Ice Cream Vans - Why do they bother?

[Mafioso]

Just been on a quick walk in the wind and drops of rain on a not-so-warm day and there's a bloody van playing that god awful music. As you might expect he had zero takers. Surely it can't be financially viable? Thoughts?

[pokethepope]

Drugs.

HTH.

[mikechandler]

Mafioso said:

Just been on a quick walk in the wind and drops of rain on a not-so-warm day and there's a bloody van playing that god awful music. As you might expect he had zero takers. Surely it can't be financially viable? Thoughts?

A lot of them don't just sell ice-cream though do they

[perdu]

Mafioso said:

Just been on a quick walk in the wind and drops of rain on a not-so-warm day and there's a bloody van playing that god awful music. As you might expect he had zero takers. Surely it can't be financially viable? Thoughts?

Probably beats sitting at home watching bloody awful Sunday afternoon television

come to think about it

I could do with a job

[CommanderJameson]

[JamesM]

Mafioso said:

Just been on a quick walk in the wind and drops of rain on a not-so-warm day and there's a bloody van playing that god awful music. As you might expect he had zero takers. Surely it can't be financially viable? Thoughts?

You've not played GTA Vice City then?

[blank]

You'd be surprised how many people will buy it in bad weather.


I worked as an ice cream man every summer while I was at uni, if the weather was crap and I decided not to go out then I didn't get paid, so I would go out unless it was a monsoon.

I've been out in some really bad weather and the number of times I didn't at least break even could probably be counted on one hand.


People even used to come out in crap weather to buy something and say "why do you bother when the weather's like this?". "Well.... You're buying something aren't you?".


I did sell particularly tasty ice cream though.

[bigandclever]

My ex's brother-in-law had 6 vans in Ireland. All cash business, one van for the taxman and five for him. Add in the 'extras', take away the 'rent' and you have a healthy (albeit not wholly legitimate) business model.

[Mafioso]

Some interesting replies. So are we saying that every ice cream man is dodgy!?

[Steameh]

It doesn't have to be warm for me to want ice cream or ice lollies.

A calippo right now would be killer.

[Steamer]

pokethepope said:

Drugs.

HTH.

and pron. (see below)

CommanderJameson said:

Mr Softy Top

Arguably one of Peter Kays finest moments.

"Look Dad, I got sauce!"
"So did I son! so did I"

[King Herald]

Why do people think that cold ice cream is only for hot weather????

Do they think it cools their body down?

Does it only taste good in hot weather???

Or is it just another of those gormless, brainless, institutionalised British things like where every schoolboy has to like football?

[omgus]

pokethepope said:

Drugs.

HTH.

Really, that shocks me! But that does explain why it's so dangerous to work in an ice cream van in Scotland.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Ice_Cream_W...

[AngryApples]

a

Edited by AngryApples on Sunday 2nd May 17:55

[Edinburger]

I just bought from one today funnily enough, first time in ages to be fair!

[DrTre]

AngryApples said:

a

Edited by AngryApples on Sunday 2nd May 17:55

You had to edit a single letter? I am strangely impressed

[C8PPO]

You're Mafioso and you're unfamiliar with ice cream van operating strategy?




But it's nice to have an unexpected random 99 now & then when a van pitches up in your road!

[Shaw Tarse]

Mafioso said:

Some interesting replies. So are we saying that every ice cream man is dodgy!?

As googled

[thatone1967]

I live at the end of cul de sac, we get at least one a day.... why do they INSIST in playing the tune to the end???


Would not mind, but my area is quite built up, so you here the "music" constantly for the best part of an hour!!!!

Edited by thatone1967 on Sunday 2nd May 20:21

[Morningside]

Mafioso said:

Some interesting replies. So are we saying that every ice cream man is dodgy!?

We have two different companies touting our road. Kids still love ice cream even in deep winter.


I can remember in the 70s being given the last quarter of that flavouring juice bottle. Being a kid of 10 it was like going to heaven.


Also, they used to sell cigarettes as well. Much easier than trying to buy them at the shop.

Edited by Morningside on Sunday 2nd May 20:31