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Winning the right location for your vending machine (the sales approach, not selecting the location)

Factors influencing the success of a vending machine business

9 out of 10 vending business owners would agree that location is the most crucial factor in determining success. Important factors, such as selecting the right vending equipment and choosing the most profitable and saleable merchandise, depend on the location.

For example, in a location where a hip demography loosens their purse strings, having an intuitive interface and reliable operations results in more transactions. Whereas, in transit centers, salty snacks and bottled water are often the most profitable. The only factor that does not depend on location is your vending machine and the service partner – Vending.com.

So how do you put a vending machine somewhere profitable, somewhere good? This blog lets us dive deep into the location factor to see how a vending business owner can win suitable locations to maximize revenue and profits.

Finding a good location

There are several parameters to consider while selecting the right location for your vending machine. These include: 

Volume of traffic: The location you select must have high foot traffic. After all, vending is a numbers game. The higher the traffic, the higher the number of transactions.

Type of traffic: Vending is about convenience and the experience depending on the consumer. It is the simple magic of the mechanics for a young kid when you push currency into the machine to get what you want. It might simply be about waiting with a beverage at the Airport for the next flight for an adult. The kind of traffic will define what you sell and how it is priced. The visitors to your location shall define the suitable machine and the right merchandise.

Demographics: The demographic of your location is going to have an impact on profitability. For example, if your machine is at a gym, customers will more than likely be looking for bottled water and not for soda. A themepark, on the other hand, may require more chocolate bars or chips. Ignoring the demographics of your location can be detrimental to your business.

Competition: The presence of other vending machines is a good sign. While the location might need more effort to win, it is a proven location for a vending business. Remember, the vending machines do not compete for the consumer’s attention. They only compete for real estate. It is the products within the machine, the quality of the interaction, and the ease of the transaction that attract consumers. The right product mix is always attainable by studying the competition and by selecting complementary products. For optimizing the customer experience, the right technology and the right aesthetics go a long way. Picture this, a fully contactless vending machine with guaranteed vending technology accepting cashless payments, with attractive designs on them – with bestselling products. This is just an example of how Vending.com’s range of machines delivers the optimal customer experience.

 Building the proposition

A vending machine owner or operator is not just doing himself a favor by placing the machine at a location. There is definitely value for the location owner, too. Winning the location is dependent on articulating the value for all stakeholders, including the location owner.

The location owner might have different types of benefits. Some might give more weight to the rental income or the commissions they will get from your vending machines on their premises. This is the most common benefit, but not always the largest.

In other cases, businesses might be keen on improving customers’ convenience. Location owners may also want to use the vending machine as a channel to promote products aligned to their business. A good example would be protein shakes and protein bars in the vending machines at a gym. This increases revenue and reduces the need for additional sales bandwidth. Some might consider your machines a good branding opportunity by sticking their brand on your machines. Features like UVend Technology on vending machines and contactless transactions can enhance the sense of safety at some locations.

While the fee for placing the vending machine is a given, its size can depend on how well the other benefits are articulated to the location’s owner.

Our 90 years in the vending industry have given us experiences that can empower your vending business with the proper guidance and insights to be successful. To know more, talk to us at 1-855-929-1042 or visit this link to get help from professionals.

A Custom Vending Machine for Any Business

Whatever business you have, Vending.com can help you grow your business. We offer a number of retail vending machines that are created with the customer in mind. Add more ways for your customers to access the products they want, without having to pay for an extra employee. 

Storage Supply Depot

Sell all of your top-selling storage supplies from one machine with the Storage Supply Depot! The Storage Supply Depot features a high-security outdoor package to reduce the number of break-ins your machine experiences. This includes an alarm, which sounds when the machine is tipped or a door opened without proper authorization. With reconfigurable trays, you can dispense all brand-named products including locks, tape, storage bags and more.

Ebonite Bowling Supplies Vending Machine

Your bowling customers will love having access to their favorite bowling supplies, even with the Pro Shop is not open, with the Ebonite Bowling Supplies Vending Machine. It has the ability to vend a number of popular bowling products of various shapes and sizes including towels, cleaning sprays or wrist bands. Plus, with iVend Guaranteed Delivery, your products are guaranteed to vend, or customers will receive their money back to try a different product.

