9 replies to this topic

[blakshukvw]

I'm not trying to start a fight with anyone, just simply looking for answers. Why do so many people on here hate on Genesis machines so much. I have 5 Genesis/Antares machines and they have all been very reliable(knocks on wood). I have read through the forums and seen some people posting problems they have had. I have done some research lately because I'm looking to add some more machines to my business and I have been told some of the problems that have existed with them in the past as well. Genesis machines seem to offer variety and are priced right for growing business like mine. I guess my question would be, don't other brand machines have problems too from time to time? None can be perfect? You guys know what a Genesis machine can do and what kind of businesses they are ideal for, that being said, what machines are recommended over Genesis machines in similar locations with similar demands and sales? I'm not looking to spend $3000 or more everytime I want to expand my business. I also don't like the old traditionals like Dixie/Narco drink and snack(or other similar large machines) machines and right now have no use for such large snack machines. My customers want a machine that offers variety in a smaller package.

[dropsvendingcom]

Hello, The Genesis Combo Vending Machine is my number 1 selling combo machine based on cost $2,695.00 with " FREE SHIPPING " relative to other combos. I sell GPL combos and U.S.I.and there in the $4,000.00 range based on model. In my almost years 30 years in the vending business the bottom line, vending machines are like cars, some customers like Chevys and some like B.M.W's.I have no problem getting parts for my customers or answering questions about the machine. Good Luck in your search for the best machine, but when your growing a business cost and quality go hand in hand. If you have questions about the combos feel free to go to www.dropsvending.com to get your questions answered. Have a great Holiday, Scott W. Drop of www.dropsvending.com " SINCE 1982 "

[RJT]

Their are way more parts available with USI, Crane, AP, etc from a multitude of suppliers. You can still get parts for these machines that are many years old. You are limited on who to get parts for with Genesis.

My gripe is not so much with the brand of combo machines it is combo machines in general. Most all people starting out in vending get caught in the trap of wanting combo machines because they think they can sell drinks and snacks in one unit and save themselves from buying two machines. If an account justifies vending at all then they are going to need more than a combo machine. If not you will run yourself to death trying to keep it full. You will hardly ever see large vending companies use stand alone combo machines. Do they use combo machines? Yes, but it is usually always used as a satellite location to a larger account they have. Combo machine vending is not where it is at in the vending industry. Most vendors that have been in the industry for any length of time will avoid combo machine accounts.

I have heard the argument that people will try and do combo machines because the large vending companies "overlook" the small accounts that could use them. They dont "overlook" them they avoid them because they do not make enough money. To prove my argument, I want to see a 5 plus year old company that is doing combo machines only and making a decent living at it. If you can show me one, I will show you how I could take the same company and work half as hard and make twice as much with full size machines. Everyone’s time is worth something and if you are going to work for yourself you had better get paid the maximum you can per the hours you put in. If not you might as well work for the man and forget all the headaches of running your business.

[blakshukvw]

I would disagree with you saying that most people new in the industry buy combo's to avoid buying 2 machines to sell snacks and drinks and save money. I could buy a seperate snack and soda machine for less money than a combo. And I'm comparing a cheaper combo like a Genesis to used dixie's and such.

I would also disagree when you say that if an account justifies vending at all, they would need more than a combo. I have an account(hotel) that I replaced 2 seperate machines(drink and snacks) with an Antares Combo. This machine makes good money, it is one of my best accounts so far in fact. I have no problem supplying for the needs of my customer with a combo in a place that previously had seperate machines that held more quantity of products. I service my machine once a week with no problems.

You're saying that if a company uses combo's only, they will work harder to achieve the same if they had single product machines. I don't really understand that thinking. Say I had an account with a combo that I was having to service multiple times a week, like you're saying I would, to keep up. At some point I would simply add another combo. I would still only have 2 machines, instead of maybe 4 in the same location, if there was room for 4. As well, my customer would be happier with the looks and variety offered in my combo as opposed to the typical snacks and soda machines. Some of my customers simply like the looks of combos better than traditional machines because they look more professional.

All that being said, I am not unwilling to buy a single product machine in the future. I think there is a place for both types of machines. If everyone subscribed to the thought that smaller clients aren't worth the time, they would never have vending and that's a whole market that would be untapped. I want to service both markets, large and small so I'm not ready to give up on combos yet if ever. I realize I will need several types of machines to do that.

I greatly appreciate your replys and thoughts and respect your opinions.

[RJT]

I am not sure how you can say that your customers happier with "the looks and variety offered in my combo" when they do not hold near the same amount of selections as a standard drink and snack machine. I also do not understand your thinking that a combo machine looks "more professional" than a standard drink and snack machine. That logic makes no sense to me at all.

If it works for you then I guess that is all that matters. Like I said none of the large vending companies use these machines and for the reasons I mentioned. If you think it fits your business model then I am glad it is working out for you. I am not saying this to be rude but I am guessing you are still new to the industry. Get back with me in a few years and let me know that you are still using combo machines in stand alone accounts.

The bottom line is accounts are not easy to get. I am not going to waste my time in low volume accounts (aka dog accounts) with over 2k tied up in a machine that will take me forever to get my ROI when I could take the same effort and get a better account with a much quicker return. The other issue is, if you are running combo machines in good accounts the larger vending companies can and will take the accounts from you by offering the larger machines that offer more choices. Could you on occasion keep an account because the decision maker likes the look of a combo or if their was a space issue? Yes, but that is not the norm.

Like I said, look at any large vending company and you will see they do not use combo machines in stand alone locations.

Either way, I am glad you like combo machines and they work for your business model and I respect that but they are not what I would use nor recommend to any of my clients.

