Category: Management Tips

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Cashless Vending, More Than Just a Trend

Organizations all over the world have long been looking for new and unique ways to innovate with regards to the types of vending machine products that they rely heavily on daily. When these types of machines are available in many public places wherever you go, it can be difficult for a vending machine manufacturer to really stand out in a crowd. One of the major innovations of the last decade was a machine that accepted credit and debit cards in addition to cash. Now, many companies are moving towards the idea of completely cashless vending for the benefit of consumers everywhere.

What is Cashless Vending?

Thought it may be logical to assume that cashless vending is “just” a vending machine that also takes credit or debit cards, this isn’t entirely accurate. A true cashless vending solution will also accept the types of mobile payment systems that customers are embracing today, like Apple Pay and similar services. Users can swipe their smartphone near an NFC reader located on the machine itself to automatically deduct money from an associated account. This makes the entire vending process easier and more secure than it has ever been.

Greenlite by Vending.com

greeliteOne bold example of this type of technology at work is the new Greenlite system by Vending.com. It’s a turn-key cashless solution that relies instead on the latest card and mobile payment systems, along with the type of web-based reporting and management tools that allow businesses to increase their return on investment in a very significant way.

One of the biggest advantages of the Greenlite system has to do with the type of machine sales tracking that it offers businesses. In the “old days” of vending machines, you essentially had to use your best judgment regarding which types of products you should be ordering and in what quantities. With machine sales tracking, you now have actionable, real-time information regarding trends, likes and dislikes that are all derived from actual consumer behavior. You can not only tell what products are selling but how quickly and at what times of the day. Businesses no longer have to rely solely on “instinct’ when it comes to making purchasing decisions – they now have actual hard data that they can use instead.

Greenlite also allows businesses to integrate two-tier pricing depending on location. A business might offer a discount on certain items for people who choose to pay with cash, for example. The system also includes helpful alerts that will provide constant updates on the health and status of the machine in question, making it easier to identify when repairs are necessary and when replacement parts need to be ordered.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Where to Place a Vending Machine?

Location, Location, Location! You have likely heard about it in the real estate market but the phase also applies to the vending business. The location of your vending machines helps determine who is likely to use the machines and therefore what items you should sell in your machines. Determining where to put a vending machine is an important first step in a successful vending business.

It is helpful to think of a location that will benefit the most from your vending services. Where is a place where people gather often? It could be a place where people are forced to gather, like a large place of employment or a school. Maybe it’s a place people want to gather like a mall or entertainment center. Are there places around that have no food options easily available? Society never slows down and more and more people are eating on the go. Small businesses like auto shops, hair salons and laundromats are a few possible locations when it comes to the question of where to put a vending machine. Asking local businesses how your vending business can be of service to them is a good way to find out new locations for your machines. However, be aware that even though a location may be excited to have your vending machines, that place may not be profitable for you in the long run.

The location of your vending machines helps determine what items to provide to your customers.  If your vending machine is at a location where people will spend consecutive hours, larger items like frozen meals or sandwiches could benefit the people there. If the machine is at a fitness center, cold, healthy, thirst quenching beverages or high protein snacks may be in high demand.

No matter where you put a vending machine, quality customer service is the key. At Vending.com we believe that when we take care of the customer we take care of ourselves. We provide great financing options and reliable technical support. Our machines are manufactured in the USA with quality materials. Please contact us if there is any assistance your vending business needs. We hope you have a profitable 2019!

Vending.com - Factors To Consider Gaining Happy Customers
Posted on | by Phil Masters | Leave a Comment on Factors to Consider Gaining Happy Customers

Factors to Consider Gaining Happy Customers

Customers today have more information, needs, and power than ever before, and marketers must strive to live up to their expectations to provide a better customer experience. Customer happiness, like customer engagement, is a vital measure of success nowadays. While brand recognition has long been a marketing goal, implying one-way, business-to-consumer broadcasts, customer engagement suggests the growing importance of more intimate connections through two-way interaction. These connections result in satisfied consumers and simply making your customers happy.

Low levels of customer satisfaction imply that your retention rates will be low as well. According to Kolsky’s research, just one out of every 26 dissatisfied consumers reports. More significantly, 91% of unhappy consumers who do report a complaint vanish. You can afford to lose 91% of your unhappy customers with that in mind. Based on consumer insights, you may optimize the customer experience, boost customer happiness, and increase retention rates. Continue reading to discover low customers and obtain more happy customers.

