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Home / Travel

Ice cream truck owner wins over the internet with his swipe at social media 'influencers'

news.com.au
3 Jul, 2019 08:34 PM4 mins to read

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The truck sells ice cream for just $4, yet social media influencers still ask for a free cone in exchange for a mention on Instagram. Photo / Facebook

The truck sells ice cream for just $4, yet social media influencers still ask for a free cone in exchange for a mention on Instagram. Photo / Facebook

When it comes to seeking out a freebie, this ice cream truck's owner has had enough.

In fact, the owner of CVT Soft Serve in Los Angeles is so annoyed by social media "influencers" asking for free ice cream in exchange for a mention on social media, he has announced a new policy.

Ask for a free cone (which normally costs just $4) and you have to pay double.

This week, the business' social media page posted a picture on Instagram of an employee holding a sign reading "Influencers pay double."

The truck sells ice cream for just $4, yet social media influencers still ask for a free cone in exchange for a mention on Instagram. Photo / Facebook
The truck sells ice cream for just $4, yet social media influencers still ask for a free cone in exchange for a mention on Instagram. Photo / Facebook
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Captioned next to the photo, which has received over 1k likes, the post detailed how little they care about so-called "influencers".

"We've decided to make this thing official with signage. We truly don't care if you're an Influencer, or how many followers you have.

"We will never give you a free ice cream in exchange for a post on your social media page. It's literally a $4 item … well now it's $8 for you"

The captioned finished with #InfluencersAreGross

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View this post on Instagram

A good friend of ours just opened a new restaurant and has been flooded with inquiries from bloggers offering press in exchange for free food. Any legit journalist like @eater_la or @latimesfood would never stoop so low. #InfluencersAreGross

A post shared by CVT Soft Serve (@cvtsoftserve) on Jun 27, 2019 at 2:44pm PDT

In an interview with Newsweek, CVT co-founder Joe Nicchi said he launched the policy after becoming "burned out" by the number of "influencers" trying to get free ice cream in exchange for their posts.

"L.A. is full of so-called 'influencers' with large followings that are actually fake because they most likely paid for likes and follows," he said.

View this post on Instagram

Capice?

A post shared by CVT Soft Serve (@cvtsoftserve) on May 18, 2019 at 11:35am PDT

"Anyone can have a following if they want to pay for it. Google 'social media bots'.

"The 2019 version of 'Do you know who I am?' is 'I'm an influencer,' but without the talent."

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The company said they were "embarrassed" when an "influencer" bragged how many followers they had to try and get a free ice cream cone.

View this post on Instagram

#WeLoveMostOfOurCustomers Posted @withrepost • @jsmcquary best soft serve i’ve ever had! 💛🍦✨

A post shared by CVT Soft Serve (@cvtsoftserve) on May 19, 2019 at 8:41pm PDT

"We cater for some pretty big A-list talent in Hollywood, and I have no interest in giving them free product," he said.

"I have a family and plenty of bills to pay! My kids' school doesn't take celebrity photos as a form of tuition payment."

CVT Soft Serve — which stands for "Chocolate Vanilla Twist" — launched in 2012 in Los Angeles by Mr Nicchi and his wife, Tyler.

Their business model is simple — good ice cream with the option of sprinkles. That's it.

The policy has won over social media, with users congratulating the small business for taking a stand against influencers hoping to nab a freebie.

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"Awesome, keep it up, charge triple even," one person said on Instagram.

"Very tacky of the influencer that reached out to you to serve 300 for free. I will gladly pay $4 dollars for a cone (because I love ice cream) and post just to spread the word," another added.

View this post on Instagram

Happy Birthday @miketyson ...If you’d like to stop by for a cone, we’ll have two trucks on the streets today. Charlie and I will be at the Melrose Trading Post (outside the Fairfax/Clinton gate) from 11:30-4. Frankie will be be serving it up at 14141 Ventura Blvd in The Shoaks from 12-4, & 5-9. See ya!

A post shared by CVT Soft Serve (@cvtsoftserve) on Jun 30, 2019 at 7:01am PDT

Mr Nicchi said he was truly embarrassed" for these people who ask for a freebie when visiting his truck.

"I'm not really 100 per cent sure what they actually do, and their followers, likes, and comments can all be purchased, so I have trouble looking at them as being reputable," he told People.

"I'm sure there are some legitimate 'influencers' out there, but we haven't come across any at our trucks or through event requests."

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