4 replies to this topic

[The Mick]

Hi, I just started my vending. I have 10 machines. I have 5 U turn terminators, 2 carousels from vendesign, and 3 regular U turns that i bought from Ebay. Maybe i bought too much, but i don't care and dont need to hear that because i had the extra money. I already bought them so there is no sense in quitting or selling them cheap, I already have them and i need to start my business. I was excited in vending it's just that some of my relatives have laughed at my idea. I am in California and there is a lot of places. My aunt said that adults don't eat candy and are health conscience, then my uncle said that is very true. She also said that adults will not feed their kids candy anymore because they are concerned about their kids health. I have went to a few restaurants to observe machines. I did see a teen put 2 quarters in a gumball machine at a hawaiin restaurant. But there is a cafe i go to that has hundreds of people. I saw many pass by and not one put a quarter in. So this concerns me. Do adults not want to be embarrassed? It's hard for me to believe that even at a blue collar work environment, that adults will put in quarters. I always put in quarters, but i feel i am different. My uncle and aunts told me no adults will ever put a quarter to buy candy. They said they would rather go to See's Candy or candy shop and eat dark chocolate. Many friends of mine said they don't put quarters in machines. So if a location is doing 30 bucks a month, that is 120 quarters. That is 120 customers. Where do they all come from? I go to restaurants and sometimes watch for an hour at a time and see nobody put money in these machines. IN the cafe, i went to they had 8 machines. 5 of them were empty. But even the kids didn't look at the 3 of them that had candy in them. So I am worried how so many quarters can go in a machine when it seems like I find it hard to believe in ONE person will do it. I need some hope, somebody please tell me something that will cheer me up.

Also, i went to place my first machine from a locator. It was an 8 canister u turn that i got approved for a break room at a big supermarket. However the manager thought i was brining in a little one, I don't know why he thought that. So is this a misrepresentation on my locator? This made me feel very embarrassed when he rejected me in front of people. How can I feel better about this? I am NOT the type that will give up when i want something achieved. I may get down a little, but i always bring myself together in the end. A lot of times people get locators because they feel they can't sell it themselves. Yet when i got there, i felt like a total loser because even after the locator secured spot for me, he rejected me, and it got me really down.

I started to wonder, is it me? I was dressed okay. Do i need to smile more? Did he not like me? I do use the CHARITY stickers by the way, so i dont know why he wouldn't let me bring it in. I guess he said it was too big. But still. Why would he want a small little one? Those look worse to me. I need someone to cheer me up as I want to do this business but am having a hard time staying positive.

[dperry324]

Welcome to bulk vending. Rejection abounds. Get used to it. It doesn't matter how you are dressed; I'm sure you were ok.
The company I work for has a break room on my floor. There is a triple head ultravend in the break room, (along with 2 full size drink machines and a full size snack machine). The "adults" that work here constantly put money into the drink and snack machine. I also keep an eye on the candy machine and I see that at least one selection empties out every 2 weeks. I've spoken with the owner of the machine when he comes in to service and I've offered to buy his route. So far he has refused.

[rrb4kids]

I have Vendstar machines...they are 3 headed machines. They are cheap, don't hold up to abuse well, but in a normal location they work great. I like them because they are inexpensive and are smaller and fit in more places. I have 4 of them in my office that i work at. One in our break room, another in a break room upstairs and recently added 2 more at 2 entrances. I go past these all day long (my office is on the third floor and our main office is on the 1st) and i rarely notice people putting money into them. However when i do my route they are some of my top machines. So sitting in a restaurant and trying to watch people put money in, in my opinion is a waste of time. As far as adults putting money in... 90% of the ones i have at my office are from adults and they probably average $25 per month between the 4 of them so don't think that adults won't use them.

Also, with your family...ignore them... stick to your guns and do what you want... a lot of people look at these machines and don't think it can be a "real" business. Do what you want and you'll succeed and then you can show them at a later date (after you get 50 machines out!) that you can make money.

Hope all this helps!

[breakpoint10]

good replies, just browsing, i am new as well probably start with anything from 1-4 machines, but keep your head up im rooting for the op!

[the25vendguy]

That is why i feel it is best to place them yourself and in person