Let us consider an example: When a consumer has a problem with the machine, where can they go to file a complaint? For a refund of their funds? For the item that became trapped in the machine? They sometimes direct their anger at the device, causing damage to the engine and the surrounding space, such as scratching the floor or destroying the walls. Vending machine sales may suffer as a result of this discontent. 

Here are some simple steps to enhance customer service and boost vending machine sales.

What can a vending business do to improve the customer experience and vending machine sales without consumers’ feedback? There are specific techniques to follow to enhance the customer experience. These are best practices followed by reliable vending business experts like Vending.com.

Make Sure To Address Complaints Immediately: There are various ways to achieve this, but the easiest is to maintain at least some contact information on the devices. Customers may contact suppliers and report any difficulties using a phone number or email address. Vendors can also employ call centers to manage complaints after hours. Customers would feel better, and vending machine profit would increase if suppliers responded quickly to complaints. At Vending.com we make our customers feel valued in realizing that their opinions matter and that their business is appreciated. 

Always keep your machines in perfect working condition: If consumers have frequent issues, such as the bill validator not accepting their money, resolving the issue is important to maintain customers returning to your vending machine and increase sales. People are not interested in buying products from vending machines if they have difficulties with them. Although supporting devices in perfect working order and keeping them clean takes effort, attracting consumers to visit the machine and purchase items is worthwhile. Even if it means completely replacing a vending machine, providing consumers with a comfortable experience goes a long way toward enhancing customer happiness and vending machine sales.

Maintain closer relationships with the contact person (POC): To cite an example, there will always be a point of contact for vendors and route drivers at office buildings, residences, and hospitals. This individual will collect consumer complaints, take down names of persons who require refunds and keep track of issues with the equipment. They are doing free services for the vendor. Maintaining a positive relationship with this person will improve their experience with the vendor. Suppose a vendor notices that a customer is unhappy since they have spent too much time receiving complaints about a machine. In that case, they should offer them a beverage or snack as appreciation. These are ways vendors may improve the customer experience, encourage customers to return to vending machines, and boost total vending machine revenue.

Final Thoughts: When improving your customer service and boosting brand satisfaction, there are various factors to consider. To simplify things, we recommend that you follow our suggestions, but don’t limit yourself. You can master your company’s customer service using various innovative methods – and you should never stop if you want to be the best-loved brand in the world.

Vending.com offers full service programs that help the first time owner-operator just getting started in the vending business or the seasoned vendor-operator looking to expand a growing business. Be a part of the rapidly growing vending industry with Vending.com. Our vending experts are standing by to help with your questions call us at 1-855-929-1042.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

The Healthiest Vending Machine, Ever


farmersfridgeMid-afternoon hunger pains? Mid-morning snack attack? Forgot your lunch? Imagine walking up to a vending machine during a quick work break, swiping your credit card, and getting a fresh salad for lunch.  For those seeking healthy vending machine options, the wait may be over. Chicago’s Farmer’s Fridge vending machine is hoping to make fresh food a reality throughout the Windy City.

Don’t think of Farmer’s Fridge vending machine as an ordinary snack vending machine. You won’t find any packaged snacks here. According to its website, it’s really a veggie and fresh salads vending machine. Founder Luke Sanders stresses the importance of freshness in his machine’s products.

Starting with salads and products that are made by hand each morning after the daily 5 AM delivery of vegetables and packaged in special glass jars, the salads are taken to Farmer’s Fridge vending machines where they will be offered for sale. At 6 PM each evening, the products at Farmer’s Fridge are discounted by $1.00. When the next day’s delivery arrives, employees remove unsold products from the previous day, stocking the machine entirely with new product. Unsold product from the fresh salad vending machines are donated to area homeless shelters.

These incredible products include a menu worthy of your favorite neighborhood eatery with salads, breakfast items, and protein pick me ups. For example,

  • Antioxidant Salad featuring mixed greens, goat cheese, mixed berries, almonds, carrot, sprouts and flaxseed with a balsamic vinaigrette
  • Detox Salad with organic kale, organic quinoa, sprouts, fennel, pineapple, blueberries, white beans and cider vinegar lemon dressing.
  • Greek Yogurt and Berries
  • Sliced apples with local honey and almond butter
  • Vegetable strips with hummus
  • Cauliflower Fried Rice with cauliflower, local peas, carrot, garlic and egg whites

Even the appearance of the Farmer’s Fridge vending machine is out of the ordinary. Saunders worked with a vending machine manufacturer to make his unique vision a reality. He envisioned a kiosk with sustainably sourced salads, environmentally responsible containers, and all at a reasonable cost. His machines are made from reclaimed wood, accepts all major credit cards, can email receipts, and features power consumption of less than $25 per month.

