Cantaloupe Inc’s Post

Myths about buying or operating a vending route. Based on the many many questions I get: - They are not passive. Such crap. BUT you can make an extra $300-$400 a month (net) with 1 machine and 2 hours a week - Great routes RARELY come available for sale. Most are made up of a few really good locations and 90% not good locations - Anyone can start, most won't make it more than 12 months and will sell. - It's not as easy as just buying some old machine and slapping a credit card reader on it. Many old machines don't accept CC readers and need a new board installed. Don't fall for this trap - Having less than 5 machines is harder than having 10 machines. Especially if you have a few locations that are crushing it. Nearly the same amount of time each week, a lot more revenue. - You don't need to buy from the huge suppliers until you're selling more than 1,500 snacks a week. That's a lot. Sams club is by far the cheapest. - You can't hold backstock. This is a pain in the ass but you get used to it. Many items expire faster than you realize. Running really lean on inventory is a skill learned. - Not all machines are treated equal. There are WAY better quality out there. - Combo machines are not always the right option. (serves food and drinks). If you have a high volume location you want to separate them out, you'll 1.5x revenue. Just some answers to questions I get on the regular. I'm writing more about vending here: https://bit.ly/40SOav8

🍦 Mobile Vendor Spotlight: An Interview with Ryan - The Original Conroe Ice Cream Boat 🔍 How did you discover Southern Ice Cream? "When developing the Conroe Ice Cream Boat, we sought vendors who aligned with our values of proximity, variety, and cost-effectiveness. Southern Ice Cream ticked all the boxes, delivering exceptional service and professionalism." 🛥️ What services did Southern Ice Cream provide? "Southern Ice Cream supplies all our frozen treats on the boat, offering a delectable selection of 22 flavors and types. Choosing just one can be the toughest decision for our customers!" 🚚 How did Southern Ice Cream make ice cream ordering easy with a smile? "From their user-friendly website ordering to courteous calls regarding order quantity and quality, to the friendly and prompt delivery drivers, every step with Southern Ice Cream has been effortless and delightful." ❓ Why did you choose mobile vending? "At The Conroe Ice Cream Boat, our aim is to bring the joy and nostalgia of an ice cream truck to Lake Conroe. As pioneers of this concept in the area, we're thrilled to offer this unique experience to our customers and visitors." 👥 Who are some of your best customers? "Every individual we've encountered has been fantastic! We love witnessing the excitement of both kids and adults as they enjoy the Ice Cream Boat during our lake travels or private events at docks." 🥇 What are your best-selling products? "For the little ones, character pops and Bomb Pops fly off the shelves. Meanwhile, adults gravitate towards indulgent options like Big Dippers and Chips Galore chocolate bars." 📈 What are some of your best business practices? "Accessibility and reliability are paramount to us. We strive to be available to everyone and offer a wide variety of products to ensure everyone can find something enjoyable." Want to do mobile vending with us? Discover more: https://lnkd.in/gzJ6_hHK

As a first-time operator, deciding between new and used vending machines can be a real head-scratcher. After managing 100+ locations in 10 cities, here's my take: Go for used machines, hands down. Why? While new machines have advantages like: • Guaranteed functionality • Sleek and modern designs • Advanced features like digital touchscreens ⚠️ It can set you back $3,000 MINIMUM (up to $15,000). On the other hand, you can buy 10 used machines for the price of a new one. It's a thrifty operator's dream! 1.) You can get started for as low as $300. 2.) You can easily find replacement components (also, many vending technicians are well-acquainted with the equipment). 3.) You can find deals on platforms like FB Marketplace and Craigslist. In my vending venture, I've found the sweet spot with used machines.  What's your take? Drop your thoughts below!

Have you wondered what the difference is between Fully Managed and Self Managed Vending? ❓ Don't worry - Westways Vending Ltd have got all of the answers for you. We've put together a helpful blog post on our website to help. We've answered all of the questions you might have, and which hopefully will help you decide which service is best for you and your business. #Westwaysvending #vendingmachines #vendingservices #fullymanagedvending #coffeemachines

Starting a vending machine is less risky than you think. Let me debunk 8 common fears in vending and explain why they shouldn't hold you back: Fear #1: High upfront costs Many people believe you need a lot of money to start, but you can actually buy cheaper, secondhand machines and fix them up. I got 3 refurbished machines for the price of a single brand-new one. Fear #2: Lots of maintenance Some worry vending machines need a ton of fixing. While they do require cleaning and checking, it's not too difficult. Just dust them off and ensure the software is working right. Fear #3: Spoilage This is why niche vending > traditional vending. I sell adult nightlife products that have a long shelf life. Plus, I don't stock my machines to the brim, so I avoid waste. Fear #4: Finding good spots It can be tricky to find good places for your machines, but with persistence and networking, you'll find them. Fear #5: Not making much money Vending machines can provide a lucrative income stream. Once you have multiple machines up and running, you'll see the cash rolling in. Fear #6: Tough competition There's a lot of competition out there, but if you treat your locations like partners and treat them well, you'll do just fine. Fear #7: Tech troubles Dealing with fancy technology can be scary, but there are easy-to-use tools out there to help. I use Nayax for keeping track of sales, and it's pretty simple. Fear #8: Afraid of failing Starting something new is always scary, and you might mess up along the way. But that's okay! Mistakes teach us lessons, and they help us get better at what we're doing. If you want to hear more about my vending machine adventures and learn some tips, make sure to follow me!

