Leaderboard

Machines and Equipment What machines should I buy? Top machines manufactured Start-up guide for bulk vending machines Machines to avoid at all costs Bulk vending machine and equipment reviews 1800 Vending - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/382-1800-machines/ Vendstar - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1845-down-and-dirty-on-vendstar-3000/ http://vendiscuss.ne...c/260-vendstar/ http://vendiscuss.ne...0-ratings-poll/ U-turn - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/345-u-turn-48-select/ LYPC - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/816-lypc-review/ Vendesign - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2297-vendesign-machines/ Northwestern - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1825-northwestern-triple/ http://vendiscuss.ne...rn-60-machines/ http://vendiscuss.ne...31-nw-super-80/ http://vendiscuss.ne...stern-super-60/ A&A Global - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/320-aa-machine-review/ http://vendiscuss.ne...om-aaglobalind/ http://vendiscuss.ne...s-aa-po-89-450/ Amerivend - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/602-amerivend/ Seaga - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/915-seaga-millennia-gumball/ http://vendiscuss.ne...ple-vend-3000s/ XYZ - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/982-xyz-easy-pro/ Beaver - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/416-southern-beaver-rb16/ http://vendiscuss.ne...and-comparison/ Oak - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/343-oak-450-vista/ http://vendiscuss.ne...-oak-vista-300/ http://vendiscuss.ne...s-aa-po-89-450/ http://vendiscuss.ne...stern-super-60/ Eagle - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1504-eagle/ Acorn - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2174-acorn-machines/ Dentyne Ice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/493-dentyne-ice/ V-Line - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/6635-v-line-vending-machines/ Buzz Bites - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1307-buzz-bites-vending-machine/ Bulk Products Which products should I vend? Toys versus candy - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12262-toy-vending-vs-bulk-candy/ What bulk items sell well? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/488-good-selling-items-for-bulk-vending/ Does anyone vend toys only? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11888-does-anyone-sell-only-toys/ Which candies should I vend? Best selling candies - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/316-list-of-your-best-selling-items/ What is the best selling, low maintenance candy? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12194-best-sellinglow-maintenance-candy/ Runts - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/8279-runts-candy/ Chiclet gum - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7845-chiclet-gum/ Which toys should I vend? Top selling toys - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1166-top-selling-toys/ Best 25 cent toys - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/4902-best-25-cent-toys/ Best 50 cent 1 inch toys - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/6764-best-50-cent-one-inch-toys/ Best 2 inch toys - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1241-top-selling-toys/ Best toy products of the month - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/8724-good-products-this-month/ Bouncy Balls - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/5174-bouncy-balls/ Which 1-inch toys rank the highest? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7517-1-inch-product-rankings/ Top selling caps - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/8429-top-selling-caps/ Which stickers should I vend? Sticker recommendations - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/9487-sticker-recommendations/ Sticker suggestions - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/5444-stickertattoo-suggestions-needed/ Inventory Control How should I preserve my inventory? Preserving inventory - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12343-question-about-preserving-inventory/ Freezing - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/306-keep-bugs-away/ Accounting and Finance How should I keep track of my expenses and revenues? Vendtrak software - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/8012-vendtrak/ Counting quarters and keeping records - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2803-counting-quarters-keeping-records/ Counting and Banking - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7512-counting-and-banking-question/ Visit the Vendiscuss Downloads section for expense/revenue and other excel spreadsheets What coin counters/scales should I use? When do I need to buy a coin counter? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/4089-at-what-point-do-you-buy-a-coin-counter/ In the market for a coin scale - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11730-coin-scale/ What's the best way to count coins? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2465-coin-counting/ What should I do to keep track of my machines? ID codes and serials - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11831-keep-track-of-your-machines/ What can I do to control my costs? Controlling costs tips and advice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/8768-what-are-you-doing-to-control-cost/ Dealing with the rising costs of products - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12149-dealing-with-the-rising-costs-of-products/ Servicing Procedures and tips for servicing machines: Servicing your locations - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7722-servicing-locations/ Where do I put my coins? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11556-best-place-to-put-coins-during-collection/ What do I need to bring with me when servicing my machines? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/3101-what-do-you-bring-with-you-when-servicing-your-machines/ How do I become more efficient when servicing? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2319-being-efficient-servicing-locations/ How soon should I service my machines? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2014-how-soon-to-service/ How can I be safe and protect myself when servicing my machines? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1028-saftey-measures-tips-add-some/ What are your service intervals for candy? