Hello All,

I would first like to start this post (Long) by thanking everyone for the valuable input they have provided. It is very refreshing to see people who are not just out for themselves and willing to share information.

My friend and I as a side venture have decided to step into the world of bulk vending. We are going to start small with just a few machines, learn the ropes, and hopefully expand with time. From reading the posts here I am lead to believe that this forum holds a great wealth of knowledge and I have several specific questions that I'm looking for input on.

---1) We have are leaning toward purchasing Seaga Machines. The question and debate we have is... two heads or three? Three would seem to lend more options to the individual while two may be more space efficient?

---2) What color machine have you found to work best.. I see Seagas in Black Red and Green. Logically to my Black would be the choice due to it perhaps not being an eye sore for a store owner. But convention tells me that the Red would draw more attention?

---3) (Important) It seems the Gum, Runts, Pmm's, and Reeces Pieces seem to be the items of choice. In your experience What items work best in certain locations. i.e. Runts are good at a food joint or PMM's are good in an office where a substantial snack is needed?

---4) How much of your product do you vend per quarter? Ive read of people doing 1/2 and still having very happy customers and some with a full open vend? what is the best?

We have already associated ourselves with a Charity and are waiting on our stickers and badges to Arrive. We like to take things very seriously and professionally even if it is only a small side venture. Any advice other than the questions I have asked would be greatly appreciated.

Hello All,

I would first like to start this post (Long) by thanking everyone for the valuable input they have provided. It is very refreshing to see people who are not just out for themselves and willing to share information.

My friend and I as a side venture have decided to step into the world of bulk vending. We are going to start small with just a few machines, learn the ropes, and hopefully expand with time. From reading the posts here I am lead to believe that this forum holds a great wealth of knowledge and I have several specific questions that I'm looking for input on.

---1) We have are leaning toward purchasing Seaga Machines. The question and debate we have is... two heads or three? Three would seem to lend more options to the individual while two may be more space efficient?

---2) What color machine have you found to work best.. I see Seagas in Black Red and Green. Logically to my Black would be the choice due to it perhaps not being an eye sore for a store owner. But convention tells me that the Red would draw more attention?

---3) (Important) It seems the Gum, Runts, Pmm's, and Reeces Pieces seem to be the items of choice. In your experience What items work best in certain locations. i.e. Runts are good at a food joint or PMM's are good in an office where a substantial snack is needed?

---4) How much of your product do you vend per quarter? Ive read of people doing 1/2 and still having very happy customers and some with a full open vend? what is the best?

We have already associated ourselves with a Charity and are waiting on our stickers and badges to Arrive. We like to take things very seriously and professionally even if it is only a small side venture. Any advice other than the questions I have asked would be greatly appreciated.

Zen, Good luck buddy! It sounds like you are taking the right steps to get Started. Setting up with a charity, researching machines, etc. Also your candy selection is dead on! However, I would amend Mike N Ikes to the end of it. It seems to me that everyone thinks they do great. I bought some today to try and I was eating them in the car, they are good, much more addicting than runts. I think M&I will replace Runts for me from now on. They are basically the same price.

For Peanut M&M's I vend about half way. Which gives about 6 M&M Peanuts. I feel this is plenty. With Reeses I put it on the very last one because they are so small. I feel the quantity is Ample. Everything else I do middle. I would not open up all the way. You don't want to fill people up. And, with Peanut M&M's you could end up giving away more than you make!

Want to know profit margins on Mike and Ikes and Runts? Well, I've measured. I vend 1/2 ounce of each and each vend costs me 5 cents. Not too bad. Gumballs cost 2 cents, and M&M Peanuts about 9 cents.

Now, ZEN! I want you to join my candyblog and my forum. I want you to have your own seciton on my forum since you are just starting. This way you can blog your progress and we can all read about it! This is not an offer it is a demand, haha, you will really add to it and I want you. Especially since you seem organized.

