24 January 2010

WTF Mr Whippy??

| deezagood
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My kids got really excited today when they heard the theme from Greensleeves being played in the distance, and with much enthusiasm, patiently waited for Mr Whippy to arrive. We rushed out to get an ice cream and I nearly fell over when I read the price listings;

— $8.00 for a plain single cone,
— $5.00 for a tiny kiddies cone … and
NO CHOC DIP.

I was forced to cough up, as the kids would have been devastated – but I feel really ripped off.

Is it just me, or do others think that $8.00 is unbelievably RIDICULOUS for a plain single cone???

Does he get any repeat business at those prices?

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Thoroughly Smashed said :

astrojax said :

went back inside and got a smooze out of the freezer – now they are a yummy, and ecologically sustainable, treat. mmmm… 🙂

From their website: “Smooze is more than a healthy treat, it’s a way of life.” Blimey.

Makes you want to inject the pack with vodka before freezing. Tip: Mark Mummy’s with a cross.

” … forced to cough up because the kids would be devastated”

Good God. Why didn’t you have a bit of parenting spine, impart some wisdom to your kids about the value of money, promise them an Icy Pole from the local shops (or something more fancy), and give them a life lesson in enduring a minor disappointment?

You are really setting yourself up for bad times ahead!

pink little birdie2:08 pm 24 Jan 12

@ Sarahrk

Please come to my street…in Kambah – I’d buy lots off you. I would also point you in directions where my friends and I congrarate and then we would buy lots.

A few weeks ago at my friends house in Campbell the $8 ice cream man came along and the ice cream was terrible. I was down at the cotter before christmas on a saturday night and the icecream was cheap and awesome (they had soy icecream 2) but he was awesome I’d buy off him.

I totally willing to pay a little bit extra for ice cream from a Mr whippy van as long as it’s good. 🙂

PLEASE MR WHIPPY COME BACK TO MY HOUSE, MR WHIPPY I MISS YOU, PLEASE I WANT MY ICE-CREAM FROM MR WHIPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thoroughly Smashed1:59 pm 24 Jan 12

astrojax said :

went back inside and got a smooze out of the freezer – now they are a yummy, and ecologically sustainable, treat. mmmm… 🙂

From their website: “Smooze is more than a healthy treat, it’s a way of life.” Blimey.

If you see this guy: http://iceking.com.au/ buy from him, great valu for money.

On the way home last Friday I was riding through Yarralumla and a Mr Whippy van came the oppisite direction. He was going that fast that he was 300m up the road before any of the kids had any time to get out the front to stop him…

similarly, went to flag down one racing round the inner north annoying residents with the blasting of greensleaves, saw the prices on the side and waved him on. outrageous. went back inside and got a smooze out of the freezer – now they are a yummy, and ecologically sustainable, treat. mmmm… 🙂

trevar said :

My kids have never had the privilege of ice cream from a van; I tell them that’s for the upper classes, and we’re only middle class. When they’re all earning six figures they can buy me ice cream from a van.

😀 That’s teaching ’em right!

Had his come around my place in Stirling, super excited – I assumed they would be about $3-4 a cone, so I took $8 in change and set for a run around the block to find the source of the greensleaves.

Queued up and got to the front of the line only to find out that a single cone was actually $10!!! (maybe it was with sprinkles or something) – $20 for me and my wife to get an icecream fix!!!!!

It was then that I realised I could go down to Coolaman and pick up 60+ maccas soft serves for the same price! Screw you Mr Whippy!

I was at the Kambah adventure play ground last weekend when a mr whippy came around it was the flashest ice cream van i have seen it was a big red and gold van, when the kids wanted an icecream i was a little worried what the prices would be, i was so supperised when the icecreams were only $2.50 and they were huge and i could also get a cup of coffee which was really good so i dont know why anyone would pay $8.00 i cant remember the name of it i think it was Ice King i would definetly go back.

When I was a kid Mr Whippy’s ice-cream was really creamy, had one a few years back and was just like an ordinary whipped ice-cream, definitely not the same, about the same time Frosty’s ice-cream van used to go around also, wasn’t as good as Mr Whippy’s, and who would pay $8.00, I would rather buy from Wendy’s, rum and raisin yum!

georgesgenitals5:42 pm 02 Oct 10

sarahrk said :

I can’t believe that!!!! I OWN an ice cream van and feel bad charging $3 a cone…and I make sure it’s the best quality ice cream AND huge too! wow!!! Oh and I have an $70,000 loan on the van too, so it’s not like I have one of those old horrible vans. No i’m not raising the prices and would NEVER sell for $8…that is over priced and greedy. I’ll let you in on a secret. I buy the best quality ice cream for $32 a box. I make about $350-400 per box. He’d be making about $1000 per box! WOWOWOWOWOW!

