Mala Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Hi! I'm considering to buy my first vending machine, a combo unit for a small family entertainment space, opens for few hours each day n all day on weekends. I've looked on Craigslist n other places online. The cheapest I have been able to find anything that looks reliable refurbished is about $3000 with shipping n cc reader installed. The basic new ones are even $4000+. Can any of you point me in the right direction? These numbers are looking really high compared to what I'm seeing on the forum. Where should I look? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Stay away from imported machines and machines with flashy graphics. Look for an American made AP, AMS or National combo only. Even a USI side by side combo is far superior to anything imported. You should be able to find something under $2000 easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southeast Treats Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 There is a lot of good used equipment out there, if there is space consider separate drink and snack machines instead of a combo. You shouldn't feel like you have to go straight to credit card readers on what sounds like a small location with limited hours. Do you own the entertainment center? If so, what are you doing for selling snacks now and how much does it generate? What is the customer base like (adult or kids, age group, average spending, cash or credit cards) for the entertainment center now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mala Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 So, I currently own an indoor euro bungee n a couple of rides in an indoor mall. It attracts kids from 3-4 years to about 12-15 years with family members. We are now adding a small bumper car arena which is for all ages and a children's drama class is opening next door. I was thinking it might be a good idea to start concessions, drinks but never done vending before. Here in NC I have no knowledge of any reliable resource to get a machine. Any help would be great!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southeast Treats Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 You might be better off finding a professional vendor to place and service machines and pay you a commission. Then you have no capital tied up in the deal and don't have to spend your time servicing the machines. Drink machines in malls seem to do OK, but I have not had a mall location before so I don't really know. The problem with a snack machine for you is the same problem everyone has - if you only have the one machine, you can't sell enough product to keep your stales down, so you end up throwing away a lot of what you buy when it goes out of date. An operator with multiple locations can keep a good variety of product and use case lots without throwing most of it out! Another thought, an operator who also does ice cream machines might love your location! I would give it a try if you were about 500 miles closer. What area of NC are you in? Maybe someone here closer to you can help better than I can... I am sure there are some machine refurbishers around Charlotte but I don't have their info, and a lot of regional operators all over the state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 46 minutes ago, Southeast Treats said: You might be better off finding a professional vendor to place and service machines and pay you a commission. Then you have no capital tied up in the deal and don't have to spend your time servicing the machines. Drink machines in malls seem to do OK, but I have not had a mall location before so I don't really know. The problem with a snack machine for you is the same problem everyone has - if you only have the one machine, you can't sell enough product to keep your stales down, so you end up throwing away a lot of what you buy when it goes out of date. An operator with multiple locations can keep a good variety of product and use case lots without throwing most of it out! Another thought, an operator who also does ice cream machines might love your location! I would give it a try if you were about 500 miles closer. What area of NC are you in? Maybe someone here closer to you can help better than I can... I am sure there are some machine refurbishers around Charlotte but I don't have their info, and a lot of regional operators all over the state. I concur, running a solo combo machine is the equivalent of vending hell. You will spend more time frustrating over the snack section than the income will ever be worth. You could get a very nice soda machine for a fraction of the cost of a good combo and save yourself a lot of gray hairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mala Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 Thank you all for pitching in! I think that's great insight! I know this is probably a bulk vending question but since you know the scenario already, do you think I should consider looking into a new (BMI) cotton candy automated vending machine? Someone in the industry recommended it, and I can't find any used ones around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southeast Treats Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 I have never seen one of those up close, my thoughts are that it will be a ***** to keep clean (melted sugar is not fun) and I am not sure that you would ever get a return on your investment. Just think about how many units of cotton candy you would have to sell just to clear enough to pay for a brand new machine.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mala Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 you are right....I couldt come across one for a low price one day and i might think about it....probably better to focus on the entertainment part right now. Thank You tons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTheVendor Posted September 27, 2016 Share Posted September 27, 2016 have you ever thought about being a subcontractor? That way you dont have to buy the machines and you still get paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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