Auto Vend Plus Car Wash Vending Machine

Finally, the Auto Vend Plus Car Wash Vending Machine is an outdoor vending machine that can be used by customers any time they need car wash supplies. With a versatile design, customers will have access to the car wash supplies they need, no matter what time of day it is. Dispense products of various sizes including towels, sprays or small trinkets. Finally, the high-security package of this vending machine makes it able to withstand the weather and potential vandalism.

Whether you are looking to add income to your business or just looking for an expansion on your shop, Vending.com has a vending machine to help you grow. To find out more, give us a call at 1-800-548-1982.

Vending.com

Vending Machine March Promotion | Get It While It’s HOT

In terms of vending machine promotions, it doesn’t get much better than this. Vending.com is currently running a financing special that lets customers get all of the vending machine equipment and other items they need to keep their customers satisfied with no money down for 12 months at 0% interest. Regardless of which item you’re looking for and how much you spend, you can save an incredible amount of money just by way of this special financing promotion in general. It’s important to note that the promotion is valid only for Vending.com new and freight blemished vending machine purchases only. The offer expires at the stroke of midnight CT on March 31, 2016, so act fast before these incredible savings are gone forever. You certainly won’t regret it.

Other Amazing Items and Unbeatable Offers by Vending.com

Even if you won’t be taking advantage of Vending.com’s March madness sale, the company still has a wide range of additional items on sale right now to help businesses exceed their customer’s expectations and create the sustainable revenue stream they’ve always dreamed of.

One of these bold items is the Cafe Express Refreshment Center, designed from the ground up to offer coffee service, beverages and a wide range of different snack items – all from one easy-to-use kiosk. The Cafe Express Refreshment Center offers a large compartment for single cup pods, K-Cups and pour over brewers in addition to a customer-friendly shelf that they can use to prepare their coffee any way that they’d like. The easy loading bottle and can trays accommodate beverages in nearly every size, from 16 ounces to 24 ounce plastic bottles and beyond.

Another impressive option available to order from Vending.com right now is the Table Top 14 Selection Snack Vending Machine.This beautiful piece features a compact, space saving design that is perfect for not only small break rooms, but also any other environment where space is valuable currency. The unit was designed from the ground up to offer 14 selections of snacks and candy and is accompanied by controls that are incredibly simple to use for both customers and operators. In addition to lightning-fast first-in-first-out product loading, it also features digital electronic pricing per selection and a number of other value-added features that make it perfect for both large and small businesses alike.

If you’re interested in taking full advantage of Vending.com’s March promotion, or in any of the other incredible snack vending machine sale items or other products available to order on the website right now, please contact the company today at 888-290-9356 for more information.

Vending.com

Do Not Miss Our End of the Year Blowout Sale!

‘Tis the season for holiday sales, and Vending.com has some great end of the year deals lined up for our customers. As the country’s #1 vending machine provider, we sell, manufacture and distribute snack and drink vending machines that are made right here in the USA. Our end of year vending machine promotions can not be beaten.

The Deal

If you are in the market for snack and drink vending machines, you can not afford to miss this vending machine sale.

For a limited time, we are offering

  • Up to $700 off factory certified snack and drink vending machines
  • Factory certified snack vending machines from $1,880
  • Factory certified drink vending machines from $1,770
  • These prices reflect savings up to 29 percent off of our regular prices

All of our factory certified vending machines offer electronic coin and $1 and $5 bill acceptors. We also offer 100 percent financing for as little as $117.85 a month. If you have ever thought about expanding your vending business, today is a great day to make it a reality.

Why Should You Buy From Vending.com?

When you buy a machine from us, you are entering into a partnership that will help you start your vending business from the ground up, or take your existing business to new heights. We offer a full range of vending machines to choose from with each vending machine manufacturer located here in the United States. From our white glove delivery service to our repair services, we can help you ensure that your vending machines are always working hard to build your business. We offer a wide range of vending machines including traditional snack and soda machines as well as hot beverage, cold and frozen food, and fully customizable machines to fit any need.