Saunders credits improvements in technology such as touch screens and less expensive credit card processing to his success. His company makes use of free technology like Google Docs to track recipes and inventory. Saunders also credits the city of Chicago for less expensive startup costs compared to other cities. For example the cost of the shared kitchen space his employees use daily to prepare product is about one-fifth of what it would be in New York City.

The ability to offer his products in an automated kiosk appealed to Saunders. While he estimates that his labor costs are very similar to those of a brick and mortar restaurants, the flexibility offered by a vending machine played a key factor in his decision. Given that vending machines are everywhere, having healthy options is a must for new players with ideas for a snack or drink vending machine.  Having expanded from three to 14 machines throughout Chicago in a single year, Saunders is proof that fresh sells.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Make Money Vending

Are you curious whether vending is financially viable or whether it would be worth it to start? Average annual sales per vending machine is $4,416. The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) says the U.S. Convenience Services Industry accounts for a total impact of $25 billion. The industry provides 140,000 good paying jobs and $7.21 billion in wages.

Thanks to people’s busy lifestyles and other variables, more people are trading in meals for snacking. Vending machines give people the food they want, when and where they want it. Vending is a profitable industry with 54 cents or more of every dollar spent resulting in gross profit. Vending machines generate immediate cash flow and work for you 24/7 and never ask for vacation.

You be would be right to question someone who said you could earn money while eating with your family, hanging out with friends or even sleeping. Vending is a unique business where your “store” is always open and you do not need to be present earn money from it. In fact, if you were standing by the machine all the time trying to sell products in the machine you probably would not make as much money. The machine markets and handles money on its own, without you or an employee on hand. Vending is flexible, you can always start out part time and use it for supplemental income before jumping full time.

Choosing the right vending equipment can make or break or vending business. Vending.com’s machines are sold factory direct from our plant in Des Moines, Iowa. We’ve been manufacturing vending machines for more than 80 years. Vending.com also separates itself from competitors by offering flexible financing and 24/7 technical support. We offer a 2 year limited parts warranty and our technical support staff is on call to help with any trouble you run into throughout the time you own the vending machine. We want to earn your trust and are confident you’ll be successful vending with us. Call us today for your FREE Vending Profit Analysis at 1-855-981-9367.

If you’re wondering where to place your vending machines read: https://www.vending.com/blog/where-to-place-a-vending-machine/

Vending.com - The Best Locations for Vending Machines
Posted on | by Phil Masters | Leave a Comment on Where to Put Vending Machines: Best Places & Locations

Where to Put Vending Machines: Best Places & Locations

Discover the most profitable spots and expert strategies for securing prime vending machine real estate to maximize your business growth. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • A vending machine’s success depends primarily on strategic placement in high-traffic, high-intent areas where people have immediate needs and limited alternatives. 
  • The most profitable locations typically serve captive audiences where people spend time and cannot easily leave for food. 
  • Operators should evaluate not just foot traffic volume but dwell time, audience demographics, competition quality, and product-market fit before securing a location. 
  • Matching product selection and machine type to the specific environment (e.g., protein drinks in gyms, premium snacks in offices) significantly increases sales and customer satisfaction. 
  • Long-term vending success requires professional pitching to property owners, formal agreements, modern payment technology, consistent servicing, and ongoing sales data optimization. 

Location is the single most important factor in the success of any vending operation. Even the most advanced machine stocked with premium products will fail to generate revenue if it is tucked away in a low-traffic corner. A strategic placement ensures that your inventory moves quickly, your machines remain secure, and your profit margins stay healthy. 

To thrive in the modern market, operators must look beyond simple foot traffic and consider the psychology of the consumer. Successful vending is about being in the right place at the exact moment a person realizes they are hungry, thirsty, or in need of a quick energy boost. Identifying these “high-intent” zones requires a combination of demographic research, physical scouting, and competitive analysis. 

This guide will help you better understand how to choose the best places and locations for your vending machines, from analyzing captive audiences to pitching property owners and selecting the right equipment for every environment. 

