Number of selections to offer....

[andyinchville]

HI All,

I was just looking to buy some more modern "tray" type machines to replace some of my older Tom's "pigtail" machines to help reduce the time spent loading machines and reduce the time spent "tabbing" products without holes.

I have a good number of H 12 and H 22 machines and I have the chance to buy a number of

wood grain brown colored 15 selection Lance machines for $200 each in 10 lot quantities.

I also have a chance to buy a number of red Lance 25 selection machines for $350 each in 10 lot quantities.

Both the 15 select and 25 select machines are coin only (on the other hand some of my H 22

selection machines although pigtail have dollar bill validators).

Which machine do you feel offers the better value....the $200 dollar 15 select machine or the

25 select for $350 (maybe I can talk him down some tho)....OR should I try to "pony up" some extra $$ for a larger machine with a bill validator (on the other hand some of the small H12's are in places that only gross about $21.00 every 2 weeks....so maybe going big here wouldn't be worthwhile). 

I feel replacing the 12 select with a 15 select would be a good thing ( 3 more items for added variety) BUT would the 15 select to replace a 22 selection machine hurt revenue a lot?....PLUS since the 15 selects are coin only and some of my 22 selection machines have bill validators would I lose substantial income because I would no longer be able to accept dollars?

Any thoughts on the number of selections to offer or which machine you think would be best?

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

Andrew

 

[Poplady1]

If you are serious about replacing your Tom's snack machines with more modern day machines, I would suggest moving away from the Toms/Lance machines.  Save up and buy a good AP machine or a National.  Those machines are really the next level up.  I think they would give you the variety and dependability your looking for in your equipment.

Blue Moose

[mission vending]

I read somewhere once that around 70% of a snack machine sales come from 17-19 selections, so if that is indeed true then you need at least that many to maximize your sales at that location.

Dollar bill acceptance also adds double digit increases to your sales.

I'm with Poplady, if you are going to upgrade then spend the extra $$ to get quality equipment that you can put anywhere.

[sbishop]

If it isn't broken don't try to fix it. Unless you are having issues with the machines don't change anything.

The only time you need to upgrade is if you are loosing money because the equipment is broken or too small and sells out very fast.

Rule #1 you can not replace a machine that has a bill acceptor with one that does not! Period, you will lose the location. The only option would be to put in a change machine That would cost you $300 to $500.

If you have alocation doing $21 every 2 weeks it would take a long time to recoup the cost of new equipment. I would just leave the mahine that is there and service it once a month.

[andyinchville]

HI,

Thanks for the input guys.....I got lucky and managed to purchase 7 full sized (5 wide) snack machines with dollar bill validators....I'll be cleaning them up and putting them in my busier locations

(should helps with reducing fill times big time!)....

I'll take the machines off those sites and place them in some of my locations with small coin only machines.....I think that would kill 2 birds with one stone....the sites receiving the "new" machines

would get a larger number of selections and a bill validator.....I'll probably sell off the replaced machines then.....only thing that won't be accomplished by doing it this way is getting rid of the "pigtails" but at least it is a small step forward. ...

Thanks!

PS - The guy trying to sell me the 10  15 selection machines (coin only) has them on ebay for $200 each but at the time had no takers...

[coinvestor]

Andrew,

Don't get too caught up in how much the replacement machines cost. Look for opportunity to justify upgrading the equipment. What is your best location or locations with the most potential? Are you pulling $21 every 2 weeks from an account with 75 in house employees (or simular). If so, your machine is hurting you and you need to match the equipment to the location.

I respectfully disagree with shishop, if you have locations that your route depends on (10-20% of your total route from one location), get the tab machines out! You are easy pickings for anyone locating. At a minimum replace these machines with professionally rebuilt machines. Take this as an opportunity to raise your prices to where they need to be. I am sure you will see an increase in your gross sales and your customers will be happy.

Remember you are building assets here and you need the RIGHT equipment, in front of HAPPY customers, selling product at a FAIR price, with the PROPER books to back it up. If you are missing any of these things, you don't have a business, just equipment.

JD

[mission vending]

Well said coinvestor.

[sbishop]

If it isn't broken don't try to fix it. Unless you are having issues with the machines don't change anything.

The only time you need to upgrade is if you are loosing money because the equipment is broken or too small and sells out very fast.

Rule #1 you can not replace a machine that has a bill acceptor with one that does not! Period, you will lose the location. The only option would be to put in a change machine That would cost you $300 to $500.

If you have alocation doing $21 every 2 weeks it would take a long time to recoup the cost of new equipment. I would just leave the mahine that is there and service it once a month.

Can someone explain how this warrants a negivite respect point? I was sharing my view and trying to add to the thread. My understanding of the respect system is to reward people who post helpfull information, and Post negitives to people who are not being helpfull by just posting rude comments or attacking other members.