New Users

We have been helping people start in the vending industry since 1980. As a full line vending sales company we provide customers nationwide with the right equipment for their client’s location. Our large selection of snack vending machines, soda vending machines, coffee vending machines, food vending machines, frozen vending machines, ice cream vending machines, bill changer machines and coin changer machines can be configured to fit any size location from small businesses to large industrial complexes. Whether you are a new business professional starting your own vending machine business, or expanding your current business, Vending Advantage offers you a full line of vending machines, financing, location assistance and other services to meet all of your vending needs.

 

One of the most common misconceptions people interested in the vending business is that you are competing against large multistate operators in the vending machine business. Family owned vending businesses operate about one third of all the vending equipment. Most family owned vending machine businesses have no employees. You do not have to advertise your products. The manufacturers (Coke Pepsi M+M Snickers Frito Hostess … the list goes on and on) advertise for you. You are using the same equipment as the large well established vending companies use. All vendors are on a level playing field, same products same machines same selections. What is going to set you apart from the others?

One of the most important aspects of becoming a successful vending operator is securing locations to place your vending machines. You can use contacts that you already have: employers, family, friends, neighbors, Church members etc. Locations are looking for fresh quality name brand products, clean neat vending machines that work every time they use them. The number of employees or customers has a great influence on the volume of your vending machines; however there are many factors that can make this very deceiving.

 

• The number of shifts
• The number of breaks and meals
• How long are breaks? 10 minutes 15 minutes? Can they leave?
• How long are the lunches 30minutes 60 minutes 90 minutes?
• Is a lunch truck or cafeteria available to the employees?
• How much is the lunch truck charging?
• Does he give credit?
• How often does he come?
• How much walk thru traffic do they get?
• Do they stay or get picked up? (change the oil or rebuild an engine)
• What type of business?
• Is it a Retail building or industrial building (A rated machines or B rated machines)

 

Ask your customers what they would like to see to improve their vending machine service. Ask your customer what they want in their vending machines. They are the ones who will be using the vending machines. Your favorite drink and snack maybe XYZ soda and an ABC bar, but you are not the one who is going to make purchases out of your machines, your customers are.

 

Vendors use all types of creative ways to get new accounts. Some vending operators give free products. Some operators pay a commission to the parent company of the location. Some locations just don’t do enough to pay out a commission. Some locations are willing to pay for your service as their sales are to low. Locations wanting to be paid a commission will vary in size. The key is not how many people they have it is what their sales are. What is current vendor paying? Is the percentage based on gross sales? Gross Profit? Most locations only hear Gross. There is a big difference between Gross profit and Gross sales. If they say "I’m getting 35% from ABC vending" They are talking gross profit. Typical commissions are 8 to 12% based on gross sales.

You need to impress upon the new location your pride of ownership and level of service. You will be servicing their vending machines and can be reached anytime on your cell phone. You are in business to make money so you need to keep their vending machines neat clean filled and working at all times. As you are an owner operator you are not bound by contracts to only use certain brands of products. You can stock the vending machines with what the customer wants. You only use new or refurbished vending machines that are reliable however if there are any problems you can be there in XX amount of time. You will cover all loses to your customers using your vending machines.

 

Make sure your vending business projects a professional image. Think about your appearance! You need to be dressed as a professional. You need printed material and business cards to hand out. Do not use home made business cards on flimsy stock. Do not use Xerox copies of equipment pictures. Use reference letters from other happy vending machine accounts currently on your route. Ask your customers for references on their letterhead.

 

Find out what problems are with their current vending machine service. Look at their current vending room or machines. This will give you an idea of what type of equipment you need the selection and pricing they currently have. Tell them what you can do to improve there vending machine service. Tell them what is going to make you better than the other vendors. Remember everyone is on a level playing field, same equipment, same products, same pricing. What sets you apart above the rest?

If you feel this is not how you want to get vending locations we can get you going in the right direction with one of our many contacts. Call us and we can help you get going in the right direction.

 

Where are you going to get the product for your vending machines? Wholesale clubs stock a good variety of products for vending. Vending and Catering houses like, Vistar, American Commissary, Candyman and Smart & Final are some good sources of products. Other sources for products are your local grocery chains and discount centers. They usually have specials on drink products that are excellent.

 

Vending Advantage has facilities to refurbish your vending machines. We have been refurbishing vending machines for over 27 years. We refurbish all types of vending machines from snack machines, soda machines, cold food machines, coffee machines and much more. We offer advance replacements of your coin mechs and validators to shorten your down time in the field. If you would be interested in learning more about Vending Advantage’s refurbishing call 1-(888) 923-8555