3 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

Hi all, I'm a teacher in Phoenix and looking to replace the soda machine in our school with one of my own. I'm not looking to make a business out of vending, just something I can manage since I'm there anyway. After researching, it seems the most reliable, least repair, and easiest parts to find in case would lead me to a Dixie Narco 501e. I've been keeping an eye out on craigslist and other possible outlets and am curious, what do you think? Is that probably the best choice?

If so, most of what I see online is from major vending companies selling machine, i.e.

My link

Is it safe to buy these? I'm assuming it's ok, but not having any experience looking through at the mechanics, I'm wondering if they're a company, why would they sell a reliable machine vs. keep it and use it? Thanks all for any input.

[pujolsfan]

I don't deal with soda machines, but from what I've heard and seen Dixie Narco is probably your best bet for a good reliable machine. Those are pretty much the only machines I ever see that are used in public areas. I have a few snack machines in schools and the from my experience a lot of times schools will have machines that are leased through coke being the Dixie Narco brand. I don't have any reason to think that you would have any trouble finding parts for these machines if you were to need a repair. I'm not sure I quite understood what you were asking in that last paragraph but craigslist is a great place to look. I would stay clear of big name companies as their mark ups are outrageous. Also, if you haven't already, I would check on ebay as well. Freight shipping for a vending machine is really costly, but you can narrow your search results down to the area where you live so you could just go pick the machine up yourself.
As far as that link goes that you provided. I would send an email and offer a few hundred less to see where they stand. You would probably be able to get it cheaper because everyone marks their asking price up expecting that people will haggle.

[mcw]

I'm new to vending too but, for what it's worth...I contacted a vender (on craigslist) about an old soda machine that I bought (1985 D/N 320) on craigslist and could not fix, he refered me to another vend repair guy, that guy fixed my machine for a very fair price, I found a better soda machine with a blown compressor (1991 D/N 180cc) for free, so I called the repair guy up, he put a new (actually re-built) compressor in, cleaned it up etc..It came out "MINT" ! I saw another broken Pepsi soda machine in a gas station, I called the repair guy again, he looked at the machine and said to me, "Matt I can fix it for you but, Ya throwin your money away", I asked "why", he said "Because, I have soda machines in your price range ($400-500) back at my shop for sale in much better condition"..... You might want to ask the vend or vend repair guys if they have any machines in good shape for sale, it can save you some time and $. Please note that I have "NO LOCATIONS", NO experience, and just have the soda machines for novelty use. My plan was to put them on the boardwalk at the beach where there were no soda machines and tons of hot thirsty people, when I asked the city for permits for them, they said "Yea, YOU WISH...ummm, like, NO" !

[That Guy]

I'm new to vending too but, for what it's worth...I contacted a vender (on craigslist) about an old soda machine that I bought (1985 D/N 320) on craigslist and could not fix, he refered me to another vend repair guy, that guy fixed my machine for a very fair price, I found a better soda machine with a blown compressor (1991 D/N 180cc) for free, so I called the repair guy up, he put a new (actually re-built) compressor in, cleaned it up etc..It came out "MINT" ! I saw another broken Pepsi soda machine in a gas station, I called the repair guy again, he looked at the machine and said to me, "Matt I can fix it for you but, Ya throwin your money away", I asked "why", he said "Because, I have soda machines in your price range ($400-500) back at my shop for sale in much better condition"..... You might want to ask the vend or vend repair guys if they have any machines in good shape for sale, it can save you some time and $. Please note that I have "NO LOCATIONS", NO experience, and just have the soda machines for novelty use. My plan was to put them on the boardwalk at the beach where there were no soda machines and tons of hot thirsty people, when I asked the city for permits for them, they said "Yea, YOU WISH...ummm, like, NO" !

Thanks for the tip!