donut Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 So far in my vending journey, I have acquired 10 soda machines since January 2012, and only started out with $300. Now I'm looking to expand the business.... I got a call from a friend of mine who is the manager of 2 convenience stores located at a popular campground/lake. She told me that over the last 3 years she has been manager of the stores, they notice that kids come into the store and like to pick up small items (i.e. toys, etc) and stick 'em in their pockets without paying for them. So they came up with the idea of having someone place some bulk machines (tattoo, capsule, and gumball) inside the place... They figure they will stop carrying the small items the kids seem to take and can still provide a method of letting the kids still have access to the little toys.... So she called me (since she knows I do soda machines) and asked me if I do the type of machines she is looking for... Of course I said I do, but right now I don't have any available right this second.... (Actually I have 1 bulk candy machine that I picked up last year cheap, but that's it....) I told her I was going to call her back next week and give her an update.... She does not want candy (the store sells that) and wants only gumballs, toys and tattoos/stickers..... So I was looking around on CL, and found these.... http://sacramento.craigslist.org/clt/3652393742.html http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/for/3655871302.html http://stockton.craigslist.org/for/3638343173.html So I'm looking for some opinions from someone who does bulk stuff.... First, does this seem like it could be a decent venture? I'm not necessarily looking for millions of dollars the first year from them..... Actually, I'm just figuring if I could just stick them at the stores and check on them every few months or when she calls me to tell me they look low (she wouldn't mind calling me to save me the gas since its about 10 miles away) and I make enough to make it worth my while I'm fine with that.... and Second, do these CL ads seem about par with the going prices of this type of machine? I know when it comes to soda machines I usually get them for less than $100 and refurbish them myself.... (In other words, I'm extremely CHEAP!!) Sorry for writing a book... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musser Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 In small cstores I use 5 racks, 2" at 75, 2 column tattoo at 50, 850 gum at 25, 2 toys at 50, are these ghetto stores? Hispanic and white stores tattoos will do well, in Black locations I would use 2- 2" caps on top and no flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donut Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 No, not ghetto.... This lake is more like hardcore fishermen, lots of houseboats, lots of skiiers/wakeboards.... I would say mainly used by whites and Hispanics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorderJerry Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Top listing (the 5 way) is probably 12 to 15 years old...$150 tops... Middle listing - run away... Bottom listing - run away and hide... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherdsflock Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 The top one looks like it could be good at the right price. I wouldn't even consider the middle one. The bottom one, I'd be a little scared. It looks like the machines are broken and held together with tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Priusjames Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 You just threw that last one in to make sure we were awake, right? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GagesVending Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Build your own rack. Get some singles, tattoo/sticker, and maybe a 2" together that match and bolt them to a rack. It might be cheaper that way and you'll get exactly what you need on one set-up. The top CL listing looks okay, but too much money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Falcon Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 believe it or not the middle one is the best deal if you was vending candy, those N.W Triple vend are biult like tanks and you could probably get it for $60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GagesVending Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 believe it or not the middle one is the best deal if you was vending candy, those N.W Triple vend are biult like tanks and you could probably get it for $60 The problem with the NWTP is that the coin compartment is easy to get into with a flat head screwdriver or other flat tool and just pry them open. I've seen it done to many of them I've work on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Falcon Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 The problem with the NWTP is that the coin compartment is easy to get into with a flat head screwdriver or other flat tool and just pry them open. I've seen it done to many of them I've work on. The NWTP needs to be open from the top in order to get to the coin compartment it only has one lock I know the vendstar could pop open with a butter knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GagesVending Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 The NWTP needs to be open from the top in order to get to the coin compartment it only has one lock I know the vendstar could pop open with a butter knife. Right, it has the rod that slides up and down to release/secure the hooks, but still it's not the best design because they can be opened without power tools. I think they should have used cam locks or a barrel screw lock like they use for the top. I mean, we're talking about the money here, it needs to be safe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donut Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 I will be vending 1" gumballs, stickers/tattoos, and capsules only.... And yeah, I doubted the 3rd ad, but figured that I could probably make them work somehow.... I'm not too worried about security, since they are going to be in a convenience store, so I would hope that the clerk would discourage anyone approaching the machines with a butter knife or a cordless drill So what could I expect to pay for say 1 gumball machine, 1 tattoo machine, and 2-3 capsule machines altogether? I'm hoping to keep it not too expensive, since I'm not sure how well these are going to work out... besides, I'm going to need 2 sets (1 for each store)... Things are so much easier with soda machines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donut Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share Posted March 24, 2013 Ok, I met with my friend and checked out the store premises. Here's what I found: The place is at a lake, where they have camping/fishing/boating, etc. Each side of the lake has a marina/convenience store. The north side does not have as many kids come into the store, as the camping areas are a good distance away. On the south side of the lake, the campgrounds are right next to the store, so they have kids in and out all day. Their busiest times of the year are Memorial Day - Labor Day. Their corporate office wanted them to start carrying a "$1 bin" so the kids could have something to buy, but the manager (my friend) figured that since small items seem to have a habit of "walking out" of the store, the $1 bin is just asking for trouble. The machines would be located somewhere near the checkout register, so not too worried about kids trying to break into the machine... They are interested in tattoos and capsules only... They (and I) have no idea on what kind of commission would be suitable for both parties.... I was initially thinking a tattoo machine and 2 1" capsules on the north side, and a tattoo machine, 1 2" capsule, and 3 1" capsule machines on the south side.... Now I'm wondering if my profit margin would even make this a viable venture, considering the cost of the machines, the cost of goods, and the short amount of time of the season.... Anyone have any thoughts on this? I've got about a month to decide what I'm gonna do.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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