p-love Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 thinking about taking the bulk vending plunge... no delusions of grandeur yet, just thinking about dipping my toes in and testing the water to see if i like it... i'm thinking about starting with just one or two machines. i've done a ton of reading and i've boiled down what i believe to be the 5 initial steps to take: 1. get a machine - hopefully for $45-60, pick up a used double head (preferred) or triple from craigslist. 2. get charity stickers - obtain nccs charity sticker for each machine. $12 per label + $10 account setup fee 3. get locations - i know i should pound the pavement, but as a married father with a full-time job, i'm not gonna lie, i'll use kickstartvending or eddiebauer vending to get locations initially. $40-50 4. get candy - after receiving locations, purchase appropriate candy. probably gb + pmm, but maybe skittles + pmm, or possibly add i&m or runts for a triple. $15-25 5. prep and deliver machine to location - clean and calibrate machine, add attach labels and stickers to inside, add contact info to back of machine, add candy and deliver! after that just let them do their thing for a few weeks, then service... if all goes well... then lather, rinse, and repeat! using those guidelines, i am hoping to get 1 or 2 machines out the door and in the field for less than $150 a piece. i know there's insurance and dba's and llc's and tax ids, etc... to consider as well, but i believe that's probably overkill to worry about at the very beginning, and can be done down the road if i decide bulk vending is indeed for me. let me know what you think! p.s. if you're from texas, your opinion counts double... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_r_vending Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Sounds real easy don't it. This sounds like a biz op telling a customer you can become wealthy in a few months, LOL but anyway, it looks like you have done your homework, and things should work out well for you if you keep to the list. Great job, good luck and keep us informed on how you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyssamma Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 LOL, like a biz op but with one big diff. He said $15-$25/mo on the candy. Not "you can make up to $200" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p-love Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 actually the $15-$25 value was the ballpark COG for putting the candy in the heads! i wasn't hung up on trying to forecast ROI... i would be overjoyed with hot locations that make $15-$25/mo per head, but i've read on here enough times that the average is $7/mo per head, so i won't be too discouraged if that is what was pulled in reality. but at $150 to get a double head on site, even if it only makes back $14/mo, that still less than 11 months till it's in the black! not too shabby... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyssamma Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 p, actually $15-$25 is a perfect cost for candy in a triple. Also, it is a perfect cost for income - $7/mo/head = $21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p-love Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 thanks alyssamma, glad to hear that my figures are sound! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEen Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 A newbie that has already done plenty of research, including here on this forum. This could be fun to watch, now that the 100 days thread died. So much nicer to see than: "Hey guys, I just started this vending thing and bought 100 vs3000 from Vendstar. I sent a check to Philip Vernon to have them placed but am still waiting to hear back from him. Have any of you had your machines "customized" or some such by Philip? Thanks for any and all input." Scott P.S. Welcome to VENDiscuss, p-love. You're off to a great start without having spent a dime yet! Keep up the great work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyssamma Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 And he seems to have the right attitude to succeed. He is patient, has realistic goals, is willing to learn and listen to advice. All key points to being successful. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendman Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Good luck to you plove and keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p-love Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 thank you all for the encouraging words! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BudLeiser Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 1. get locations - i know i should pound the pavement, but as a married father with a full-time job, i'm not gonna lie, i'll use kickstartvending or eddiebauer vending to get locations initially. $40-50 2.1 get a machine - hopefully for $45-60, pick up a used double head (preferred) or triple from craigslist. 2.2 get charity stickers - obtain nccs charity sticker for each machine. $12 per label + $10 account setup fee 2.3. get candy - after receiving locations, purchase appropriate candy. probably gb + pmm, but maybe skittles + pmm, or possibly add i&m or runts for a triple. $15-25 5. prep and deliver machine to location - clean and calibrate machine, add attach labels and stickers to inside, add contact info to back of machine, add candy and deliver! I fixed the order for you. If I could do it over it would be in this order. BTW I recommend schmoozing or "visiting" each location every 2 weeks for a couple months to help the machine stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p-love Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 thanks for your input! can i ask you why you feel that way? i didn't think it would be good to keep locations that just said yes to the locator waiting while you scramble and try and get machines and charity stickers! no one want's 20+ machines sitting in their garage collecting dust why locators do their thing, but in my scenario we are just talking about a couple of machines. i do agree with you that a 2-3 week service period for the 90 days might be a good way to get a feel for the client and location... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mage Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Still new to the game, but as I understand the reasoning is that if you get the location first, then your won't actually be investing any money until you know you have a location, and potential income, already in place. Also you may find a location that will not work with the machine you have, but might work with different machines. In this situation, you end up buying the right machine for the location, instead of trying to make the wrong machine fit the location. Personally, until I am sure I can get a machine when I need it, and without overpaying, I would prefer to purchase ahead. Right now I have one machine, and was planing on not purchasing another until this one was placed. (Actually I am now going to hold on to it to see if I need to switch out any machines in a route I am preparing to purchase.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsimms Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 From my experience, I think you need a machine in their as soon as they say yes. Even if it is not the right one, (you can fix that later).. Dont give them a week or 2 to change their minds I have that problem going on...I placed a charity machine the other day, then he calls me up drilling me about the charity, and he has to think about keeping it, or calling me to come get it...so a charity machine can make a difference on if you get into a business or not... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p-love Posted September 28, 2009 Author Share Posted September 28, 2009 From my experience, I think you need a machine in their as soon as they say yes. Even if it is not the right one, (you can fix that later).. Dont give them a week or 2 to change their minds thanks kelly, that's exactly what i was thinking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motownman_715 Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Great Plan , good luck and keep us informed on how you do. thank you Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p-love Posted October 7, 2009 Author Share Posted October 7, 2009 thanks... i am scanning craigslist and ebay looking for a deal on a machine or two at the moment. i thought i had a line on a couple, but it dried up on me... :'( oh well, good things come to those who wait... (or so they say) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motownman_715 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Great advise Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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