Posted on | by Phil Masters

There’s No Stopping The Social Vending Revolution by Retailers

Social media reaches into the homes, smartphones, tablets, and thoughts of every person daily. However, people do not usually equate social media with vending machines, yet that is exactly what is happening. Vending machine manufacturers have seen the uptick in use of social media as a vending machine campaign to expand their current market. The social vending industry requires users to perform a given task on social media in the hopes of winning a prize. Finding a vending machine for sale doesn’t quite describe how the masses have responded to the use of social media vending machine campaigns.

All-Star Prizes and the Cincinnati Reds

With baseball season officially in full swing, the Cincinnati Reds want to show appreciation to their fans, and a social media vending machine campaign was an excellent option. Users would line up at the vending machine, and the machine would generate a unique Twitter hashtag for @AllStarGame. The vending machine provider would then randomly select All-Star Prizes for different people using the corresponding unique hashtag.

Fans won a variety of prizes, which included autographed baseballs by players in the Hall of Fame, former All-Stars, and current Reds players. In fact, at least one person won tickets to the iconic All-Star Game in July 2015.

red

New Balance’s Free T-Shirt Promotion

Another social media vending machine is spitting out free t-shirts as a promotional product for a coming New Balance store.  However, some people were skeptical as to if the machine even had any t-shirts at all. Upon reading the Instagram post of one concerned follower, New Balance Philly advised people to try to get to the machine early since it is refilled every morning.

In addition to a free shirt, the Philly New Balance vending machine campaign promises to send out a gift card, valued between $10 and $500, to anyone who happens to score one of the free shirts. The shirts boast white lettering among a red background, and #LoveNBPhilly sends out the message of hitting up the vending machine.

new-balance

More businesses are looking to increase their profits, and the vast inter-connectedness of social media offers an excellent outlet for combining vending machines and social media. By promoting events, products or services, a vending machine manufacturer can enhance an organization’s image without expensive marketing campaigns. Candy bars and sodas won’t be the only things in a vending machine for sale anymore; the selections will be amazing prizes, free gifts, and opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime events.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Placing Vending Machines Part: 1

What comes first, the location or the machine? We recommend securing locations for your new or used vending machines before committing yourself to using a certain machine. This is because each location is different and your goal as a vending operator is to provide the location with what they want or need, and you cannot know what that is until you ask them. How can you secure the all-important locations for your vending machine business? In this short blog series, we will present a few tips about finding vending machine locations and how to build positive business relationships at your locations.

A common mistake newcomers to the vending industry make is to only consider locations that have no vending machines. It is very possible that there is no vending machine there, because it is not a profitable location. If you only look at vending machine placements where there are no other vendors you may find many locations too small to be profitable.

Placing Vending Machines Part

When it comes to how to secure a good vending machine location, we recommend approaching high-traffic businesses that already have vending equipment. Striking out at a profitable location is better than wasting your resources on a location that is easy to get but won’t make you money. Ask the location if they are satisfied with the vending service they have now. They very well could be, but there’s no guarantee they will be in the future. Hand out your business card and invite them to give you a call if there’s anything you can do to help them in the future. Make sure you leave a good impression and make it easy for then to contact you. Don’t get discouraged if you cannot find a location dissatisfied with their vending service, it will be worth it when you find one that is.    

Selling vending services is not about twisting someone’s arm, intense negotiations or hiding additional fees. You should always carry yourself in a professional manner and represent you business well, however selling your services is not about convincing a business to switch from another service to yours. Instead, you are looking for vending machine locations that are already unhappy with their current vendor. All you have to do is find these locations and demonstrate that you will offer better machines and better service.

In the next blog in our series, Placing Vending Machines, we will discuss why you should not be intimidated by bigger vending services and also how to interact with contacts for your possible locations.

 

Posted on | by Phil Masters | Leave a Comment on Ready to Vend: 10-Step Guide for How to Start Your Own Vending Machine Business

Ready to Vend: 10-Step Guide for How to Start Your Own Vending Machine Business

If you’re considering how to start your own vending machine business and turn it into a profitable side hustle, you’ve come to the right place. Vending machines aren’t just convenient for grabbing a quick snack or drink – they can also be a lucrative business if you know how to set them up correctly. Before delving into the details of this business, here are some reasons why owning a vending machine is an excellent side hustle: 

Passive Income: Vending machines keep working even when you’re not around, generating income 24/7 with minimal effort.  

Flexibility: Manage your vending machines on time, making them an ideal supplementary income source.  

Low Overhead: With no need for a storefront or full-time staff, vending machines offer a cost-effective entry into entrepreneurship.  

