Explain like I’m 5 why these DRY bakery display cabinets are thousands of dollars. I’m actually not complaining, I’m trying to understand what makes them worth it.
Explain like I’m 5 why these DRY bakery display cabinets are thousands of dollars. I’m actually not complaining, I’m trying to understand what makes them worth it.
by VMey
23 Comments
pottomato12
I don’t have a reason of any sort, but why not commission for a display case?
concernedflworker
A good finish carpenter/cabinet guy and talking to the local glass company can make this kind of item 75% cheaper and customized to what you need.
Findlaym
Low volume item? Lots of breakage from shipping? I agree though, they are very expensive compared to getting something built locally.
strWojak
I’d imagine the electrical standards/safety regulation surrounding them is super extensive. Does this warrant a high price? Probably not.
jdolbeer
I’m guessing because everything in/on the case has to be spec’d to FDA/NSF regulations.
Inexpensiveggs
The bakery I worked in had similar display cases to these. They have a very convenient internalized system for getting rid of crumbs. You use a large brush and sweep bagel and pastry bits into a slot either in the corner or at the very front of the case. The final crumb tray catches everything and you just pull it out and dump it.
I’m assuming it’s very high grade plastic and not glass, but high grade plexi glass of some sort that brings the cost slightly up on this. It’s got to be food grade, and that glass has to be shatter proof. Not sure if it’s worth $4k for 45” of this material.
It also has to be condensation proof, if it’s refrigerated. That’s the expensive part, I’m guessing. Can’t see through condensation. But even $4k without refrigeration seems like a scam.
give_me_two_beers
Honest answer in my opinion is because the production of items like this is so niche they can charge a premium. I feel like that’s why a lot of kitchen/restaurant items cost so much.
mikeyaurelius
That’s expensive. Over here similar pricing would get you refrigeration at least.
Emberashn
Probably because that company only really sells to corporations in bulk so the individual consumer price is basically to get you to fuck off.
It does make sense for some of the bigger, refrigerated ones to cost that much, but a countertop glass case with a light bulb in it? Nah.
OsoRetro
Usually fabrication for equipment like this is done to order. Displays can get pretty intricate although this one doesn’t seem like it does much more than light up.
But we have a running joke in my kitchen. Everything starts at $1k. Whether you need a new stainless steel table, or your lowboy is making a funny noise. We start at $1k.
ikebuck16
NSF equipment is not cheap
PartySmoke
Lots of safety and regulations and effort into building things that follow them. But also niche so they get to charge more.
yossanator
I can buy a refrigerated display case here in the UK for £499 ($650). A full height, non-countertop version, starts at £799 ($1041). Both are Polar, which is a well known brand in UK/Europe.
The differential in pricing is nuts, unless I’m missing something?
Specialist equipment is expensive. The average Joe doesn’t need this, but the average Joe who works for the company does need to get their pay check
grimmigerpetz
Because you get cocked in the US. Our decent european ones, that also fullfill all regulations, are around 1400 EUR.
lilsourem
Shop around. If you google 45 inch bakery case many options will come up at various price points. None of them are cheap but they’re not $4k
Active-Succotash-109
Shop around. (Webstraunt) without refrigeration that doesn’t sound like a good price
Phyers
Legislation that created separate categories for residential and Commercial equipment. With commercial equipment being able to write off depreciation value for business tax loop holes. Sure it’s inflated some for the increased value in presenting your product, and functionality with nsf standards. But largely it’s capitalism. Whatever someone is willing to pay, is the price it cost.
HammockDweller789
Oh I know this one! I worked specifying these types of cases for years. The first thing is that this is list price. My guess is the actual price is 40-60% less. The second is the brand. I’m not being paid by them (I don’t work in the industry anymore), but Structural’s stuff is the best. They stand behind their product and they’re really well designed. Not to mention they look better than 90% of stuff out there.
mito413
I would look elsewhere for fixtures. While sometimes the price is reasonable on Webstaurant, often you are paying a premium for one stop shopping. Look at Trade Fixtures, Siffron, KaTom….maybe Hubert?
Also LED lights are super simple to do yourself. You are paying more because it’s lighted.
EmperorMrKitty
Same reason you can find simple cabinets for thousands of dollars on the internet. Some companies (and people) have large amounts of money to burn and don’t ask questions or stop to think.
