Hey there, Shauna,
I enjoyed reading your blog! It's so cool to read fellow entreprenuer's goals like yours and it helps a 17 yr operator like me stay on fire for the business!

What brands of combo machines are you utilizing on the route? I've been using USI's Combo II 3155B & 3516 models. I've increased the capacity on the snack side by ordering 10 & 15 count augers from USI and switching out the standard 8 ct augers that come with the machines, and I tell you...it makes a huge difference in gross sales and sold out selections! For example, at a nursing home account I serviced last night after a week, the USI combo had $148 and only had 2 sold out snack selections! The drink side only needed about 5 cases of 12oz cans. I have a DN BevMax there with a wide assortment of beverages other than cans that does even more in sales. I had a 5 wide snack there, but it over matched the account, so I switched it with the USI combo which worked out perfect and increased sales by about $50+.

I try to pair up the combo machine with either a DN BevMax or a stack beverage machine, although I do have combo only accounts. I also have some Genesis GO-380 combos and some AP combos, but I hafta say the USI models are my favorite. I do have a few pics on my website if you would like to check them out at [url="http://www.mrallworldsinc.com"]www.mrallworldsinc.com[/url].

Thanks again for sharing your vending story & I look forward to reading more! Victor

It's good to hear from you too.

We currently have 10 Edina mechanical snack machines on location, three Genesis Combos and one AP7600 32 selection snack machine.

That's great! That's pretty much how I started out in the business. I purchased 4 SnackTime mechanical table top snack machines from an individual that I had found advertising in the Green Sheet (remember that? That, the Thrifty Nickle, and my local newspaper classified ads was all we had back then to find good used equipment for sale!). Over time, I gradually incorporated old but full size equipment to my route as the budget would allow. I had started the business around '95 and by 1997 I was financing brand new equipment from USI.

Nowadays, I purchase mostly used equipment from CL & Ebay. There are so many great deals and quality machines offered that there's no need for me to buy anything new, unless I need something like a BevMax 4 or a specialty machine right away.

I'm enjoying your blog! Most of my vending friends are journey men in the business, so it's refreshing to read about your experiences, ambitions, business model, goals, and victories as a new company! Thank you and good fortune!