Scalability: Start with one machine and gradually expand your business as you become more comfortable and experienced.   

Enter the vending machine business—a lucrative venture that can generate passive income. Imagine owning vending machines strategically placed in busy locations that quietly and consistently generate revenue without demanding your constant attention. When managed effectively, vending machines can become an excellent source of passive income, allowing you to focus on other pursuits while your machines do the work.  

In this blog, we will explore how starting your own vending machine business can transform your financial landscape, becoming that much-needed second source of income. Get ready to discover the power of passive income through vending machines!  

  

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start a Vending Business  

  

If you are seriously considering starting a vending business, this guide on how to start your own vending machine business could help you get clarity. Also, you can use this to brainstorm and create your project plan.

Step 1: Research and Planning: Any dream should start with a plan. Research the vending industry, understand market trends, and identify potential locations for your machines. Create a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, target audience, budget, and revenue projections.  

Step 2: Choose Your Niche: Decide on the type of vending machines and products you want to offer. Consider factors like the demand in your chosen locations and the preferences of your target customers.  

Step 3: Secure Funding: Determine the initial capital required to launch your vending business. Explore financing options like personal savings, small business loans, or partnerships.  

Step 4: Purchase Vending Machines: Invest in high-quality vending machines from a reputable supplier like Vending.com. Ensure the machines are equipped with modern cashless payments and inventory tracking technology.  

Step 5: Obtain Licenses and Permits: You must check local regulations and get the necessary licenses and permits to operate your vending machines.  

Step 6: Find Ideal Locations: The best way is to reach out to businesses, schools, gyms, and other high-traffic areas and secure prime locations for your vending machines. Negotiate agreements with property owners or managers.  

Step 7: Stock Your Machines: Source products from reliable suppliers and stock your machines with popular and in-demand items. Consider healthy snacks, beverages, and other convenience items.  

Step 8: Set Competitive Pricing: Determine pricing strategies that balance profitability and customer appeal. Offer occasional promotions or discounts to attract more customers.  

Step 9: Promote Your Business: Utilize social media, local advertising, and networking to promote your vending business and attract more customers to your machines.  

Now that you know how to kick-start your own vending machine business, let us briefly discuss how you can maximize the winning probability.

  

Location – Your Key to Vending Success  

  

Choosing the right location for your vending machines could make all the difference between success and failure—research potential locations’ demographics and foot traffic, which can significantly impact your sales. As we discussed, high-traffic areas like office buildings, schools, and shopping centers offer a lucrative opportunity to reach a wide range of customers.   

When diving into the vending machine business, the key to success is selecting the correct location. Your chosen spot will dictate the type and size of machine you should invest in. Here’s what you need to consider:  

Foot Traffic Matters: Foot traffic plays a crucial role in determining the profitability of your vending machine. Depending on whether the location experiences high or low foot traffic, you must opt for machines that cater to these conditions.  

Low Foot Traffic: Consider compact machines that offer a variety of products suitable for lower customer volume.  

High Foot Traffic: Opt for larger machines stocked with popular items to cater to a larger audience.  

Gyms and Fitness Centers: Focus on healthy snacks and cooling beverages to cater to health-conscious individuals.  

College Campuses: Stock a mix of affordable snacks and drinks that cater to students’ needs for convenience and affordability.  

Stand Out from the Crowd: Location and Competition  

Standing out among competitors is crucial in the industry when considering how to start your own vending machine business. Carefully consider surrounding businesses and competition when selecting your machine type. Here are some tips to stand out from the crowd.  

Custom Vending Machines: Vending.com offers custom vending machines designed to fit your unique business needs. Showcase your brand identity and products with custom wraps to set yourself apart.  

Distinctive Wraps: Set your business apart with custom wraps that showcase your brand and products. Picture a vending machine wrapped in vibrant colors, catching the eye of the crowd and making a lasting impression.  

Accessibility for All: Convenience and Compliance  

Choosing an easily accessible location is essential for your vending machine’s success. Ensure that your machines are ADA-compliant, making them convenient for all customers.  

Upkeep for Long-Term Success  

Maintaining your vending machines is an ongoing responsibility for your business’s long-term success. Regularly restocking products, promptly addressing technical issues, and ensuring cleanliness will keep customers returning.  

Take Your Vending Business to New Heights  

  

We’ve explored how understanding your audience’s demographics and standing out amidst competitors can lead you to success when considering how to start your vending machine business. You’re ready to make a splash in the vending realm by crafting a tailored approach that aligns with your surroundings. Ready to transform your vending venture?

