Category: Management Tips

Vending.com blog
Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com | Leave a Comment on Buying a vending machine is easy (Financing, leasing, reman/used, etc.)

Buying a vending machine is easy (Financing, leasing, reman/used, etc.)

Buying a vending machine is easier than ever before.

Everybody must have experienced the fun of buying something from a vending machine to just see it spit out the product you chose to buy. Owning a vending machine can be even more fun and rewarding. Nobody will mind an alternate source of revenue from vending machines. There are several stories where what started as a side hustle became a thriving vending business.

Investing in a vending machine can improve the experience of the customers or visitors of your establishment. Customers will find it convenient to wait with a beverage until it is their turn to be served. Businesses can also use vending machines as another channel for the sales of products relevant to their business.

Investing in a vending machine is simple when considering the following five aspects before making the purchase.

Finding the right location

One of the most important factors to consider for your vending machine is the location. If a machine is purchased for your own business, customer accessibility is a critical consideration. If a machine is difficult to access, it will have a difficult time generating cash. Additionally, if you are looking at an outdoor location, it is important that your machine has the correct specs to accommodate customers. 

If you place the machine at a location owned by someone else, then you will need to consider things like partnership expectations, such as commissions, rental fees or custom branding on the machine. Vending is a numbers game. The more people looking at your machine will result in more revenue for you.

Selecting the right products to sell

The numbers for 2019 point to packaged snacks and food items as the most sold products in vending machines. Beverages come in at a close second, leaving everything else eating their dust, but this is still a generic classification. You need to be more specific as to what you want to sell. Some products give you razor-thin margins, while others are more rewarding.

A good example would be a chocolate bar. The average gross markup on a bar of chocolate would be 46% over the list price. Considering you must still cover your logistics, energy, location fees, insurance, and other costs, this is not much. On the other hand, the humble bottle of water might give you a tidy 85% markup. The logic is simple when you need water, you need water. A chocolate bar can always wait.

It is not just the markup. It is also about the demand. Pick products that move fast. The cost of products staying in the machine is often unnoticed, but can be very costly. M&Ms might fly off the machines at a waterpark, while a yogurt cup may not. The product to location ratio is everything in the vending business.

Investing in a machine

If you know what to sell and where to sell it, all you need to do is pay for it, but this is where most operators are stuck. While some operators can dig into their operating income or personal savings to buy a machine, others cannot. However, the good news is that reputed vending machine manufacturers have made it easier for such operators to buy their machines. They offer several options like the ones listed below.

  • Cash purchase: If you have the cash and you are willing to use it to buy a vending machine, then it is straightforward. All you need to do is find the proper manufacturer or seller who will give you a machine that costs you less to buy and to own.
  • Financing: Buyers can also obtain financing support to buy their machines. Depending on the business case, the manufacturer of the machine might offer attractive interest rates or other benefits to encourage the purchase. Individual operators trying to create an alternative source of income often find this appealing, as they can invest in the latest technology without large upfront costs.
  • Used: Beginners can also try used machines. They come at a much lower upfront cost, however, the cost of maintenance and upkeep of these machines will depend on the quality of the machine. If the machine is already old, over-used, or faulty, the cost of owning the machine might become high. It is essential to buy used machines from businesses of good reputation to avoid future surprises.

Installation and Setup

The machine’s installation and setup are often covered by the manufacturer when you buy a new machine. If you buy a used machine, however, ensure that you calculate the setup cost. Other than costs, installation and setup also require skills. Configuring your machine for the products you sell, providing proper payment interfaces, connecting to software inventory management systems if there is one, and other aspects of installation might need professional support. Buying new or used machines from reliable businesses can help you address these needs. They often provide the necessary support.

And you can rest assured knowing that our dedicated service entity covers all installation, setup, and setup requirements. Vendnet also supplies all spare parts and hardware along with easy-to-use manuals for all our models that help in DIY troubleshooting.  

