Vending Snacks & Carwash Stuff

[Waxman]

The vendor I'm looking at is refrigerated and I plan to vend some drinks; fruity sodas, beers and a few select wine coolers. Just kidding; no alcohol.

I saw an interesting article in Fitness Magazine about the top 10 healthy vending machine snacks. Some were: David Sunflower seeds, Welch's fruit snacks, peanut M&m's, a trail mix, etc.

Here's my question: What are the chances that the snacks would taste like Black Ice or New Car Scent when inside the machine with the many carwash items that are available?

Thanks!

 

[pitzerwm]

Usually, they are "sealed" so that shouldn't be a problem.

Go to the store and get some of them, put them in a bag for a few days and see.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I vended snacks for a few years and finally gave it up. What I didn't eat myself seemed to evaporate out of the eq. room. They didn't sell enough to warrant the extra effort to fool with them, YMMV.

I also made sure that the edibles were above anything that could leak.

 

[MEP001]

Do you really want your customers buying sunflower seeds and spitting the shells all over the place? Just a thought.

Drinks might be a good idea, but snacks I don't see as a profit center. Have you considered a full soda machine in your detail shop or in front in view of the wash? The machines are supplied "free" (You have to buy sodas from Coke or Pepsi or whomever supplies the machine and they are expensive).

 

[Waxman]

had a deal w/Leader Beverage; never made much $ and machine was consistently down.

i maybe made enough for electricity.

 

[MEP001]

I had one from Coca-Cola - the machine always worked and never got broken into, and it made maybe $50 a month before electric usage. I only wanted it so thirsty customers on a hot day wouldn't need to leave to get a drink.

 

[washme1]

I've had a refrigerated glass front vendor for a couple of years. I have four columns dedicated to candy. I sell about 5 units per week. Not worth the trouble. I just keep the items in there because I don't need the rows for anything else.

 

[Waxman]

washme1

what about drink sales; how are they?

 

[washme1]

I didn't mention drinks because I don't think the customer finds my drinks even with a sign listing item groups (car care, candy, cold drinks) on the front of the building between the automatic and the vending machine tucked around the corner next to the change machines. - the only spot I had available. That said, I probably only sell a can a day. The candy items are eye level.

 

[bigleo48]

Waxman,

I did the Pepsi free machine thing and never made much money, customers complained about the cost (Pepsi would charge me $1/drink) and I would charge $2). They were also a pain to deal with.

Finally got my own machine. Paid $600 delivered, fill it with 8 different selections of cans all for $1 each (get drinks on sale at Wal-Mart). Do about $200 a month in the summer, less in the winter.

Every bit helps! Big