Sticker Tattoo Vending

[sherlock]

Anyone here using stand alone flat vending machines (not part of a rack)?

If you are, how are stand alone sticker/tattoo machines working out for you?

Most I see around here are part of a rack. I only occasionally see the stand-alones.

[BluePlate]

I have a few.  I think in general the sticker machines are ugly.  Not too many good looking ones on the market.  I was thinking about in investing in a few Beave Plat-paks.  I already have 2 and the are nice nice machines.  The only problem with the Beaver machines, they are only 2 column.  I have a higher end location wanting one on a triton stand.  (should have never shown them the catalog!)

[Mercury]

You showed a location a catalog?  ??? What the heck are you thinking?

Don't you know that vending machines are RARE AND EXPENSIVE? Never, EVER show catalogs or sources!

You DO NOT want to even put the THOUGHT in their head that they could buy their own machines!

Keep them ignorant of any and all sources, and you might keep your locations!

Merc

[BudLeiser]

You showed a location a catalog?  ??? What the heck are you thinking?

Don't you know that vending machines are RARE AND EXPENSIVE? Never, EVER show catalogs or sources!

You DO NOT want to even put the THOUGHT in their head that they could buy their own machines!

Keep them ignorant of any and all sources, and you might keep your locations!

Merc

Yea! If peasants suddenly got access to catalogs they might revolt, stop tilling the soil and cheat on their taxes. Don't let them know that their are places that "sell" machines to people. Stick with the status quo: Each vendor is chosen by heaven. And only the nobility, by birth, have heavenly right to vending.

I'm sure a few places have been lost to owners getting their own machines. But really, if I was a location-business owner, and had any clue how much time and money it takes to setup 1 machine, and fully stock it, and restock it, order product, swap product, rotate product, store product.... I wouldn't waste my time. This business works because we have lots of locations, it would be a time/money sink even if we owned the locations themselves. There are much more valuable things they can do with their time and money.

[Mercury]

Owners of a business (as a rule) don't run their machines WELL, certainly not as good as a dedicated vendor would. BUT, they run them JUST ENOUGH to keep YOU out of that location.

I could show you 20 businesses here that have their own machines now. Mostly the big gumball spiral machines, but some double-headers too. Most of the tattoo shops here in town have their own temporary tattoo machines now too!

With the advent of Craig's List and Ebay, *anyone* can find *anything* these days. It is EASY to find the wholesale products to fill the machines, too.

And you aren't seeing the big picture. It only takes ONE PERSON to go "wow, this thing is making a LOT of money in my store! I should buy some more and put them in other stores!"

Thats how *I* got into vending, so I know it could happen to others.

With the way the economy is right now, ANY competition is going to hurt!

If you discount that the peasants (I like that, btw!) could hurt you, you are wrong. Don't make it easy for people to get into the business! Anyone who has been into ANY business for ANY length of time knows that!  That is rule #1!

Merc

Yea! If peasants suddenly got access to catalogs they might revolt, stop tilling the soil and cheat on their taxes. Don't let them know that their are places that "sell" machines to people. Stick with the status quo: Each vendor is chosen by heaven. And only the nobility, by birth, have heavenly right to vending.

I'm sure a few places have been lost to owners getting their own machines. But really, if I was a location-business owner, and had any clue how much time and money it takes to setup 1 machine, and fully stock it, and restock it, order product, swap product, rotate product, store product.... I wouldn't waste my time. This business works because we have lots of locations, it would be a time/money sink even if we owned the locations themselves. There are much more valuable things they can do with their time and money.

[dperry]

If you discount that the peasants (I like that, btw!) could hurt you, you are wrong. Don't make it easy for people to get into the business! Anyone who has been into ANY business for ANY length of time knows that!  That is rule #1!

Merc

That defeats the whole purpose of this forum then.  You might as well shut it down now casseri!

[BluePlate]

You showed a location a catalog?  ??? What the heck are you thinking?

Don't you know that vending machines are RARE AND EXPENSIVE? Never, EVER show catalogs or sources!

You DO NOT want to even put the THOUGHT in their head that they could buy their own machines!

Keep them ignorant of any and all sources, and you might keep your locations!

Merc

First, when I said catalog, I was refering to my "pitch book".  My pitch book comes out when I want to show that my product is better then what they have or to give the sight a visual.  Also, I was showing this to a mall location, I'm sure they were not even considering going into then the vending business.  While I have had locations pump me for information before, if they want to go into the vending business - more power to them.  There are very few pizza shop owners, mall operators, chinese restaurant owners that can do a single site as effectively as a dedicated vending operator.

[sbishop]

Owners of a business (as a rule) don't run their machines WELL, certainly not as good as a dedicated vendor would. BUT, they run them JUST ENOUGH to keep YOU out of that location.

