1. What is the best way to transport a Vending Machine?
2. How do I check out a vending machine?
3. When You Go To Meet The Owner?
4. If The Owner Is Offering To Move The Vending Machine?
5. Things I would look for in basically functional Machine testing?
6. What are some things to consider with Machine Care and Selection?
7. Should I get a machine first?
8. Should I get a broken machine and fix it?
What is the best way to transport a Vending Machine?
The best way to transport a vending machine is upright with a pallet jack and liftgate truck. Bring some short 2x4's to make up the space under the machine between the jack legs and the bottom of the machine. You also want to bring some winch straps to hold everything in place as you move it. You never want to lay a vending machine on its side to transport. Some people report they have done this and it worked fine but these machines are not designed for transportation laying down. You significantly roll the dice if you were to transport in its side and could damage key parts of the machine.
There are also movers who specialize in moving these types of machines. There are a few factors involved including distance and number of machines but generally expect to pay a couple of $100 per machine to move them professionally. This is, of course the safest way to move them.
How do I check out a vending machine?
If at a customer location or at a warehouse, the very first thing you want to review is to verify ownership. Does the person have any documentation to prove ownership of the vending machine(s)? Unfortunately you just have to do your due diligence for the machine and location. There's a lot of scammers out there, probably 50% or more of the offers on Craigslist, Facebook, Marketplace, and other sources are probably scams.
It is important that you only pay after you've thoroughly checked the machine, checked the location, completed a review of paperwork, and other factors. Do not pay to “hold” a location or provide partial payment before you are shown and reviewed the collaboration documentation.
You then want to find out the type(s) of machine that are included in the sale. Before you go to the sale, post on a vending Facebook group or ask others for specific common issues you may encounter with that specific model. You want to be specifically tuned in to common issues with the machine you are going to see. Ensure that you can get parts for the machine and it is a common currently in use machine. Download the user manual so you have an understanding of the features and layout of the machine.
When You Go To Meet The Owner:
When you go to meet the owner and check out the machine, make sure you bring some products for the machine. You will want to bring various drink products and/or food products (as appropriate) so you can test various rows and trays in the machine. Do not expet the owner to have the product handy! Make sure you bring various bills and coins to test the various selections (for bills - singles, fives, tens, etc for coins - dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars, etc) Ensure you have enough coins to accomplish the vending options. If the machine has a cooling section, ask the owner to plug it in an hour or two before you get there to make sure it is cooling.
- 1. Ask the owner if there are any issues with the machine(s) and can they point out any of the special features of that machine. Look for overall condition of the machine - cracks, scuffs, scratches, graphics worn out, etc. See if the machine appears to have been well cared for or are the graphics on the machine in poor condition.
- 2. If the machines are at a location and the location is included, ask for the type of location - what is it a business done there and who are the contacts. You should be introduced to the location customer. You also want to see if the machine is a match for the location.
- 3. If there are multiple machines at various sites, You want to go to each site and verify functionality of each machine, verify the location of the customer, verify that this is a legitimate location.
- 4. If you are taking over a site with a machine, be sure to do your Due Diligence:
- 5. Look into the different types of vending machines that are available and used in the area and determine which ones are most in demand in your area.
- 6. You'll also want to research the competition to see what types of vending machines they offer and how they price their products.
- 7. Assess the need for vending machines in your chosen location by taking into account factors such as pedestrian flow, demographics, and competitive landscape.
- 8. Be sure to review any contracts from site owners (if any) and ensure you are comfortable with the terms of the contracts.
- 9. Can the current vending machine owner product reports which will reflect the amount of business the machine has been doing?
- 10. If you are purchasing the location ensure if there is a commission, be clear on the terms… be clear if you are paying for the gross, net, or other calculation based on some formula. Also be clear on the payment schedule.
If The Owner Is Offering To Move The Vending Machine:
- 1. Be careful about offers to deliver machines... only pay after delivery... Frequently a scam will work like this… a person sells a machine, gets payment (or partial payment) and promises to deliver on a certain day never to be heard of again.
- 2. Machines are shipped by freight carrier, moving company or by personal effort …offers to ship via any other method like the post office or UPS are not real.
- 3. When the person delivers a machine to you laying on the side… refuse it… ALL vending machines should be shipped standing up. Laying a machine on the side makes it prone to damage - if a machine is refrigerated - it should NEVER be shipped laying on its side.
- 4. When moving the machine yourself, you need to rent a pallet jack and a lift gate truck
- 5. Check the width of doors at the location you are moving the machine to and ensure there are no stairs between the location and the street. Be sure you know the path you are taking to move the machine to its location.
- 6. If you need to take an elevator to the location - be sure you can use the elevator, that you know the weight of the machine and that the weight is not too heavy for the elevator and that there is not a policy to use a specific elevator (some places have service elevators). Also ensure you are not required to put up wall pads for the elevator when moving it - some places provide them, some places require you to have them.
