Randymire

I’ve heard of this but haven’t tried it because in most of my locations I need every slot for the main selections but since the location asked for this I’d tell them that I would try this for awhile and see how it worked out but if it doesn’t work out I’d go to vending something else in that slot .

I talk to management and explain to them the increase in product and fuel prices , they normally understand. After talking talking to management I’ll tape a typed note onto each machine explaining the same reasons that I told management. You may receive some negative feedback from the workers but even if they boycott you for awhile, stand your ground and they’ll start buying again. Price increases are just a cost of doing business. I just had to go up on my vending & coffee accounts also .

Get a good convertible dolly to transport your product from your vehicle to the location. If your doing snacks then get a plastic storage container to transport your snacks . Get the best dolly that you can afford and you’ll appreciate the convenience that this gives you . Best of luck to you !

I agree with the previous comment. Reach out to local distributors of new and used machines and build a relationship with them because these guys are the ones that can and will help you because you know each other and they’ll be more available for you . Craigslist is a good source for machines but depending on your experience you can get some bad deals because a used machine is like a used car , the paint job might look good but what’s under the hood is crap . Do your research and get a list of trustworthy dealers ,repair techs and movers in your area , these people will be valuable to you as you grow because of their knowledge of the business . I can’t tell you how many leads on locations and machines for sale I’ve gotten from my contacts in the business.

I don’t think it would pay you to do this right now with 10 soda machines and 1 service call a year unless your going to do refrigeration work for other vendors on the side and that could be a profitable side gig for you . I’d personally put that time , effort and expense into building my vending business.

Don’t forget gas and labor. I normally go up every January but in times like these yes , I’ve gone up because you have to , the companies producing your product aren’t eating the cost because they are running a business. Before I go up I explain the situation to my contact person and tell them that my product prices have gone up in the same way that their grocery bill has gone up and at the same time my gas bill has gone up . When you put it this way , they usually understand. I also put a typed note on each machine explaining the same things . I’ll sometimes get boycotted for awhile but the sales come back . Most rational people will understand and if they don’t maybe I don’t need them as a customer .

eBay or someone that repairs and sells used machines may have these or know where you can get them .

I have a few accounts like this and leave them plugged in , while they don’t make a lot during this time , it is convenient for the customer and they don’t get into the habit of bringing their drinks ( which will happen sometimes). Two months won’t make a big difference as far as the life of your equipment.

I’d talk to your local movers , vending repair guys or shops that sell machines in your area , these guys usually know what’s for sale in the area .

Sitting up won’t affect other then possible rodent damage but even that is unlikely if they are in his garage. If the cooling decks were working properly when they were taken out of service then they should still be ok but I always plug in the machines when buying used , I at least want to know that they get cold .

I’ve got private locks on all of my machines . But in your case I’d change the lock out just in case .

I sell a lot of locations and while it does seem more professional to let the location know first , I don’t do this because believe it or not some people panic because they don’t know if they’ll get good service or if the prices will increase. I have an agreement with the buyer that I’ll introduce him and tell the contact that he will be their route driver and that he’ll be their contact person from now on but they can still contact me if needed ( if they do contact me , which rarely happens of course I call the buyer because I want everything to go smoothly). After a month or so I’ll visit the location and after talking to the contact and seeing that everything is going good, I’ll let them know that I sold the location but that if they ever have any concerns or needs that they can contact me and I have had this happen and I called the vendor and let them know that the location isn’t happy , because I want the vendor and the location to be happy because I’d like to sell more locations to that vendor I’m the future.

For storage in the warehouse I put them on 4X4’s because it makes it easier to move them with a pallet jack . On location they usually sit directly on the floor because don’t want someone shaking the machine for whatever reason and it falling. I will sometimes put small squares of carpet ( turned upside down) under each corner to protect the flooring.

In the Houston area I pay $75.00 - $100.00 per machine depending on distance. Find a mover that specializes in vending machines, just because someone calls themselves a mover doesn’t mean they are capable of moving vending machines. A lot of things can go wrong in moving a machine so protect yourself by using someone knowledgeable in moving vending machines.

Diet Dr. Pepper