I recently purchased an older USI snack machine (Model 2038). It was a "Lance" machine and has 25 selection buttons. I attempted to adjust the price on one selection and now the machine will not vend anything! (LOL - I sure messed that up!)

I thought I saw a post on this forum that provided a link to various vending machine manuals that are available on line for free. If that link exists (and you know the link), could you provide it please!

As a beginner (still working on getting my first machine), I would appreciaate it if the experienced vendors give me (and other beginners) an idea of the type of locations that bring good revenues for snack and soda machines.

Laundry rooms and vehicle repair shops sounds like good spots. I am certain there are other locations that do well for snack and soda vending machines.

First I want to say thanks to those who have posted questions and answers on this chat board. I was considering going into the vending route. From what I read here, I have decided that I should stop considering and start doing! But before doing that, I wanted to jot down the "wisdom" I have gleaned from this chat board. I read through many of the topics under this part of this chat board and a brief summary (of what I think are good ideas) follows. I appreciate input about the summary (especially in areas where I am "going wrong."

I also hope others will use this as a starting point for vending routes (i.e.: they don't have to search 50 - 100 posts in order to find out how to get started).

1. START SMALL. Rather than buying $50,000 of new machines from a company that is in the business of selling machines, and investing several thousand more hiring a company to locate the machines, it is "better" to start with a few (1 - 4) machines. This gives me a chance to see if I really like the vending business. If I lilke the business, I can purchase more machines. If I don't like it, I am not stuck in a job I don't like due to a substantial investment.

2. BUY USED MACHINES. This is NOT meant as a "slam" of any of the manufacturers or sellers of vending machines. The reason I concluded to purchase used machines is for a beginner, the cost is lower (but maintenance is higher). If I want to get out of the business, it will be "easier" because I do not have a sizable investment in the machines. Once I determine if vending is something I want to do, then I may want to purchase new machines (for less maintenance). This site gives good recommendations of the type of machine to purchase (Dixie etc). In addition, those that posted on this site feel the "best" place to buy used machines if from Craig's List.

3. BE HANDY OR EXPECT TO BECOME HANDY. If a machine breaks, I need to repair it because the cost of hiring someone to make repairs will be be high. This is espeically necessary if I purchase used machines. This does not mean I have to know how to fix every problem on every machine I buy prior to purchasing any machines. However, if you are not a handy person, you may want to consider another business.

4. LOCATION IS KEY. The location of the vending machine seems to have the most effect on its profit. A good location sends a steady stream of $. If the vends are not up to snuff, try a new location. For me (a newbie) the jury is still out on whether to hire a locating service. There appear to be pros and cons with hiring a locator service. If you lack the time to find new locations, a good locator service is worth the price paid. If the locator service does a horrid job, a refund isn't worth the time and money spent.

5. DECIDE WHAT TO VEND. I bet I get some feedback here!
From what I read, it is "better" to vend sodas than to vend snacks or "bulk" vends. I realize that I may be required to provide more than just sodas if I want a location. nacks appear to have a shorter expiration date than sodas. It also seems that you ned to provide a greater range of product mix with snacks than with sodas. This means a greater chance of reaching expiration date (with snacks) than with a smaller mix of products.

My origianl plan was to build a video game room (I know during my teen years that I helped fill the pockets of several arcade room operators). It seems that arcade games do well in a few locations (laundromats, bars, restaurants). A few hours of reading on this site have shown me that a storefront dedicated to video arcade games appears to be a creature of the past. Sigh! Sadly, my kids have no clue what an 8 track (or a Betamax) is (it stinks to get old...eeerrrggghh more experienced).

6. REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS. Do not expect to "get rich quick" from a handfull of vending machines. From what I read, the net profit (or it could be gross receipts - I was not sure) from a machine (I know a lot of variables are involved) can range from $25 to $75 per week (I plan to use $40 per week as a guideline). If my goal is to make $50,000 per year, I will need and least 25 machines ($50,000/52 weeks per year = $961.54 per week/$40 per machine per week = 24 machines). If I own 24 machines, I know I need at least 1 back up machine to replace machines that need repairs. It also seems that the vending business is slow during cold months (especially with sodas). If each machine cost $750 to $1,000 (shipping is expensive as the machines are heavy) it means I need to invest $18,500 to $25,000. This does not include the initial cost of the purchase of items to vend. Once again, this tells me to start small and build up.

7.INCREASE MACHINES AND UPGRADE MACHINES. One post said that his/her goal was to add one machine per year and upgrade one machine per year. I did not understand the idea of "upgrading" until I read the entire post. Cheaper machines hold less than expensive machines. Higher capactiy machines mean I only need to service the machine every other week instead of weekly. Although a higher capacity machine "costs more" it saves me time and time is important (in any business). In addition, less trips to the vend machine save gas $.

UPDATE:
RJT:
Thank you for your comments. LOL my post was long enough so I did not mention some of the things you did (like owning a truck or large van is critical!). I found the comments about the type of location VERY important. Currently, I lack the expereince to know what makes a location a "good" location. I (and I think other beginners) would truly enjoy some comments about what makes a "good" location. For example, one post mentions laundry rooms are a good location (but there are only so many of those in my area). Your post mentioned locally owned vehicle repair businesses. Now that I think about it, those should be good locations. I agree that the "best" locations won't be available until I become more professional. That may take a few months to a couple of years.

Once again TY for your post!