A Moneymaking Vending Machine Business -- Separating Myth from Reality

You've seen all the claims on the Internet -- you've heard all the hype -- you're interested in starting a vending machine business, but you're not sure who you can believe. 

READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MAKING MONEY WITH VENDING

Well, I would like to offer you my two cents worth -- as someone who has written and researched this subject.

First of all, don't believe the claims that you can make a ton of money working two hours on a Saturday morning every other weekend.  Let's face up to reality: if you are going to be successful in the vending machine business you are going to need to do more than purchase a couple of refurbished can vending machines and stock them with an off-brand cola product -- you are going to have to hustle and really learn the trade.

It is possible -- many are making money with vending machines -- but you have to pay your dues.  For one thing, you're going to have to be able to scout out good locations for the placement of your machines.  Here's a practical tip: pull out your phonebook and make a list of every 24-hour restaurant, retail store outlet, automobile servicing business, recreation center, Laundromat and office building.  Note the names and addresses -- and make a point to go and visit the owner of each of those businesses.  You will have to negotiate with the owners for the use of their premises, whether you want to place used vending machines, bulk vending machines or the latest high tech credit card vending machine.

Another thing you're going to have to learn to do is to test -- you're going to need to find out what types of machines work in what types of locations.  You may have an office building where folks work long hours and a coffee vending machine will constantly sell out.  On the other hand, a water vending machine may do well located outdoors on a golf driving range.

You are also going to have to learn what locations are not suitable -- certain bars, for example, which are known to be trouble spots may not work well for your machines because they may be damaged or even intentionally vandalized by the "clientele" who patronize those establishments.

Finally, you are going to have to make competitive and cost-effective arrangements with product suppliers -- because it is the product and its quality which is what people are buying.  For example, if you purchase cheaper brands of instant coffee for your coffee vending machines you may save a little bit of money up front, but ultimately destroy your customer base by serving them a horrible product that they will refuse to purchase in the future.

Controlling costs -- securing profitable locations -- competitive negotiations -- a quality product.  Learn everything you can about these subjects and you will be well on your way to having your own successful vending machine business.