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11935-what-are-your-service-intervals-for-candy/ Servicing tips and practicalities - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/182-servicing-tips-and-practicalities/ Dealing with thieves - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/9839-how-to-catch-a-thief/ How do I keep my machines running smoothly? Lubricating your coin mechs - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12410-what-do-you-use-for-lubrication-on-your-coin-mechs/ Help! I have bugs in my machines! - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/145-bay-leaves-ants/ Help! I have moths in my machines! - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/306-keep-bugs-away/ Commission and Charity Should I do charity or commission bulk vending? Charity versus commission - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/10499-the-charity-vs-commission-game/ Charity bulk vending A glimpse into the life of a charity vendor - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2250-a-glimpse-into-the-life-of-a-charity-vendor/ Commission bulk vending Commission percentage off of gross sales or profit - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/6233-do-you-base-your-commission-percentages-off-gross-sales-or-profit/ Commission percentage off of gross sales or profit - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/9691-commissions-off-gross-or-net/ What commission percentage should I start with? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7894-commissions-to-start-off-with/ Locations What are the best locations? Best locations - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12189-best-performing-locations-for-bulk-vending/ List of popular bulk vending locations Pet stores Supermarkets Airports Hobby stores Truck stops Parks Drug stores Tanning salons Tattoo parlors Cell phone stores Skating rings Employee break rooms Family restaurants Sandwich shops Furniture stores Public city buildings Malls Hair salons Barber shops Gyms Eye care centers Arcades Electronic stores Banks Fire stations Smoke shops Antique stores Manufacturing companies TV repair shops Computer repair shops Auto Clubs Video game stores Car dealerships Boat stores Marinas Oil change shops Pawnshops Police stations Go-kart tracks E.R. waiting rooms Day cares Lawyer offices Ice cream shops Pizza parlors Recreational areas Laser tag entertainment areas Retirement homes Nail salons Clothing stores High-risk locations Vendors who operate in high risk areas - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2817-how-many-operate-in-high-risk-areas/ Locating Self-locating tips and advice Locating tips and advice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/59-locating-tips/ Locating scripts - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/62-introductions-scripts/ Locating scripts, objections, and rebuttals - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/4440-locating-scripts-objections-rebuttals-success/ Why am I losing locations? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/8550-what-is-the-reason-for-losing-locations/ How do you find time to locate? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7834-finding-time-to-locate-how-does-it-fit-into-your-daily-life/ Should I use a locator to place my bulk vending machines? Lets go locating - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/9570-lets-go-locating/ Which bulk vending locators should I use? Locaters, a comparison - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11801-let-the-games-begin-a-race-of-the-top-4-for-my-business/ Visit the Vendiscuss Locating Discussions section for more information Part-time or Full-time Part-time and full-time bulk vending Tips for going full-time - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11837-any-advice-going-from-part-time-to-full-bulk/ Can I do this as a career? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12014-can-bulk-vending-be-done-as-a-career/ Full-time bulk vendors - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1857-full-time-bulk-venders/ How many machines do you own? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/47-how-many-machines-do-you-people-own/ Tips on how to go full-time - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/8269-how-to-go-full-time-into-bulk-vending/ Bulk vending for full-time income - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/10160-bulk-vending-for-full-time-income/ Routes How do I value/buy/sell a route? How do I value a route? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12062-4-year-old-u-turn-eliminator-route/ How do I sell a route? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12296-when-selling-a-route-on-craigslist/ Route tips and advice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12029-existing-route-question/ Route tips and advice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12069-why-do-people-think-they-can-get-100-or-more-per-loc-for-routes/ Route tips and advice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/3583-need-expert-opinion-on-selling-my-route/ Route tips and advice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2025-pricing-route-part-38/ Route tips and advice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7487-need-advice-for-purchasing-route/ Route tips and advice - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/9996-route-purchase/ General Route Purchasing Guide General guidelines for buying routes: Start by offering half of what the machines are bringing in in total sales per year and work upwards. In most situations, never offer more than what total sales are in one year. For every positive aspect of the route, increase your offering price; for every negative, decrease your offering price. In addition, evaluate the position of the seller and adjust your offering price accordingly. Why is he or she selling the route? Is it because of an emergency? Is he or she retiring? Is the person moving to another town? Is he or she tired of running a route? Positive and negative factors to consider when buying a route: +Newer machines -Older machines +Well functioning machines -Machines need work +Interactive machines (shootin' hoops) -Machines are difficult to service +High earning locations -Machines must be relocated +Location of machines -Machines are not in ideal locations for you +Seller has excellent relationships with business owners -Total sales are below national averages How to gauge the demand for the seller's route: In most cases, if the seller has received multiple offerings, he or she will tell you. Be careful, however, the seller may not be telling the truth. After the seller has stated that multiple offers have been made, ask him or her a follow up question such as: Are any of the other prospective buyers close to sealing the deal? If the seller seems overly excited, he or she may be trying to fluff up the price of the route. What to do if the seller is moving out of town: