Owning a Vending Machine Business
by Max Bellamy
The first thing to consider when starting your own
vending machine business is that it is not for slackers. It takes work.
Just because you are going into business for yourself, will have no
boss to deal with, and pretty much determine your own plans, that
doesn't mean the vending machine business is easy money.
Assess your financial situation. How much money
will it take to start out? Before you mortgage the house and buy a
hundred vending machines, start with one or two and see how things go.
Pick a good location. Don't go through a location
finder; they will charge you a fee, and their information is often
useless. They might pick out a place that's in a rough part of town, or
they will pick a spot where the people you need to deal with are
difficult. It is a better idea to scout out territory on your own. If
you have or know any kids, ask them where they think there should be
vending machines. Places where people have to stop and wait are a good
option - they will be more inclined to buy after looking at your
machine for a minute or two. Pick one or two good spots, talk to the
owner, and decide on the perfect site for your vending machine. Make
sure there is an electrical outlet nearby.
It is a good idea to offer the location owner a
flat monthly rent rather than offering a percentage of the profits. If
your machine does well, and starts pulling in a substantial amount of
returns, the location owner may be tempted to kick you out and buy his
or her own machine. That monthly rate will be determined by a number of
factors, including what your vending machine contains (gumballs, candy,
snacks, soda, coffee, food, toys, etc.), how popular its contents are
in that location, how much space your machine takes up, and what type
of business your machine is located on or in.
Once you have found success with one or two
locations, roll over some of the profits into buying other machines. Be
sure to stop by regularly to refill empty products, throw out expired
products, fix any mechanical problems, talk to the site owner, and, of
course, get your money.
About the Author:
Vending
Machines Info provides detailed information about the vending
machines business, focusing on candy, soda, snack, coffee, gumball, and
dvd vending machines, as well as vending machines for sale. Vending
Machines Info is affiliated with Business
Plans by Growthink.
Recommended Reading
Start
Your Own Vending Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up)
by Anne Rawland Gabriel, Entrepreneur Magazine's
Price: $10.47 (Save 30%) -
Click
here to buy
Review by one of Amazon customers, Anne
Gabriel (St. Paul, Minnesota):
This book provides excellent step-by-step guidance to starting a
vending machine business. The writer seems to know what it's like to
start a small business when you've never worked for yourself before.
The writing is engaging but there's no sales and no hype. However,
there is solid, easy to understand advice from individuals with
successful vending businesses of various types. It helped me see what
kind of vending businesses I could start. Also, I really liked the
worksheets and other sample items that I can copy and use for myself.
Perhaps this book is too basic for someone who already has a vending
business, but for a newcomer like me it's perfect -- it's helped me
avoid pitfalls and stick with the techniques that result in success.
This book has been invaluable in opening up a whole new world for me!
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