True statment, my wife went to have her hair done. I was waiting in the lobby and saw an empty double and can vendor. as my wife was paying(or I was paying for my wife) I asked about the machines. The lady said that the soda machine was always empty and the double had been empty for about 2 months. I asked to speak to the owner. She told me that they were her husbands. Everyone wanted better service, but the owner.

[antoniocinisi]

True statment, my wife went to have her hair done. I was waiting in the lobby and saw an empty double and can vendor. as my wife was paying(or I was paying for my wife) I asked about the machines. The lady said that the soda machine was always empty and the double had been empty for about 2 months. I asked to speak to the owner. She told me that they were her husbands. Everyone wanted better service, but the owner.

I must be the exception to the rule.

true this site is here to help new vendors,but we shouldn`t give EVERYONE  the idea that they can start doing it on thier own.I kinda agree with ya mercury.

[Mercury]

You are 100% correct when you say "they can't do it as effectively as a dedicated vending operator" BUT THEY DO IT ANYWAY, AND TAKE AWAY OUR BUSINESS! This is exactly what I was trying to say!

People WILL do it, instead of having us do it, and they'll do it POORLY, but that doesn't matter, because WE WILL BE OUT!

Thats how it works, unfortunately. Just about any business will do something better that they are specialized in, but that doesn't mean that they'll get every bit of business there is. There is always someone doing it half-way, and poorly.

You guys (meaning vending operators in general) need to NOT be so blase about competition. The competition (not just business owners) CAN and WILL hurt you if you aren't very careful!

Merc

First, when I said catalog, I was refering to my "pitch book".  My pitch book comes out when I want to show that my product is better then what they have or to give the sight a visual.  Also, I was showing this to a mall location, I'm sure they were not even considering going into then the vending business.  While I have had locations pump me for information before, if they want to go into the vending business - more power to them.  There are very few pizza shop owners, mall operators, chinese restaurant owners that can do a single site as effectively as a dedicated vending operator.

[antoniocinisi]

I was just saying I own a successful pizza parlor and a  lucrative 42 location vending route and I do both well.it is incorrect to say that only a dedicated vending operator can do this job effectively,ecspecially since most here do vending only "on the side" or as a second source of income.I think I owe some of my success to my other biz ,since thats where I learned great costumer service and other skills needed to run a biz.

this site has been the most help no doubt with my vending biz,but if someone were to come to me off this site and want help starting/running a vending biz I would do everything to persuade him it`s not worth it.competition is great and all but if there wasn`t any I would like that best,and make me more money.

[BluePlate]

I have never had a "taking away our business" kind of mentality on any of my businesses.  There are 14.7 million business in the United States.  You could run a successful vending business having less then .002% of them as customers.  Just do something better then the next guy.  There is room in the world for more vendors

[Mercury]

Antonio,

You are the exception, not the rule. You also have other vending machines on your route, not just the ones you own. Thats the difference.

I do see you understand "competition" and what it can to you. Good luck in your businesses.

Merc

I was just saying I own a successful pizza parlor and a  lucrative 42 location vending route and I do both well.it is incorrect to say that only a dedicated vending operator can do this job effectively,ecspecially since most here do vending only "on the side" or as a second source of income.I think I owe some of my success to my other biz ,since thats where I learned great costumer service and other skills needed to run a biz.

this site has been the most help no doubt with my vending biz,but if someone were to come to me off this site and want help starting/running a vending biz I would do everything to persuade him it`s not worth it.competition is great and all but if there wasn`t any I would like that best,and make me more money.

[antoniocinisi]

There is room in the world for more vendors

this is true but the less there are in my area the more potential locations and overall profits for me.

[dperry]

Well, you can make the case that it is more cost effective for you to do it rather than them. 

"Let me ask you a question".  "Do you do your own payroll accounting?" "How about your business taxes".  "Do you also own the building, or do you just rent space for your restaurant?"

"Why should you buy the equipment and product when you are already spending so much on your own business?"

"Why don't you let me run the vending.  I'll pay for all the equipment.  I'll pay for the product.  I'll keep it up with the freshest, newest, product that everybody wants.  and I'll even pay you for the priviledge."

And when all else fails:

"Maybe you are right mr pizza restaurant owner."  "I think I'll go an make my own pizza at home."  "Thanks for the idea."

[antoniocinisi]

Well, you can make the case that it is more cost effective for you to do it rather than them.  

"Let me ask you a question".  "Do you do your own payroll accounting?" "How about your business taxes".  "Do you also own the building, or do you just rent space for your restaurant?"

"Why should you buy the equipment and product when you are already spending so much on your own business?"

"Why don't you let me run the vending.  I'll pay for all the equipment.  I'll pay for the product.  I'll keep it up with the freshest, newest, product that everybody wants.  and I'll even pay you for the priviledge."