FORUM URL: http://www.kickstartvending.com/forum
My candy blog, it's pretty interesting, you get to learn from my mistakes, haha: http://candyman007.blogspot.com
Also shoot me an email if you would: robertnpatterson@gmail.com

ABOUT MACHINES:
Please, don't go with triple-head machines. I started with them and have moved on to bigger and better things, mainly, double heads. I hear great things about Seaga but personally they are a bit expensive for me. Check out http://www.gumball-machine.com for cheap machines. They are of descent quality and they are what I use. Good luck, friend, waiting to hear from you.

Regards,
Rob

---1) We have are leaning toward purchasing Seaga Machines. The question and debate we have is... two heads or three? Three would seem to lend more options to the individual while two may be more space efficient?

2 heads! If you've read anything I ever written here you would know why. Remember, 2 heads can go up if business merits it or down if business merits.

---2) What color machine have you found to work best.. I see Seagas in Black Red and Green. Logically to my Black would be the choice due to it perhaps not being an eye sore for a store owner. But convention tells me that the Red would draw more attention?

I am partial to black myself. Unfortunately Seaga has discontinued the black and chrome. The only other machine they have with the chrome trim is the chrome on chrome which is horrid! I also do not like the gold trim because it looks so cheap. I purchase the chrome on chrome and sandblast the chrome off the body then repaint black. Its alot of work but I want what I want. I'm currently working with my Seaga rep to purchase unfinished bodies.

---3) (Important) It seems the Gum, Runts, Pmm's, and Reeces Pieces seem to be the items of choice. In your experience What items work best in certain locations. i.e. Runts are good at a food joint or PMM's are good in an office where a substantial snack is needed?

Gumballs, Runts, PMM are my staples. Mike and Ikes and Skittles are backups. Always use gumballs as first choice due to margin.

---4) How much of your product do you vend per quarter? Ive read of people doing 1/2 and still having very happy customers and some with a full open vend? what is the best?

I know I'm in the minority on this but I vend everything wide open. I have a healthy profit margin so i dont worry about it. When I first started, I had a little scale and weighed everything and had each machine calibrated down to the penny. 600 machines later I realize it aint worth it. I do just fine wide open across the board. Its easier and less time consuming as well. I know, I take a beating on this stance.

In closing, make sure you do your due diligence in researching this business. Start slow and build steady. Before you know it you will have your own empire! Read all you can here, on Robs forum and on my forum at www.vendiscuss.com. Between the three sites you will find a wealth of information.

I really Appreciate the response so far. One question I forgot to ask... thoughts on Cashews? I read somewhere that they were an absolute cash crop due to their addicting nature. I'll try to get over asap to start a blog on your site candyman. I'll take a look at those machines I'm very cautious and want to make sure that they aren't going to fall apart in 6 months! any other advice we are wide open.

I really Appreciate the response so far. One question I forgot to ask... thoughts on Cashews? I read somewhere that they were an absolute cash crop due to their addicting nature. I'll try to get over asap to start a blog on your site candyman. I'll take a look at those machines I'm very cautious and want to make sure that they aren't going to fall apart in 6 months! any other advice we are wide open.

zen send me an email so we can come up with a name for your blog to add to the site. robertnpatterson@gmail.com

I don't know about cashews. Personally I have never used them but I always hear great things. All the machines I use are from www.gumball-machine.com LYPC and XYZ Vending get their machines from the same place gumball-machine.com does.

Personally I wouldn't keep your slots wide open. I measure to the penny. You have to be your own accountant in this business.

Rob

Dont bother with the cashews. They are way too expensive and to turn a profit you have to be really stingy with them. People like to get their quarters worth and they remember if your machine gives little or lots.

Personally I wouldn't keep your slots wide open. I measure to the penny. You have to be your own accountant in this business.

I'm not suggesting that anyone do this. Tailor it to your own experiences. In the beginning when you have the time and fewer resources, by all means. It obviously makes fiscal sense. Once you grow and your able to get your candy costs down by buying in larger bulk, then an extra half to quarter ounce per vend will seem insignificant cost wise but will make a huge difference in customer satisfaction, which leads to more sales. The practice just works for me but may not for the next person.

Excellent advice on the Cashews Caserri. I have already done some legwork and found a placement for our first machine. It is a Tire change center (not lube stop) Its a larger bsiness with about 15 chairs in the waiting room and another 10-15 employees. We are thinking with going Peanut MM's and either runts or gum at this location hopefully it will be decent.. but either way its valuable experience for us.

