SOME MORE INFO ABOUT BULK MACHINES


Stands mostly come in two colors black and chrome. Chrome has a tendency to rust when exposed to moisture from mopped floors, humidity, etc. black stands suffer the same problems, but can be repainted with inexpensive black gloss spray paint more cheaply than chrome stands can be rechromed.

Sticker adhesive can be removed from machines by applying lighter fluid and then rinsing with dish soap. It may be a good idea to keep a machine in the house, so you know which cleaners work on which machines.

The best choice of machine depends on the location. For most locations, a simple single or double head stand is sufficient. In some high traffic locations, a four selection machine is the best but can cause product to go stale in a location with less sales.


Machines with separate heads are the ones most commonly encountered. grocery stores, malls, and laundromats may have stands with a half dozen or more separate head machines. Most of them have a large presentation area and allow the product to be seen from all angles, and therefore are more eye catching than triple machines. gumballs and toys sell well from these machines.

Triple selection machines have had some success in office settings, where the target customers are adults. An advantage of triple selection machines over stands with separate heads is that they are quicker to service because one key opens the whole machine. Most triple selection machines have a spill tray, which can help prevent store owners from becoming annoyed at having to sweep up spilled candy. A disadvantage is that the presentation area is smaller than with a globe or panel head, and customers can not see all products from all angles. In addition, three choices of candy are not always necessary, and may result in spoilage if one product moves slowly.


LOCATIONS


A bulk candy vendor must be willing to act as a salesman in order to persuade businesses to allow locations of machines. Since managers are busy, he must be able to state his case concisely and close the sale effectively. Even experienced vendors often report a high rejection rate, on the order of 9 out of 10. Many operators donate a percentage of the profits to charity so that locations will allow them to place the machines for free; others pay the location a commission.

A bulk candy vendor is constantly having to seek new locations as accounts turn over. A company's regional manager may visit a branch, for instance, and decide he doesn't like the bulk candy machine. Or a competing operator may offer the owner a better commission. The prime locations are fiercely fought over, and operators may need to pay as much as 50% to the store owner in order to keep a high volume location. It usually takes about 300 locations for an operator to live solely on bulk cand profits.

The best bulk vending machine locations that are usually profitable include the following:

long hours of operation businesses especially diners

large numbers of customers who will pass by a busy retail store

people waiting for a business to complete something like an oil change place

lots of children in a recreation center

hungry people in a restaurant

people in a laudromat usually have extra coins for vending machines

no other bulk machines at the location

people working at a job, who may not be able to leave to get food


THE VENDING ROUTE


Many vendors began operating a small route as a sideline to a full time professional job, and found it profitable enough that they went into vending full time. Vendors often say that they enjoy the flexibility afforded by not needing to work 9-5. The majority of bulk vending companies are small, one person operations, but some have expanded, hired additional employees, and become sizeable businesses.