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Effective Selling for Success and Profit

Larry Towner — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:02:59 +0000

How do you effectively sell vending machine accounts? That’s the million dollar question, the solution to all of your problems, right? I hate to break it to you, but more accounts will not necessarily solve your problems. In fact, having more accounts could exacerbate your problems and even quicken your business’ demise. So let’s define [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Vending Operations Management Techniques and Tips That Generate Extra Profits

Larry Towner — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:26:59 +0000

Crestock Stock Photos If you have not read part one of this series: Are you “in” the vending business?, I suggest you do so! These articles are a comprehensive overview of the vending business. Success in business (or in life), is the compilation of many small activities, each of which, done properly, seems to be [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Are you “in” the vending business?

Larry Towner — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:10:38 +0000

from Crestock Creative Images Part 1 I recently sold my 15-year-old vending business because of health concerns and a pending divorce. While consulting with the new owner, it dawned on me that I was “in” the vending business – not just an owner operator of a vending route. I have a deeper understanding of the [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

How to start a vending machine route

Larry Towner — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:00:25 +0000

credit Crestock Stock Photos A vending machine route is an exciting way to start a small business and grow it to substantial income and financial independence. First, remember that a vending machine route is a business. Like all businesses, success is not guaranteed. Before you embark down the path as a successful vending machine operator, [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

How to Start a Vending Business

Joe Nichols — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:19:01 +0000

from Yuri Arcurs Website So you think you’d like to start a vending business. Do some soul searching and make sure you are the right type of person. Ask: Are you an entrepreneur? This is someone who must assume all the risks of a business, but can also guarantee the benefits. Are you self-motivated? There [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Vending location: be careful with placement fees and commission plans

Larry Towner — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:43:27 +0000

Paying for locations in the vending machine business falls under three categories: Placement fees Commissions Locating services Snack and soda vending requires a marketing and sales effort for account placement. The difference between marketing and sales is that marketing determines who your customer is, how much they are expected to buy, how they will get [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

How Does the Vending Machine Business Work?

Joe Nichols — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:59:35 +0000

This business isn’t very complex. You solicit different businesses with sites on which to put your vending machines. The best locations that bring in the most money are hospitals, truck terminals, manufacturing plants, schools, and any place where large numbers of people pass through. Blue collar locations are better because these folks work hard, make [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Should you purchase a vending machine from a company that requires a money wire for payment?

Larry Towner — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:55:16 +0000

How to handle payment for vending equipment is a personal choice, but there are some guidelines. Most supply companies in the vending industry are legitimate, respectable entities, but the vending industry (like any other) has a contingent of unscrupulous suppliers. A supplier of vending equipment wants to be paid. His business is not a finance [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Vending companies pay businesses to place machines on site

Larry Towner — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:56:55 +0000

Good idea. . . or not? Before we can effectively discuss compensation for account placement, we need to discuss the qualities of the account market. Have you determined the type of company you will be selling to? What type of people are the decision-makers in these accounts, what are their purchasing habits, when do they [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

How Reliable Is Vending as a Business Venture?

Joe Nichols — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:49:21 +0000

It’s time to turn our attention to whether vending is a viable business to enter, as well as the average cost for a very important part of the business: the vending machine. Is vending a reliable business venture? The first recorded vending machines date back to the first century B.C., but came to prominence in [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

How much money can I make from a vending machine?

Joe Nichols — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:01:28 +0000

Millions! Successful vending machine operators can have gross sales into the hundreds of millions of dollars, but so can successful car wash operators, multi-level marketing operators or, for that matter, employees. Your level of success depends upon your business skill, your ability to generate customers and manage people, your skill at accounting, planning and marketing, [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Product selection & ‘turn’ key to vending machine profits

Joe Nichols — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:03:17 +0000

Product selection for your vending machines can mean the difference between success and failure. Ultimately, your gross sales depend on a customer deciding to purchase a snack, soda or food item. Proper product selection can increase your sales by 20% or more, and improper selection can reduce sales to nothing. So how do you determine [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Business planning drives success for vending operations

Joe Nichols — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:43:27 +0000

Before you undertake any venture, it is wise to do initial planning. How are you going to run your business? Write a business plan. Think through all of the potential problems with running the business. Understand that you are fully responsible for the outcome of the business. Remember the rule of cause and effect: If [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Equipment liability: What if a forklift crashes into your vending machine?

Joe Nichols — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:32:01 +0000

Proper handling of equipment damage incidents starts at the time of placement. Accidents, vandalism and theft will happen, so I discuss these issues during the sales process and negotiate terms for dealing with them. You need to be comfortable with the placement terms. Generally, our company carries most of the liability – unless malice is [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Vending machine value determined by much more than cost

Joe Nichols — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:09:32 +0000

The valuation of vending machine equipment is based on several factors: Storage value Collector’s value Scrap value Parts value Operational value Market value In trying to value machines, each of these valuations is significant. 1. Storage value: Machines in storage are generally considered liabilities, and they cost you money each month. Even if you store [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.

Finding & landing a good vending machine location

Joe Nichols — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:37:15 +0000

What is a good location? This question is relative, based on your company’s size and goals. A national vending concern considers a good account to have gross sales over $240,000 per year ($20,000 per month), whereas a small vendor working out of his garage might consider an account with sales of $6,000 per year ($500 [...]

From Vending Business Blog, a publication of A&M Vending Machine Sales.