Donkata Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I've placed an honor box in the lunchroom at my office and it's doing pretty well - about $50 sales for the first week. The company typically offers free soda (sorry, pop) and popcorn to the staff, but we're looking at cost cutting measures and I bet I could get them to stop offering soda and I could put in a drink machine. There are about 70 people in this office, most people leave by 6:00 or so but some stay late. I've been looking at Craigslist, and the prices seem to be all over the map. There's a Dixie Narco nearby for $300 (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/bfs/5258670991.html) and a DN 440 for $680 (http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bfd/5303554496.html). Would it be worthwhile to go with the 440? Should I look for something bigger and badder? I've read posts where folks say they wish new operators would ask questions before buying their machines - well, here I am! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunCandy Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Well a DN 440 is a very tall machine! 79" tall! You would be better off finding a DN 501E or a Royal 650 or 660 as these machines are only 72" tall If this is going into a office 72" tall drink machine is a must! With these machines you could sell cans and bottles out of machines and also set price for individual columns. Good luck in your adventure of growing! cajun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 The $300 machine is a single price DN368 with 8 selections of cans. I would do that as it's easier to move around and has a more manageable capacity for your location. The DN440 may be rebuilt as they say (though they don't show a 440 in the photo - it's a 368) but is probably more machine than you need for this location and will be much harder to move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJT Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I know this might come as a surprise to some to hear this from me. This is a good situation to consider a combo machine. Just make sure you are looking at a quality built machine by USI, Crane, AMS. Or like others have said a smaller can machine and the honor box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donkata Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 Thank you all for your responses. Another $11 for the honor box over the weekend, so it's a $60 week. Yay! Well a DN 440 is a very tall machine! 79" tall! You would be better off finding a DN 501E or a Royal 650 or 660 as these machines are only 72" tall If this is going into a office 72" tall drink machine is a must! With these machines you could sell cans and bottles out of machines and also set price for individual columns. Good luck in your adventure of growing! cajun Yes, I suppose a 72" machine would be better. We've got lots of room in the lunch room, but I don't want the machine to dominate. The $300 machine is a single price DN368 with 8 selections of cans. I would do that as it's easier to move around and has a more manageable capacity for your location. The DN440 may be rebuilt as they say (though they don't show a 440 in the photo - it's a 368) but is probably more machine than you need for this location and will be much harder to move. Good to know - I have a 3/4 ton pickup, but moving this will be a real chore. Might be better to inspect and buy the machine, then pay someone to move it for me? I know this might come as a surprise to some to hear this from me. This is a good situation to consider a combo machine. Just make sure you are looking at a quality built machine by USI, Crane, AMS. Or like others have said a smaller can machine and the honor box. Seeing how the combos get such a bad rep, I figured I'd keep the soda machine separate from the snacks. When the time comes to move machines someplace else, it should be easier to place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJT Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Thank you all for your responses. Another $11 for the honor box over the weekend, so it's a $60 week. Yay! Yes, I suppose a 72" machine would be better. We've got lots of room in the lunch room, but I don't want the machine to dominate. Good to know - I have a 3/4 ton pickup, but moving this will be a real chore. Might be better to inspect and buy the machine, then pay someone to move it for me? Seeing how the combos get such a bad rep, I figured I'd keep the soda machine separate from the snacks. When the time comes to move machines someplace else, it should be easier to place. Only the junky cobo machines get a bad rep. The quality ones have their place such as situations like yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donkata Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 Okay, that sounds realistic. So, USI, Crane, and AMS are good? I see a FSI for sale - is that a good brand? What brands should I avoid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 USI and FSI are both made by Wittern Group and both brands make the same models. They are sold under different brand names so that USI can be sold by full distributors and FSI is sold by "affiliated dealers." Wittern continues to confuse the industry with multiple brands and completely different names for different subsections of the same company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJT Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Okay, that sounds realistic. So, USI, Crane, and AMS are good? I see a FSI for sale - is that a good brand? What brands should I avoid? If you buy an USI/FSI, AMS, or Crane you will be fine and pretty much avoid all others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feral Vending Mechanic Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Good to know - I have a 3/4 ton pickup, but moving this will be a real chore. Might be better to inspect and buy the machine, then pay someone to move it for me? Yes, pay someone to move it for you. Tag along to watch and help. DO NOT TRY TO MOVE VENDING EQUIPMENT WITHOUT SOMEONE WITH YOU WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING. It is dangerous. These things are heavy, and require special equipment to move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avi Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Hi Donkata, What do you put in your honor box? Thanks for your answer. I've placed an honor box in the lunchroom at my office and it's doing pretty well - about $50 sales for the first week. The company typically offers free soda (sorry, pop) and popcorn to the staff, but we're looking at cost cutting measures and I bet I could get them to stop offering soda and I could put in a drink machine. There are about 70 people in this office, most people leave by 6:00 or so but some stay late. I've been looking at Craigslist, and the prices seem to be all over the map. There's a Dixie Narco nearby for $300 (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/bfs/5258670991.html) and a DN 440 for $680 (http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bfd/5303554496.html). Would it be worthwhile to go with the 440? Should I look for something bigger and badder? I've read posts where folks say they wish new operators would ask questions before buying their machines - well, here I am! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donkata Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 A variety of chips Svenhard's pastries Snickers Kit Kat Peanut M&M's Twix Cashews Salted Peanuts Honey Peanuts Pepperoni Sticks Teriyaki Sticks Variety of corn nuts The nuts are going pretty slow, but the pepperoni and teriyaki sticks sell great at $1.50 each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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