Sounds like you’re a great ice cream truck. Come to my street!

Deezagood was the icecream van made by Rolls Royce??? At those prices Mr Whippy could afford one!

I can’t believe that!!!! I OWN an ice cream van and feel bad charging $3 a cone…and I make sure it’s the best quality ice cream AND huge too! wow!!! Oh and I have an $70,000 loan on the van too, so it’s not like I have one of those old horrible vans. No i’m not raising the prices and would NEVER sell for $8…that is over priced and greedy. I’ll let you in on a secret. I buy the best quality ice cream for $32 a box. I make about $350-400 per box. He’d be making about $1000 per box! WOWOWOWOWOW!

I saw that the Canberra Times lifted our story for their rag during the week (Wednesday or Thursday from memory). Had the mention of the new business using the maroon Mercedes van and one to $8 icecream claims on “online forums”. One day they will properly credit us for being a contributor to their stories..

Ah, memories… 🙂

My Dad was a Mr Whippy back in the early ’70’s, when I was about 4 or 5 years old. I’d ride around in the van with him sometimes.

Seriously, when you’re 5, could there be any better job your Dad could have than being a Mr Whippy? 😉

stonedwookie2:10 pm 29 Jan 10

saw one the other day but it had no music!
not sure how anyones spose to know that ones comming.

I work in Tuggers and we have the new Wendy’s on wheels come around as i like to call it, great hot dogs $4.50 great coffee and the best ice-cream u can get a sundae with topping,nuts and flake for $4.50. Forget hwat its called but they play teddys bear picnic song. Red van with gold writting.

Rawhide Kid No 2 said :

Hmmm SA Plates………… License to trade in ACT??

= High speed neighborhood cruising and high prices.

Then I could be wrong.

Just like illegal fishermen.

I dont get this, most of you have been ripped off by a deviate Willy Wonka, WHY?? I took my kids out to that dude and saw the prices. I told him to leave the street before I inserted one of his icecreams somewhere that would make it uncomfortable to drive. Maybe thats why he drives so fast, someone has already done it to him and he is looking for somewhere warm to sit? And my kids? I took them to maccas and let them eat as many 50cent cones as they wanted. Now they dont eat icecream at all….

My wife and myself brought a soft serve “icecream” look-alike thing from an icecream van in Holt a number of years ago (can’t remember price or what van) but the substance they called soft serve icecream was warm, not just not cold or room temperature but warm, it was perfectly formed and held it’s shape. BTW while they sat in the garbage they didn’t melt either. Gross, never wanted to get one since.

And its frozen fluffy sugar stuff now too. Not even worth 50c now if you ask me!

Apparently Mr Whippy zoomed by our house earlier in Jan when I was at work. No way were hubby and 5yo going to get out there fast enough to flag him down. Must give hubby a heads-up about the exhorbitant prices, especially since the local shop is only 300m away!

ATM we also have home-made frozen mango yoghurts in the freezer (my investment two summers ago in a set of Tupperware thingies to make them in has definitely paid off).

I’ve been hearing the Whippy van for the last few weeks also and wondered how this 80s phenomenon still manages to get any business in this day and age…

I can’t believe they are charging $8 for a single plain soft serve cone!! My goodness, that is insane!

UrbanAdventure.org10:06 pm 25 Jan 10

Devil_n_Disquiz said :

$8 for a soft serve ??? Sheesh…go to Macca’s and buy 16 of theirs.

Ha ha ha ha! Not a bad idea. Might be fun to throw them at the expensive Mr Whippy. Hmm, but there’s that damn law abiding personality of mine….

Mr Whippy: “Yes kids he really whips kids”

Felix the Cat8:29 pm 25 Jan 10

I used to drive a Mr Whippy truck about 15 years ago and each day you were given a “run sheet” of places they want you to go. One day they’d send you to Red Hill or O’Malley and you’d be lucky to make $30 all day. Go to Queanbeyan and you’d make $30 in minutes and run out of ice cream after a couple of hours or so.
I reckon I could of made a fortune for them if I’d been allowed to pick the places myself. I reckon places like Lake Ginninderra or BG (multiple locations at each) would of been a good money spinner, not to mention Weston Park or even places like the Cotter (even better now since there are no food/beverage outlets out that way since the pub burnt down), but for some reason these places weren’t on the list.

give your kids ‘garth pig and the icecream lady’ to read. they won’t want to go to the icecream van again. god knows i have hated the things since childhood thanks to that book!

