S16.E18:Jaju Pierogi; Permaplug; Fanion; Rocco Fridge;

[CrazyInAlabama]

Have no idea why they’re airing Remarkable Women of the Year instead of Shark Tank where I live, in lower Alabama, but apparently others saw this episode, maybe on streaming?  So I’ll do the best I can.  Thanks for the updates.   I keep wondering if the local channel is going to zap the next two episodes left this season too?  I guess I'll find out. 

At last!  It's on my Spectrum On Demand. Only two days after airing.   I still don't know what happened to the regular slot on last Friday.  

New, 5/2/ 2025 5/9/2025

Sharks-Mark, Daniel, Kevin, Lori, Robert

Jaju Pierogi-A family-made Eastern European pierogi. Kevin made his usual Sharky deal. I don’t see anything new about pierogi’s, they’ve sold them in my grocery stores for many year.  Seeking $300,000 for 8%. Casey and Vanessa are selling this.  They do have a nice variety, but still don't interest me.  Sharks love the flavors.  They're selling in Whole Foods, and other groceries.  They made $7 million last year, but no profit. Kevin says pot stickers, dumplings and perogies are the fastest growing part of the frozen food sector. Sales are projected to $ 2.7 or 2.8 Million for 2024. Margins suck, and manufacturing costs are way too high.  Lori is out.  Mark is out.   Robert loves the perogies, offers partner with Daniel, for $300,000, because Daniel is the 'food guy', and Daniel says maybe, then Daniel says no because it's a conflict with another company, and Robert's out. Kevin offers $300,000, for 20%, but they have to contract with his co-packer.  Then Lori wants to go in with Kevin, and Kevin says no.  The sisters offer 10%, and Kevin says no.  

No deal. 

Permaplug Charger Lock- a permanent fix for lost phone chargers.     Another product I don’t see an issue for.  I don’t need an outlet with a charging device permanently plugged in.  ANd many home chargers that will plug into this will be too short to use and reach the device. $350,000 for 15% from Zach.  Patented, locks plug insert in place with a locking cover.  Daniel says works at home, but not on the road.  Sales are $450,000 so far.  Who feels comfortable leaving the charger plugged in constantly?   All sales are direct to consumer, and to schools and institutions and Amazon.   Margins are good. Kevin is $350,000 at 15% and $2 royalty forever, , Mark is out, Robert is out. Zach says no royalties in perpetuity.  Daniel offers $350,000 for 25%. Lori offers $350,000 and 20%royalty of $1 until she gets paid back. 

Deal with Lori, $350,000 for 20% and $1 royalty until she gets paid back.

Fanion Onion Cutting Fan-a kitchen fan that prevents "onion eyes" Apparently sellers spent 430K to invent a fan. Sharks tell sellers to get rid of inventory at a discount and move on, and they seem to be doing that.    Sellers Glen and Madison Smith want $90,000 for 15%.   Margins are OK. $28,000 in sales in 18 months.  They've invested $468,000 in this, HELOC retirement funds, mostly spent on inventory.  Customer acquisition cost are awful.   They make no money.  Mark is out, Lori is out, suggests selling inventory out and find another product.  Kevin is out. Robert is out. Daniel is out. 

No deal.

Rocco Smart Fridge:  a smart mini fridge designed for drinks. $1500 for a noisy little fridge for your living room?   Why.  Apparently it includes custom fitted shelves.   I could do the same for about $200, $100 for the fridge, and a little more for the plastic drink holders they make for fridges.   Sellers Elise and Sam want $600,000 for 3%.  Note: apparently the fridge is now almost $2,000 because of changes in import costs.   Apparently the appeal is it looks like furniture. Shelves are adjustible for different size drinks.  It has an app, and you can check your phone for supplies needed, and temperature. Margins are not good.  Direct to consumer, $1 million in money invested.   $4 million sales in 8 months.   They have enough on order to sell $12 million for 2024.   Robert is out.  Mark in out.  Daniel is out. Kevin offers $600k for 10%.  Lori is out.   Kevin is now out, and cancels his offer.  They offer Kevin a royalty $50 per unit. 

Lori is back 600,000 at 4%, and royalty $50 per fridge until she makes her money back and a few $100,000 more. 

 

 

Update-Splash Swim Goggles, have done very well, approved for international competitions, and now sold in several other countries.   Iceland, Australia are two. 

 

(Series finale 5/16/2025)

 

Edited May 5 by CrazyInAlabama

[DEL901]

Hey, it was on in Canada.  It was Mark, Kevin, Daniel, Lori and Robert, and I think there is another episode next week.

PermaPlus got a deal with Lori, but a lot of interest from everyone.

Everyone told the Fanion father/daughter to sell their $250,000 in inventory and try to at least recoup some of their debt (they even took out a line of credit on their home).

For the Fridges, Lori just bought a couple from a different company but likes these better and eventually makes the deal.  

The Perogi ladies didn’t get a deal.

The updated the folks with the fancy new swim goggles.  Sales are through the roof (I can’t remember the $$) and they are expanding internationally including Iceland and Australia.

