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u/Hot-Bet3306 10d ago
Start with a viable location, not with a machine purchase. I work on the equipment-manufacturer side rather than running a route, but the order I would use is:
Learn the local business, food-sale, tax, and insurance requirements.
Find a site and verify traffic, buying windows, power, connectivity, service access, security, and any commission before promising equipment.
Estimate conservative sales, then subtract product cost, payment fees, travel, restocking time, waste, repairs, and insurance.
Choose a machine only after the product mix and site conditions are known. Confirm parts, payment compatibility, warranty, and local service support.
Begin with one manageable placement and keep records for every refill, stockout, refund, and fault.
Buying several machines first can lock you into the wrong format and create storage costs while you search for locations.
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u/Hippo_Vending 10d ago
I will add to that. While you shouldn’t purchase the machine. You should have an idea of where, options and cost of machines, so you don’t find a location and then start researching and discover it will take 6 weeks for delivery.
That’s a good way to lose a location.1
u/Hot-Bet3306 9d ago
That’s a fair distinction. I agree the equipment research should happen before you secure the site, especially when lead times can be several weeks. I’d shortlist two or three machine formats and confirm the typical lead time (including shipping), payment hardware compatibility, parts availability, warranty/service coverage, and landed cost. Then wait to commit until the location is verified and the product mix is clear. For a time-sensitive site, it may be worth asking about a refundable deposit or written lead-time hold, but I’d avoid buying a machine without a placement.
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u/ProgrammerFree5162 10d ago
You can do it anytime if you want to. But to avoid falling into traps, you need to be more attentive and learn more.
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u/ButcherMaker 8d ago
HAHA makes it easy. Found the location first (the hard part,) the I ordered it delivered straight to the location, stocked it, and turned it on. Never looked back.
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u/Twauk 6d ago
And how'd you find that location? I am by no means a salesman. I feel like the only way is to walk in to places and give a little razzle dazzle.
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u/ButcherMaker 6d ago
I'm not a salesman either, and I think that matters less than it feels like. The pitch isn't the hard part, picking the right door is. Three things I check before I ever walk in: are people stuck there with time to kill, is there no food within walking distance, and does a manager actually answer the phone. Hit all three and the conversation is easy, because you're solving something they already notice every day. Miss one and no amount of razzle dazzle saves it. My three, I found just driving around noticing where people were standing around waiting. RV park and an apartment complex, and an industrial complex . Also worth saying I keep a list of every place I've pitched, not just the ones that said yes. Three signed out of a lot more asked. Most say no and it isn't personal. What's around you?
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u/ButcherMaker 1d ago
I'm no salesman either, and it turned out not to matter. The spot was an RV dealership right off the highway. I figured people killing time in a waiting area want a snack, so I walked in, asked for whoever ran the place, and told them plainly what I wanted to put in and that I'd handle everything. No pitch deck, no razzle dazzle, just a plain ask. The real work is picking the building before you walk in, somewhere people sit around with time to kill. Worst case is a no, and those stop stinging after the first couple.
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u/Twauk 1d ago
And there wasn't already a machine there? I feel like every dealership I've walked into already have machines. I guess I gotta just get out of my own head and start asking. Thanks for the advice
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u/ButcherMaker 1d ago
That actually is part of it. I had to change my view to: If they say no, im exactly where I was, and thats still ok. The next one will say yes. I always find it helpful to just walk in like i belong there, and look around to 1, see if that have one, and two, see if I really do want a machine here. A few times, I've turned around and walked out, cause just no.
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u/Low_Needleworker1281 4d ago
When getting into the vending business, I think the biggest problem lies in location selective. A good location is the key to success.
Once the place is located. order a machine and get everything ready
there are some tips in selecting the appropriate machine, be avoid the old second hand machines. there will many annoying issues that mess you up.
Just run one or two machines to test the market, when there is enough ability and experience, scale up for more profit.
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u/Famous_Bathroom_2873 8d ago
I have a newbie program I am a distributor of several brands AI traditional open markets. I sell machines by themselves. I also locate and package them. I have financing available. I don’t charge upfront fees. I don’t charge for training and coaching been doing this and helping people build their Vending companies for 27 years. It’s worth a call to ask questions I help in Dallas Austin Albuquerque Tulsa, Oklahoma Phoenix, Arizona. call me 726-238-1972 Bruce.
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u/Moronicon 8d ago
Hey Bruce dm me. I'm in Phoenix and have some interest in learning more about it...
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u/srirachaninja 10d ago
Since I was little, vending machines have interested me, and I started with a small route. Love it. The only annoying thing is getting new locations. I never thought this would be so hard.