2 replies to this topic

[bill123]

Is there a web site that rates soda & snack vending machines? What are the 3 brands with the least problems? What brands would you never buy?

[vend1ng]

Is there a web site that rates soda & snack vending machines? What are the 3 brands with the least problems? What brands would you never buy?

Interesting question, They're all junk but thats good because it makes me rich and them look good. JK , First thing all machines have their own quirks and problems and there is a location for every machine but every location won't take just any machine. Its good that you would try and stay with a brand then you learn about those machines and collect same parts. The problem is National doesn't make a pop machine, Dixie narco doesn't make a snack machine. But National owns them both. My point being your worried about the wrong thing. If all you want to do is fill a machine with product and empty the money this business isn't for you. Worry about getting the right machine for a location. Thats one that will: Serve their needs and offer you a return on your investment. i.e. A location has 75 employees 60% shop help 40% office. The shop employees will buy 25-30 dollars a day office employees 10 dollars a day. Gross sales 40.00 a day x 22.5 days a month 882.00 gross sales, with maybe 40% GPM. You've netted you a profit of 350.00 good work EXCEPT! You just bought a new 3,600.00 snack machine and a 3,800.00 soda machine for a grand total of 7,400.00 not counting tax, delivery, permits and interest if you didn't pay cash. Now you get to work absolutely FREE for 2 years without drawing a paycheck and the bonus is: The national average for vending location is " 2 years" because somone will walk in there and offer them "Newest Greatest" thing in machines and you will be out with machines sitting in the garage. So, Buy equipment that will serve their needs and give you a ROI in 10 mos or 12 if it really has potential. Your looking to invest 3,500 - 4,000 for a location that size. My equipment if I have the choice is still the USI SMIII 4 wide and Dixie Narco 8 select pop still the best ROI. Always plan on a 15-20% maintenance cost if you don't use it great take the wife out to dinner. Rule of thumb if you can move the machine by yourself with a 2 wheeler its junk. I don't care how modern pretty it is. Remember all the manufacturer does is assemble the machine all those parts are the same in every vending machine UNLESS its made in china. Just my thoughts. Good Luck!
Vend1ng

[H4UV]

IMO: Best brands are listed below under soda and snack catagories.

Snack machines:

National Vendors

Automatic Products

GPL

USI

AMS

Soda machines:

Dixie Narco

Vendo

Royal

DO NOT buy the following brands:

Genesis

Seaga

Healthy You

1800 vending machines

Jofemar

Those brands are junk, and half of it is made in China. Browse the web and these forums to see the horrible experiences people have had with these machines.