Pumping your machines up

[lurtsman]

Does anyone operate gas pump gumball machines? I have hardly ever seen any, and wondered if kids recognize them. Also, how do they work?

[ginger vend]

I have two of these that I bought with a route.  They are not the real tall ones though, they are somewhere between 4-5 ft tall.  These locations also both have spirals, which are mine.  The spirals out sell the pumps dramatically (to put in mildly).  I believe it is because kids cant see the GB spiral down the track as they can with the spiral, because both the spiral and pump are in excellent locations within the location. 

[nam]

ginger,

Very good to hear this info as I see these machines always on craigslist. That was my opinion but had nothing to base it on other than best guess. I recently looked at some machines where the owner also had a gas pump machine. It was very tall - 6-7 ft and was all plastic like Little Tikes kids toys. The mech was metal of course but wouldn't have bought it for any price. lol

nam

[nepavend]

I have some competition that does gas pumps and they seem to do OK, I am sure that a spiral would sell better but due to space constraints or owners preference that is probably why they are there.

They are quite expensive though, I think they are at least 30% more than spirals are new, and I hardly ever see a used market for these around here.

[vendingdelaltiplano]

Nam:

Could you describe a gas pump machine? That´s because I´m relating it with some of the machines that has being using my competition here in San Luis. The machines vend balls that are inflated with a pump that is integrated in the same machine. Each ball goes in a 3 " capsule and includes a candy. But I don´t know if they are the same you are talking about.

This is the machine I know. Here in Mexico it cost like $ 851 US dollars.

Abdón

[G-man422]

Lurts, I have 4 of them and they do well.  Here are a couple of pictures of mine.  It is just like any other machine, just put the quarter in the mech and turn.  It would be cool if you had to pull the pump handle like a slot machine though