Starting a Vending Machine Company For Fun and Profit

Whether you’re selling snacks, soda, candy, or something else, a vending machine company can turn you a tremendous profit in a relatively short amount of time. The reason: these products can be sold for a tremendous markup in locations where hundreds or even thousands of people travel every day. You’ve seen it yourself if you’ve ever walked into a grocery store and seen them lining the walls. More than likely, you’ve bought from them yourself, perhaps even grumbling about the “outrageous price”. These are purchases of impulse and convenience, and they can make you rich if you know how to get started.

The best way to get a vending machine company started is to find a wholesaler who sells the devices to people like you. If you can, find a business that does more than simply selling the parts and equipment. Some of these businesses offer much more for your dollar, including training, helpful tools, and limitless support. If you don’t have any experience in the field, this expertise can make the difference between success and failure. Look for businesses that have been around and have established a good reputation. There are numerous vendor message boards and forums online. Peruse these and find good places to invest and ideas about getting started. You may be surprised about how much you learn.

Once you’ve made your initial investment, you’ll need to determine what types of products you want to sell. Don’t feel as though you have to limit yourself to colas or candy bars. Toys, DVDs, and even computer games have been sold with great success at various locations around the country. Find a niche that you think might be profitable and exploit it for all it is worth. Again, this is where an initial training class can be so invaluable. Starting any business from scratch can be scary and confusing. A good training course, where you can learn from the best, can set you off on the right foot.

After getting a product, you’ll need to find a location for your stock. Big stores such as Target and Wal-Mart bring in enormous amounts of people every day. These could be good locations, but there is likely to be a great deal of competition. Don’t be afraid to look for smaller locations where the competition might not be so intense. Think about your location in terms of your product. If it’s a kid-friendly product, you might look at toy stores, parks, and other areas that will see a lot of kids come by. Present the manager of the location with a presentation that outlines his benefits for having your products in the front of their store.

Once you’ve placed your first machines, you can sit back and start working on the general maintenance of your route. This will include refilling, small repair, and charting your profits. Running a vending machine company doesn’t take a lot of time, but the money you’ll make can be often comparable to (or much better than) a full time job.