FAQ

What are some tips to starting a vending machine business?

You need some capital for start up to purchase the vending machines. If you don’t have all the money upfront, we at Vending Design Works can work with you to finance the machine. You will need a concept on what kind of products you would like to sell from the machine. Products like Healthy Foods have been a increasingly popular item for businesses to sell. Our Salad Vending Machine may be an option for you. Anything from, Snacks/Sodas, Hot Food, Frozen Food, Pharmaceutical Supplies (over the counter), Greetings Cards, Beauty Products, Mason Jar products, Desserts (Cookies, Dainties, Chocolates), Wine, Champagne, Cannabis (Joints, Oils, Edibles), Cigarettes, Vape Products, Travel Supplies will work inside a vending machine. An important factor is that your product you are selling should fit the demographic you are targeting.

You must have reliable equipment, customers don’t want to have issues trying to get the machine to take their money and then not deliver a product. Vending machines are portable and if your location does not work, its not the machine, it’s not the product, the machine needs to be relocated where the demographic you are targeting is located. If you have further questions, Contact Us!

How does a vending machine work?

Vending machines are unattended kiosks that work 24/7/365. The products are placed in the selections of the machine and the price is then set for each of the selections within the machine. As a customer selects an item and pays for the item, the machine then delivers the product. As soon as the product is delivered the machine will then register this sale online so the owner of the machine can remotely follow his sales in real time. This statistical information will help him in knowing which items sell best in the machine so you can keep the machine loaded with the most sought-after products. Also, you will know what time and day your customers are making the purchase so you can plan events to support your kiosk. For further details on the workings of a machine, Contact Us!

Are vending machines profitable?

Vending machines are very profitable. We at Vending Design Works have clients selling tobacco products from vending machines and paying for the machine within 120 days. We have specialty food machines grossing $25,000 per month. Vending machine always work depending upon where they are located and if the products within the machine fit the demographic. The amount of money generated by a vending machine depends upon the cost of your product and what the customers are willing to pay. A good example would be a cup of coffee. The coffee, the cup and the cream and sugar should not exceed $0.20 cents per cup. If you are selling the coffee for $1.00 your margin is very good. Soft drinks cost $0.30 and sell for $1.00 to $1.25 a can. In the right location with the right products, you can make a lot of money.

What are the economics of a vending machine?

The basics of the vending machine business are as follows:

• You must have enough money to purchase a good reliable machine.

• You must have enough money to buy the items you want to sell.

• You must have enough money to move the machine to its location.

• Maintenance of a vending machines is next to nothing so the cost associated is minimal.

How do I market or promote my vending machine business?

You can promote your business in several ways:

• You can brand your machine with a vinyl wrap so everyone knows what’s in the machine.

• You can add digital signage to the top of the machine and deliver an advertising message.

• You can check the time the majority of the sales happen at your machine and go to the machine on those days and promote your products.

• Prices can be changed to promote the items.

• You can an make arrangements with certain locations that your machine resides and do a special on a certain day of the week to promote your machine – thanking people for using your machine

Why vending machines, what are the advantages to buying one and how can they help my business?

Vending machines are unattended sales kiosks working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and they never get tired. They can’t work if they don’t have anything in them to sell. Provided you fill the machines and keep the payment systems operational, the machines will make money. Vending machines are filled with product and locked. The only way to get an item is to make a payment. Nothing can be stolen. The machine controls the product. You can check access and inventory count by using the online accounting software.

Problems that occur in your business, vending machines can help solve. The vending machine can reduce the number of employees you have. Employees have retirement programs, workers compensation, they can only work 8 hours per day. Vending machines do not steal, they do not have friends. The only need for a machine is to be kept clean so people aren’t afraid of them. They also need to be full of product so they will never stop working for you. They are your best sales person.

What are the payment options for my vending machine?

Click here to visit our payment options page that show all the different types of payment options that our machines can use. If a specific payment option is not listed, give us call @ (204) 272-0310 or fill out our contact form here and we would be happy to help you!

Warranty of vending machines?

The warranty on the vending machine is generally 3 years parts only. Some machines only have a one year parts only warranty. No vending machine companies pay for service calls, only for the parts. Some manufacturers in China have only a 9 month parts warranty.

How do I find a location for my vending machine?

We at Vending Design Works are happy to help you locate and place the machine where it can best service the locations and customers. Contact-Us if you want more information on locating a machine or need any help.

What do I do if I need technical help with my vending machine?

We at Vending Design Works do offer support on our machines with a full-time service department. By paying a hosting fee with your machine, we will use a video calling service of your preference to help you fix the problem with your machine. If your machine has a certain touchscreen, we can use team viewer to log into your machine and the fix the problem.

My Question is not answered from this FAQ, What now?

Questions regarding payment options for vending machines, please visit our payment options page. If your question wasn’t answered or you have more questions, give us a Call @ (204) 272-0310 or you can fill out our contact form Here. We will be happy to help you!