How much variety do I need?

[dperry]

Switching from single gumballs to toy vending is hard!  There's soooo much more to consider.

As I'm ramping up my toy stock, I find myself asking exactly how much variety do I need?  If I only have a few locations with 2" caps, can I get away with 1 product, or do I need a few?  I understand that if you have multiples in a location that you'd need at least as many varieties as you have that type of machine in that location.  So if you have 2 2" in a location, you need at least two varieties.  But what happens when one or more product sales wane?  You have to change it out with something else, right?  But what about that leftover that doesn't sell?  Move it to another location?  So you keep churning your stock between locations.  But at what point do you say "I need more varieties"  and what point do you say "I have enough of a variety".

[Quarter Master]

Darryl,

I think the best way is to keep an eye on the items that don't move and try to switch them around in different locations to get rid of them.Then make a note-don't reorder.

[Beer980]

Or you take all the leftovers and do a mystery mix.

[lurtsman]

Challenge with the mystery mix is getting a low enough price--or advertising it well enough that they will pay 50 cents for the mystery of the toy they didn't originally want at 50 cents. Marketing is win.

If possible to change locations and get it sold I do recommend that, as it stinks to have a ton of it just sitting around.

Personally I do not recommend anything sponge bob-ish. That's been my worst seller by a mile.

[dperry]

No spongebob? Really? I was considering buying the SB rollers from A&A. Don't think I will now.

[pdavid]

Sponge Bob stickers sell pretty well for me.

[antoniocinisi]

the 2 inch caps do ok for me too.

[nepavend]

Leftover stock of stuff you don't sell can be mixed together with your basic mystery mix and put back out that way.

For 2" vending, always start with the basic mystery mix or staples in all locations.  This will eliminate confusion early on.  If you have two heads to fill, start with a mystery and a sticky mix, they are staple products that will not be discontinued anytime soon. 

I start all my racks with a mystery mix and Dentures myself and go from there.  It is really easy to get caught up in all the different items that are out there, don't worry about too many of them until you have a big account that needs many heads for 2" caps.

[pdavid]

Joe,

Wondering what display you use with the mystery mix?

[nepavend]

The displays from Actionmatic.

file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JROSS/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpgwww.actionmatic.com

[dperry]

You're picture didn't work. 

I found this one on the actionmatic site.  Is this the one you meant?

[nepavend]

Yes that is it, there is a second one called "Toyland" that is basically the same thing.

[havending]

If you only have a few cap. locations then just purchase enough to cover your max. heads.  So if your largest rack has 3 two inch heads  ONLY stock 3 two inch items.  When you get into more 2 inch heads then you can worry about product rotaion, if you try now you will end up chasing your tail.  When you do get into more product you will need to use a motivator mix to get rid of slow product or items you only have a few of.  DO NOT use that Action Matic display its to gernic.  I use one that had leader items such as spy ear, fm raido stuff like that.  I spoke to CEI and the have a new one comming out or you could use their flashing ball display and product.  Just throw 20 or so flashing balls and glue gun some of your old items in the display card and you ready to go.  My gernic mix most times out sells my regular items.  As far as stocking up DONT order over a case or two of each product do you can see it touch and hold it and sell it to see how its going to do.  STAY AWAY from Sponge Bob roller ball a real dud.  A&A is a great company but they try to sell you want they are trying to sell but maybe not whats best for you.  The sticky things are great I got in some Mini Mals today and they are good also. If you use CEI the crazy yo yos are outsatnding but you need to ven at .75 or 1.00

Im new here but have been vending since 1995 and operate in 4 states

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lurtsman]

My sponge bob 2 inch is doing TERRIBAD. (I'm aware that's not a word, but it really is so terrible that it requires a second word affixed to the first word to indicate the level of awfulness actually achieved.

In 2.5 weeks at my library location, sponge bob 2 inch caps sold twice. Splatterz, sold 24 times. Both are 75 cent vends.

At my other location bling teeth did okay, and dora was cut short by getting an "out of order display" taped to it after a couple misvends--how those misvends came about is a mystery to me, but somehow capsules had not made it into some of the slots. It seemed to work after that so I took the sign down. Since dora appears to be a slower mover than bling teeth, I will plan to replace dora with sponge bob when it is out--or very low.

For people doing mystery mix, do still use regular price points, or do you sell the mystery mix at a discount?

Dperry, I've got to support what some of these guys have said about not overstocking with different kinds of toys. Also remember that you do not need to fill the machines to full. I could've filled my machines much cheaper had I planned for that.

Since my library is beside a gym I am considering trying super balls instead of the sponge bob. I think they might still sell at 75 cents.

[nepavend]

For the best blister displays on your premium items, use A&A or whatever company you get your items from.  For toy mixes and such I use generic Actionmatic displays.  I have yet to experience a big difference of sales with the generic display versus the blisters in different locations, but as a good practice you should use the blister displays for anything other than a toy mix display, unless you make your own, which is another idea and can be a creative touch!

[Jax Snacks]

Lurts,

I would stop messing with that 2 inch stuff and switch to flat tattoos if possible. TJ King has Ultra Classics for $23 - that's 15% COGS before shipping and much better product movement as well. I know the flat machines cost more, but you really need to try one out in place of a 2 inch machine at a location or two, IMHO!

Jax

[nepavend]

I didnt make any suggestions for stickers since the poster asked about 2 inch caps.

Flat vending is also a good idea to try when 2 inch capsules arent doing so hot, a bad toy spot can be a great sticker spot, you never know.

[dperry]

Lurts,

I would stop messing with that 2 inch stuff and switch to flat tattoos if possible. TJ King has Ultra Classics for $23 - that's 15% COGS before shipping and much better product movement as well. I know the flat machines cost more, but you really need to try one out in place of a 2 inch machine at a location or two, IMHO!

Jax

Jax,

I asked about the 2" stuff because I now have a fleet of 16 double 2" machines that I have to place.

[nepavend]

In your case with these types of machines, I would try a 2" mystery mix on one side and Dentures to start and see how they do.  If one or the other lags for two services, switch them up.  This gives them a chance to catch on and you have a consistent strategy you can use for your fleet.  This will cut down on the running around like a chicken with your head cut off! 

[Jax Snacks]

I have been doing 2 inch vending for two years now and it has been disappointing. The ROI can be much longer. The products are too expensive, the consumer demand is not as strong and the selling price points for us vendors (the price consumers are willing to pay) is too low to make a decent profit after commissions.

I now only keep one single 2 inch product on most racks. I have two machines in just a few of my better locations. I am going to rotate my 2 inch offering to keep it fresh and moving - NFL from Sep to Jan, College Basketballs from Feb to Apr and Ducks from May to Aug - all at 75 cents. The only 50 cent item that sells decent for me are the Stickey Hands. I will no longer test any new 2 inch products unless some other vendors endorse them.

However, for those that have some money to invest, it would better to cut back on the two inch machines and balance the rack with some flat sticker/tattoo machines, IMO.

Jax