Stocking

Once you have the machine up and running, all you need to do is stock your machine. If you have already decided on your product, make sure you buy fresh stock. Ensure that the products are worth the price your consumers are paying. It is vital to have quality products as it impacts consumer experience. Only a happy consumer will buy again from the same machine. Also, ensure that you have the necessary mechanism to keep your machine stocked. An empty machine continues to cost you without generating revenue.

A vending machine can be your steady stream of additional income. The past two years have taught us that even a strong market or economy can be fragile. Investing in vending machines can reduce risks to your income. Operators who carefully consider the above mentioned aspects and buy from reputed sellers are wise. They minimize the upfront capital expense and optimize the cost of owning the machine while also reducing risks. Our specialists at Vending.com can assist you through your purchase of a new or used vending machine.  Our offers are simply icing on the cake that you simply cannot resist. Talk to us at 1-855-929-1042 to know more.

Vending.com
Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com | Leave a Comment on Preparing for 2022 Trends: What beverages and sodas are your customers consuming?

Preparing for 2022 Trends: What beverages and sodas are your customers consuming?

If you have beverage vending machines, you need to plan ahead to accommodate the changing demands of your customers. Industry experts predict that, on an average, the sales of major beverages are set to rise at a CAGR of 1.7% per year until 2026. The year 2020 saw the entire world go through major upheaval due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Even retail sales of beverages dipped as fewer people were stepping out of their homes. However, with everything slowly opening back up and returning to normalcy, we can expect to see a steady increase in the sales of beverages from vending machines.

At Vending.com we have a wide range of drink vending machines that will help you sell everything from iced coffee to soda, juice and bottled water.

Due to the global pandemic, people have become more health conscious and aware of the need to consume healthy and cruelty-free foods, and this extends to drinks. Here’s what consumers are likely to demand more of in the coming year:

Plant-Based Drinks

Sure, we’re already consuming several plant-based drinks – fruit juices! But experts predict that the demand for vegan products, like soy milk, will also spike. Veganism is gaining popularity in the western world, including America, as there are many people who are lactose intolerant and cannot consume dairy. So, all such individuals are going to demand non-dairy-based shakes and drinks. Almond milk, cashew milk, and soy milk are the most popular among the non-dairy milk drinks. 

Immunity Boosters

As concerns about health grow in the pandemic era, people are keen to boost their immunity through natural means. This means there is going to be a sharp demand for protein shakes, probiotic drinks, turmeric lattes, and an assortment of health teas. 

Other Health Drinks

A lot of drinks fall under this category including packaged smoothies, shakes, and superfood drinks. Examples of superfood drinks include shakes or juices made with plants like spirulina, wheat germ, basil seeds, goji berries, chia seeds, and more. Such drinks will sell well in vending machines placed in health clubs, gyms, swimming pool complexes, and other sports complexes where teams practice and compete, such as our MarketOne Fitness Merchandiser.

With different beverages coming in varying shapes and sizes, it is crucial that your vending machine is able to accommodate consumer trending beverages and sodas outside of traditional cans and bottles. The Cold Drink 5W Elevator Vending Machine not only accommodates a variety of products, but also features a soft delivery elevator, so you can vend fragile items, such as iced coffee.

Sustainable and Organic 

Today, consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it was grown – whether it is organic or genetically modified. Brands that advertise their products as organic and sustainably grown will certainly have high demand, as consumers are likely to look for those beverage brands in vending machines, too.

Low Sugar Drinks

With diabetes and other lifestyle diseases on the rise, more and more people are looking for foods with low sugar and salt content. They look for fizzy drinks and fruit juices with minimal or no-added-sugar. 

Coffee

Come what may, Americans are not going to stop drinking coffee, at least for the foreseeable future. The consumer trending demand for this popular beverage will continue into the next year. We all know that coffee is not just to quench thirst. It can be your wake-up-drink or a post-lunch digestion aid. Business deals are made over coffee and people use it to start a conversation. With so many reasons to get a cup of it, people just need the visual cue to reach out for one. Coffee vending machines can be placed in almost any place with high foot traffic. 