And when all else fails:

"Maybe you are right mr pizza restaurant owner."  "I think I'll go an make my own pizza at home."  "Thanks for the idea."

yes I do the payroll,it takes me less then 30 minutes and I dont have to pay anyone 50 or more dollars an hour to do it.I dont do the taxes because I dont know how.yes we own the building and the equipment,we started in 1970.there is no need to lease any equipment it`s a waste of money most of the time.for example I bought an ice machine a few years ago that I considered leasing but fortunately I didnt because by now I woulda paid them for it AND THEN SOME.AND i  STILL would be paying them for a reliable machine that doesnt break that I would never own.do you think they lease equipment to lose money?

buying a vending machine for my pizza shop is a drop in the bucket compared to the prices of the restraunt equipment that we pay or other expenses involved.also it makes sense for me to own my own rack since I have another 15 or so more out on my route.I dont see the priviledge in haveing your machine in my shop.when I get a location i am grateful the shop owner lets me make the the money I make out of his shop while I take the majority of it home with me not the and other way around,YOU should feel privledged NOT THE LOCATION,I know I do when Inew locations lets me put a rack in thier shop.

if you want to make your own pizza go ahead,you will save a few bucks in cash but the time and mess involved probably isn`t worth it unless you have kids that want to do it.I would buy myself a 99 cent totino and save me the trouble and mess.

oh and by the way  my wife had to quit her job to take care of our 5 month old and our 2 year old,our vending biz now make almost what she made when she worked and she has to work a lot less for it.,so it also makes financial sense for us to own a vending route.

I also dont plan on doing the restraunt thing for ever as that is a very hard stressfull job,ecspecially compared to vending.when I am ready to retire from the restraunt I want to do vending only,so dont be too quick to judge plz.

[dperry]

yes I do the payroll,it takes me less then 30 minutes and I dont have to pay anyone 50 or more dollars an hour to do it.I dont do the taxes because I dont know how.yes we own the building and the equipment,we started in 1970.

You do realize that I wasn't talking to you directly, right?  While you may do the payroll and may own the building, you are prolly in the minority.  I had a pizza shop owner tell me he was going to put in his own machines, so I based that conversation on him, not you.  I know he doesn't own the building because he's in a tiny strip mall.

But the point being, the business owner is not in the business of vending, and an effort could and should be made to impress the benefits of oursourcing the vending to professionals, and that frees him up to run his core business.

[antoniocinisi]

You do realize that I wasn't talking to you directly, right?  While you may do the payroll and may own the building, you are prolly in the minority.  I had a pizza shop owner tell me he was going to put in his own machines, so I based that conversation on him, not you.  I know he doesn't own the building because he's in a tiny strip mall.

But the point being, the business owner is not in the business of vending, and an effort could and should be made to impress the benefits of oursourcing the vending to professionals, and that frees him up to run his core business.

I thought you were since I am the only pizza shop guy on this forum.I take my small vending biz as seriously as my pizza biz.I agree with you that any owner of an establishment that wants to get a rack and have only the one rack wont be able to do it like we could.

I also agree that it is important to stress that it is better to outsource then not or we would never get locations.

[sherlock]

This thread has been very interesting.

Hope no one minds my trying to swerve back on its original course...

Am I to understand none of you folks run stand-alone sticker/tattoo machines?

If you do, how's that working out for you all?

If you don't run stand-alone sticker/tattoo machines, don't let that stop you from hijacking.

I learn a lot from you guys/gals and don't mind reading anything you have to say.

(not being sarcastic...I mean it...I don't mind any hijacking so long as it's vending related). 

[PLAYTOWINBOB]

hy above and beyond

take a min and small the pizza sauce.everything will be all right

[dperry]

I take my small vending biz as seriously as my pizza biz.

Well of course.  In essence, you are just like the rest of us part-timers... you have your core business, or if you are like me, you have your main job.  The vending business is something I do over and above my J.O.B..

[antoniocinisi]

hy above and beyond

take a min and small the pizza sauce.everything will be all right

Bob you are quit the character!

dperry :you are right.btw why do you spell it J.O.B. what does it stand for?

sherlock :my only stand alone 6 col. sticker machine still needs a lock or I would have tried to answer your question.I have a few sticker machines on racks only for now and they do ok.

[Mercury]

My stand alone sticker/tattoo machines do FANTASTIC! I have 6 4 column, and 2 6 column.

Hint: Don't buy those 3d puzzles......they DO NOT sell. They look cool though!

Merc

This thread has been very interesting.

Hope no one minds my trying to swerve back on its original course...

Am I to understand none of you folks run stand-alone sticker/tattoo machines?

If you do, how's that working out for you all?

If you don't run stand-alone sticker/tattoo machines, don't let that stop you from hijacking.

I learn a lot from you guys/gals and don't mind reading anything you have to say.

(not being sarcastic...I mean it...I don't mind any hijacking so long as it's vending related). 

[dperry]

dperry :you are right.btw why do you spell it J.O.B. what does it stand for?

J.ust O.ver B.roke