[wyldfire]

> Juicero declined to comment. A person close to the company said Juicero is aware the packs can be squeezed by hand but that most people would prefer to use the machine because the process is more consistent and less messy.

"We kinda didn't think about this much because the real money is in the packets anyways. This stuff is way better than ink cartridges."

[shimon]

True, but the proprietary tech in the machine was supposed to be a form of defensible advantage for this business. If the product value comes entirely from chopping and delivering vegetables in a bag, it wouldn't be hard for others to replicate.

[wyldfire]

Hello, darkness my old friend. The analogies to Keurig won't stop here -- next up, DRM juice packs.

[nommm-nommm]

Already done.

>The device also reads a QR code printed on the back of each produce pack and checks the source against an online database to ensure the contents haven’t expired or been recalled, the person said.

[Pigo]

I really hate what those machines have done to coffee. It's difficult to explain to people at work, family, and friends how they paid a premium to be overcharged and produce extra waste without coming off like a jerk. I miss getting up from my machine and filling my mug with a regular coffee pot.

[jotjotzzz]

Using K-cup reusable filters enable people to grind their own coffee. I wish that they would have started with this model instead of the singular disposable cups that produced lots of garbage. But then there's no money in saving mother nature I guess. :|

[ianferrel]

I know that I'm paying a premium and that the coffee isn't as good as what else I could make.

I'm paying for time. I can just press a button and have coffee in ~1 minute. No need to grind beans or clean the coffeemaker after.

Worth it for me.

[protomyth]

They do have one nice advantage over the office or home coffee pot, forgetful people and no warming surface. It does prevent some fires because you have people who forget the basic things.

[Pigo]

That is something to be concerned about, but even rudimentary coffee pots have automatic shutoffs and most have other safety measures. Plus even with the long running heating element, they draw much less power than Keurigs. They bother me, but I usually keep my opinion to myself because people get emotionally invested in strong purchases (which coffee has become thanks Keurig).

[nommm-nommm]

If that's such a concern a weight sensor with automatic shutoff would be much cheaper and just as effective. My $20 pot has an automatic timed shutoff.

[kevin_thibedeau]

So no-juice-for-you when the internet goes down. Brilliant.

[proaralyst]

Sounds like they already have that: the machine reads QR codes and compares them to an online service for expiry/recall. Not many steps to validity.

[dragonwriter]

> The analogies to Keurig won't stop here

The elevator pitch to investors for this is probably "Keurig for organic juice".

[jordache]

proprietary? You mean marry a CRUD app with a mechanical device that presses a bit?

[kesselvon]

Why not just sell the packets. $5-8 dollars for a juice pack is already bonkers

[dragonwriter]

Perceptual lock-in. Customers feel like once they've spent the money on the machine, it makes sense to keep buying the packs.

It's a form of the sunk cost fallacy that's frequently exploited in marketing.

[Pigo]

As a daily veggie shake juicer, I'd be interested in packs that could cut down on the time I spend each morning cutting stuff up, if cost effective. But I get no satisfaction from status symbols, anymore than I care that my household appliance barely found a reason to connect to my wifi.

[paulcole]

> As a daily veggie shake juicer

Does not really compute with

> I get no satisfaction from status symbols

[nommm-nommm]

My supermarket sells precut fruits and veggies already.

[magic_beans]

Agreed. I'd 100% buy one of those packets. No need for the silly machine.

[mikeash]

Yeah, I don't get the big deal. If the packs are profitable, who cares if they use your machine? If they're not, you're doomed anyway.