Our MarketOne Coffee Vending Machine delivers a European café experience to your customers, with a range of coffees that taste just like freshly made Barista beverages. With a stylish design and cutting-edge brewing and filter system that facilitate precise ingredient control, this machine is THE one you need for coffee vending. You can choose from freeze-dried and fresh brew models; it dispenses multiple types of premium, specialty hot beverages – in fact, there are 11 core hot drinks with 34 combinations to choose from: hot chocolate, espresso, coffee, cappuccino, and more. 

Soda

While there is an increased consumer trend shift towards healthier drinks, sodas will not disappear. There is still a demand for fizzy drinks, and as a vending machine owner, you need to have this in your inventory.

The Express Combo snack and drink combo vending machine is a compact machine that is also eco-friendly. Its LED lighting highlights your products, and the fiber door graphic styling makes it attractive to customers. You can stock up to 9 types of drinks and 20 types of snacks, offering ample choices to your customers. It features two flexible trays for bottles or cans with high stocking capacity which can hold up to five drink selections, allowing you to offer your customers multiple choices for drinks, including health drinks.

Bottled Water

As the awareness about the benefits of sufficient hydration increases, so will the demand for bottled water. It is an item that is needed by every single person, regardless of age or health status – making it a safe bet to vend as well. Additionally, it will sell well at almost any location. 

The MarketOne 48 Select Water Vending Machine from Vending.com is the ideal choice for this. Its sleek design is sure to impress your customers; the availability of multiple payment options like cash, debit, and credit cards offers convenience. This machine also features iVend guaranteed technology, which guarantees dispensing. In case the product gets stuck, customers get their money back. It is also suitable for use by people with disabilities and visually impaired customers, as there is a backlit keypad with Braille identification. Its dimensions comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Ideally, to keep up with consumer trends, you should provide as wide of a beverage and soda selection as possible, especially when you start off with your vending business, so that you can increase the possibility of sales. Something for everyone is always a good principle. However, you need to closely monitor your sales, item-wise, so that you can decide whether to continue with the same items or remove them from your inventory.

Are you still hesitating to kickstart your vending business? Or do you just need help with your machine and its products? At Vending.com, we are always happy to answer your questions and help you achieve your business goals. Call us at 1-800-548-1982 today!

Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com

Your Goals for 2021

A new year is officially upon us. If you have not yet, it is time to make goals for your vending business in 2021. These goals should include focusing on what your customers are craving, both in technology and snacks. Let’s discover what your keys to success look like in 2021.

It cannot be stated enough. Cashless vending is something you cannot afford to skip. Cashless payments, such as through Greenlite or PayRange, not only benefit the customer, but they benefit you as well. Cashless payments mean quicker transactions for you and an increase in same-machine sales. By not providing cashless payment options, you are losing sales and possible customers.

Another trend in 2021 that is predicted to increase is more product transparency. This includes more than simply nutrition information. This is storytelling features on the products you are providing. For example, Vending MarketWatch recently produced an article in which brands are using barcodes or a QR code to give background information about where the product came from. Customers may be more drawn to these products if they are included in your vending machine.

Many people saw an increase in their anxiety, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help put people at ease in 2021, consider offering products that prioritize immune health. Snacks and drinks that cater to these needs include dark chocolate, orange juice, yogurt and nuts. Put customers at ease with what you provide through vending. The best part? All of these products can be featured through a variety of Vending.com machines, such as the Express Combo Vending Machine, the MarketOne Snack 6W Vending Machine and the MarketOne 5W Cold Food Elevator Vending Machine.

Vending.com is here to help steer you in the right direction in 2021. For more questions about our vending equipment and services, call us at 1-800-548-1982.

Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com

Teaching Hard Work to the Next Generation

What was your first job? What was it like? How did it impact your view of work? An important part of growing up is learning how to work hard. We all wish earning money was easy but that’s just not reality. Vending is a great way to teach hard work and responsibility to your family. It doesn’t take extensive education to service a vending machine, teens are very capable of helping a family vending business. Teaching hard work to kids when they’re young can set them up for a successful future.

Vending is simple to get into and can be very profitable for you and your family. However, there are no shortcuts and putting in work is necessary. There are many family-run vending businesses across the country, where families work together to service their machines and reap the rewards. Vending.com equipment offer great profitability but they take time and energy to remain full with product. Not only does it take time to refill machines with product it takes research and intentionality to know what to sell in your machines. Machines poorly maintained show negatively on your business and if it’s a family business, possibly on your family too. Vending is a great opportunity to teach young people the value and importance of responsibility.

While vending is work, the profits make it all worth it. As a vendor there’s nothing like taking a thick wad of cash out of the bill box and seeing the fruits of your labor. Working is hard, but it’s important and has its rewards. Seeing and experiencing the rewards of hard work is great motivation to continue working hard. The money you earn will mean much more to you and used more responsibly than money that was just given to you. 

Vending.com is here to help you before you begin vending as a family and throughout the life of your machines as well. We want you to have the best experience vending. We are available to honestly answer any questions you have about the industry or our equipment. Give us a call today at 1-855-365-0906.

Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com

Healthy Vending Provides Opportunity

More than ever before people are on the hunt for healthier food options, whether they are at home or on the go or on premise at work. Evidence of this is everywhere and it presents us with an enormous opportunity. Finally! Demand and sales are converging.

Carla Balakgie, NAMA President & CEO

According to the National Automated Merchandisers Association’s President & CEO, Carla Balakgie, the growing market demands for healthier food options is a great opportunity for the vending industry to thrive. “As the convenient services industry we want to be viewed as a solution provider for both the clients you serve and the customers, the very people who are on the hunt for these healthier options being part of the solution.” Vending services need to think about how to solve problems customers are facing and doing their best to meet their needs directly. Vendors can make money selling healthier products to consumers. They only thing they consumers more than healthier options is healthier options delivered with the press of a button. As the customer demands increase the potential for vendors to benefit financially increases as well.

Vending.com is working to be part of the solution to consumer demands with healthy vending machines.  Our healthy vending machines offer an alternative to the snacks traditionally sold in vending machines. Healthy vending machines provide low fat, low sugar, low carb, products. You can vend nutritious foods, snack & drinks all from a healthy vending machine. High protein meats, nuts, bars, also whole grains and natural waters and juices are some items that could appeal to your healthier customers.

It is vital to remain on the pulse of consumer wants and desires moving into the future. The ever-increasing demand for convenient healthy food is a wonderful opportunity for vending operators to profit as they adjust from just selling the typical junk food and branching out into healthier options. If you have any question about you can take advantage of the demand for healthier food contact us today at 1-855- 253-7880.

We believe it is the right time to demonstrate that our industry is part of the solution in promoting public health and in meeting consumer demands while also protecting our businesses and enabling them to grow on our terms.

Carla Balakgie, NAMA President & CEO

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Placing Vending Machines Part: 2

In our blog on Vending Machine Placement, we discussed strategies for securing locations for your vending machines and how getting accounts is not about finding places without vending services as much as it is finding a location unhappy with their current vending service. When you do it’s important to come across as a better provider. It’s important not to be intimidated by big vending companies, because these companies can be the easiest to take locations from and how to get new customers for your business. In this blog we will detail how to efficiently use this vending machine strategy and other relevant tips for securing locations for your vending services.

Companies that get too big can have trouble or overlook details that smaller businesses are better equipped to handle. Sometimes large vending companies are staffed by part-time workers who do not care about customers and are just concerned with earning their hourly wage. Their route drivers may not really care about the appearance of equipment or satisfaction of the customer. Employees at big companies don’t have the same amount of investment in the business as workers at smaller companies. In contrast to a large vending conglomerate, your vending company can offer locations personalized service, easy accessibility to company ownership, quicker adaptability and more flexibility.

