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Keep in mind that vending from machines is only a small part
of the vending business.
Technically, vending is any sale made from a non-permanent
point-of-sale.
Vending machines, like anything else, have advantages and
disadvanteges. The advantages are...
They're easy. Once they are placed you just have to run the
route a couple of times a week to re-stock and collect money.
The disadvantages are, unless you have a product that
is new and exciting, the machines can be very hard to place.
The machines are expensive, and placing enough to make a
decent living can take months or years. Most "Sweet" placement
spots (my own term) will want you to pay them a percentage
(usually 8-20%, depending on the product you are selling).
You may want to consider display vending as a start.
This is where you place displays in stores and businesses.
A vending machine costs around $1000.00. Most displays
cost around $50.00. Once they are placed, re-stocking and
route maintenance are about the same. Granted, the profit
margin is lower...but it's a good way to get spread out in an
area develop working relationships with local businesses.
For example...I once took 17 days and placed lolipop stands
filled with suger-free, cute, colorful lolipops in 58 dentists
offices.
The stands cost me $1,400.00
The pops cost me 26 cents, they sold for $1.00.
The state got 7%.
The offices didn't get a percentage.
Within 30 days sales were running 300 units a day...you do the math.
My advice is, unless you have pockets deep enough to make the
initial investment in time and machines, look into display vending.
I haven't done it in years (I moved on to different operations),
but I know I could start it up again tomorrow and make money.
Bob
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