lowcountry Dan Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I have been vending candy for about 4 1/2 years. It has been a struggle, but I have stuck with it. I use Vendstars, but I keep them in good shape. What has been a vexing problem for me is my overall average is only about $12.00 per machine per month. I took a hit losing some decent locations and it's hurting my bottom line. Here is what I am doing: I service my machines on a regular basis, keep them clean, and ask my customers if they want different candy. I feel like I am doing everything right, but business is just bad. I am realistic. i think i should shoot for $15 on average, then shoot for $20. per machine, per month. My conclusions are this: either candy is dead or this is just a bad market for it. I don't think i will add any more candy machine and will go to BB's or 1" capsules. As you may know, it's hard to take when you feel like you are doing a good job, but results aren't there. Does anyone have any tips on how I might raise my average? Maybe I am missing something in what I am doing. Thanks for your time. lowcountry dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makes Cents Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 The only way I know to raise your average is to relocate your bottom producers constantly until you reach your desired monthly average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Pull and relocate. Candy isn't dead. That being said, you should move to toys, flat and interactive as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherlock Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Makes Cents hit the nail on the head. If you are "averaging" $12 that means some of those triples are earning only a few dollars a month. Get those into a place that merits 3 selections. On a side note: you don't have to pull out of ALL of those low earners. If you do charity, a charity gumball single may do fine in some of those low earners....you may find they pull $12 per month just as your triples did. But either way, get those triples in some better homes if they are averaging less than $12 per month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherdsflock Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I'm going to disagree with the other responses and say that your conclusion is correct, candy is mostly dead. I only have two locations out of about 50 that sell enough candy for me to bother stocking it. I converted all of my other candy locations to toys and flat items over the last year and haven't regretted it for a second. If you've got candy locations grossing more than $25 per month, then keep candy there, everything else I would either relocate or switch to toys and flat (I would lean strongly toward the latter). But rather than replacing all of your machines at once, maybe just get a cheap A&A double and try toys in a location and see if you notice an improvement in revenue. Test the waters before you leap in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbuford Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Jump in head first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfleet32 Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 I'm going to (kinda) disagree with shepardsflock. I vend about 85% candy and have a very nice income. It all depands where you live. I live in the center of Ca. and I know many candy vendors in my area making a very nice income. As many of you know if you read the other threads I just bought a HUGE candy route and this route has been going strong for over 40 years. Yes the sales have probably dropped but is still a very good producer. I think the main thing is youhave to think outside the box. I have many hundred dollar candy locations, again it may be Ca. By outside the box I will give one example..Drug Placement Centers ( places the court sends you if you have a drug or alcohol arrest) I have 6 of those that do over 100 each and I have vendstars at those. So is it dead compared to years ago...maybe some peoples standard....by others stnadards it is alive and well! My two cents.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodney69 Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 When I go into a location and it doesn't do as well as I think it should, then I change the slowest item to something else. I do keep a pretty big variety, I know some say not to, but I started with Uturn 8 selects, so I'm accustomed to it. If after going through a set amount of different items you still get nothing, put a smaller machine in and move the triple. I just started doing this. I don't think candy is dead if you work the location. I am also currently moving more towards toys though, but only for places that it will go well, like restaurants or where kids are. I'll try everything I can before I pull out of a location. The competition is tough here, so I try not to waste a spot unless I've tried everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Schweddy Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 You can maybe try to go every 5 or 6 weeks instead of every month. I have one route I run at week 4 then week 5 I check my second route then week 6 I check the third route. I set them up based on how fast they sell. So a machine that sells out of candy a lot I set that up on week 4 and so on. Then on my days off I find new locations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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