FAQ'S
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page, where we provide innovative and insightful answers tailored specifically for the vending business. Here, you’ll find thoughtfully crafted responses that go beyond the basics, giving you the tools to make informed decisions that align with your unique needs. If there are any questions you may have click the add question button below to submit your question.
How do I get started?
First thing you need to do is realize it's not just about snack and drink machines. Once you gotten that notion out of your mind, you need to research the different types of machines out there. There are several money making machines you can purchase and it will not break the bank. Third, Create you a business name, even if you haven't filed the paperwork for an LLC, this is your DBA. Next create a Gmail account. It's FREE. Yourbusinessname@gmail.com Next step is to create you a proposal. How are you going to present yourself to potential clients. This proposal should have all of your contact info and maybe a list of the different machines you will be willing to offer. Next step is to go out for the next couple days or week or so, do not change your life just observe. Everywhere you go look and see what type of place you went and if they had a machine or not. Write down the business name and type and list what machine they had. If they did not have no put no machine. After that time period you should have a list of places with and without machines. Local restaurant had one. It was a bubblegum machine. Another restaurant did not. Car wash had an ATM. Another one did not. Now when you are ready you have a general idea of what machine you can pitch to what business type, outside of the basic snack and drink machines which can go just about anywhere.
Is getting into The Vending Business worth it?
The Vending Business is a multi Billion dollar industry. It's a reason why it has been around for over a hundred years. So, to answer your question ABSOULETY.
Everyone is getting into the business, how can someone still get in and make money?
Do not be one track minded. 2 things you need to realize. 1. Just because a location has vending services doesn't mean they are happy with their current vendor. 2. Stop thinking when you hear Vending business it's all about snack and drink machines. Train your mind so when you hear Vending you think of convenience. What can you offer a location that will be a convenient way to assist their employees or customers. Whether it's a snack or drink machine. ATM, Candy Machine, I don't care if it's a doggy bag machine for people to put their dogs poop while walking in the park. Bring the convenience.
Should I pay a commission?
While I do not advocate for anyone to pay a commission, I am not going to tell you not to. There are ways to get the location for free as you are providing a service. Yet, a couple things. 1. You need the location more then they need you. No business will shut down because they don't have Vending services. 2. Why would you pass up on the opportunity to make money. 3. How you start is not always how you finish. I've landed locations where i initially paid a commission, after some time I was able to renegotiate for various of reason to be able to allow the business to keep getting the service yet, I would no longer be able to pay. I wouldn't have been able to have that ability if I wouldn't have been willing to pay to begin with.
How much is responsible to pay a location?
This question doesn't have a clear one size fits all type of answer. Every location is different and each one you should weigh out all the options before considering passing up on it based on commission amount. What type of location? What type of service? Yet, to give you an answer you should try and stay within a 10 percent monthly Max generally but again there are exceptions to the rule.
What are good locations or which ones should I stay away from?
No one can answer this every location will be different. Example I have had car wash locations that barely made $100 a month and I have also had car wash locations making over 1 thousand a month. Best way to go about this is don't discredit a location type. Sometimes certain locations may surprise you. Just because you may have heard of someone else having a bad experience with a certain location type doesn't mean you will. This business is trial and error. You find a location you take it.
What's the average amount I can expect to make per machine per location?
There isn't a guaranteed amount you can make per location or machine. There are other factors to consider. What type of machine is being placed? Is the machine upgraded to accept $1, and $5 dollar bills minimum. Does the machine have a card reader? Product pricing? Business hours? There are many different factors that play a part into the amount of money you can make per location. Additional each person expectations are different. What you might be comfortable making another person may not. Don't allow other people to dictate how much money you should consider to be enough not seem worth it.
Are vending machines customizable?
Yes, you can customize the outside through a professional and they can paint and customize your machine to your specifications. You can also buy customized wraps. Even the inside of your machine can be customized to fit the type of products you want to sell from books to electronics and you can add the finishing touches with customized LED lighting.
Is cold calling locations still a good option?
Absolutely NOT. For multiple reasons I would always recommend you walk in and speak with someone face to face. One thing I've learned and you may agree is that it is harder for people to say no to you while you are in their face. Over the phone it's easy to be dismissive. Another reason is walking into locations with established service already you can now possibly look at the machines and see what kind of service they are getting. Now you can add that missing piece and or even talk to them about providing a better service.
Where should I be looking to get my first machine?
I know there is a narrative being pushed online that you can find a good quality machine on sites such as FB marketplace, Craigslist, Offer Up and E bay. Yet, Reason I will tell you to always buy your first machine from a reputable vendor is this. Warranty, Scams, Technical support, and Parts. Buying a machine from a private seller normally you will not get any of these things. Which means you are buying that machine as-is and that is if you are actually buying a machine and they aren't attempting to scam you out of your money. Furthermore not being knowledgeable of how these machines work you are back to searching online trying to find help with things as simple as changing prices to trying to asses and rectify an issue. With a reputable vendor you aren't ever alone. Many of these businesses will offer lifetime tech support and parts for the machine they are selling you. Vending machines have been around a very long time and there are still some old outdated machines on the market. This way you know you will be getting a good quality machine and help when you need it.
How much does it cost to get started?
This is also a broad question and it all depends on what type of machine or machines you are looking to purchase. Cheapest are candy/bubble gum machines. Brand new you can find these on candymachines.com for $150 dollars with a warranty. You can also upgrade your coin mechs so you can charge 50 cents for a handful of candy VS the 25 cents coin mech the machines come with for an upcharge. As for snack and drink machines they range from starting at about 2k to 4k per machine. within this price range you can find a reputable vendor selling these machines and they will be upgraded taking multiple denominations $1 and $5 dollar bills, card reader and vend sensors to guarantee your product dispenses plus a warranty.
How much should I charge for this product?
This is one of the biggest questions online I've been seeing. Against popular belief I will tell you STOP asking this question. Price your items based on your area, Profit margin, consumer base, and volume of items being sold. NO ONE and I mean NO ONE can tell you what you should sell your products for. You may have locations where you can charge more for the same products. I have locations where I sell snacks for $1 and I have locations where I sell the same product for $2.50. How can someone tell you what's a good selling point for your products when we don't know how much you paid, how frequent you have to restock, distance from your home or if you have to pay a commission. Price you items to sell not sit in your machine and look pretty.