With a wide range of top-tier vending machines and exceptional customer support, Vending.com has everything you need to launch a successful business. If you need any help setting up your Vending business, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Take the first step towards building your vending empire!  

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Battery Recycling Vending Machine a Great ‘Eco’ Idea

Concerns over protecting the environment and conservation efforts have grown remarkably in the past few years, and the topic of batteries remains high on this list. Unfortunately, society’s rapid reward and disposal mindset has led to a major problem concerning batteries. Batteries have the potential to decimate entire ecosystems, points out Emma Hutchings, since one tossed battery could contaminate up to 20-square-meters of soil. Fortunately, Hutchings revealed how Russia is partnering with local businesses and vending machine revolutionaries to address this problem.

Battery Recycling Vending Machine

In Moscow, a typical battery recycling center gathers about 1,000 batteries in a single month. Once the battery recycling vending machine, which allowed users to pay for items with used batteries, had been installed, the total number of batteries collected in this area soared to more than 8,000. This equates to 160,000-square-meters of ground space protected by simply installing this Think Blue Machine.

Items in the Machine

Now, many might argue that batteries are not a viable way to pay for goods, such as foods or drinks, due to the potential for cross-contamination. However, the battery recycling vending machine isn’t primarily for these items. For example, users could pay two batteries to get a stress ball, four batteries to get a bottle of water, or six batteries for an eco-friendly t-shirt. All of the items within the Think Blue Machine are selected for their ability to encourage more people to protect the environment and stay healthy, i.e. water instead of soda.

Future of Battery Recycling

Russia is responsible for the disposal of up to 15 million batteries annually, which equates to millions of cubic miles of toxic soil in dumping grounds. Volkswagen is no stranger to the battery industry; each vehicle uses a battery for starting the engine, except in electric vehicles. While society becomes more aware of the potential hazards for not properly disposing of batteries, eco vending machines like the Think Blue Machine could be the solution to much more than recycling single batteries. The machine could work like an exchange; providing new batteries in exchange for 10 used batteries. Ultimately, the battery manufacturer and the recycling organization make money in this way.

Although the Think Blue Machine was designed expressly for recycling batteries and encouraging eco-friendly thoughts among industrial cities, this could prove to be a venture to use across many other landscapes. The applications for a recycling vending machine could include aluminum cans, glass, plastics, and more. The only real question that remains is how will future generations want to pay for the things they want?

Sources:

https://www.psfk.com/2015/04/volkswagen-vending-machine-batteries-money-think-blue-campaign.html

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Placing Vending Machines Part: 2

In our blog on Vending Machine Placement, we discussed strategies for securing locations for your vending machines and how getting accounts is not about finding places without vending services as much as it is finding a location unhappy with their current vending service. When you do it’s important to come across as a better provider. It’s important not to be intimidated by big vending companies, because these companies can be the easiest to take locations from and how to get new customers for your business. In this blog we will detail how to efficiently use this vending machine strategy and other relevant tips for securing locations for your vending services.

Companies that get too big can have trouble or overlook details that smaller businesses are better equipped to handle. Sometimes large vending companies are staffed by part-time workers who do not care about customers and are just concerned with earning their hourly wage. Their route drivers may not really care about the appearance of equipment or satisfaction of the customer. Employees at big companies don’t have the same amount of investment in the business as workers at smaller companies. In contrast to a large vending conglomerate, your vending company can offer locations personalized service, easy accessibility to company ownership, quicker adaptability and more flexibility.

The following is an example of a script you could use when approaching a business owner about vending at their location. “Good morning, my name is John Smith, president of Smith Vending. How are you today? Great! I won’t take up too much of your time. I just want to drop off my card in case you need my vending services sometime. By the way, are you happy with the vending service you have now? Is there anything at all I can do for you?” Try to stay friendly and concise with you comments. Your goal should be to “test the waters” to see if they’re satisfied with their current vending operator and to let them know you are available to help them.

If the location communicates that they are satisfied with their current vending services, we advise thanking them for their time, leaving your business card and doing your best to make a positive impression of yourself and your company. The location also may communicate their displeasure with their current vending service. If they do this, we advise you to ask about why they are dissatisfied, how many machines do they have, what is sold and for how much. You don’t want to overwhelm them with questions, but you want to gain useful information that can help you communicate how your vending business is superior and how your smaller business cares about the details of their vending needs.