Placing Vending Machines Part

The following is an example of a script you could use when approaching a business owner about vending at their location. “Good morning, my name is John Smith, president of Smith Vending. How are you today? Great! I won’t take up too much of your time. I just want to drop off my card in case you need my vending services sometime. By the way, are you happy with the vending service you have now? Is there anything at all I can do for you?” Try to stay friendly and concise with you comments. Your goal should be to “test the waters” to see if they’re satisfied with their current vending operator and to let them know you are available to help them.

If the location communicates that they are satisfied with their current vending services, we advise thanking them for their time, leaving your business card and doing your best to make a positive impression of yourself and your company. The location also may communicate their displeasure with their current vending service. If they do this, we advise you to ask about why they are dissatisfied, how many machines do they have, what is sold and for how much. You don’t want to overwhelm them with questions, but you want to gain useful information that can help you communicate how your vending business is superior and how your smaller business cares about the details of their vending needs.

Working to secure locations does not have to be scary or intimidating. Presenting your business in a courteous, professional manner goes a long way in making a good impression. You may not find a location in your first handful of attempts, but keep going. Perseverance is an important part of your vending machine strategy. It will be worth it when you do find your first couple of locations. If you have any questions or need assistance for your vending business please give us a call at 1-855-661-3298.

Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com

Placing Vending Machines Part: 1

What comes first, the location or the machine? We recommend securing locations for your new or used vending machines before committing yourself to using a certain machine. This is because each location is different and your goal as a vending operator is to provide the location with what they want or need, and you cannot know what that is until you ask them. How can you secure the all-important locations for your vending machine business? In this short blog series, we will present a few tips about finding vending machine locations and how to build positive business relationships at your locations.

A common mistake newcomers to the vending industry make is to only consider locations that have no vending machines. It is very possible that there is no vending machine there, because it is not a profitable location. If you only look at vending machine placements where there are no other vendors you may find many locations too small to be profitable.

Placing Vending Machines Part

When it comes to how to secure a good vending machine location, we recommend approaching high-traffic businesses that already have vending equipment. Striking out at a profitable location is better than wasting your resources on a location that is easy to get but won’t make you money. Ask the location if they are satisfied with the vending service they have now. They very well could be, but there’s no guarantee they will be in the future. Hand out your business card and invite them to give you a call if there’s anything you can do to help them in the future. Make sure you leave a good impression and make it easy for then to contact you. Don’t get discouraged if you cannot find a location dissatisfied with their vending service, it will be worth it when you find one that is.    

Selling vending services is not about twisting someone’s arm, intense negotiations or hiding additional fees. You should always carry yourself in a professional manner and represent you business well, however selling your services is not about convincing a business to switch from another service to yours. Instead, you are looking for vending machine locations that are already unhappy with their current vendor. All you have to do is find these locations and demonstrate that you will offer better machines and better service.

In the next blog in our series, Placing Vending Machines, we will discuss why you should not be intimidated by bigger vending services and also how to interact with contacts for your possible locations.

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Make Money Vending

Are you curious whether vending is financially viable or whether it would be worth it to start? Average annual sales per vending machine is $4,416. The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) says the U.S. Convenience Services Industry accounts for a total impact of $25 billion. The industry provides 140,000 good paying jobs and $7.21 billion in wages.

Thanks to people’s busy lifestyles and other variables, more people are trading in meals for snacking. Vending machines give people the food they want, when and where they want it. Vending is a profitable industry with 54 cents or more of every dollar spent resulting in gross profit. Vending machines generate immediate cash flow and work for you 24/7 and never ask for vacation.

Make Money Vending

You be would be right to question someone who said you could earn money while eating with your family, hanging out with friends or even sleeping. Vending is a unique business where your “store” is always open and you do not need to be present earn money from it. In fact, if you were standing by the machine all the time trying to sell products in the machine you probably would not make as much money. The machine markets and handles money on its own, without you or an employee on hand. Vending is flexible, you can always start out part time and use it for supplemental income before jumping full time.