Deano said :

johnboy said :

I here the trick is to teach your kids the music means the van has run out of icecream.

We’ve taught our kids that the music comes from the broccoli truck. quote]

LOVE IT!

Devil_n_Disquiz6:47 pm 25 Jan 10

$8 for a soft serve ??? Sheesh…go to Macca’s and buy 16 of theirs.

Yeah, he just came past…and im now $8 broker…

johnboy said :

I here the trick is to teach your kids the music means the van has run out of icecream.

We’ve taught our kids that the music comes from the broccoli truck. Strangely they aren’t that interested when he comes round.

The guy in question was doing the rounds in Tuggeranong yesterday. He has an interesting business model – play Greensleaves really loud, drive really fast through the suburb, don’t stop unless someone flags you down and then charge them outrageous prices for poor quality soft serve with no extras.

people pay for convenience, most canberaans are over paid, so why not charge as much as you can get. if you are willing to pay $3.50 for a coffe 3 times a day $8 for an ice cream cone for the kids doesm’t seem that bad

eyeLikeCarrots4:03 pm 25 Jan 10

Any Mr Whippy who charges $8 for a single plain cone of listeria infested soft serve pig fat should get a punch in the face, what an stinking thief.

I go to the bike rental place on the lake every saturday and enjoy a single cone of vanilla bean for $3.50.

Save yourself the hassle and put this dude out of business, unless you like getting laughed at by a fat man in a van.

I got my daughter the $5 one. It was had a pretty big fist sized ball of ice cream on top. I didn’t feel ripped off but would have got two if the price was $1 cheaper.

Everytime i hear the horn song i want to cut the horn out of the van….

Confusedwouldwe12:42 pm 25 Jan 10

Mr Whippy is cool. A while ago one drove down our street and I managed to buy an ice cream then he drove off before a bunch of kids arrived. Man did they scream at him. I couldn’t help laughing. It was one of those moments that is just so wrong it’s right.

There are a couple of MrWhippy’s, a guy in a pink older model Transit, he is the expensive one & one in a completely white mid 90’s model transit, he is the one to buy off.

He is really nice & we didnt have to get a mortgage to buy an ice cream for the kids (it even had chocholate on the outside).

2pm on a Sunday he turned up from memory & Im in Lanyon.

$8 for one????

Pick up a tub of Sarah Lee, Connoisseur, or Homer Hudson (if you can find it anymore *sniff*) for that much, spend an extra $2 on some waffle cones, and make MULTIPLE better ice creams at home!

Can’t be sure that this is the same van that came around our street last night, but was a bit pee’d off that he did so at 8.30 or later at an excruciatingly slow speed, music blaring, just as my 17 month old son was FINALLY going off to sleep. Isn’t the point of it to come around when the kids are still outside?

I forced my dad to go out and buy me one yesterday when Mr Whippy was cruising the streets of Kambah early afternoon. If he paid $8 (or even if I was paying $8) I wouldn’t complain – the icecream is SO good. Better than Maccas soft serve.

UrbanAdventure.org11:32 am 25 Jan 10

I chased a brown and white Mr Whippy van down the street in Narrabundah one evening and after missing it once, caught it down the next street. I asked first if he had change for a $50. Ohh, I should not have done that! He saud sure he did. Then I asked for two chock dipped double cones with ssprinkles. He said he had no sprinkles, just chocolate topping. So I said sure, fine. Then he said “That will be twenty dollars.”

Twenty dollars for two plain double cone ice creams with chocolate topping (not even chocolate dipped and no sprinkles). I said “no thatnks”.

My friend commented that he must not get enough to fill his petrol tank with the number of potential customers he scared away. Where as I said his tank was probably full at the rate he charged.

I figured I could buy a full set of waffle cones, a few packets of sprinkles, some choclate topping and a couple of tubs of ice cream for $20. I think I’ll be ignoring that sound in the future.

There is one that drives around the northside and plays the greensleeves song, but it seems to be selling tubs of homemade icecream on delivery – has anyone tried it?

They are doing themselves out of business….I got caught by their stupid prices about 6 years back. So when we hear that music now…we ignore it. Even my 12yo son knows those prices are a complete rip-off.