Working to secure locations does not have to be scary or intimidating. Presenting your business in a courteous, professional manner goes a long way in making a good impression. You may not find a location in your first handful of attempts, but keep going. Perseverance is an important part of your vending machine strategy. It will be worth it when you do find your first couple of locations. If you have any questions or need assistance for your vending business please give us a call at 1-855-661-3298.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Vending Wallet & Greenlite Mobile Payment System  

greenlite2If recent trends are to be believed, the concept of paying for goods and services in cash may be a thing of the past – at least as far as millennials are concerned. More and more young people are increasingly paying with Apple Pay and similar types of mobile payment systems that rely more on technology and less on good, old-fashioned currency.

What is Mobile Payment?

Mobile payment uses credit, debit card or bank account information tied to a user’s smartphone to allow them to use technology like near field communication to pay for goods and services at many stores. Apple Pay is perhaps the most famous mobile payment system currently in existence, which allows users to pay for items using their iPhone 6 or similar iOS 8-powered devices. It launched in October of 2014, though it has long since been joined by similar services from many leading providers.

Mobile Payment and Vending Machines

Mobile payment vending machines are gaining a great deal of traction. Vending machines are already designed to offer quick, convenient experiences. This experience has only been made even faster and more efficient thanks to the fact that users can pay for items in seconds using their smartphones, smart watches and similar types of devices. These types of situations also have the benefit of being safer and more secure than a vending machine with a credit card reader.

GreenLite

One example of a mobile payment vending option is the GreenLite Credit Card Reader by Vending.com. It’s a turn-key, cashless technology that is totally secure and offers management 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Built into GreenLite are a number of features that make it incredibly attractive to providers like machine sales tracking, integrated cash versus cashless reporting, alerts for the health and status of a particular machine and more.

In addition to making the vending experience more pleasing for consumers, it’s also making it easier for the vendors themselves to manage their machines and make sure that they’re performing to peak efficiency than ever before.

Keeping up with the breakneck pace of technology has long been seen as a cost of doing business in the modern world. Thanks to mobile payment technology and services like the GreenLite system from Vending.com, however, technology is actually encouraging the investment for vending machine operators and providers all over the world. In addition to turning vending machines into a more customer-centric experience, they also bring with them a host of benefits that would have been thought to be impossible just a few short years ago.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Healthy Vending Provides Opportunity

More than ever before people are on the hunt for healthier food options, whether they are at home or on the go or on premise at work. Evidence of this is everywhere and it presents us with an enormous opportunity. Finally! Demand and sales are converging.

Carla Balakgie, NAMA President & CEO

According to the National Automated Merchandisers Association’s President & CEO, Carla Balakgie, the growing market demands for healthier food options is a great opportunity for the vending industry to thrive. “As the convenient services industry we want to be viewed as a solution provider for both the clients you serve and the customers, the very people who are on the hunt for these healthier options being part of the solution.” Vending services need to think about how to solve problems customers are facing and doing their best to meet their needs directly. Vendors can make money selling healthier products to consumers. They only thing they consumers more than healthier options is healthier options delivered with the press of a button. As the customer demands increase the potential for vendors to benefit financially increases as well.

Vending.com is working to be part of the solution to consumer demands with healthy vending machines.  Our healthy vending machines offer an alternative to the snacks traditionally sold in vending machines. Healthy vending machines provide low fat, low sugar, low carb, products. You can vend nutritious foods, snack & drinks all from a healthy vending machine. High protein meats, nuts, bars, also whole grains and natural waters and juices are some items that could appeal to your healthier customers.

It is vital to remain on the pulse of consumer wants and desires moving into the future. The ever-increasing demand for convenient healthy food is a wonderful opportunity for vending operators to profit as they adjust from just selling the typical junk food and branching out into healthier options. If you have any question about you can take advantage of the demand for healthier food contact us today at 1-855- 253-7880.

We believe it is the right time to demonstrate that our industry is part of the solution in promoting public health and in meeting consumer demands while also protecting our businesses and enabling them to grow on our terms.

Carla Balakgie, NAMA President & CEO

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Could Free Samples From a Vending Machine Lead to a Full-Size Product Purchase?

freeosk

If you’ve ever been to a grocery store on the weekend, you’re probably familiar with the concept of free samples. Grocery store employees stand by a table, offering small sample servings of a particular product. The goal is to get you to try something you may not have in the past and to also entice you to purchase a product that was previously not on your radar. Can the same free sample concept yield the same benefits for vending machines across the country and increase sales? One Chicago-based startup recently attempted to find out and discovered something pretty incredible as a result.

