's the kicker: because people are buying a proprietary juicer than only works with our proprietary juice packets* we project substantially lower customer churn.
Chart of projected revenue per customer.
Projected annual profit and valuation if only 1% of american households ultimately buy our product.
Allowing us to become .... uber for pets twitter for bananas keurig for juice. [/li][/list]
*Bonus points for internet-of-things reference here.
If they had just said it's for babies or dogs, it would be best seller!
Making juice out of babies and dogs is illegal pretty much everywhere.
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I was amused to see this pop up on my uk news feed today, I hadn't even come across juicero apart from here! Seems refunds are being offered...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39664483
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This story is the gift that keeps on giving. Now Juicero is suing another company for infringing on their patent for "Juicing systems and methods."
Note that this competing company claims their machine uses EIGHT tons of force to press juice instead of four tons of the original. ;-)
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/04/juice-wars-juicero-has-sued-another-juicer-maker-for-patent-infringement/
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Maybe they can buy less pretty fruits and veggies to grind up for their paste b/c you can't see the inside of the bag?
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Ah Juicero, we hardly knew ye:
Juicero, maker of the doomed $400 internet-connected juicer, is shutting down
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/1/16243356/juicero-shut-down-lay-off-refund (https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/1/16243356/juicero-shut-down-lay-off-refund)
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I've had a chance to sit in and participate with a few (though nothing as ridiculous as this) and I can actually imagine how it would have gone.
Chart of the growth rates in health food sector.
Something vague and hand wavey about the benefits/desirability of cold pressed juice.
Analogies to blue apron and other food-mailed to your home businesses (plus their growth rates if public)
But the downside of that business model is high customer churn, low barriers to entry, lots of money spent on customer acquisition.
But here's the kicker: because people are buying a proprietary juicer than only works with our proprietary juice packets* we project substantially lower customer churn.
Chart of projected revenue per customer.
Projected annual profit and valuation if only 1% of american households ultimately buy our product.
Allowing us to become .... uber for pets twitter for bananas keurig for juice. [/li][/list]
*Bonus points for internet-of-things reference here.
Twitter for bananas?!
I'm listening...
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Isn't juicing one of those fads people get into for a while.
I knew a guy who got heavily into juicing. He made a big mess in his kitchen all the time and he turned orange. (From drinking too much carrot juice).
he doesn't use his juicer anymore.
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Stories such as these make me wish I could sit-in on the VC pitches. How does someone pitch a product and product line as absurd as this and have more than one VC company throw millions of dollars at them? What revenue projections do they show to make people jump at this?
$8 for 8oz of juice? I rarely buy juice at the store but when I do, it is only when it is on sale for $2.50 or less for 30oz or more.
I've had a chance to sit in and participate with a few (though nothing as ridiculous as this) and I can actually imagine how it would have gone.
Chart of the growth rates in health food sector.
Something vague and hand wavey about the benefits/desirability of cold pressed juice.
Analogies to blue apron and other food-mailed to your home businesses (plus their growth rates if public)
But the downside of that business model is high customer churn, low barriers to entry, lots of money spent on customer acquisition.
But here's the kicker: because people are buying a proprietary juicer than only works with our proprietary juice packets* we project substantially lower customer churn.
Chart of projected revenue per customer.
Projected annual profit and valuation if only 1% of american households ultimately buy our product.
Allowing us to become .... uber for pets twitter for bananas keurig for juice. [/li][/list]
*Bonus points for internet-of-things reference here.
OMG, This is NUTS! i just realized what "cold pressed juice" means.
This person sold a juice press to squish and juice fresh fruit, right? (except it is in a bag)
However, the whole "cold pressed juice" and the health claims are about an entirely different product. When you see "Cold pressed juice" on the bottle on the shelf, it means that it was not heat pasteruized to remain shelf stable (or refrigerated) to extend shelf life beyond 48 hours (like fresh pressed juice from a kiosk or store). NO! the juice was put into a machine (while in a flexible bottle), and subjected to very very high pressure. The extreme high pressure takes fresh pressed / squeezed juice that has been bottled, and kills any remaining bacteria in it. The result is a "pasteurized" product without heat, which means that the enzymes are still mostly active, etc.
So this VC pitch for cold pressed juice is just "sort of fresh squeezed juice"?! Because the only reason for the High Pressure Processing (Gogle HPP) is to increase shelf life beyond 2 days without heat.
On the other hand, maybe this is a personal version of a HPP machine, but there is no point. If you have personal juice pressing, then you don't need shelf life beyond 48 hours, right?
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Goldielocks I had no idea that's what the point of "cold pressed" juice was, thanks! So I guess the pressure fluctuation is just enough to cause the bacterial cell walls to lyse but not enough to denature proteins (hence the claim the enzymes should still be fine). Whether or not the enzymes in question have any impact on human health that's a clever solution.
No, the machine they were selling didn't do any pressure treatment like that, it just pressed two metal slabs together to release the partially preprocessed juice in plastic packets.
@fattest_foot
Twitter for bananas is so last month, now I'm working on pandora for produce.*
*It's like a CSA only we mail you the produce from a centralized packing facility in New Mexico, and you can swipe left or right if you'd like to eat more vegetables similar to this in the future, or would prefer to eat fewer vegetables similar to this in the future.
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thumbs up to bananas
thumbs down to mangos
I wonder what my fruit finger print station would taste like if I dumped it all into a juicer?
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I don't get juicing. It seems like you're getting all the sugar without the fiber and other things to help your body absorb it better. Why not just blend everything?