I am also interested in finding some mint type gum to vend at businesses etc... At my current job I know people are always scavenging to find gum after lunch before heading off to a meeting.

Brian

Hi Brian!

I will answer you QUESTIONS!!!

Re: 1. SEAGAS are CRAP. Even there stands SUCK. These people are much better: There doubles are very good. I operate over 150 and Never had a problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. RED>>>>>>>>> No machine is an eye sore..expect a Seaga.

3. You Pmm's are good for office type places/some restaurants. Runts are not good anywhere. It is a trial and error thing. It is a game! It depends on what your customers like.

4. Here is a guide:


--Peanut M&M's: 8-10 pieces

--Plain M&M's: 12-14 pieces

--Runts: 10-12 pieces

--Skittles: 12-14 pieces

--Reese's Pieces: 12-14 pieces

--Mike & Ike: 6-8 pieces

--Chiclets: 10-12 pieces

--Cashews: 10-12 pieces

--Hot Tamales: 6-8 pieces

--Pistachios: 10-12 pieces



I hope this advice helps. Seagas are crap. I will say that again. Seagas are crap. I have Had very bad experience with them, and lost over $100 because of the SUCKY machines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Kyle Guth
Guth Vending - Sparta TN.

Hi Kyle,

Thanks for the advice its good to hear everyones perspectives I really appreciate the vend amounts you listed.. If it isn't too much work did you calculate the profit ratio per vend with that amount of candy coming out? Also I see you listed pistachios, Is this a common item? and is it profitable? Could you link me to some machines that you prefer ?

Thanks for everything

Brian

Hello all,

I'm Zen's partner in our new endeavor. Without completely hijacking this thread, I just wanted to introduce myself and express my gratitude for all the quality insight everyone has. It's greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Dan

O I forgot to put a like in that post! Ha.

Sure here you go:

* http://www.oakmfg.co...oducts.asp?id=8 Here you want a 450, or Vista cabinet.

* http://www.gumball-m...g-business.html Here you want single or Double.

* http://www.xyzvendin...om/BULK PRO.htm Here you want a "bulk pro".

http://www.nwcorp.co...ducts/index.php Here you want a 60 or 80 series. Very expensive machines, but will last a life time!!!!!!!

http://www.beaverven...bulkvending.asp Here is anther $$$$$. You would not want to start with a $95 single head with no stand.


I hope the helps. I put a * beside the recommend ones I like and there cheaply priced!


K.G.
Guth Vending - Sparta TN.

Re: 1. SEAGAS are CRAP. Even there stands SUCK. These people are much better: There doubles are very good. I operate over 150 and Never had a problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew it would only be a matter of time Kyle. There are two sides to every story. Mine is this... I operate over 400 seaga heads and experience no more breakdowns than the next manufacturer. All machines are suseptable to breakdown due to wear and tear. My Seaga's have held up admirably.

In addition to my Seagas, I currently run Amerivend, NAV, Lypc, Northwestern and a couple Oak. They are all good machines that will not breakdown in a few months. Its more a matter of personal taste is all. Just make certian what you are buying is made of quality materials and not plastic.

Hi Casseri,

I found these double head black and chrome machines

http://www.gumball-m...usiness-21.html

any thoughts on them good purchase ? It looks like the ones you said were discontinued you can select the double black with chrome on the drop down menu.

Brian

If they actually have them available they are probably old stock and only available until they are sold out. I have been unable to locate anyone that still has them in stock. If they have them then yes, I would consider them a good purchase. Like I said earlier, Seaga doesn't make this color so whatever is left in the 3rd party warehouses are the last of them.

PS, If you want them, get 'em before I do!

Crap maybe I should have waited to make that post The only other option i would consider that they have is the green.. but even then... I think I would rather have a different brand in Black..

Sorry I have yet another question.. We really like to do things the right way and Id rather ask experts than just "go for it" I read a post on another forum mentioning that 1800vending machines were the best.. with interchangable canisters etc...

