Nickstar9604 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hello, I am new to vending and I decided to start with 10 triple head machines with gumballs in the middle. I bought 9 machines used and 1 from gumball machine factory new. My first question is does anyone have any advice specific to triple head vending. I purchased the machines before finding this forum. It seems like most people are using different machines from oak or AA. The machines I purchased have 25 cent coin mechs. My intention is to stay relatively small and do this part time. 4 of my machines are located already. Waiting on locations for the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casey259 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Make sure the location warrants a triple as some can only handle a single/double. If this is the case your product is wasting away as we speak. Never fully fill the machine when placing, for me the first drop off is 1/2 to 3/4 full and only refill when at 1/4 or below. Documented on here the effects of a 1/4 machine and almost full machine in regards to sales. If you are using a charity find a local one or stick with only one with the larger (NCCS, etc.) Portion control have you measured out your vend to ensure you are making the most money for the number of pieces you are vending. Is it all candy/gumballs? Make sure you have a game plan for any spoilage, ants, melting, etc. For someone new like you coming from someone relatively new. If you are looking to do this part time (like me), I've had incredible luck with doubles with gumballs and 1". No spoilage, high margins, easier to service, easier inventory management, and did I mention higher margins and no spoilage. Hopefully this helps. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherlock Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Because you plan to stay small and do this part-time, the triples should be ok. Just make sure you take your machines out of slow spots and get them in a new home as soon as you notice a location will not support a triple. And do not invest in more triples until you are 100% sure a small route and part-time vending is what you want to do. If you get "the bug", like many of us do, you may decide you would like a large route...and there are MUCH better choices in equipment than triples if you want to grow your route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GagesVending Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Try your best to place triples under charity terms, rather than paying a commission. In my opinion, a triple is not worth paying a commission, however I have made some exceptions myself; but generally do your best to avoid commission on a triple. As previously mentioned, don't fill with too much candy until you've learned which candies sell well at each location. Document this when you go into service. On my route sheets I highlight the candies that "kill it," so that I remember to bring ample of that particular flavor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickstar9604 Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Thanks everyone for your advice. I really appreciate the input I am doing charity vending so no commissions. I have 4 out of 10 machines placed so far. Waiting on 6 more locations. Can you guys tell me if I decide to grow with doubles and gumballs what machines I should purchase and how much they should cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GagesVending Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Thanks everyone for your advice. I really appreciate the input I am doing charity vending so no commissions. I have 4 out of 10 machines placed so far. Waiting on 6 more locations. Can you guys tell me if I decide to grow with doubles and gumballs what machines I should purchase and how much they should cost? Oak, Eagle, A&A, Beaver, Northwestern. For value: I'd go with either Oak, Eagle or A&A...used around $25 a head is fair in good condition or new around $60 new. Beaver is high-end and will cost between $40-120, depending on if you can find used ones or not. Northwestern: $25 used or $70ish new. Honestly, Oak, Eagle and A&A are your best options starting out because they'll last you a long time and will allow you to save some money. Check Craigslist daily for the best deals. The best deals go fast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickstar9604 Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Because you plan to stay small and do this part-time, the triples should be ok. Just make sure you take your machines out of slow spots and get them in a new home as soon as you notice a location will not support a triple. And do not invest in more triples until you are 100% sure a small route and part-time vending is what you want to do. If you get "the bug", like many of us do, you may decide you would like a large route...and there are MUCH better choices in equipment than triples if you want to grow your route. Sherlock, I am sure that this question is probably answered elsewhere in the forum but, since you mentioned it can you or anyone else tell me more specifically what the MUCH better choices are and why? Also if you know things that I should read in the forum and can direct me, I would be super thankful for that as well. Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chad Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Sherlock, I am sure that this question is probably answered elsewhere in the forum but, since you mentioned it can you or anyone else tell me more specifically what the MUCH better choices are and why? Also if you know things that I should read in the forum and can direct me, I would be super thankful for that as well. Thanks in advance As far as things you should read in the forum.... take a day and make some coffee and just read and read and read some more. Just keep going back over old threads for years back. You will find a wealth of info and you should feel more comfortable then Also, to save money, look to buy used. You can find quality machines at about a third of the cost new on Craigslist. Just post the ad on here to get advice on whether its a good deal or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherlock Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Sherlock, I am sure that this question is probably answered elsewhere in the forum but, since you mentioned it can you or anyone else tell me more specifically what the MUCH better choices are and why? Also if you know things that I should read in the forum and can direct me, I would be super thankful for that as well. "MUCH better choices": Single machines like those made by OAK, A&A, and NORTHWESTERN. If you are going to have a large route, you need to be able to accommodate a variety of locations. Nothing has the versatility of a single machine. They can be used as singles or made into doubles or triples or even as part of a rack. Triples like those you currently own only allow you to place your machines in businesses that are too busy for a single/double but not busy enough for a rack --- that's too inflexible. As far as what you should read, the answer is simple: READ EVERYTHING on this forum. Do not limit yourself to recent posts. And do not limit yourself to the "bulk vending" category. We can all learn something from nearly every section of this forum. A good place to start is at The Ultimate Beginner's Mega-Thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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