Hi everyone,
I work with a vending company, and we have tried a couple pieces of software to help with our vending, one is called dynamic scheduling and the other is called a merchandiser. The Dynamic Scheduling let's us get a good estimate of what is in the machines at each location based on average days sales (ADS) and when we should send our driver there, resulting in more sales and less visits and we were able to know a work day off each driver. The merchandiser is to help us look at each machine and set the pars properly so we do not have a lot of spoilage.

But we seems to be having an issue with spoilage still, it could be a multitude of reasons, to include our sandwich machines. At times we double up on products then they spoil out, other times we just cant get things to pan out right it and too many line are sold out with little money in the machine. In my point of view, when we first started merchandising, our drivers were ok with it, then it got annoying, now they seem a little unsure due to so many changes.

I am not sure if it is an issue with the software (bugs maybe?) or how we are going about it. For example, we have one driver that services a place that gets very busy during the holiday season and the system show products selling more than they actually are so we up the pars so he doesn't have to go there daily, he comes back and says that they didnt need to go up and/or he doesnt fill the product up.

Anyone got any suggestions or want to share ideas on how they keep their spoilage down and their sales up?

Thanks,
Brian

Is this really a serious post? If it is inventory control isn't your problem. This sounds like a question for a shameless plug. If this is serious then you have serious problems. Spoilage is an issue but should never be a problem. Just my opinion not to insult anyone ..... I would fire the whole company and get out of vending.
Vend1ng

hi, went to fill machine, got there and the soda door was stuck open. warm air was blowing out. i didn't have time to investigate. i unpligged unit for about 5 minutes. plugged back in , i heard compressor turn on then kicked off after.
1) should i check for ice build up
2) fans are working. it was blowing hot air and temp was 78degrees!
3) do i check compressor?
4) maybe temperature sensor board?
i have a few of these crane/national combos. they are pretty reliable. only recall 1 problem with the newer combo was that i had to replace the temperature sensor probe. also had to replace ome micro switch on the soda selection doors.
any help or clues would be great thanks gary

It won't blow hot air if there is any ice build up. Did you hear compressor come on or the condenser fan? Does the condenser fan run? when you unplug it and plug it back in was there a 3 min delay before compressor came on? If you checked machine for temp and it was 78 then compressor isn't working, Temperature sensor board is working. Check air flow? Just a thought.
Vend1ng

I have a snack vending machine that I have had for about 8 years and over the past 3 months the coils have gone to only partialy working.

The machine has 20 coils. First it was one that would only partialy vend, then a few then half now I am down to only 4 working slots and the rest partialy rotate. Is it posible that the micro switches are going bad or something else. Any advice or Ideas would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks,

Matt Dysarz

Its a SMII control board there are several things that could be the problem. The most common is the micro switch flip the plunger on the switch about 20 times with your finger making it click or pop when you do it I know that sounds dumb but there is a reason. Unless there is something common like all #1's or all B row then we may be chasing a needle in a hay stack. It could also be a loose solder connection on the control board check the power capacitor it will be the largest item on the control board with wires coming out each end. Check and make sure all the shelf wheels are on the tray especially the back corners. Also check the little control board soldered on the back of the motors that you are having trouble with they are notorious for bad solder connections. Just a thought
Vend1ng

It seems most of these forums are pretty general and lack detail. In other words I am buying a large vending company that has snack, cola and arcade equipment. The systems are sloppy so I am looking for a proven business system like: Best brand of machines for drink and snack? Best forms to use (contract) ? Buy new or used snack machines? Location info like: Best sites, salesperson location training etc. Their are to many books to choose 1 or 2 to study. So I am looking for advise from people who have been in the business. Wher should i turn?

The issue here is your looking at the whole thing the wrong way. The important part is "Return on investment" (ROI). There is a place for every machine made BUT! not every place can use the same machine. Contracts are not worth much. i.e. your putting machines in another persons business if they don't want you anymore your out. They will never agree to a contract that doesn't give them that out. Of all the contracts or agreements I have made have been customized to that location. There are people on here that have written books and offer their services as a consultant I would check on that. there is alot of advice on here and since there has been no replys to this post I would say you have been contacted by people already my advice is run from them. If they don't pitch their stuff on here publicly they know we will tear them apart and be very cautious. If your serious I would talk to you on the phone it would take 30 min to an hour and if you will listen I would save you thousands of dollars in mistakes. I've done this for a living for almost 30 yrs no new vendor has listened yet. Those that have survived have come back to listen. Just my thoughts, good luck
Vend1ng

I need to know which slots are half turning. I know that sounds dumb but its important.
Vend1ng