Vending Machines - Ways to make money

[MrPolarZero]

where can I exactly get vending machines that are suitable for this type of business? And by the way, how much should I pay for hiring a staff that will do half of the work? Because you know, I have no time to supervise this thing 24/7 since I also have my own job.

[mymulah]

I hear that purchasing machines and making back your money takes possibly a year or two to see profit. Of course, this depends on location and how many people use the vending machines per location.

Does anyone here know about the new law getting ready to take affect? If you own 25 or more vending machines that you have to display the nutritional value on each item in the machine. The newer machines have a digital display that makes it easy for conversions when you swap items out, but if it's an older machine you must update the nutritional information manually.

Thought I would mention this. I've heard of ways around this, but I believe this law is to go into affect this year. Anyone know when this is suppose to happen?

[msarro]

Does anyone have any suggestions on getting other businesses to let you place the machine? How do you convince them to let you put the machine on their property? Just say, "I'll give you 10%"?

[Pansori]

The vending machines at my work just put in a credit card slider. So you stick your debit/credit card in and starting pressing buttons. I'm sure the profit on those machines have gone up quite a bit!

[adstalker]

how much money do you have to invest on average for each machine?
How long does it take each machine to recoupe the initial investment?

With 180 machines $4000/month just doesnt really seem worth it. Can you let us know the inital investment amount?

[sternchen]

how can i start with a vending machine business?

you seem to be earning money by doing little work

that's cool

[Godwynn]

I've always wondered, who pays for the vending machine electricity? The owner of the machine or the establishment? Does the business they are at receive a monthly payments? A percentage of income? Nothing at all?

[DaveInPgh]

I saw this thread get bumped toward the top so I thought I would see what the opinions were on it. I looked into this idea many years ago and determined it was not a money maker.

What I found comical about this thread is it was the last post the OP ever made. Not one single question answered. Did one of his vending machines fall on him later that day?

It has probably been 10 or more years since I looked into it, but I recall routes for sale every week in the Sunday paper. If they were such a big money maker, there wouldn't be so many people trying to unload them.

You definitely need to compensate the property owner. Would you allow someone to make money from your property without something in return? You also have to establish a system to pay refunds for when people lose money. If it is not well posted, you can be sure that your machine will take a few kicks are a punch or two. One costly repair could wipe out any profit you have.

[grahampmortimer]

Wouldn't you need to have other expenses too. Like getting a good spot for the vending machine, etc. etc.

[beth_williams]

Wow - what locations have you found to be the most profitable?

[lorraineb]

I call bs on this. The problem is that to get a good location to place a vending machine, you need to pay the owners of the store to place it there. That means a lot of time and effort trying to negotiate placement and not knowing if it will succeed (and the owners will want upfront money).

[moneymaker23]

Vending machine is also popular here. and i guess they earn a lot of money from it. But buying a bending machine is also costly.

[dromero]

not correct

12 hours for 15 machines a week?????? u are doing things wrong!

I have 8 machines in one place and I take around 2 hours a month to pick the money give commission, put candy in, and if it werent required by the business owner to go twice a month I would be spending less than 2 hours a MONTH.

I might agree you can take 12 hours for 15 machines a MONTH but a week? I dont think so!

[juvy]

job well done.... vending machines are quite successful these days .... very convenient and easy to use