Edited May 3 by DEL901

[EtheltoTillie]

I could not understand the charger idea.  The way these people talked--and the Sharks agreed--people are going around in the house and removing chargers from room to room.  This doesn't happen in my house.  I carry an extra charger in my purse.  It's worth buying extras so you don't have to remember to take one with you. 

They started talking about hotels and offices--I guess there was some market there, where the hotel would supply the charger. 

The fridge idea was also ridiculous.  Get one of those $100 dorm fridges.  Who needs custom fitted shelves. 

Edited May 3 by EtheltoTillie

[EtheltoTillie]

Pierogis were also ridiculous. Grampa’s recipe?  Pierogis are very basic and frozen ones are sold everywhere!  

[tired and hungry]

4 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

I could not understand the charger idea.  The way these people talked--and the Sharks agreed--people are going around in the house and removing chargers from room to room.  This doesn't happen in my house.  I carry an extra charger in my purse.  It's worth buying extras so you don't have to remember to take one with you. 

They started talking about hotels and offices--I guess there was some market there, where the hotel would supply the charger. 

Absolutely wild that they were applauding the charger thing like some life changing idea. I didn't get it all. Don't you have your own charger to use, like why are you stealing other people's chargers in your own house? And why was the cable on that thing so short? Was it was retractable, the more you pull the cord the longer it gets? They definitely didn't show that part of it. Also it's just attached to the outlet with a simple screw that anyone can unscrew in 5mins? Maybe there is more to the device than was shown.

I'm getting tired of Lori's stupid "jokes". That good news/bad news thing was soooo stupid.

For the Peirogi, I don't understand why Robert just couldn't make an offer on his own if he liked it so much. I get he has not much experience in food deals but the lack of knowledge about a product/company hasn't stopped him in the past from making offers.

The last product was just a fancy mini fridge. Why do you even need an app for a fridge? To tell you what you need to restock? But why? Are you that dependent on technology, like just use your damn eyes. Yeesh. People will make an app for anything nowadays. Just another way for them to sell your data and show you targeted ads. 

😮‍💨

[EtheltoTillie]

I just thought of something I would have asked about the fridge--I wonder if it's self defrosting.  That could account for some of the higher cost.

  That's one disadvantage of the dorm fridges.  They have to be defrosted.  I still have one in my kitchen, though.  My original fridge was too small and it was built in and I couldn't get a larger one.  So I got a dorm fridge for a corner.  I eventually remodeled and put in a larger fridge, but I kept the dorm fridge.  Definitely helps to store extra stuff for a summer barbecue or other party.

But I'm also in agreement about the fridge restocking apps. I can't imagine I would ever use that.  I've seen this idea touted for full size refrigerators. 

[tvfanatic13]

The charger was unusable due to its length. I can’t understand why no one said anything about that. 

[SG429]

2 hours ago, tvfanatic13 said:

The charger was unusable due to its length. I can’t understand why no one said anything about that. 

I think the doodad is just a captive enclosure for your own charger and cable length of choice.

[Shrek]

On 5/3/2025 at 4:27 AM, CrazyInAlabama said:

 

New, 5/2/ 2025 5/9/2025

Sharks-Barbara, Mark, Kevin, Lori, Daymond

 

Rocco Smart Fridge:  a smart mini fridge designed for drinks. $1300 for a noisy little fridge for your living room?   Why.  Apparently it includes custom fitted shelves.   I could do the same for about $200, $100 for the fridge, and a little more for the plastic drink holders they make for fridges.    Note: apparently the fridge is now almost $2,000 because of changes in import costs.   

Lori makes the deal.

 

 

I'm guessing that's because of the tangerine tyrant's tariffs & if not then next week it will be over $3k. 

[DEL901]

I googled the fanion.  It looks like they are taking the sharks’ advice.  Price is now $14.99 (was $19.99 when they were on the show).

[CrazyInAlabama]

The Fanion is unnecessary, I have a pair of glasses that wrap around, and have foam on the sides, they're called onion goggles and they work fine.  The problem with the fan is it just blows the fumes around, so where will they end up?   With my luck they would cluster where I walk right into them.     That fridge sounds awful.   

[EtheltoTillie]

I’d like to try the goggles. I wore contacts for forty years and never had a problem. Then I had cataract surgery.  I love the results but now I have a problem with onions.  Since the barrier method seems to work best for me I would have hope for the goggles. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

12 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

I’d like to try the goggles. I wore contacts for forty years and never had a problem. Then I had cataract surgery.  I love the results but now I have a problem with onions.  Since the barrier method seems to work best for me I would have hope for the goggles. 

I bought them from Amazon, they're called onion goggles, but are clear lens wrap around glasses.   

Edited May 5 by CrazyInAlabama

[Sir RaiderDuck OMS]

Kevin's deal was sharky as hell even for him. 20% of the company and he wants you to use his food producer (which he'll also make money on)? I'd have been very wary about using a food producer that could potentially pull a Breyer's and cut costs by gradually replacing my quality ingredients with cheap fillers and additives.

