Newbie
Posted 02 August 2005 - 01:11 PM
Hello..I am looking to start my first vending job(s) in central jersey and I need to know whats the best way (best place) to purchase vending machines. What are typical prices for, lets say, soda, snacks, and three way candy machines?I want to make sure I dont get overcharged. Also, how to gain contracts. What businesses are the best to approach for first timeres like me? Is there someone who can lightly mentor me in this business endeavor? 
Administrator
Posted 05 August 2005 - 05:45 PM
Newbie
Posted 06 August 2005 - 08:24 PM
[COLOR=orange]If I were you I would look at either www.flavend.com or www.mega-vending.com . They both seem to be knowledgable of the vending industry. I have made many purchases from flavend.com and am very satisfied. I have not purchased from mega-vending but a friend of mine that is also in the business likes them and says he has had very good luck with them.
Newbie
Posted 15 August 2005 - 12:55 PM
That's asking more than a mouthful, but lets get it started...
First of all, how much time do you have to invest in this? If you're only looking to work a few hours a week (once you have the locations) you can, but your income is depends to how many accounts you service, the quality of the accounts and therefore the time you spend each week. So if you believe you'll make $100,000 a year with 4 hours a week, don't waste your money.
If you plan to start small with just a few hours a week and make an extra $1000 a month, that's possible. Then you can grow it as you get referrals and come across new accounts. As for the cost of machines, a small account may be able to use a mechanical combo (about $1000 - $1500 new with changer) to see if the account is active. Larger 35+ blue collar or 65+ while collar workers would need electrical machines usually which are at least double the price depending on the size, brand, etc...
Refurbished full size machines can save you lots of cash if you are mechanically inclined and can handle most problems yourself. Or if you get them with a new mech and validator, you have even less issues to worry about. 3 select candy machines vary from $100 ea to $185 ea. Price does not determine the quality either. Some machines have poor quality and are priced higher than those that have been around for years. (more on this later.)
You can try to get contracts, but they don't guarantee you the account if your service is poor or machines stay down. If you avoid these two problems, the account will normally not get rid of you to take a chance on someone that could be worse. Good service and catering to them is your best guarantee. I can try to post a sample contract on the board when I get a chance.
The best businesses are generally those that have lots of employees on site that are there all day (not out on calls). Blue collar workers eat more than white collar. Pink collars (office of women) eat the least. Blue collar workers generally don't leave for lunch - so their chips and drinks come from you!
Getting locations yourself can be challenging until you learn what you're doing. Any location worth having usually has machines already; the trick is offering them better service, quality, etc... and catching them at a time when they are not happy with their current vendor - which is often easy to do no matter how large or small your competition may be.
Newbie
Posted 19 April 2006 - 12:36 AM