Things I would look for in basically functional Machine testing:
| · | check the machine using proper change. Use various size coins from penny to dollar coins. | ||||||
| · | check the bill acceptor... use different denominations and ensure it is working - what is the range of bills accepted? | ||||||
| · | Check what happens if no item is there and the row is selected. | ||||||
| · | Check to see if Each slot will dispense an item. | ||||||
| · | Check if the vending machine has proper buttons or have some been replaced and dont match. | ||||||
| · | Check if it has 0-9 numbers to select products - does it also have letters? Ensure all work correctly... not worn off or broken. | ||||||
| · | Check for a functional coin return - what happens if you pay too much? | ||||||
| · | Check the dispenser it should block hands reaching in to take the product | ||||||
| · | check the stability of the machine. Can you make the machine rock - do the legs need adjustment (can they be adjusted?) | ||||||
| · | Open the machine and check the following:
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| · | Unplug machine - replug machine - doing this you want to check that the lights come on again.: | ||||||
| · | Look around the machine and inside the holding area, are all lights functional - if you notice some lights out, are they easy to replace and a common bulb? | ||||||
| · | When repowered, does the computer come back up and screen display seem correct (if available) | ||||||
| · | if the machine keeps track of inventory... does a purchase reflect in internal inventory - can you see it online? | ||||||
| · | When you replug in the machine, can you hear the cooling process come back on... can you feel the metal start to get cold after a few minutes | ||||||
| · | Do you need to update the mainboard to allow for credit card readers… Can it be updated? | ||||||
| · | If the machine is coin only - can it be updated to a card reader? Can it be updated to a bill collector? | ||||||
| · | Important to note, when just starting out… if it doesn't work and you don’t have an immediate plan on how to fix it including a timeline… don't buy it! Save the “project” machines for after you have a few operating locations under your belt, you want to get some momentum in your process and getting stuck on a machine tends to limit your progress. |
What are some things to consider with Machine Care and Selection:
There are DEFINITELY better machine brands (easier to fix, more standard in design, more reliable, etc.) of vending machines than others.
Used vending machines are sometimes the BEST investment… Significantly better ROI - some brands are better than others when purchasing on the secondary market. Know your brands.
You need to measure the openings (height and width) for doors at a location to ensure you select the correct sized machine. Doorways may be the biggest obstacle to your plans. Doors can be taken off hinges or removed and some machine parts removed to make them thinner or shorter to fit through a doorway, but the physical opening of the doorway can not be modified for your business needs.
Keep your machines well-maintained, broken machines will quickly produce a reputation for people to avoid your machines.
If you need just one of a certain part, buy 2 or 3 or more if they are cheap. Spare or backup parts are invaluable once you learn when they are needed… it sometimes takes weeks to months to get a spare part - which is lost revenue on a machine at a location.
Select machines to the size of the location. In many cases, larger machines aren’t always better. Be selective with your equipment placement… frequently items will go stale before they are sold if the size of the machine is larger than the location business will bear.
Select the correct quantity of machines for a location. If your machines run out, that is lost revenue. Consequently, if you have to return multiple times a week to refill a machine you are wasting time and energy (less revenue). Refilling frequently is a clear indication that there is not enough product or correctly sized machines on site. You may want to double up on some product rows with the most popular sales items.
Make your life easier and add more machines to handle the traffic and sales volume.
Machines with remote monitoring capabilities can help you track inventory and sales in real-time.
Keep your machines clean, well-stocked, and in good working order. Be responsive to customer feedback and complaints.
Should I get a machine first?
You should always get a location before a machine. You have no idea of the machine requirements needed for the location or if you will need special machine requirements... getting the machine before the location is very much putting the cart before the horse! You may luck out but frequently, you will need a different machine. Peraps the size of the space will require a thin line machine, or perhaps you will have lots of space and you can get a drink machine and a snack machine - or perhaps you only have a small door and need to get a machine with specific dimensions... the point is there are lots of variables which could happen... getting the machine first... may work out... but better to know your issues first and match the machine to the issues.
Should I get a broken machine and fix it?
It is strongly advised that you dont purchase a broken vending machine unless youi have the following five things in place:
1. Direct and immediate knowledge of the issue and how to fix the vending machine.
2. The tools and equipment to fix the machine as well as a direct line on how to secure the parts required for the fix.
3. A physical location with the space to fix the vending machine.
4. A specific timeline to fix the vending machine and place it back into a service location.
5. Specific plans on moving the vending machine... logistics as well as moving equipment... please note repairing a unit usually involves two moves (from the place you purchased it to the repair location and then from the repair location to the ultimate site location.)
The only exception to this rule is if you are a hobbist and want the vending machine for a project piece to work on the side to learn how to take it apart and repair the machine... but this only works if you have a physical space to keep it during the repair and can logistically handle the moves.
Of course, in the end and to sum it up... you have to have the knowledge, skills, interest, time, physical space and tools/parts to move/transport, tinker, repair and update the vending maachine and then have the customer location selected where it will end up after the repair. Without all those specific parts... strongly advise you to pass on the purchase!
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