Rawhide Kid No 211:05 am 25 Jan 10

Hmmm SA Plates………… License to trade in ACT?? = High speed neighborhood cruising and high prices.

Then I could be wrong.

All this time i thought that it was someone with a CD of Greensleeves being a prick by playing it loudly (hence why i can never find him).

I have never been a big fan of McDonald’s, but they serve the same soft serve ice cream for 50 cents.

With just a little bit of marketing nouce, these silly people could win customers for life, turn them into raving fans and make a good profit as well.

But no, lets rip the people off, piss them off and leave them angry and dissatisfied,so we have to charge the addicts who keep coming back regardless a fortune just to eek out a living.

Might be time to get a coach Mr Whippy.

I caught him a few weeks back and let me tell you, it wasn’t worth $8!!! That fluffy, airy type of soft serve is just crap – it’s like they modify the machine to pump more air and less cream!

Not to mention that he somehow manages to get that old Bedford around our cul-de-sac in about 5 seconds flat.

Boo!

Clown Killer9:42 am 25 Jan 10

I think that your particular Mr Whippy must have been taking advantage of you. The one that plys the streets of Kambah charges $4.00 for a single plain cone (the wife), $5.00 for a choc-dip single cone with a flake stuck in it (the kids) and $5.00 for a thick shake (moi). Not exactly cheap, but hey he comes to th ebottom of your drive way so I figure its worth the little bit extra.

I managed to catch him a couple of weeks ago. You definately have to be quick off the mark!!!

Ernie said :

Wowsers – $8! I was so excited when I heard the music yesterday, we ran outside but missed him. By the time you get your shoes on, grab your purse and leg it down a flight of stairs and then down the footpath (we live in units), it was all too late especially at the speed he was going. I saw another girl chase him up the street next to us.

Actually Ernie, you make a good point – he really did blast his way through our street – only stopping when I screamed out STOP at him – and another four or five kids finally got to catch him. So, one wonders … with the crazy prices, high speed and disinclination to stop … does this bloke actually WANT to sell ice crem … or is there something amiss about all of this …. ??

grunge_hippy said :

and why does he always come BEFORE dinner???? i was at my parents place today he was there at 6pm.

You don’t have tea until 6pm? What are you waiting for?

My kids have never had the privilege of ice cream from a van; I tell them that’s for the upper classes, and we’re only middle class. When they’re all earning six figures they can buy me ice cream from a van.

A friend of mine taught her kids that the van was an evil evil evil thing so the little girl made sure she watched the van until it drove away to protect her mummy.

Pure genious I thought

eight dollars for cheap soft serve icecream? better off going to local iga and getting a couple litres of the nice stuff for that – heard the whipster a few weeks back; glad now i couldn’t get it together to be out in the street in time to hail him down. thanks the heads-up, shan’t bother now…

I heard that Mr. Whippy’s ice cream is really melted brains and if you see him at night he chases you for your sweet sweet brains.

Source is still unconfirmed.

I feel like ice cream now.

Wowsers – $8! I was so excited when I heard the music yesterday, we ran outside but missed him. By the time you get your shoes on, grab your purse and leg it down a flight of stairs and then down the footpath (we live in units), it was all too late especially at the speed he was going. I saw another girl chase him up the street next to us.

Yeesh, me and a group of 17-24 year olds today decided to chase him down, couldnt find him, and went to the petrol station to get icecream.

I now realize how cheaper it was!! :O

grunge_hippy10:13 pm 24 Jan 10

and why does he always come BEFORE dinner???? i was at my parents place today he was there at 6pm. too early! plus he was motoring along, i dont think he wanted anyone to stop him!!!

we had a very fancy pants mr whippy come around a few weeks ago, sold coffee and ‘premium’ ice cream as well as soft serve. i dont recall if the price was unreasonable, since i had the premium one and expected to pay a bit more.

You expected anything different from Mr Whippy? lol

On a somewhat related matter, “Mr Whippy” was operating around here about a month ago. He seems to have gone up in the world in the past year or so, as he was driving a huge brand new mercedes van with a maroon/gold paint job with South Australian numberplates. Makes me suspicious of what icey goodness he was actually selling..

I here the trick is to teach your kids the music means the van has run out of icecream.

stereo henry9:40 pm 24 Jan 10

I grabbed a monaco bar from the servo this afternoon… $3.90. You could’ve knocked me over with a feather.

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