Choosing the right vending equipment can make or break or vending business. Vending.com’s machines are sold factory direct from our plant in Des Moines, Iowa. We’ve been manufacturing vending machines for more than 80 years. Vending.com also separates itself from competitors by offering flexible financing and 24/7 technical support. We offer a 2 year limited parts warranty and our technical support staff is on call to help with any trouble you run into throughout the time you own the vending machine. We want to earn your trust and are confident you’ll be successful vending with us. Call us today for your FREE Vending Profit Analysis at 1-855-981-9367.

If you’re wondering where to place your vending machines read: https://www.vending.com/blog/where-to-place-a-vending-machine/

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Where to Place a Vending Machine?

Location, Location, Location! You have likely heard about it in the real estate market but the phase also applies to the vending business. The location of your vending machines helps determine who is likely to use the machines and therefore what items you should sell in your machines. Determining where to put a vending machine is an important first step in a successful vending business.

It is helpful to think of a location that will benefit the most from your vending services. Where is a place where people gather often? It could be a place where people are forced to gather, like a large place of employment or a school. Maybe it’s a place people want to gather like a mall or entertainment center. Are there places around that have no food options easily available? Society never slows down and more and more people are eating on the go. Small businesses like auto shops, hair salons and laundromats are a few possible locations when it comes to the question of where to put a vending machine. Asking local businesses how your vending business can be of service to them is a good way to find out new locations for your machines. However, be aware that even though a location may be excited to have your vending machines, that place may not be profitable for you in the long run.

Where to Place a Vending Machine

The location of your vending machines helps determine what items to provide to your customers.  If your vending machine is at a location where people will spend consecutive hours, larger items like frozen meals or sandwiches could benefit the people there. If the machine is at a fitness center, cold, healthy, thirst quenching beverages or high protein snacks may be in high demand.

No matter where you put a vending machine, quality customer service is the key. At Vending.com we believe that when we take care of the customer we take care of ourselves. We provide great financing options and reliable technical support. Our machines are manufactured in the USA with quality materials. Please contact us if there is any assistance your vending business needs. We hope you have a profitable 2019!

Coffee Vending Machine
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Motivate Your Employees With a Coffee Vending Machine

Waiting in line for a simple cup of coffee is almost never a pleasant experience. No one is all too cheerful before they have their morning dose of caffeine, and no one is EVER happy to be waiting on a line that doesn’t seem to end when they’re already 20 minutes late to work. After shouting your order to the barista over the din of blenders and complaints, shelling out $6 for about 12 ounces of the brew, you just want to run back home and dive into bed.

 

This is how your employees feel after braving the crowds for their morning coffee. What if you could figure out how to remove that small but stressful experience and motivate your employees to come into the office at the same time? This is where Vending.com’s hot beverage and coffee vending machines swoops in to save the day. By installing this top-of-the-line machine in your office to supply your employees with their daily coffee motivation, they save themselves the trip to the shop, the wasted cash, and the countless hours of aggravation.

 

But will the standard of our hot beverage vending machine hold up to the gourmet coffee shop’s? What about variation? Our Geneva Coffee – hot beverage vending machine offers 36 different beverage combinations allowing customers to choose exactly what they want, whether it’s coffee, espresso, cappuccino, cafe latte, cafe mocha, or hot chocolate.

Available in either instant or fresh brew configurations, the Geneva coffee – hot beverage vending machine dispenses a broad menu of premium and specialty coffees, and teas and serves them just the way your customers like them. With a state-of-the-art brewing system and precise ingredient controls, they are ensured a high quality cup each and every time. Buy with confidence the best coffee vending machine on the market from the leading vending machine manufacturer.

Interested in this machine? Get in touch with our team today. Your employees – and bottom line – will thank you.