Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Just joined this website so bare with me as this is my first post. I was searching for information about vending and came across this topic. I started a small vending route myself about 5 months ago. First started by simply browsing though the business section on craigslist and noticed someone selling 'two candy vending machines in location $100 each' Was interested in this concept as it had never crossed my mind before. Long story short, I ended up buying those machines and so far have added to about 15 machines making ~$30-$50 (gross) each per month. I also just bought my first Snack/soda machine about two month ago and signed a contract with a company to place it in their break room. It's currently making about $500/month (gross). So far things are looking up, and from what i can see vending has the potential to be fairly profitable especially if you get a larger size route going. I look forward to added to mine as soon as I save up money and clearly see my profits.

I am going to pitch in from my experience. I used to own 3 routes 4 machines total - 3 soda machines and 1 snack machine. I am a software developer and been searching for opportunities to start some business and came across vending business from seminar I attended. They were selling the machine for $3000 a piece and which is smaller than usual vending machines. I did some resarching about that company and stayed away from them. If you are talking about small vending machine which they sell at seminars for $3000 a piece, don't ever buy them and get in the business.

After my research, I bought real vending machines which you see at office locations from the outside for $800-$1000 a piece after finding the route. I actually found my own route by talking to my regular auto repair shop and found another one from the guy whom I bought the machine. So it was a good business but time consuming if you don't plan well. It takes alteast 1-2hr to service routes. So if you are looking to do as a parttime, you need to put your time in to consideration and family situation to make a decision. If you are planning to do full time and expand like JORDON did, it is really a worth business to venture. But be wary of getting machine not more than its worth or pay your return back. I ended up selling the business after 1 and half year for reasonable profit. So it was worth an investment for me both considering time and money.

Just my two cents worth.  The company I work for just had four machine pulled from two different locations. Both locations initially looked good.  There were all kinds of people milling about the areas where the machines would eventually be placed.

The first machine, a snack vending unit, was located in the lunchroom of our building. But, the rout owner soon found out nobody was buying snacks.  They already had their own food.

The other three machines ( two soda and one snack vending unit ) were pulled from the front lobby of an urgent care medical clinic.  The route owner found out to late that sick people generally are not interested in food or sodas.

Bottom-line, research the locations thoroughly before you place a machine.

Also, your losses on a machine that has been vandalized or burglarized include much more than product.  Be sure to include parts and labor for the repair.  The clock on labor rates starts when the service tech is dispatched to the location.  The clock stops when the tech puts your machine back into service.  This time could include the cost of taking your machine to his shop to fix it.  And, then bringing your machine back.  All of this is billable time for the service tech.

Yes, sure  my friend joy recently start a vending machine business, and he is satisfied with his business. He is also giving me  advice  me to open this business.

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