7 replies to this topic

[John Woodcock]

This company seems to have a lot of guarantees: 100% LIFETIME WARRANTY, LIFETIME VANDALISM & THEFT PROTECTION, LIFETIME PRICING, LIFETIME COACHING, and they also offer LOCATION SERVICES when purchasing 20 or more machines.

The cost is pretty high but with all the guarantees it sounds really good. Has anyone ever dealt with this company? Any advice?

Thanks and God bless!

[Gabe .Z.]

1800's are great machines. The company is just OK from what I've read. If you're looking for a cheaper machine with the same quality, go for the "XYZ easy pro". It gets great reviews. You'll probably end up hiring a locator in the end, so the $300 price tag per 1800 machine really isn't worth it IMHO.

[scottgtt]

1800 machines are horrible. The color fades and the reliability is low. I have an acquaintance/competitor that has 40+ of them and he can't stand them. They look nice at first, but are a disaster later. And most importantly, they cost way too much. Also, a lifetime warranty is only as good as the company. Ask the 1800 guys how many states prohibit them from doing business in their state. Last time I heard it was either 5 or 6.

[John Woodcock]

I think I just dodged a bullet!

Thanks for the responses. I like the XYZ easy pro mentioned earlier. Can you buy those one at a time or do you have to buy them in sets of 10. That was the other rub with 1800 was the fact that you had to by 10 or 20 of them.

I look forward to getting started and eventually quitting my day job!

[Gabe .Z.]

John, the beautiful thing about the XYZ company is that you can buy as many or as few machines as you like. Their customer service at XYZ is very good as well. Watch out for the "biz-op" companies out there (buzzbites, u-turn, 1800, vendstar, etc). I like your enthusiasm. I would like to recomend a book to you called "the vending jackpot" by ronnie talent. Great info in that book.
Best of luck to you,
Gabe

[John Woodcock]

John, the beautiful thing about the XYZ company is that you can buy as many or as few machines as you like. Their customer service at XYZ is very good as well. Watch out for the "biz-op" companies out there (buzzbites, u-turn, 1800, vendstar, etc). I like your enthusiasm. I would like to recomend a book to you called "the vending jackpot" by ronnie talent. Great info in that book.
Best of luck to you,
Gabe

Thanks for the encouragement. I also downloaded an e-book called <i>Small Change</i> that had some great suggestions. It was written by a retired vendor and even though I'm only half way through it the information is proving to be valuable. I think the site is http://www.my-vending-uncle.com/.

[Gabe .Z.]

I'll have to check it out. Thanks John.

[Qmancandy]

Yes, 1800 is a joke. Their prices are WAAAAAY too high. I have many different types of machines but my favorite is from the website www.gumball-machine.com. The machine is called the Platinum Triple Vending Machine. It is reasonably priced and you only have to buy one at a time. They're durable, very light and have a round key that won't break and is harder to break into. The coin mechs are universal. I have this one at my best location. The locks on the 1800 machines will stick if you tighten them too much and they're not as durable as the one I just mentioned. If you buy their machines used it's a hassle to buy parts from them. I bought a few used ones and when I called them to buy extra parts the guy spoke like I was supposed to think of it as a privilege to do business with his company and had to jump through hoops. He also spoke as if $300+ per machine was worth it(NOT including shipping). Don't buy new unless the price is low, but it's better to buy used machines to cut down on the cost, but just start with a few from a brand that still exists so you can purchase the coin mechs. And yes like you have read in other comments above stay away from the "bus opps", they're too expensive. You can build a route pretty quick just buying a few at a time and getting your feet wet.