I officially kicked off my vending business today. KraveWave Vending is now open for business. My 2 units shipped on Friday via LTL, so I should get them last this week. Canada to GA, 2 units, the shipping was only $452.40, and that included the US customs. You want to know is wild? I ain’t paid for them. I have asked, and was told, “At some point we will send you an invoice to pay.” Talk about trust. Now that I have my goods, I must calculate my total COGs, and what I am going to sell them for. I have an excel worksheet that I will enter the description name, COG, sell price, SKU, and quantity. I will upload that, and then all my items are in the database. Then I will build out a planogram, upload a picture of each item and where it will be placed in the machine. Once that is in place, I can start vending. My son and I will work on that today so they were ready to this weekend to load the machines and be ready for Monday morning when the warehouse folks come into work. There are other things to consider too. What if we have items that don’t sell? We’ll have to watch that and make adjustments as necessary. Inventory control. Tracking shrink is important to any business. For the government end: The business is setup, EIN# is in place, and tax ID has been issued. I’ll have a few other costs too consider when calculating COGs. Internet to process payments is $45 a month, plus the per transaction fee associated with the CC processing. I paid cash, so I don’t have to consider interest into my costs. I had the warehouse workers make a list of some of the items they like to see. They great part is I can cater to their needs to give them a better vending experience, which will increase my sales. I’ll report back and share how I did in the full money of September.

We love touting the joys of #passiveincome and how to help you start earning. But is vending machine income passive? Check out this blog for answers to all your questions >>> https://bit.ly/45BTO61 #healthyyouvending #startyourbusinesstoday #healthyvending #businessopportunity #wfhbusiness

Let's face it: Most vending machines are sh*tty. Broken, empty, stuck in the past. It's time for a change. In an era where technology and convenience are king, why do we still tolerate subpar vending machines? You know the ones – they’re broken, barely stocked, or frustratingly only accept cash. It's baffling, really. But here's the good news: NewAge Vending LLC is revolutionizing the game. We're here to say goodbye to those sh*tty machines and hello to a new era of vending convenience. Why Settle for Less? Our state-of-the-art vending machines are not just machines; they're a service. They're sleek, reliable, and tailored to fit the unique needs of each location. And the best part? It costs you ZERO to upgrade (for qualifying locations). Here's what we offer: 1.) Top-of-the-Line Machines: Our machines are brand new, featuring 10", 21.5", and 49" touchscreens. 2.) Customizable Options: Tailored to the specific needs of your location with the newest and most popular snacks and drinks. 3.) Maintenance & Stocking: We take care of keeping the machines well-maintained and stocked, so you don't have to worry about it. 4.) Profit from Products & Ad Space: We earn our keep from the products sold and the ad space, making this a win-win for everyone. Consider Your Employees and Tenants: As a business owner or property manager, you might not use vending machines personally. But think about those who do. Employees and tenants rely on these machines for their daily needs. Why not give them the best, especially when it doesn't cost you anything? We're excited to announce that our latest machines, one with a 10" and another with a 21.5" touchscreen, are in production and will be ready for placement by February 2024. Ready to Upgrade? If you're interested in elevating your space with our cutting-edge vending solutions, simply comment "Upgrade" below or send me a direct message. Let's bring the future of vending to your doorstep! #Innovation #TechTrends #BusinessTransformation #SmartTechnology #FutureOfWork #nashvilletn #springhilltn #franklintn #brentwoodtn

We’re going back on tour! Join us for this year’s AVA Live: On-the-Road, generously hosted by Scobie McIntosh Group. Industry experts will be on hand to discuss the following topics: • Bridging the gap: As technology advances, vending operators are confronted with many challenges, including How to bridge the gap between legacy equipment and the ever-evolving demands of a technology-driven society? Join us as we discover innovative solutions and next steps to integrate the latest technology into all vending machinery including “How smart are ‘smart machines’?” Over the past five years, Micro Markets have expanded by 500%, igniting an interest in smart fridges within the vending industry. But within this surge, a critical question arises: just how smart are these ‘smart / connected’ machines? Join our panel of industry experts to explore available options, the benefits of these machines and mapping out the trajectory of this dynamic market. • In 2020, cash transactions accounted for 17% of all transactions in the UK, but this figure has steadily declined each year. Vending operators are left wondering, is cash dead? Are we on the brink of a cashless society? From the appeal of cash to the convenience of card payments, we’ll explore the changing landscape and discuss the advantages of both options. We have limited places available so if you are interested in reserving a spot, please email kennedy.warwick@the-ava.com or call 003300 883 267. This event is FREE to all AVA members and full details can be found here.

The AMS 39 Combo Vending Machine: Pros and Cons! Thinking about the AMS 39 Combo Vending Machine for your space? This versatile machine vends both snacks and drinks, saving space and adding convenience. It’s known for its reliable performance and modern features. However, it’s important to weigh its pros and cons to see if it’s the right fit for you. Read more to know all about it!