Wanting to Start

[cruiserbill]

Hi everyone, Bill here. I looked into bulk vending some years ago, but didn't have the funds to start it up. While looking to see what I could do for some extra cash without having to have a job, I came across this again. I am all set with my monthly expenses so I can afford to reinvest profits etc...

 

I have been reading a bunch of the threads here and it seems to me these are some of the best things to do to start up:

 

1. Buy Northwestern, Oak, or A&A machines

2. Only buy singles to start

3. Experiment with product to see what sells best at each location

4. Sell 1" toys (if the location can support it)

5. Chocolate costs more (peanut M&M's)

6. Consider charity (no idea about this yet)

 

So, what am I missing here? I am no salesman for sure - self locating? Well let's just say the thought of that is stressful, but I am sure I could get past it somehow. I am about an hour and a half from 3 bigger cities and have several smaller ones around.

 

If you were just starting up, what would you do?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Hillbilly]

Hi everyone, Bill here. I looked into bulk vending some years ago, but didn't have the funds to start it up. While looking to see what I could do for some extra cash without having to have a job, I came across this again. I am all set with my monthly expenses so I can afford to reinvest profits etc...

I have been reading a bunch of the threads here and it seems to me these are some of the best things to do to start up:

1. Buy Northwestern, Oak, or A&A machines

2. Only buy singles to start

3. Experiment with product to see what sells best at each location

4. Sell 1" toys (if the location can support it)

5. Chocolate costs more (peanut M&M's)

6. Consider charity (no idea about this yet)

So, what am I missing here? I am no salesman for sure - self locating? Well let's just say the thought of that is stressful, but I am sure I could get past it somehow. I am about an hour and a half from 3 bigger cities and have several smaller ones around.

If you were just starting up, what would you do?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Yep thats pretty much on the mark. I would start with gumballs first. You are correct about the locating. Nothing wrong with using a locator but it is best if you do it yourself. It gets easier the more you do it.

[cruiserbill]

Is $220+shipping good for 4 new Northwesterns?

[PerformaVending]

Is $220+shipping good for 4 new Northwesterns?

 

If you're buying new, that sounds about right by my price sheets.

 

If you need to save more, check your used markets for deals on quality machines. If you've got questions about it as you go, just ask.

 

Good luck moving forward sir!

[parrotthead]

Is $220+shipping good for 4 new Northwesterns?

 

I wouldn't buy new, I've lost 3 new northwesterns with new stands and that broke me from buying new

[cruiserbill]

I wouldn't buy new, I've lost 3 new northwesterns with new stands and that broke me from buying new

 

 

Interesting - I have read on here that some folks only buy new. It seemed to me that it all depended on if you could afford new or not.

[BouncyBalls]

Theft rate for me is really non existent, if you order NW order thru Sam's Club it's cheaper and you will receive them sooner than going direct. Yes I did say cheaper than direct.

[cruiserbill]

Theft rate for me is really non existent, if you order NW order thru Sam's Club it's cheaper and you will receive them sooner than going direct. Yes I did say cheaper than direct.

 

 

I happened to find these machines, 4 for $220 + shipping which is less than Sam's which is almost $82 + shipping. Granted Sam's shipping is not a lot. Seemed like a good deal to me so I thought I would give them a shot.

[cruiserbill]

Well, let me throw this out there. I have a goal to generate 2-3K a month in income aside from my current income. What can I reasonably expect from getting into vending?

[musser]

More work than you ever dreamed if you want to make a living at it.

[PerformaVending]

Well, let me throw this out there. I have a goal to generate 2-3K a month in income aside from my current income. What can I reasonably expect from getting into vending?

 

Tough call. It really depends on the volume and types of locs you go for, what machines you go for, and how much time you put into it. How many hours do you have in a day to locate?

 

I've been doing this 5 years part-time, and I do not make $1K a month, and I've got more than 100 heads out (breakdown is 70 or so locations, give or take for slow earner relocations), and a smattering of full-line units as well. I don't say this to discourage you, but to give you the best picture possible so you can approach this appropriately. Vending is NOT a get rich quick scheme. To make any "real" money in this business, especially in this day and age, you have to work at it as hard as you can in every moment you can afford to give to it. If you break down the time invested, especially in the formative years of a vending route, for the amount of time you invest you are in all likelihood working for minimum wage or less for a while. I know the word "passive income" is thrown around a lot, but there is nothing "passive" about this business anymore.

 

Now, there is money to be made out there wherever you are. There is the amount of money out there that you're looking to get, but the question is do you want to invest the time and money to get to that level? For most people, they burn out long before they get there.

 

All of these are questions that are going to have unique answers depending entirely on you. Whatever you opt to do on your business venture, we'll be happy to help. Good luck!

[Determined]

Tough call. It really depends on the volume and types of locs you go for, what machines you go for, and how much time you put into it. How many hours do you have in a day to locate?