One time I went to the luxury mall by mistake and witnessed a young kid buy a $7k thin white tshirt. Mindblowing stuff.
ithaqua34
Because you will make money from them, everyone needs their cut.
kevthewev
My guess is because of proprietary design, and the fact they are an infrequent purchase. You buy this once every few years
23 Comments
I don’t have a reason of any sort, but why not commission for a display case?
A good finish carpenter/cabinet guy and talking to the local glass company can make this kind of item 75% cheaper and customized to what you need.
Low volume item? Lots of breakage from shipping? I agree though, they are very expensive compared to getting something built locally.
I’d imagine the electrical standards/safety regulation surrounding them is super extensive.
Does this warrant a high price? Probably not.
I’m guessing because everything in/on the case has to be spec’d to FDA/NSF regulations.
The bakery I worked in had similar display cases to these. They have a very convenient internalized system for getting rid of crumbs. You use a large brush and sweep bagel and pastry bits into a slot either in the corner or at the very front of the case. The final crumb tray catches everything and you just pull it out and dump it.
I’m assuming it’s very high grade plastic and not glass, but high grade plexi glass of some sort that brings the cost slightly up on this. It’s got to be food grade, and that glass has to be shatter proof. Not sure if it’s worth $4k for 45” of this material.
It also has to be condensation proof, if it’s refrigerated. That’s the expensive part, I’m guessing. Can’t see through condensation. But even $4k without refrigeration seems like a scam.
Honest answer in my opinion is because the production of items like this is so niche they can charge a premium. I feel like that’s why a lot of kitchen/restaurant items cost so much.
That’s expensive. Over here similar pricing would get you refrigeration at least.
Probably because that company only really sells to corporations in bulk so the individual consumer price is basically to get you to fuck off.
It does make sense for some of the bigger, refrigerated ones to cost that much, but a countertop glass case with a light bulb in it? Nah.
Usually fabrication for equipment like this is done to order. Displays can get pretty intricate although this one doesn’t seem like it does much more than light up.
But we have a running joke in my kitchen. Everything starts at $1k. Whether you need a new stainless steel table, or your lowboy is making a funny noise. We start at $1k.
NSF equipment is not cheap
Lots of safety and regulations and effort into building things that follow them. But also niche so they get to charge more.
I can buy a refrigerated display case here in the UK for £499 ($650). A full height, non-countertop version, starts at £799 ($1041). Both are Polar, which is a well known brand in UK/Europe.
The differential in pricing is nuts, unless I’m missing something?
[Link](https://www.nisbets.co.uk/catering-appliances/servery-and-display-machines/display20fridges/_/a33-2.f8-1?q=&sort=max-price-asc&show=ALL)
Specialist equipment is expensive. The average Joe doesn’t need this, but the average Joe who works for the company does need to get their pay check
Because you get cocked in the US. Our decent european ones, that also fullfill all regulations, are around 1400 EUR.
Shop around. If you google 45 inch bakery case many options will come up at various price points. None of them are cheap but they’re not $4k
Shop around. (Webstraunt) without refrigeration that doesn’t sound like a good price
Legislation that created separate categories for residential and Commercial equipment. With commercial equipment being able to write off depreciation value for business tax loop holes. Sure it’s inflated some for the increased value in presenting your product, and functionality with nsf standards. But largely it’s capitalism. Whatever someone is willing to pay, is the price it cost.
Oh I know this one! I worked specifying these types of cases for years. The first thing is that this is list price. My guess is the actual price is 40-60% less. The second is the brand. I’m not being paid by them (I don’t work in the industry anymore), but Structural’s stuff is the best. They stand behind their product and they’re really well designed. Not to mention they look better than 90% of stuff out there.
I would look elsewhere for fixtures. While sometimes the price is reasonable on Webstaurant, often you are paying a premium for one stop shopping. Look at Trade Fixtures, Siffron, KaTom….maybe Hubert?
Also LED lights are super simple to do yourself. You are paying more because it’s lighted.
Same reason you can find simple cabinets for thousands of dollars on the internet. Some companies (and people) have large amounts of money to burn and don’t ask questions or stop to think.
One time I went to the luxury mall by mistake and witnessed a young kid buy a $7k thin white tshirt. Mindblowing stuff.
Because you will make money from them, everyone needs their cut.
My guess is because of proprietary design, and the fact they are an infrequent purchase. You buy this once every few years