How To Start A Vending Machine Business
Gray Rollins
If you’ve been considering your business options, vending
machines are certainly worth putting on the list. There are
some nice profits to be made.
Vending machines can be owned or rented by a store owner or by
an entrepreneur that distributes the vending machines among
store locations. Once you obtain the vending machines you want,
you need to find locations for them and keep them stocked with
merchandise.
If you own your machines, the profits you make are usually
shared between you and the business that is housing the
machine. The main types of machines include candy, pop, and
snack vending machines; but there are other types too such as
postal service machines or lotto machines.
As a vending machine operator, you will need to convince other
businesses to allow you to place your machine in their outlet.
Of course the higher the percentage of the profits they make
the more enticed they will be to have your machines. You will
have to get used to the word “No,” and not worry about it
though.
When approaching a business where you would like to place your
vending machines, make sure you are talking to one of the
decision-making people. A common mistake is speaking to an
employee rather than the owner or a manager that is in charge.
Be ready to have 90% of the businesses you approach tell you
no, but remember that leaves 10% that will tell you yes.
That means if you approach 100 businesses in a day, 90 will say
no and 10 will say yes and that 10 has the potential of earning
you a substantial income. So don’t worry about the 90%. Instead
focus on the 10%.
Once you get the yes, you need to focus on determining the best
location for the machine so that you optimize your revenue.
Entrances and exits are always great spots. So are restrooms,
lunch rooms, near the coffee maker, and next to other vending
machines. You might also consider near a cash register, ATM, or
in a waiting room. You need locations where people stop or
gather and where they might potentially be looking for a snack.
Bulk candy machines, and toy or gumball machines do well when
they are placed where there are kids, and where those kids are
standing still waiting for their parents. That’s why you’ll
often find them in the front of a restaurant.
These machines are mechanical. The money is placed in the slot
and in return a ball, gumball, jewelry cap, or a handful of
candy are released. The profit margin on these machines is very
good. Your cost per item runs from ½ cent to 5 cents depending
on your supplier, and your machines charge from 25 cents to 50
cents. The machines themselves are also a lot cheaper then soda
type machines. However to make a full time living on these
machines you will need to have many in place.
The soda and snack vending machines are definitely capable of
providing a full time income. The advantage to these types of
machines is the demand for the product. Combine that with good
strategic locations and you’re in business. In fact many
companies will actually contact you looking for the placement
of a vending machine, especially in lunch rooms and places
where the public might gather.
And once you’ve got your machine in their business they are
unlikely to ask you to remove it unless you are providing very
poor service to the company. After all they aren’t interested
in dealing with repairs and stocking of these machines; they
just want the convenience.
There are also specialty machines that you might consider such
as those found in restrooms that sell hygiene products,
condoms, medicine, and other toiletries. These machines do well
in airports, bus stations, and truck stops.
Vending machines make a great business. There is plenty of
opportunity and you require no special skills other than it’s
helpful to be a little mechanical. So why not give it some
consideration?
About The Author: Gray Rollins is a featured writer for
VendingMachinesZone. To learn more about the vending machine
business, visit us at http://www.vendingmachineszone.com/ and
http://www.vendingmachineszone.com/cokevendingmachines/
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