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Unconventional products


HotOiler3

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So, I was trying to take a nap, and was thinking about what my next machine should be, and I had an epiphany, buying 1'' capsules and putting 2 pairs of earplugs in them, and vending them at indoor gun ranges for $0.50, although I'm not sure they'd have it even with a commission as any of the indoor ranges sell them at the counter, but who knows, I'm going to inquire about it anyways with some of the ranges I'm familiar with.   But now I'm curious, do any of you guys vend product that isn't conventional in capsules like this?  

 

Some of you guys in the cities with indoor ranges might inquire with them about this same thing, I did the math, and 4 plugs and 1 1'' capsule can be had for about $0.12 a piece, not counting shipping costs...... Might be a whole new market for some of you guys.

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It very well could be that is the case, I've only ever been to about 3 indoor ranges, and they had safety glasses they'd loan you if you didn't have any, but they'd sell you earplugs, I just figured they might be happy if you took that responsibility off their hands and allowed customers to just get them out of a vending machine, if they're giving them away for free, it WOULD save them money after all :D

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That's a thought too, although I've had it in my head that I don't think I want to deal in snacks and drinks machines.... seems like they'd be much more expensive to repair and not much margin for profit?   Sounds like I need to look into that a little more.

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Best idea I ever heard was a guy selling socks in eggs for a buck at a bowling ally.

Best idea I ever heard was a guy selling socks in eggs for a buck at a bowling ally.

Heyyyy, I like that idea, did they fit in the normal bulk machines?   Or what kind of machine were they dispensed from?

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Never been to a range (indoor or outdoor) that didn't provide free eye/ear protection.

I'm guessing it's liability protection against knuckleheads.

Customers are told at the counter that eye & ear protection is mandatory and offered the use of some free.

The rule and the offer for free loaners is also always posted throughout the facility.

If customers get hurt breaking the rule after declining the free use of protection they're gonna have a hard time winning a liability claim against the range.

 

Also never been to a bowling alley that didn't sell you socks at the shoe rental counter.

Seems they get a pretty profit off of doing so.

If you find a bowling alley that doesn't sell socks to it's customers, jump on it...that would be a gold mine.

 

 

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Never been to a range (indoor or outdoor) that didn't provide free eye/ear protection.

I'm guessing it's liability protection against knuckleheads.

Customers are told at the counter that eye & ear protection is mandatory and offered the use of some free.

The rule and the offer for free loaners is also always posted throughout the facility.

If customers get hurt breaking the rule after declining the free use of protection they're gonna have a hard time winning a liability claim against the range.

 

Also never been to a bowling alley that didn't sell you socks at the shoe rental counter.

Seems they get a pretty profit off of doing so.

If you find a bowling alley that doesn't sell socks to it's customers, jump on it...that would be a gold mine.

I've never  been to a range that gave away free earplugs, I've been to some that sold them, but either way, they simply won't let you on the range without earplugs no matter how you acquire them...... So it'd pretty hard to win a liability claim if they have it posted that it's simply not allowed to step into the range without eye/ear protection, and they don't have to provide them in any manner.    BUT, I think I mentioned before, I don't like indoor shooting ranges and the only time I've been to them is a handful of times when I'd just acquired a new handgun and wanted to shoot it before I got home,  I prefer to go shoot out in isolation, no fee's,  no worrying if the guy next to you is a responsible gun  handler or not, and not being able to shoot AND keep an eye on him, I really don't think I'll ever go shooting in an indoor range ever again, it scares the hell out of me, in fact the ONLY thing I like about them is the reels that swing your target in and out is nice, checking groups in 10 seconds is nice, but my experience in them is limited, but the ones I have been to never give them away for free, I've been in one that was inside a rec center that loaned out hammered safety glasses, and I had to borrow them since the only time I shoot with safety glasses is if I'm shooting corrosive primed surplus rounds, so I didn't have my own with me. but, that's a discussion for another time, and another forum.    I'll report my findings when I start exploring the option upstate :D

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You misunderstand. I didn't say the ranges around here "give free ear plugs".

I said they provide free ear protection. What they provide is earmuffs.

Ear plugs can't be "shared", while muffs can be used over and over.

Plugs wouldn't be cost effective for the ranges.

This suits me just fine because I prefer muffs over plugs anyway.

Although I prefer to use my own rather than those provided by the range.

 

As a side-note, I give any new firearm a good cleaning/lubrication before taking it to shoot.

Of course, if buying used, it makes no difference. Only referring to firearms purchased new.

I do know some that just give the initial cleaning/oiling at the range. You may, too.

Just thought I'd mention since you prefer to stop on the way home to try a new firearm.

 

 

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I have been wondering about selling ear plugs at bars that have bands on the weekend.

Anything is worth a shot, but it's hard enough to try and talk to someone over a band or loud jukebox playing at a bar, much less with earplugs in.   That's my thoughts anyways. 

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I haven't been able to find a decent price on condom machines or condoms packaged for vending. What sort of set up did you use for ping pong balls?

The NW 80 machines actually have an adapter to use with the 2" wheels for ping pong balls.

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For all your ping pong ball vending needs

http://www.gumballmachinesdirect.com/northwestern-ping-pong-ball-vending-machine.html


As far as condom machines, I was actually looking at condom machines and tampon machines last night, found a few on eBay for decent prices and decent shipping costs.    I'm not yet familiar with what kind of condom packaging is required for vending though.

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What the.....$150!?!?!

That's a terrible price.

I don't what good prices on machines are yet, from what I've seen online $150 didn't seem too bad?  What's a good price for a machine like that?......  But in my experience, things that are in less demand are usually higher priced, I can't imagine ping-pong ball vending machines are in incredibly high demand?

 

But, someone asked how to vend ping pong balls, so.....There's a link to a ping-pong ball vending machine, regardless of the asking price.  

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Those are 70 new

And the wheel is the only part changed to make it vend ping ping balls so it shouldn't make it expensive because of demand

Well, like they say, "there's a sucker born every minute"  I guess some companies just try to exploit that.   yeah, $80 for a wheel seems excessive, but one other thing to consider, is I believe the $150 includes shipping. 

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Those are 70 new

And the wheel is the only part changed to make it vend ping ping balls so it shouldn't make it expensive because of demand

The NW 80 piece is just a spacer that drops over the 2" capsule wheel.  About $15 if I remember correctly.  I still have it but don't vend ping pong balls any more. Still have a bag of ping pong balls too. It was good while it lasted.

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Wheels are like 5 bucks shipping 10

Lesson here is always buy mfg direct

And 50 for an el cheapo stand?!?!

Just went to beavers website, didn't see prices.    I still don't get how these companies don't understand how much business they are losing out on by NOT LISTING PRICES.    Allstar is the same way, so is a few of the other vending-related websites I've visited..... 

 

Also, in MANY other industries ordering direct from the manufacturer is usually more expensive than ordering from a licensed dealer. 

The NW 80 piece is just a spacer that drops over the 2" capsule wheel.  About $15 if I remember correctly.  I still have it but don't vend ping pong balls any more. Still have a bag of ping pong balls too. It was good while it lasted.

Where does one vend ping pong balls anyways?  The only ping pong tables I've ever seen were in someones basement.   I guess the sport just never was very popular in Utah?  

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