Thanks for the iput. I am also concerned with the cost to repair the cooling units of soda machines. If my profit from a soda machine is $50 per week and the reapir is similar to the cost to repair a car AC unit ($750 - $1,000 depending upon parts etc), it could cost 20 weeks of profits to repair the unit. I would hate to buy a used machine and them be forced to put another $1,000 of repairs into the unit. If the cost is @ $250 - $300 for major repairs, then the notion of buying a used unit over a new unit is much nicer!

Dogcow said: a more sensible question would have been "what kind of revenue do X, Y, and Z locations do?" or "i am looking to make this much what kind of locations do i need to target", maybe that is what you meant but you never actually asked it.

That is exactly the problem. I do not know the type of locations. I do not see a list of businesses listed in the yellow pages that say "We have 30 - 75 employyes, we do not have a vending machine and we want one."

After reviewing this site, it became clear to me that many of the experienced vending operators recommend selecting your own sites (and to stay away from locators - especially bizop companies). I have also learned that just about every type of vending machine is available (Craig's List and other sites have machines for sale). So, once I know what makes "good location" I should be able to purchase a machine to fit there.

But I do not know what types of locations, sites or businesses are "good" for vending machines. For the Kids mentioned Call Centers. I have one of those near my home. That information is useful to a newbie. I know that there may be other machines in that location. I also know that the number of employees, along with other factors, affect the type of vending machine I should place in such a site.

I recently learned that schools make good sites for vending machines. One of the problems with schools is that coke - pepsi usually have the soda machine account so placing a drink machine there is difficult. But I would not have thought of schools as a "good location" for vending machines unless someone told me!

Without some type of lead, a newbie must rely upon a locator to place the machine. I guess I could stumble around town, poking my nose in someone's business until I learn how many employees are present. (But that could get me shot or arrested! LOL)

After looking on this site for some time, I still am not able to locate a thread that discusses the "type" of businesses that need vending machines. Some folks beieve that restaurants make good locations for vending machines. I am not sure about that. I don't think I would purchase a soda while waiting for a table (I might play a video game though - which is not "vending" to me).

I have learned that the purchase of new machines from bizop companies is expensive (but some may decide that is "best" for them). This site has vastly improved my knowledge of the brands of vending machines to purchase (or at least this site has provided me with enough info to decide if I want to purchase a soda, snack, or combo machine.)

I still do not know what type of business I should approach in order to place a machine. Thus, at this point (regardless of whether I think it is a good idea or not) I must use a locator company in order to place a machine in a location. I really did mean for this thread to be able to offer this type of information to potential vending machine operators.

One of my concerns about buying a used combo machine is the compressor. I lack knowledge in repairs to A/C units. I know I can quickly learn how to remove and replace a compressor or a condensor (I have done a lot of repair - replacment or parts over the years). However, it will be a while before I will be able to know which component is bad (i.e.: correctly properly diagonse the problem). That takes more skill! Plus I do not know the cost of replacement parts for vending machines (i.e.: compressors - condensors etc). Finally, I believe federal law requires that individuals working on AC units must take a test in order to purchase the gas needed to cool the unit (they used to use freon but that harms the ozone so the use something else now - R something). Thus I must either take (and pass) the test or hire a repairperson to work on the A/C of combo machines. So repairing a combo machine tht does not cool properly could cost quite a bit of $.

Would it be better to purchase a new combo machine and rely upon the 5 year warranty? It could be the warranty has little value (always depends upon the wording of the warranty).

The model # of the Seaga machines I am considering purchasing is CA 630. It is a combo (of course) and it has space for 6 drinks (2 of which are larger bottles). It can also dispense up to 20 snacks. The machine is electronic and accepts $1s, $5s $10s and $20s (although it only gives coins as change - no bills). I can program the price for each item being vended.

Does anyone have experience with this model of Seaga machine?

How much are you grossing per week in your locations? Larger machines in larger locations tend to gross more per week. I have also heard that combo machines are not as durable as soda or snack only machines.