water for clients

[cbvnd368796]

Through the years, I have always offered water. First it was water bottles. Gotta say after years of carrying those heavy cases of water and seeing the waste from the plastic, I eventually shied away from that. When I went into my very own space, I got a Britta and small glasses so that clients could help themselves to water. But apparently since it isn't 'cold' they don't really drink much.

I don't see enough clients on a weekly basis at that office to justify renting a water cooler and having water bottles delivered.

I can go back to giving each client a water bottle as there is a frig available to me BUT...... really prefer not to.

Any suggestions? I have looked online and there are some counter top coolers that filter water but they cost $100 or even more.

 

[svengali88]

water for clients

What about something like this with ice? http://fotosa.ru/ru/stock/search.asp?ID=2713208
maybe also a paper cup they can take if they are in a hurry.

 

[Caroline]

water for clients

We have a water cooler that hooks right into our water line (used to have the big bottles), so it's nice not to have to lug them around and fling 'em upside down. But I went to a very nice spa last summer and they simply had cool water in a pottery vase, with cut up fruit in it (we had apple water in the am and cucumber water in the pm). I'm assuming they just filled it from the tap in the kitchen and threw some ice in it when needed.

Here is also something that a friend of mine has, she entertains outdoors a lot for crowds of friends and got these for iced tea and lemonade. Drinks stay pretty cool in these. There are also some similar ones that have an insert in the middle that holds the ice.

http://www.amazon.com/Artland-Simplicity-2-Gallon-Beverage-Dispenser/dp/B0026NOCNA%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26eforum.xxx%3Dsquid935164-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0026NOCNA

Here's another one I just found:
http://www.amazon.com/Bormioli-Rocco-Pitcher-Container-2-75-qt/dp/B0000DE3SD%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26eforum.xxx%3Dsquid935164-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0000DE3SD

 

[Charli]

water for clients

Those are all very pretty for sure! I almost want to buy one for home use. At the office, ice can be an issue though. The only frig available is very tiny and barely has freezer space.

Keep the idea's coming!!!

 

[JoelKatz]

water for clients

I use the small bottles of water and my clients don't seem to mind the water is at room temp. I also have a hot water warmer for tea. And my clients seem to enjoy a warm cup of tea after their massage verses water

 

[ITS A GIRL]

water for clients

We have a water cooler that hooks right into our water line (used to have the big bottles), so it's nice not to have to lug them around and fling 'em upside down. But I went to a very nice spa last summer and they simply had cool water in a pottery vase, with cut up fruit in it (we had apple water in the am and cucumber water in the pm). I'm assuming they just filled it from the tap in the kitchen and threw some ice in it when needed.

Here is also something that a friend of mine has, she entertains outdoors a lot for crowds of friends and got these for iced tea and lemonade. Drinks stay pretty cool in these. There are also some similar ones that have an insert in the middle that holds the ice.

http://www.amazon.com/Artland-Simplicity-2-Gallon-Beverage-Dispenser/dp/B0026NOCNA%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26eforum.xxx%3Dsquid935164-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0026NOCNA

Here's another one I just found:
http://www.amazon.com/Bormioli-Rocco-Pitcher-Container-2-75-qt/dp/B0000DE3SD%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26eforum.xxx%3Dsquid935164-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0000DE3SD

We have one of those too. It costs about the same as a light month of buying water bottles for the clients, but definitely less than for a heavy month. Definitely much better water, too!

 

[Robert]

water for clients

I was able to get hold of a water dispenser with room temp, cold and hot spigots for $50, used but in very good condition. It also has a small refrigerator underneath. So they are out there. I have seen new ones at Home Depot for about $100 I think. I have several 3-gallon water bottles that I refill at the natural foods store for 25 cents a gallon. The 3 gallon size is more manageable for me than the 5 gallon. Clients really love being able to have a cup of hot tea (or chocolate) when they come in out of the cold. My partner and I decided to go green as possible, and bought glass drinking glasses and clear glass tea mugs. Drinking out of glass feels so much healthier.

 

[johhny boi]

water for clients

I have looked online and there are some counter top coolers that filter water but they cost $100 or even more.

softy515,

I just looked on Amazon for "countertop water cooler" and got a pretty good list. Try this link.

Within that link, there is one called the Avanti Thermoelectric Cold Water Dispenser (White) (15"H x 10.75W x 12"D):
http://www.amazon.com/Avanti-Thermoelectric-Water-Dispenser-10-75W/dp/B00076ODTG/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1297193835&sr=1-2 with a note below of 16 new from $48.50.

 

[Wendy]

water for clients

Thanks for the links. I also was checking out Amazon (I am always shopping there) but wasn't happy with some of the reviews for the cheaper ones. Guess it's a give or take, ya know?

Will probably just go with a lower end one and see how it works. 2 years ago I bought a ceramic type one with filter but even after running gallons of water thru it, it never tasted good. Sigh. Now it just sits around looking pretty.

 

[Kira]

water for clients

We have plastic water bottles, buy a case of 35 from costco for $3.50. then put our own labels on them, we change up the messages every month, and turn it into a marketing tool, we have even donated some cases of water to local running races for post race, imagine 200 people walking around with your logo/company info in there hands!. this idea has proven to increase sales of gift certificates at xmas, this year we sold almost 40 in december! and helps build brand exposure, we also give them away at health fairs.
I believe you can get some kind of filtre that goes in thos 5 gallon jugs then just fill it up from the tap, offer paper cups, but also sell your own reusable bottles like nalgene or kleen canteen? and get a used water cooler or a new one at costco! if $100 is too expensive, then theres a bigger problem to be addressed.

 

[Got My MoJo Working]

water for clients

... if $100 is too expensive, then theres a bigger problem to be addressed.

That may be, but we all have to start somewhere. I know a hundred dollars was a lot of money to put into my office for a whole lot of years. If someone has bills out the wazoo or extenuating circumstance and is building their practice slowly, it is understandable. We can't all hit the gates running.

 

[JerseyGirl]

water for clients

... if $100 is too expensive, then theres a bigger problem to be addressed.

That may be, but we all have to start somewhere. I know a hundred dollars was a lot of money to put into my office for a whole lot of years. If someone has bills out the wazoo or extenuating circumstance and is building their practice slowly, it is understandable. We can't all hit the gates running.

No way could I spend $100 on anything for my office right now. I am building s.l.o.w. and steady with an almost $0 marketing budget. I'm breaking even and most importantly to me have NO DEBT!!

 

[ShadowsWithin]

water for clients

... if $100 is too expensive, then theres a bigger problem to be addressed.

WOw, I missed that comment that if I think $100 is to expensive I have bigger problems. LOL

I can easily spend $100. I don't want to spend that much on water. Get it?

 

[KOTU]

water for clients

I also provided bottled water to clients for several years and just got tired of finding bottles in the office that were barely touched. Went to our local "water store" and picked up the ceramic cooler and tall stand for under $50. It costs me less than a dollar for 3 gals of water and lasts forever.

http://www.amazon.com/PRIMO-WATER-COMPANY-900114-Dispenser/dp/B000QEEAEC/ref=sr_1_13?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1300941872&sr=1-13