Executive Vending Solution Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 As a new vending machine operator I'm trying to locate the most efficient and cost effective items. I have a beverage and snack machine. Is there anywhere you suggest for the best pricing in bulk? Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orsd Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 On 10/10/2017 at 11:56 AM, Executive Vending Solution said: As a new vending machine operator I'm trying to locate the most efficient and cost effective items. I have a beverage and snack machine. Is there anywhere you suggest for the best pricing in bulk? Thank you very much. For 1 machine just go to the local Walmart. The big vending suppliers have minimum orders and are frankly priced higher than Walmart, as they provide the convenience of delivery that only large operators need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc vending Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Sam's Club has a good selection for you to get started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southeast Treats Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Quote Welcome to the forum and best of luck to you in your new venture! Like they said, Sams and Walmart, maybe Costco. Most of the smaller local wholesalers were run out of business long ago by those big box stores. For larger quantities there are choices like Vistar, if you live near one of their merchant mart cash and carry locations that could be viable, but they have a 25 case minimum for delivery. Therein lies the small operator dilemma for snack machine products, how do you maintain a wide selection without having to throw away too many out of date products? Without a larger base of good producing locations you are always fighting that battle.... can drinks have a nice long shelf life (except for diet drinks) and usually enough turnover to not have any worries about expired product, which gives it a big edge over snacks for new operators. Bottled carbonated drinks do not last as long as cans so avoid that until you have the size and experience to deal with it as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corvus Corax Posted November 5, 2017 Share Posted November 5, 2017 Sams club is the way to go, as most of their stuff is marked for individual resale. Can soda is available in so many places, but for a single machine stick with Sam's or Costco. No reason to be hunting sales for a single machine. Now try to prioritize getting more locations. You need 3 to 5 snack machines to avoid throwing away too many stales. Avoid bottle machines until you have 5 to 10 locations. If you must have bottles go with 16.9oz. Much more readily available. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finaritwo1 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 It’s difficult sourcing 1.5 oz bags at Costcos or anywhere else in my area. The closest wholesaler recently closed their doors... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat6 Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 The selection at Costco in this town sucks, there are 3 Sam’s Clubs and all three carry various different things than the other. I like BJ’s Wholesale they also carry some things that Sam’s doesn’t. I believe the last time I talked to Vistar they had a 500 every 2 weeks minimum, which I did go through that much in at the time at that time. It was the every 2 week commitment that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get into then. I have been thinking about calling them lately to get a list of what they have, cause I think I just might be ready to commit. I also still use Walmart for some items that I can’t find from most of the above. Big Lots surprisingly enough has had some really good deals of a couple/few items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southeast Treats Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 8 hours ago, Cat6 said: I believe the last time I talked to Vistar they had a 500 every 2 weeks minimum I order from Vistar out of the Orlando area; they have a 25 unit minimum order, but they have never specified to me that I have to place x number of orders. I do end up ordering about every other week but sometimes go an extra week in between and it's not a problem. I picked up a storage freezer a while back and have been ordering their frozen pastry as well, so I can get better variety and product rotation than just the selection at Sam's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat6 Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I’m glad to hear that the time frame isn’t concrete, I was a bit leary thinking product would be being delivered that I may not need that fast and piling up. lol. I’m gonna call them and check back into it. 😉👍🏼 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I believe it depends on your region. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat6 Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 I think Southeast and I, (Southwest), are the same region with Vistar. I could be wrong, but I’ll find out. I haven’t had a chance to contact them just yet. I had a few Cub Scout, AHGirl Scout, and school activities sucking up any and all “free” time I may have thought I’d have. LoL “free” time 😂🤣😅 what’s that? I meant sleep time. 😜😜 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taysha Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 I buy from Costco, Sam's and Amazon. Used to have a distributor for the things I couldn't get at Costco and Sam's, but the minimums were too high for my 8 machines and I've found that I can get as cheap or cheaper prices using Amazon subscribe and save. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.