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I basically circumvented ordering directly from Pepsi. I use a different distributor. From what I understand though, both Coke and Pepsi tend to focus on trying to force you (the operator) to buy more SKUs of product by offering rebates if you do. For example, if you buy at least 40 cases of Starry, maybe you'll get $3 rebate per case of regular soda products like pepsi/dew. It does help the bottom line but the issue is that the prices may still be higher than going through someone else (maybe) and they pretty much twist your arm to buy even MORE varieties of products in the future or kind of threaten to put you to a lower tier which means higher prices. And if you have equipment with them, they really give it to you. I have a great relationship with KDP so I am almost exclusively 7up items on the non-cola flavors. I get a great price on their items and they happily send me machines because I keep buying. No pushing me on varieties. My rep does send me new things and I try things out from time to time but I already carry maybe 30 different SKUs from them.

I have a older royal machine (GII I believe, with the shorter front columns- I know its a dinosaur but Im trying to make it work) with a older board, it doesn't report cash sales through the card reader and I am wondering if there is an updated eprom that would allow it to. Here are some photos of the board and the eprom for reference. Thank you all for your help! Images for reference- https://ibb.co/HzYD0Yv https://ibb.co/KFJ4phN https://ibb.co/mJs8mCn

That is a great bulk set up for that spot. In my opinion, going head to head, cranes will regularly out gross bulk racks just because they take bills, the game play is more exciting and the chance of winning a big prize is often too hard to pass up. Since you have operated cranes in the past, you know it is a completely different animal than bulk vending. Cranes can make great money but require a lot more attention and capital to operate. Generally, if you are going to delve into that business, it's not a bad idea buy several of them and put together a small route. That way you can buy more mixes and rotate items from location to location. If I were going to add one there, I would swap out the sticker machine for the mini crane (if it will fit) and leave the rack. You would also need to bolt it to the wall or floor. I guess my ultimate advice would be to ask yourself where you want to be in vending 5 years from now. Is this something you really want to expand on or is it just a side gig for the foreseeable future? Bulk vending is a lot less demanding than a claw machine route but claw machines have a better future than bulk. If it is a just going to be a side gig, I would stick with bulk for the time being.