 

I've been doing this 5 years part-time, and I do not make $1K a month, and I've got more than 100 heads out (breakdown is 70 or so locations, give or take for slow earner relocations), and a smattering of full-line units as well. I don't say this to discourage you, but to give you the best picture possible so you can approach this appropriately. Vending is NOT a get rich quick scheme. To make any "real" money in this business, especially in this day and age, you have to work at it as hard as you can in every moment you can afford to give to it. If you break down the time invested, especially in the formative years of a vending route, for the amount of time you invest you are in all likelihood working for minimum wage or less for a while. I know the word "passive income" is thrown around a lot, but there is nothing "passive" about this business anymore.

 

Now, there is money to be made out there wherever you are. There is the amount of money out there that you're looking to get, but the question is do you want to invest the time and money to get to that level? For most people, they burn out long before they get there.

 

All of these are questions that are going to have unique answers depending entirely on you. Whatever you opt to do on your business venture, we'll be happy to help. Good luck!

Your not making or grossing 1k a month? Are you pulling your slow performers?

[PerformaVending]

Your not making or grossing 1k a month? Are you pulling your slow performers?

 

Making as in net.

[cruiserbill]

I always thought vending did a little better than that. I understand poor performers and such though. If you are reading this, what are you averaging a machine? Please also help me with my math here.

 

If I buy a NW with a stand from Sam's, it will cost me $144 with shipping. I read somewhere that you could expect an average of $8 per month per head. If that is true, It will take 18 months of gross sales to pay for the machine and I haven't even bought product yet. With product what would I be looking at? 24-36months? Now we haven't even placed that machine either. If it is a commission machine that cuts into it further; if it is charity, again that cuts into it.

 

Am I off here? Evidently people are making a profit somehow or folks would look for something else.

[BouncyBalls]

I do racks, I try to keep my avg at $20/head. Don't even bother with candy, not enough profit plus other headaches. Find grocery stores, restaurants and other places kids frequent and vend gumballs, bouncy balls and capsules. It's a slow process unless you find routes near you for sale. I have been at this game for 8 years now.

[QuikVend]

Here's what I would recommend for starting out(especially if you haven't done any vending in the past).

-Start with quality used equipment. Why spend so much money up front for something you're not sure you're going to be doing 6 months from now? You already know what to look for, save some money for more machines down the line when you start to grow. I know you can get refurbished oak vistas for $39 plus shipping directly from oak.

-If you choose to go the charity route, choose one you believe in. Working with a charity will increase your chances of landing a location. It will be even easier if it's something you honestly believe in. Just don't misrepresent yourself.

-Don't go crazy with inventory. Keep as little as possible. I'd say peanut m&ms,gumballs and skittles/Mike & ikes (whichever you can get your hands on the cheapest).

Then just find some places nearby and start locating and collecting those quarters.

I've been working on my routes for a little over 6 months (even expanded into full-line as well). After seeing how things worked for me and seeing almost all of the veterans here say the same things, I would say this would be an excellent starting point for creating your own successful route.

[parrotthead]

Here's what I would recommend for starting out(especially if you haven't done any vending in the past).

-Start with quality used equipment. Why spend so much money up front for something you're not sure you're going to be doing 6 months from now? You already know what to look for, save some money for more machines down the line when you start to grow. I know you can get refurbished oak vistas for $39 plus shipping directly from oak.

-If you choose to go the charity route, choose one you believe in. Working with a charity will increase your chances of landing a location. It will be even easier if it's something you honestly believe in. Just don't misrepresent yourself.

-Don't go crazy with inventory. Keep as little as possible. I'd say peanut m&ms,gumballs and skittles/Mike & ikes (whichever you can get your hands on the cheapest).

Then just find some places nearby and start locating and collecting those quarters.

I've been working on my routes for a little over 6 months (even expanded into full-line as well). After seeing how things worked for me and seeing almost all of the veterans here say the same things, I would say this would be an excellent starting point for creating your own successful route.

 

I buy used oak northwestern, and a&a but if I had to buy from a company I would start with used oak vista( vista are my favorite machine)  gumball machines and if you want I've got stands for used sale, much cheaper than sams

[Kevinator]

Just starting in bulk and have decided to align with a charity. I chose the National Breast Cancer Foundation. We have pink machines with a pink ribbon. My question is, we are thinking of using pink gum, chicklets, but it is bubble gum. Will this hurt sales since it is not gum-gum?

[PerformaVending]

Just starting in bulk and have decided to align with a charity. I chose the National Breast Cancer Foundation. We have pink machines with a pink ribbon. My question is, we are thinking of using pink gum, chicklets, but it is bubble gum. Will this hurt sales since it is not gum-gum?

 

Chiclets sell pretty good. More adult customers than kids with Chiclets in my experience.