1. what is the price range of these

2. Are they good?

3. any more debate on the 2 vs 3 heads? It seems possible to get 3 head machines for roughly the same price and without sacraficing size... it seems logical that they would be the choice but some suggest only 2 heads?

thanks a ton

Brian

BTW: "warehouse" in there name refers to the 2,000 sq foot warehouse thay have. I talked to a Candyman077, and he said thay just filled there warehouse up. Thay are never out of stock, and the black with chrome are the BEST looking machines thay have to offer. Black with chrome machines from GMW dominates my route! Thay are ALWAYS available, and ARE NOT OLD, CLOSEOUT MACHINES YOU GUYS. I HAVE BEEN BUYING THEM FOR 5 YEARS I recommend you buy them today! O yea, the picture thay have DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE REAL MACHINE. Thay look 100% better!

O yea: 1-800- Vending machines are SO overrated. Thay are like any other machine. The canisters set them apart, but there not work jack!

Kyle Guth
Guth Vending - Sparta TN.

Kyle, he is talking about the black and chrome Seaga's, not the black and chrome GMW machine. I just got off the phone with Jose over at Seaga Mfg to confirm and yes, they no longer produce black and chrome SEAGA machines.

Slow down on the coffee my friend, It makes you too defensive!

1800vending machines were the best.. with interchangable canisters etc...

1800 machines are good machines. Not worth the money they want for them and not very versatle given that its a three head. The machine quality however is sufficient.

any more debate on the 2 vs 3 heads? It seems possible to get 3 head machines for roughly the same price and without sacraficing size... it seems logical that they would be the choice but some suggest only 2 heads?

Zen, Remember that when I speak of 2 heads, that doesnt mean that one should limit themselves to just 2 heads. I guess a better term should be single head machines. The point is that if you buy single machines you can turn them into doubles, triples if you like, and even rack systems. You can not do this with a triple slot machine. Remember, a triple will always be a triple. Whether you need it or not.

Read this thread for more on the triple vs single debate.
Triple vs Single?

Steve,

He wants to buy a GMW machine. I do agree with you about triples, but I use 47 of them in breakrooms/banks!

Kyle Guth

Im sorry, I was mistaken. I thought he was asking about Seaga's

Zen, Good luck buddy! It sounds like you are taking the right steps to get Started. Setting up with a charity, researching machines, etc. Also your candy selection is dead on! However, I would amend Mike N Ikes to the end of it. It seems to me that everyone thinks they do great. I bought some today to try and I was eating them in the car, they are good, much more addicting than runts. I think M&I will replace Runts for me from now on. They are basically the same price.

Zen, what state are you in? If you are near the south, start slow with the Mike & Ikes. Down here, New Orleans, they'll drive you nuts due to the heat & humidity. They get soft from the heat and get cut in half when the candy wheel turns. Then, the stuff inside runs and sticks to everything making a huge melted ball of mush! Also, the ones above will stick together but not make a melted mess like the ones that freeze your candy wheel. If it's bad, you have to dig that mess out :-)

Of course, you can use PAM to help the ones above so that they don't stick together as much, but this doesn't solve the melting issue when they get cut in half by the candy wheel.

They are similar to Hot Tamales, but the Hot Tamales do not get soft and break as easily. So, using PAM on Hot Tamales works okay, but not on the Mike & Ikes. At least not in the heat and humidity we have here.

As for cashews, they are expensive, but they can be nice to swap for something else at times to keep your location on their toes. However, you can only use them and peanuts in locations that move product fast. It doesn't take long for them to go stale.

Thanks for sharing, Zen

Zen, what state are you in?

We're in Ohio. I wonder if we'd have a similar issue with M/I's for the next couple months. Its been above 90 all week and should continue to be relatively hot until Sept. Maybe we should wait on them until the weather changes just to be safe, I really dont like the idea of scraping candy off the coin mech. Thanks Eric ...

I will be over 100 degrees in TN today! I have no problems with M&I. As long as you keep them in cool locations, you will do fine!! I have never had a problem in my 8 yrs. There MY best sellers. As for cashews, I use them in breakrooms. I sell out of 1 head in a month! I buy 1, 5lb can of them for 9.99 from Sams.

Kyle G.

Maybe the humidity is what makes the difference. You know, down here, we can't get from the house to the car without sweating!