Is it worth it to pay for a new, nicer looking machine

[s.weir]

Hello,

So I am just wondering how much if any, of a difference of sales you see if you have a machine like a Merchant Four Combo http://www.cranems.com/NV/prodListing.cfm which is beautiful versus like a Seaga HF2500 http://www.seagamfg.com/elite.html.  The only distributor of the first in my area sells them for $4250 new where as the Seaga I can find for anywhere from $1200 to $1800 used, but in great condition. 

Is it worth it to go with new, flashy looking machines once the location has been proved as quite profitable?

[antoniocinisi]

imo if the machine isn`t a total piece of crap and has good product in it it will make minimal differance in sales.

[Poplady1]

With all due respect to Antonicocinisi, your machine can make a great deal of difference in your account.  I have seen a so so can machine being replaced with a bottle vendor and the sales will double.  You will quite often see this difference in blue collar shops with 40 to 60 employees.  These locations are under served and normally have below average machines.  You can upgrade the machines to good refurbished units selling a good combination of cans, bottles and energy drinks and the sales will jump up.

In the comment above you are comparing a Crane Vendor to a Seaga HF2500.  Crane is a professional vending company providing some of the most reliable machines in the vending business.  They will last 30 to 40 years with the proper up keep.  The Seaga may last just until you get home from dropping it off at the site before the phone rings asking you to come back because something isn't working. 

Blue Moose

[antoniocinisi]

that was just my opinion poplady!!!!how do you know that the increase in sales isn`t due to the switch from cans to bottles??i do agree sales will increase but minimally imho,but I am no expert and you definately have more experience then me.

[mission vending]

I think the best benefit you get from newer, better equipment is security.If the location sees that you have "invested" for them and provide good service you will be pretty much untouchable for a long time.

In two of my largest accounts I am on my third set of machines, every 5 years they get new. Those machines were moved to lower volume locations but still represent an "upgrade" over what I had there previously. They have received many offers from other vendors over the years and never seriously considered them that I am aware of, nor did I have to match offer of higher commissions because they know that I am willing to provide new equipment with the latest improvements without being asked.

[IVEND11]

I think that buying new is great if you can. I only buy new I have only bought used twice and every time I have been. burned both times buy big named company that is one of the largest is used machines. I only buy crane I have 6 new crane 181 6 wide snack and its the best snack machine ever made hands down. My 2 cents if your going to buy new don't spend your money on pop riveted metal boxes buy the good stuff crane or ap 

[s.weir]

Okay great, thanks everyone.  That's all good to know. So is the Seaga HF2500 not that reliable or is it just in comparison to a cane not great?