Vending.com delivers and services snack and drink vending machines across the nation. If you are in the market for a vending machine, contact us at 888-290-9356 to discuss our current promotions, vending options to fit your needs, and how we can help you start or grow your business with reliable factory certified machines.

Can the Coffee Help Fight the Signs of Aging?

Coffee Vending Machine | Vending.com

Surely you have heard the hype that coffee can help you look younger. You head to your favorite drink vending machines and stock up on the stuff to not only get a much needed boost of energy, but to watch your wrinkles dissipate. But it is really true? Can coffee really combat aging? It can! If you are hoping for a miracle in a cup, coffee is not your answer. In fact, there are not even real scientific studies on this claim. That being said, coffee is loaded with antioxidants, which are effective at fighting away many signs of aging, like fine lines and age spots. So in that regard, coffee may be contributing slightly to your cause.

Moderation is key. One of the reasons people believe coffee does slow aging and helps them appear younger is because the caffeine in it shrinks cells by dehydrating them. This is great for puffy eyes, but not so great for your body. So you should try to limit yourself to a couple of cups per day. If you go overboard, instead of the coffee helping your skin look smooth and supple, it will make your face look shriveled up and old. So when you are out and about and you pass by those drink vending machines at the office or the gas station, grab a coffee in the morning and perhaps one in the afternoon, but choose something else on your other stops. And if you are looking into buying vending machines for sale, or you are a vending machine manufacturer, considering adding a variety of both coffee drinks and non-coffee drinks to keep all of your customers happy.

In summary, when used in moderation, coffee can give you the energy you need to combat the day while helping your cause to slow aging, but if you overdo it, it will have the opposite effect on your skin.

The Benefits of Buying a Used Vending Machine

New vs Used Vending Machines

When you invest in your vending business, every penny counts. One way to make your money go further is to choose used vending machines instead of new ones. Used vending machines are of benefit because they can cost a fraction of what new ones cost. And, when you focus your search on used machines that are certified by the vending machine manufacturer, you can rest easy that you are buying reliable equipment.

When looking at used machines, ask the following questions:

  • What sort of warranty is offered? Vending.com offers a 90 day warranty on bill acceptors, coin acceptors and control boards, so, you know that your investment is secure.
  • What is the condition of the machine? When we offer a used vending machine for sale, it is only after the machine has been factory remanufactured and certified by our trained and caring staff.
  • What will you pay for delivery? Our company delivers our certified used machines for free. Other companies can charge hundreds of dollars, running up your costs significantly.
  • What sort of financing is available? Our low monthly payments and 100% financing mean that you can get your machines placed quickly and start earning.

There are a number of sizes and styles of drink and snack vending machines in our inventory. And, new machines come in all the time, so, we are always able to get exactly what you need to fit your available spaces. Ready to explore your options? Call us at 1-855-595-1839 to learn about our inspected and certified used vending machines for sale. We can answer your questions and help you find the perfect machine to open your vending business or expand an existing route.

Unexpected Benefits of Drinking Coffee

When considering vending machines for sale, opting for a coffee vending machine will automatically be passing along an array of potential health benefits. More than two dozen of those benefits were outlined by Complex City Guide , including coffee’s ability to reduce the risk of various health conditions and diseases. Three health benefits of drinking coffee especially stand out as big pluses for office workers who would be likely to encounter drink vending machines serving coffee.

Work pain relief

Sitting at a computer all day can wreak havoc on the shoulders and neck, but a cup of coffee before work can help alleviate common pains of the typical office job. A 2012 study out of Norway found 40 percent of folks who drank coffee enjoyed a lower level of pain than those who skipped the Joe.

Lower blood pressure

Although the initial effect of coffee’s caffeine is to give your blood pressure a short-term boost, it can actually help lower blood pressure for the long term. France’s Preventative and Clinical Investigations Center found those who regularly drink coffee can enjoy significantly lowered blood pressure than those who don’t. It also noted regular coffee drinkers have blood vessels that are more elastic in nature, which helps decrease the chances of developing high blood pressure.