The Fanion was ridiculous. There are tons of small desk fans already on the market; this gadget is the same thing, just with an onion-themed outer case.

I could see the Permaplug's appeal if you're operating a public space such as a waiting area or hotel room or whatever and want to add USB charging functionality without replacing your outlets. The entrepreneur mentioned that it could be purchased with a special locking screwhead.

Finally, my wife and I live in a 964 square-foot luxury apartment. We're plenty lazy when relaxing, but neither is so lazy as to be unwilling to walk 20 feet from our reclining couch to our regular fridge. Besides, the exercise is good for us.

[30 Helens]

I think the charger thing would be a godsend in a large household. Things like that always get moved and not put back, especially when teens are involved. Even if they have their own charger, they may misplace it and then it’s easier to just grab dad’s. Mark intimated that he is familiar with this situation, and I can see it. I also think hotels could be a great market for this— what a great convenience to provide for guests, without worry of it being stolen.

The beverage refrigerator was very attractive, and it could be a great addition to a family room in a large upscale home. I would not be a customer for this because my home is too small (and not that fancy), but I can see why Lori liked it. I think she may be overestimating the market for it, though.

As for the onion fan:

12 hours ago, Sir RaiderDuck OMS said:

There are tons of small desk fans already on the market; this gadget is the same thing, just with an onion-themed outer case.

Exactly. This is all I could think of during the presentation, and I was shocked that nobody pointed that out. 

[Tango64]

17 hours ago, Sir RaiderDuck OMS said:

The Fanion was ridiculous. There are tons of small desk fans already on the market; this gadget is the same thing, just with an onion-themed outer case.

Yes, such a pointless product. I always marvel at the people who mortgage their home and go so far in debt for an "invention" like this. How can they not see the folly in staking all their finances on such a weak idea? Do they have no family or friends who will tell them they're crazy?

[Shrek]

3 hours ago, Tango64 said:

Yes, such a pointless product. I always marvel at the people who mortgage their home and go so far in debt for an "invention" like this. How can they not see the folly in staking all their finances on such a weak idea? Do they have no family or friends who will tell them they're crazy?

Have you seen & heard the president lately? 

[lh25]

On 5/3/2025 at 1:11 PM, tired and hungry said:

I'm getting tired of Lori's stupid "jokes". That good news/bad news thing was soooo stupid.

I agree!  I was already tired of her taking forever to just say she was out.  Now this.

[eel2178]

On 5/3/2025 at 10:50 AM, EtheltoTillie said:

Pierogis were also ridiculous. Grampa’s recipe?  Pierogis are very basic and frozen ones are sold everywhere!  

Where I live, you can buy 2 different brands one of which has all the same flavors as theirs. The price for 12 frozen (although many times there are 13 or even 14 in the box) is less than half what they're selling theirs for.

If they don't find a way to decrease costs so they can bring their price down, they're going to go belly up pretty quickly.

[eel2178]

On 5/3/2025 at 9:25 AM, EtheltoTillie said:

The fridge idea was also ridiculous.  Get one of those $100 dorm fridges.  Who needs custom fitted shelves. 

Have we really gotten this lazy?

[Sir RaiderDuck OMS]

3 hours ago, eel2178 said:

Have we really gotten this lazy?

I could see it if the TV room is on a different floor than the kitchen: someone with bad knees/hips/ankles/whatever may not want to run up and down the stairs every time they want a fresh bottle of water or can of Pepsi.

[Madding crowd]

My refrigerator has a drink drawer so I wouldn’t need one of these but my son brought home his dorm fridge which he keeps in the basement. Also a lot of sodas and other drinks come in refrigerator packs which you can put in so the drinks don’t get “lost” which the presenter thought was a huge problem. There are tons of frozen pierogis around, especially here in Chicago which has a large Polish population. I can’t even with the onion fan-even the dollar store has portable battery fans!

Edited May 14 by Madding crowd

[Quickbeam]

On 5/6/2025 at 10:56 AM, Tango64 said:

Yes, such a pointless product. I always marvel at the people who mortgage their home and go so far in debt for an "invention" like this. How can they not see the folly in staking all their finances on such a weak idea? Do they have no family or friends who will tell them they're crazy?

For years I worked with a nurse who was supporting the whole family while her husband tinkered with “the perfect surge protector”. She was trying to raise the kids, pay the mortgage and hold up the sky while this guy sat at home inventing. She said “it’s his dream” but even back then there were a million surge protectors on the market. They almost lost their house until she took a second job. Really, some people just latch onto an idea and can’t let go.

[DEL901]

1 hour ago, Quickbeam said:

For years I worked with a nurse who was supporting the whole family while her husband tinkered with “the perfect surge protector”. She was trying to raise the kids, pay the mortgage and hold up the sky while this guy sat at home inventing. She said “it’s his dream” but even back then there were a million surge protectors on the market. They almost lost their house until she took a second job. Really, some people just latch onto an idea and can’t let go.

It’s the dream of being rich and successful.  But for every Scrub Daddy, there are a thousand Onion Fans.