[Chocolate Bar W / Nuts]

I am not sure how you can say that your customers happier with "the looks and variety offered in my combo" when they do not hold near the same amount of selections as a standard drink and snack machine. I also do not understand your thinking that a combo machine looks "more professional" than a standard drink and snack machine. That logic makes no sense to me at all.

If it works for you then I guess that is all that matters. Like I said none of the large vending companies use these machines and for the reasons I mentioned. If you think it fits your business model then I am glad it is working out for you. I am not saying this to be rude but I am guessing you are still new to the industry. Get back with me in a few years and let me know that you are still using combo machines in stand alone accounts.

The bottom line is accounts are not easy to get. I am not going to waste my time in low volume accounts (aka dog accounts) with over 2k tied up in a machine that will take me forever to get my ROI when I could take the same effort and get a better account with a much quicker return. The other issue is, if you are running combo machines in good accounts the larger vending companies can and will take the accounts from you by offering the larger machines that offer more choices. Could you on occasion keep an account because the decision maker likes the look of a combo or if their was a space issue? Yes, but that is not the norm.

Like I said, look at any large vending company and you will see they do not use combo machines in stand alone locations.

Either way, I am glad you like combo machines and they work for your business model and I respect that but they are not what I would use nor recommend to any of my clients.

[Chocolate Bar W / Nuts]

Hey there, Guys. I personally enjoy using combo machines on my route. Over the years i've had quite a few & currently I have about 7 in the field. On my larger accounts, around 75 stomachs & up, I'll usually install full size equipment and if needed in a remote area of the building or in the executive breakroom, I'll put in a combo machine. I've used the National, AP, & USI combos, and I would have to say that I prefer the USI Combo II model because of it's versatility, selection count, aesthetics, and amount of products it can hold. I'm just about to seal a deal on 6 G620 combo machines that are similar to the Genesis machines. I don't know to much about them, but I checked them out in person & they seem well constructed, have great eye appeal, have 6 tube conlux coin mechs, a bill acceptor that takes $1's & $5's, and hold a good amount of product. 3 are brand new in the box and I'm getting those for $900, and the other 3 are slightly used and I'm giving $800 for those. The guy I'm buying them from got them brand new back in Feb, 2010. He actually bought 15 of them back then. I've been in the business since 1994 and over the years I have seen the quality of vending machines improve on a considerable basis. I just think that, like any other vending machine, I'll find out what the quirks are with the G620 combos, if any, and just work with it, just like I do on my other manufacturer's machines. I've learned a long time ago, and my customers occasionally remind me, that there is no such thing as a perfect vending machine. The wonderful thing about combos is that you can put 1 at an account and if that account requires more machines, you can put another combo next to it or in a different area of the facility, giving them almost the equivalent of a full size snack & drink, but with greater flexibility. The USI combos hold 27 snack selections & 6 beverage choices and if you put 2 of those in an account, that's 54 snack selections and 12 beverage choices! You can now easily double up on the faster movers. Now when it comes to buying combos, I won't pay the new price for them. I have bought 2 USI combo II brand new in the past, but I won't do it again. You can find good used machines all day long on Craig's List. I bought a USI Combo II for $300 and refurbed it myself, and after all said & done, I only have about $700 total into the machine! Not bad for a $5500+ machine! Blakshukvw, do you have any experience with the G620 combo machine? It looks very similar to the Genesis machine. Thxs!

[Steve Fischer]

I have a few genesis machines and I am finding that the refrigeration is unreliable. I'm actually in the middle of repairing one right now. The issue has to do with cheap construction.

I also find the bill validators quite irritating. The tray fills up and it throws bills all inside the cash compartment. When time is money, I don't like having to sort through and straighten the bills compared to getting a nice neat stack from other machines.

In general, I find that although the genesis machines do a lot of things, they don't do a lot of things well. They do have their place where space is an issue.

[Chocolate Bar W / Nuts]

Here's an update on the 6 Genesis GO-620 models that I purchased earlier this year and placed on locations. So far, they all seem to be working just fine. I had to make 1 modification on all of them that required some duct tape and flexible plastic. I was getting calls from my patrons about not receiving their change after making a purchase. After some trouble shooting and lots of test vends, I realized that the coins were not dropping through the coin return shoot but instead were being flung to the side of it by the coin mech. The coin mech was sitting too high above the coin return shoot and therefore was allowing the coins to gather against the wall that the mech hangs on. I crafted a deflector using the plastic and duct tape and since then, I haven't had anymore lost change calls.That was back in March. My Genesis models all have stackers on the validators instead of a bill collection tray, so I don't have any issues with bills jackpotting. I have Dixie Narco drink machines & everyone knows how easy it is to pull a compressor out of them. Well, the Genesis is even easier than the Dixies! You loosen 2 bolts, unplug 1 harness, and slide the self contained compressor right out the back. It's that simple. I haven't had to repair a compressor yet, but I thought I was having problems with one, so I took it out to check it. It's a nice change having the Genesis on the route, but I think I'm done buying them. I'll stick with the USI Combo II model.They hold a lot more product than the Genesis GO-620, I never get service calls on them, and I've actually been switching out augers in the USI combo. The standard chip count is 8 per selection & I have upgraded some of those to 10 ct & 15 ct augers. The USI model is a lot more versatile than the Genesis unit. For example, my clients love it when I put the name of their company within a personalized message that I can program into the scrolling display. I can also do all cans or all bottles, or any combination of the 2. Having some combos on the route has done wonders for me in terms of breaking up the monotony, adding some variety to the everyday grind of stuffing machines, and keeping me fired up for vending after 16 years!

[angel123]

Hi..I have something good to say about Genesis Combo Vending Machine..I had purchased it two years back and it was performing well..Now i have the problem with the working of the machine..And i got a suggestion that i can install Coinco coinmech to them..Now looking forward to buy them..And i think once i install them i would not be having any problem..