Product Mix Question

[r1375]

Hey everyone,

     I need some help deciding what product mix to go with for my two 9-way racks.  I have been looking at several sites to see what is available (TJKing, A&A Global, Brand, Actionmatic, etc) and am a bit overwhelmed with all the choices.  These will be my first racks as well as my first venture into toys/stickers.  So I don't have any experience to base my decisions on.

     Anyways, the first rack has two Northwestern two column sticker machines (.50 cent vend), two Super 80 2" capsule machines (.50 cent vend), 2 Super 60 gumball machines (.25 cent vend), 2 Super 60 1" capsule machines (.25 cent vend) and 1 Super 60 candy machine (.25 cent vend). 

     The second rack has one Northwestern two column sticker machine (.50 cent vend), three Super 80 2" capsule machines (.50 cent vend), 2 Super 60 gumball machines (.25 cent vend), 2 Super 60 1" capsule machines (.25 cent vend) and 1 Super 60 candy machine (.25 cent vend).

     Also Mid West got me a breakroom of a Ruby Tuesdays with about 45 employees.  I'm planning on putting a 1800 machine in there.

     Any suggestions you might have about product mixes for these machines would be greatly appreciated.  I'm also thinking about switching out the candy wheels for 1" capsule wheels.  Any thoughts on that idea?

Thanks

[nam]

I was beginning to get nervous since we hadn't heard in you for awhile. Was wondering if the guy never came back from Texas or what? Anyway glad you've got all those machines from the auction.

I don't have the experience with racks that some of these other guys do so I will let someone else give you their suggestions for what they suggest.

The only thing I want to suggest for your rack are Zoo Mania and Sea Mania from Brand. These will come in 1" caps. as well as anything you order from them - not acorns. You should in my opinion not order anything in acorns - stick with all round capsules. Anyway, back to the Mania items from Brand. You may have to wait to get them but these things are too hot to keep in stock. They do as a fact have the largest seller 1" caps in history with Zoo Mania. These are collectible little soft zoo animals. The kids collect these things and want to keep getting their zoo built with each animal. Same with Sea Mania. Both Zoo and Sea Mania have series 1 and now series 2. I would get some on order so you'll have them as soon as possible. Since the racks haven't been located yet the wait may not hurt. Check them out at http://www.brandvendingproducts.com and call 1-800-967-3048 and ask for Craig or Diane. This week they are both at the show in Vegas and not be in their offices until Monday. These run $19 bucks for a bag of 250. Brand also has alot of cool tattoos and other items in capsules as well. They are in Arizona so should be pretty quick shipping to Colorado. You might want to order some Blobs, stickies, and rings while waiting on the Mania series.

So how do you want me to pay you the $50 each for those Shootin Hoops machines? I can send a cashiers check or wire the money to your bank account?   

Have you tried selling any of those 1800's yet?  Keeping a few of those might be cool if you can.  Well, you darn sure are in the vending business now aren't ya?  You went from zip to big time with one auction!  Best of luck and make the big bucks.

nam

[r1375]

Thanks Nam.  I had read a bit about the Zoo/Sea Mania series on here.  So have been thinking about ordering some.  I did speak with the Brand folks today and they told me it would be about a two week wait for those products.  Also had a few issues with that big machine purchase.  First, there was no key included for the lock on the front of the sticker machines.  Second, there were not keys included for all the machines.  Only two money door keys provided for the 10 ultravends and only 6 keys provided for the 34 1800 machines.  Third, the product mix included in the auction was not very good.  It also added up to $580 worth of stuff if it sells not the $900 to $1,000 as advertised.  So the guy has offered me about $450 worth of 50 cent stickers, a few bags of bouncing balls and $50 to make up the difference.  I'm still thinking that offer over.

But on a good note, the Shootin Hoop machines turned out to be in pretty good shape.  That machine is fun and yes you are still the reigning Shootin Hoops champ.  I have only been able to get 5 in a row.  I'll even make you a deal for one of them.  You drive up here and get all these machines located for me and as payment I'll let you take a Shootin Hoops machine home.  How does that sound?

[nam]

That sounds fair. When shall I come? 

nam

[shvend]

r

nam is not stearing you in the wrong direction on the zoo mania from brand, it is a good prodcut from brand. If you are wondering what to sell in your racks look a the product and if it is bright and colorful it will more than likley sell good. Becuase if it looks good in your machine and stands out it will sell. Also check you A&A and cardinal you can get some good toy mixes alot cheaper then the 19 dollars a bag brand will charge for the zoo mania! of course if you are not having to pay a commission on the location it does not matter. if you are you may want to look toward 17 to 18 dollars a bag per 250 because your return will not look so great once you figure it on 19. dollars + per bag

[nepavend]

When it comes to new racks and new locations, stick to a few basics, see what sells, and work your way from there.

I would try these to start:

Bottom rows:

Gum - Assorted

Gum - Watermelon or other special flavor

Toy - 1" Sticky Mix

Toy - Zoo Mania/Sea Mania

Toy - 1" Superballs

Top Rows:

Stickers - HO2 Highly Obnoxious

Tattoos - UTC Ultra Classic Tattoo

Stickers - PET Pet Shop

Stickers - NFL (seasonal)/Sugar Tattoos

2" Toy - Dentures

2" Toy - Mystery Mix

[lurtsman]

To make sure you noticed on Joe's post. You will only need 2 of the 2inch toys. Split them between the two racks and you will be able to judge how it performs in each location and have less money tied up in inventory.

[Jax Snacks]

A nine head rack is lot of product to move. You may want to consider doing only 7 heads at first and add more heads if the location supports more.

Here are my suggestions:

Top Shelf:

Flat - Utltra Tattoo Classic

Flat - Lower Back Tattoos

Flat - Stars and Stripes Tattoos (new product)

Flat - NFL Stickers

2 In - Sticky Hands (50 cents)

2 In - Designer Ducks (75 cents)

2 In - NFL Cups (75 cents)

Bottom Shelf:

1 In - Assorted Gumballs

1 In - Zoo Mania (possible 50 cent item!)

1 In - Sea Mania (possible 50 cent item!)

1 in - Sticky Mix

1 In - Mystery Mix

1 In - Classic Tattoos

1 In - One (and only one) Candy Product

Joe, I am surprised that you do not have a 1 inch mystery mix as a standard. I love my one inch mystery mix (called Toy Surprise on the display) and put it where ever I can. However, I have given up on the 2 inch mystery mix. I only vend superballs out of a hoops machine now.

Jax

[nam]

Jax,

I see you have the 1" Zoo Mania and 1" Sea Mania both as possible 50 cent items with an exclamations. Can you explain a bit on these? Are you able to vend them for 50 cents and are you vending them yourself for that?

nam

[nepavend]

Jax,

My 1" mystery mix is a standard normally, but I am finding that it often suffers because of the Sticky Mix and 2" mystery mix also being in the same display one one or two of my locations, so I dreamed up that suggested scenario as a low-cost alternative that would hopefully also generate sales.

Right now, I start all 5-ways with 2" mix and dentures on top, and Gum, Balls, and 1" Mix on bottom and go from there.