3 replies to this topic

[Doug C.]

I'm going to start a vending business, but needs some planning.
i heard thee are thieves that hack into vending machines to steal money, snacks, soda, etc....using input codes, and other techniques.
are the newer vending machines safe from these issues? the only machines i know is the genesis and narco dixie, what about these machines?
what are the most common problems with Genesis combo machines?
Thankyou for your input.

[RJT]

I'm going to start a vending business, but needs some planning.
i heard thee are thieves that hack into vending machines to steal money, snacks, soda, etc....using input codes, and other techniques.
are the newer vending machines safe from these issues? the only machines i know is the genesis and narco dixie, what about these machines?
what are the most common problems with Genesis combo machines?
Thankyou for your input.

You can not avoid people breaking in machines.You can make it less likely but it can and will happen. As far as "hacking" I dont see that as a problem typically. It is shown on Youtube videos but I have yet to see their methods shown work.

Dixie Narco is one of the best drink machines.

My advice is the following and the choice is yours as which you choose.

A. Hire someone to consult and mentor you. Someone that does NOT sell vending machines or "locations" Someone that is a true consultant.

B. Write a business plan!!! Fail to plan, plan to fail...

C. Read about vending on this and other forums for three to six months and ask questions before you buy any machine.

D. Go work for a vending company for a year or two before you buy any machine.

E. When in doubt dont buy anything without asking for advice on this and other vending forums.

While a lot can be learned from reading forums and such but nothing beats learning from an expert either by working for a good vending company or hiring a expert to guide you.

Vending is no different than any other business. Would you start a restaurant without working in one or hiring someone to run and guide you through it? Would you start a dry cleaners without working in one or hiring someone who had? The same question applies to any business including vending. Would you start a daycare? Would you start a bar? Would you start a bank? Would you start a carpet cleaning service? Would you start an exterminating service? Would you start a gym? Would you start any business without working in that field or hiring someone that has? You could, but you had better dedicated a solid 6 months or better to research and knowledge gathering.

If someone says you can start a vending business on a whim and a few bucks and be sucessful, they are lying to you. Could you? Maybe, but you would make many costly mistakes in doing so. And your success rate would be much lower. Why do you think all those vending machines are for sale on Craigslist? Why would people be selling off "routes" if they were making good money?

Is my advice somewhat a sales pitch because I do consulting? I guess you could see it that way. But I have given you free advice that will not cost you anything that you should follow if you didnt hire me or any other consultant.

Read this post here where a guy was asking for advice like you.

http://www.vendingch...?showtopic=2083

[Doug C.]

You can not avoid people breaking in machines.You can make it less likely but it can and will happen. As far as "hacking" I dont see that as a problem typically. It is shown on Youtube videos but I have yet to see their methods shown work.

Dixie Narco is one of the best drink machines.

My advice is the following and the choice is yours as which you choose.

A. Hire someone to consult and mentor you. Someone that does NOT sell vending machines or "locations" Someone that is a true consultant.

B. Write a business plan!!! Fail to plan, plan to fail...

C. Read about vending on this and other forums for three to six months and ask questions before you buy any machine.

D. Go work for a vending company for a year or two before you buy any machine.

E. When in doubt dont buy anything without asking for advice on this and other vending forums.

While a lot can be learned from reading forums and such but nothing beats learning from an expert either by working for a good vending company or hiring a expert to guide you.

Vending is no different than any other business. Would you start a restaurant without working in one or hiring someone to run and guide you through it? Would you start a dry cleaners without working in one or hiring someone who had? The same question applies to any business including vending. Would you start a daycare? Would you start a bar? Would you start a bank? Would you start a carpet cleaning service? Would you start an exterminating service? Would you start a gym? Would you start any business without working in that field or hiring someone that has? You could, but you had better dedicated a solid 6 months or better to research and knowledge gathering.

If someone says you can start a vending business on a whim and a few bucks and be sucessful, they are lying to you. Could you? Maybe, but you would make many costly mistakes in doing so. And your success rate would be much lower. Why do you think all thos emachines are for sale on Craigslist? Why would people be selling off "routes" if they were making good money?

Is my advice somewhat a sales pitch because I do consulting? I guess you could see it that way. But I have given you free advice that will not cost you anything that you should follow if you didnt hire me or any other consultant.

Read this post here where a guy was asking for advice like you.

http://www.vendingch...?showtopic=2083


Thank you so much for the info, great advice i will look into it.

[RJT]

Doug,

You may find this information helpful. I did a thread about buying and refurbing machines and the deals that you can get if you know where and what to buy. This thread shows a machine I bought off CL and did a simple cosmetic refurb on.

http://www.vendingch...?showtopic=2073