In this situation, try to get the seller to tell you when he or she is moving. If it sometime in the near future, start by offering a lower price. Expect to pay a higher price if the seller has plenty of time left before moving. What to do if the seller needs cash fast because of an emergency: Start by offering less than half of what total sales are in one year and work upwards. When to pay 100% or more of total sales in one year: -Machines are of highquality (Beaver, Northwestern, A&A Global, etc...) -Machines must be in excellent working condition -Total sales are well above national average figures When to pay below total sales in one year: -Machines are not of high quality -Machines are not in excellent working condition -Total sales are average or below national average figures What to do if you do not trust the financial figures provided by the seller: Ask the seller if he or she is willing to finance the deal over a 12 month period, stating that the revenues from the machines will be used to pay the deal off. The monetary figure offered to the seller is the average total sales in one year. If the seller is hesitant about accepting this proposal, it may indicate that the financial figures provided are not accurate. What to do if the seller is willing to show you his or her route: If you are willing to go around with the seller, keep your eyes peeled open and bring a pen and a pad. Be prepared to take notes on every machine and location. While examining each location, be as objective as possible. Examples of questions to ask yourself at each location: -What is being vended? -How clean are the machines? -Are the individuals that frequent this location primarily adults or kids or both? After visiting each location, you should be able to more accurately determine the dynamics of the route. Examples of questions to ask yourself while looking over your notes: -Are the products being vended at each location appropriate? -Should machines be relocated? Keep in mind that without detailed notes, you might pass on a route with tremendous hidden potential. With just a few tweaks, revenues may increase significantly. Growth and Building How do I grow my bulk vending route? Expanding quickly - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/9376-how-does-one-expand-quickly/ The most important tip for bulk vending success - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/4273-stop-locating-you-dont-need-any-more-stupid-accounts/ What should I do with my free time? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11517-downtime-boredom-any-suggestions/ Barriers to bulk vending wealth - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/3067-biggest-barrier-to-becoming-wealthy-through-bulk-vending/ Building a route - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/8313-building-a-route/ Labels, Graphics, Print, Web Bulk labels, graphics, and other print media I need quality labels, QUICK! - http://sweetstopvending.com/ Downloads section - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/forum/27-labels-and-graphics/ Websites Setting up a website - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11600-bitting-the-bullet-setting-up-a-website/ Example of bulk vending website - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12231-website-just-went-live/ What are the benefits of a bulk vending website? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/10966-benefits-from-a-website/ How should I get stickers off of my machines? Sticker removal - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11740-sticker-removal/ Other Bulk vending NO NO's Vending marbles - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12236-vending-marbles/ Gumball gimmicks - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12147-gumball-gimmicks/ Mixing gumballs and bouncy balls - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12303-why-oh-why-would-you-think-this-is-ok/ Bulk vending success and motivational stories Its official! I have 300 locations - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/9996-route-purchase/ Best pulls ever - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2931-best-pull-ever/ My biggest single account collection ever - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/4723-my-biggest-single-accout-collection-ever/ Taking the next step - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/10846-taking-the-next-step/ Nepa's vending success and financial reports - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2206-nepa-vending-financial-reports/ What got you started? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/11368-what-got-you-started/ What goals and plans do you have for the future? 2014 Goals and plans - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/18632-goals-for-2014/ 2013 Goals and plans - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/14772-goals-for-2013/ 2012 Goals and plans - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/10416-what-plans-do-you-have-for-2012/ 2011 Goals and plans - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7446-2011-business-plan/ 2010 Goals and plans - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/4857-2010-business-plans-goals/ 2009 Goals and plans - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/2500-2009/ 2008 Goals and plans - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/662-building-your-empire/ What is your end goal with your bulk vending business? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7684-whats-your-end-goal-with-your-vending-business/ Additional interesting posts If you had to do it all over again - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/4568-if-you-had-to-do-it-over-again/ If you had to start from scratch - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7787-if-you-had-to-do-it-all-over/ If you had 20,000 dollars - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/9059-if-you-had-an-extra-20000-for-vending/ The big picture of bulk vending business ownership - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/7651-in-the-big-picture-of-business-ownership/ Has anyone ever tried to convince you out of vending? - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/10767-has-anyone-ever-tried-to-convince-you-out-of-vending/ The vending millionaires - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/1681-the-vending-millionaires/ Most competitive bulk vending areas in the country - http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/topic/12350-what-are-the-most-competitive-areas-in-the-country/ A special THANKS to PerformaVending. Quite a substantial number of the links listed above were provided by him. Please give him a thumbs up as well! This post has been promoted to an article