8 replies to this topic

[bulboushead]

Hey all, I'm looking to purchase a single cold drink machine that can serve 20oz gatorade bottles and/or soda pop cans. I have a great location that I am taking over that sells like crazy so I'm not worried about that. I will have this location for 3 years at least, possibly more. So, I need a quality drink machine that requires minimal maintenance cost and functions properly.

After looking around I think I have decided on the CB500 available from Sam's Club.

Link http://www.samsclub....amp;item=372753

It looks like it will last for a long time, and Sam's Club has a great return policy. Also, they are offering a promotion for 25 free cases of gatorade, which in the long run isn't much but is a nice ease on my startup costs. I will safely be making $300 a month (low estimate) from my location, so the machine's $3,000 cost would be paid off within the year.

Does this seem like a sound decision? Has anyone had experience with this machine? Any responses are very welcome!

Wyatt

[midtenn]

You may want to look at a Dixie Narco 501E. I like the livefronts, but the bubble fronts are okay too. Very dependable, easy to set-up and very reliable, maintenance wise. 9 selection set-up with cans and/or bottles.
If you don't like them try the DN5500 glassfront automatic delivery. The cost is significally higher but their appearance and the fact that people like to watch them operate should increase sales some. Its up to you but the ROI is better with the 501E.

[bulboushead]

You may want to look at a Dixie Narco 501E. I like the livefronts, but the bubble fronts are okay too. Very dependable, easy to set-up and very reliable, maintenance wise. 9 selection set-up with cans and/or bottles.
If you don't like them try the DN5500 glassfront automatic delivery. The cost is significally higher but their appearance and the fact that people like to watch them operate should increase sales some. Its up to you but the ROI is better with the 501E.

I don't want to come off rude and I thank you very much for your answers, but what are you basing these conclusions on? Have you owned and operated either machine or serviced them? The 501E looks like a good machine, and I have heard great things about Dixie Narco's reliability. I am just slightly paranoid is all I guess, which can be good in business. Thanks a lot for your answers!

Wyatt

[midtenn]

I don't want to come off rude and I thank you very much for your answers, but what are you basing these conclusions on? Have you owned and operated either machine or serviced them? The 501E looks like a good machine, and I have heard great things about Dixie Narco's reliability. I am just slightly paranoid is all I guess, which can be good in business. Thanks a lot for your answers!

Wyatt

My "conclusions" or knowledge has been gained through 29 years of professional and real world experience in this industry. I have worked routes, ran service calls, tore entire machines apart and rebuilt them. Through the years, I have managed every aspect within a vending company. Until last year I managed a $5 million a year corporate vending company which included preparing P & L's on all accounts and requisitioning equipment for every install and upgrade. I have enough experience with all the main brand machines that I probably know what I am talking about. Excuse me for attempting to try and help someone else in the business that may need some sound advice, something that I wouldn't have done 5 years ago. If you are afraid to buy a $1000 refurnished machine that will return the investment many times over then you probably will be better off to purchase your machines at Sams. I'll take on any model Dixie Narco manufactured, but that critter from Sam's is a different animal..............
Good Luck !!

[scottgtt]

As a full line vendor for five years and an operator of over 200 machines, I agree. If you want to be smart about this, by quality refurbs at half the price with readily available and affordable parts when things go down. If you want to debate whether to buy at Sams, well, I can tell you there are virtually no serious vendors that buy their machines there.

[BVI]

As a full line vendor for five years and an operator of over 200 machines, I agree. If you want to be smart about this, by quality refurbs at half the price with readily available and affordable parts when things go down. If you want to debate whether to buy at Sams, well, I can tell you there are virtually no serious vendors that buy their machines there.

At least no serious vendors that CONTINUE to buy their machines there. I, probably like many others, got into vending without much if any knowledge, and are afraid to take a chance on used or refurbished equipment. So we buy the new machines. At least for a while. Then we gain some experience and "know-how" and see that buying good, refurbished equipment is the only real way to flourish in this business. I've been at this for just over 2 years now and have approximately 50 machines, and I wish I had known about my refurbished equipment dealer when I first started.

By the way, the USI machines that Sam's has are not bad machines at all. They are dumbed-down, if you will, so that novices can program them with relative ease, but they are actually decent machines. You just have to make sure they go into locations that will generate enough revenue to get a decent return.

[bulboushead]

My "conclusions" or knowledge has been gained through 29 years of professional and real world experience in this industry. I have worked routes, ran service calls, tore entire machines apart and rebuilt them. Through the years, I have managed every aspect within a vending company. Until last year I managed a $5 million a year corporate vending company which included preparing P & L's on all accounts and requisitioning equipment for every install and upgrade. I have enough experience with all the main brand machines that I probably know what I am talking about. Excuse me for attempting to try and help someone else in the business that may need some sound advice, something that I wouldn't have done 5 years ago. If you are afraid to buy a $1000 refurnished machine that will return the investment many times over then you probably will be better off to purchase your machines at Sams. I'll take on any model Dixie Narco manufactured, but that critter from Sam's is a different animal..............
Good Luck !!

Midtenn, I apologize again for my tone, I meant no offense to you or questioned your response in a rude manner. I was just trying to gain some more technical information on the Dixie Narco machines. I will take your word for it with the amount of experience you have and I don't see myself going to Sam's to pick up a selectivend model.

My only dilemma now is where to find a Dixie Narco 501e machine, and how should I go about inspecting it's quality? Are there certain parts i should pay attention to that will show how worn it is? Do you know of any companies that offer fair prices for a decent refurbished machine? Most sites on the internet I have come across offer them for around $1500 plus freight costs. Does that sound about right?

Once again, thank you all for your responses!

Wyatt

[midtenn]

http://cgi.ebay.com/...1QQcmdZViewItem

Click the link. Get the phone number and call David. Tell him you want a DN501E like the one shown in the auction and what kind of front you want and that I recommended him to you. Also tell him you want a bill acceptor that will take the new $5 bill, which is what I see in the picture (appx.$400 value). He will cut you a deal if you are nice. They do great work and there should be a programming chart on the inside door. There is a link to tech support below also. Dont know your location, but he has better shipping rates than the calculator shows. I wouldn't be surprised if you are not out the door for less than the starting bid in this auction. Let us know how your dealings with him goes.

All you want to know about Dixie Narco:


http://www.dixienarc...53/Default.aspx

[scottgtt]

You could also try Andy Hayes of American Vending in St. Louis. They ship everywhere and sell very good machines. His number is 1888-818-vend.