Cavity prevention

Any candy vending machine manufacturer may want to consider adding coffee vending machines to their lineup. Certain elements found in coffee may reduce the formation of plaque, such as an element known as the tannins. This compound is found in coffee beans and has been shown to halt the plaque formation process, stopping plaque buildup before it even starts.

While most drink vending machines aim to serve up a refreshing beverage, drinking coffee can be especially refreshing for its health benefits: its ability to alleviate pain, lower blood pressure and leave you with fewer trips to the dentist.

Benefits of Drinking Coffee Regularly
(source: happytoserveyou.com.au)

Know Your Options – Vending Machine Financing

Vending Machine Financing Options

When you start looking at vending machines for sale, one thing that is a major hurdle in purchasing a machine you need or want is the cost. Luckily, there are a number of financing options available. This is especially good since snack and drink vending machines can be a great investment opportunity for many businesses—paying for themselves several times over in just a short amount of time.

Credit Card

If you have a credit card with a high limit, this can be a great option for paying for your machine. This is simple and will allow you to pay your normal credit card bill each month with no extra bills. However, the interest rates can sometimes be higher than other options.

Manufacturer Financing

Check with the vending machine manufacturer. It could be that they offer private financing or perhaps they work with another financing firm to give you options. Quite often, you can get a lower interest rate than you would pay with your credit card and there are flexible payment terms.

Concerns

Before you jump in and finance one machine or several, it is important that you look through your current financial situation and make sure you are not getting in over your head. Do you anticipate that your machines will bring in enough each month to pay your loan? If not, do you have a backup plan? Talk to someone who knows the vending machine industry in your area and get a better idea of what you can expect.

As you can see, finding financing for your vending machine investment may not be that difficult. Make certain you do your research and find a finance and payment plan that will serve you well now and in the future.

Family Vending Business

 

vending family business

 

A family vending machines business can be successful for new and existing business owners. However, it has advantages and disadvantages, and a succession plan is essential.

Advantages of a Family Vending Business

  • History of working toward common goals at home
  • Each person is committed to business and family success
  • Simple and effective organizational structure
  • Already know the strengths and weaknesses of coworkers

Disadvantages of a Family Vending Business

  • Lack of openness
  • Rivalry for leadership, rewards or recognition
  • Leading with emotions instead of business sense
  • Mixing personal and business interests
  • Less rigid about consequences for poor performance

Creating a Succession Plan

From the beginning of any family business venture or three years before a senior leader retires, a succession plan should be put into place. For success, businesses should make new leadership decisions based on talents, abilities, job performance and skills rather than seniority or sentiment. Then, new leaders should be trained to run all aspects of the company, from marketing and sales to bookkeeping and Human Resources.

Operating a family vending business with new and used vending machines for sale has both advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these factors in advance and creating a succession plan minimizes frustration and maximizes success.

Mobile Apps to Help Your Vending Machine Business

Vending.com loves the following three apps for your vending machine business to help keep track of financials, inventory and more.. They each offer a different service that will be valuable to you in your day-to-day life:

Mint:
Mint.com, which was name one of TIME Magazine’s “Top 50 iPhone Apps” in 2011, is the perfect free mobile app for business owners on the go. Since your vending business keeps you out and about for hours each day, this app will help make your life a lot easier. The app allows you to set a financial budget for your vending machine business and enter transactions while on the go. You also can get real-time fund availability. In addition, in case you lose your phone, the app has a password to keep any unauthorized persons from viewing your financial information.

Evernote:
This handy app gives you the ability to instantly take notes on your mobile device no matter where you are. You can then easily access this information later. This app is ideal for making notes of vending machine inventory needs, writing yourself a daily to-do list or just jotting down your latest brainstorm for your business. Thanks to Evernote, you don’t have to worry about keeping a paper and pen handy at all times.

Dropbox:
This app is available on both mobile devices and tablets. It works by storing your business documents, photos, or videos to access on the go. Imagine being able to pull up all your vending machine business marketing materials on the app no matter where you are at the time. After all, potential clients are everywhere, so why shouldn’t your most impressive business information be as well.

Any of our recommended apps for vending machine businesses will help you take yours to the next level.