The startup in question is called Freeosk and is run by a man named Matt Eichorn. Freeosk vending machines provide both food items and personal care products and currently have vending machines in roughly 650 Sam’s Club locations across the country. The vending machines dispense free samples of certain featured products to customers that they can then buy from Sam’s Club should they so choose. The experiment is already a success and has seen the sales of those featured products increase significantly soon after the free vending machine samples are given.

As a concept, Freeosk and its free samples are creating a bit of a “win win” situation for everyone involved. In order for a brand’s product to make it into a Freeosk as one of its “featured items,” that company must pay Freeosk for the privilege. The retailer partner (in this case Sam’s Club) also benefits, because if customers like the free samples they can then go elsewhere in the store and buy more of those products in bulk.

Even the brands themselves benefit, as free vending machine samples are a great way to increase brand engagement in a very controlled environment.

According to Sam’s Club, the customers themselves are also benefiting. Not only do they get the chance to try out products that they may not have otherwise, but Sam’s Club indicates that its members love to sample new products in general. They consider it an easy and fun way to discover new items.

If you’re a vending machine owner and are looking for a way to increase full-size product sales across the board, Freeosk and Sam’s Club have recently revealed that free vending machine samples are the way to go. With the advancements that have been made in vending machine technology in the last several years, free samples may just end up being one of the most cost-effective ways to boost revenue to come along in quite some time. Get started on this idea by checking out our selection of affordable vending machines here at Vending.com.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Teaching Hard Work to the Next Generation

What was your first job? What was it like? How did it impact your view of work? An important part of growing up is learning how to work hard. We all wish earning money was easy but that’s just not reality. Vending is a great way to teach hard work and responsibility to your family. It doesn’t take extensive education to service a vending machine, teens are very capable of helping a family vending business. Teaching hard work to kids when they’re young can set them up for a successful future.

Vending is simple to get into and can be very profitable for you and your family. However, there are no shortcuts and putting in work is necessary. There are many family-run vending businesses across the country, where families work together to service their machines and reap the rewards. Vending.com equipment offer great profitability but they take time and energy to remain full with product. Not only does it take time to refill machines with product it takes research and intentionality to know what to sell in your machines. Machines poorly maintained show negatively on your business and if it’s a family business, possibly on your family too. Vending is a great opportunity to teach young people the value and importance of responsibility.

While vending is work, the profits make it all worth it. As a vendor there’s nothing like taking a thick wad of cash out of the bill box and seeing the fruits of your labor. Working is hard, but it’s important and has its rewards. Seeing and experiencing the rewards of hard work is great motivation to continue working hard. The money you earn will mean much more to you and used more responsibly than money that was just given to you. 

Vending.com is here to help you before you begin vending as a family and throughout the life of your machines as well. We want you to have the best experience vending. We are available to honestly answer any questions you have about the industry or our equipment. Give us a call today at 1-855-365-0906.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Vending Machines and Social Media for Making Purchases  

Companies of all types have long been looking for ways to use the marketing power of social media to their advantage. After all, sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more all come with active user bases in the hundreds of millions of people – who wouldn’t want to tap into that? In the 21st century, companies are using social media marketing techniques to do a whole lot more than just send out the occasional clever tweet. Many companies are leveraging the power of social media with the benefits of the common vending machine to create a situation so enticing that people everywhere can’t help but notice.

Free Promotions

One of the best recent examples of using social media vending machine equipment takes the form of a promotion executed by the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox rented a vending machine that was connected to the social media network Twitter. If a user was in the vicinity of the machine and tweeted using a specific hashtag, the machine would dispense certain products.

The real crux of the idea, however, was that a signed jersey from one of the Red Sox’s star players was inside the machine. One lucky Twitter user could use the right hashtag to win the jersey, creating a situation that fans came from all over to participate in.

Old Navy

old navy vending machine

Another example of a company putting vending machines to good use is Old Navy. Every year, Old Navy has a sale where they discount a huge number of different pairs of flip-flops to just $1. One year, Old Navy took the promotion to the next level with the involvement of 36 different social media powered vending machines in New York City and Los Angeles. If a customer came across the machine, all they had to do was log into Twitter from a tablet that was attached to the machine itself and answer a few questions in a survey.

Once the survey was completed, they could then specify their shoe size and take home a pair of flip-flops to call their own. One user also won a $5,000 vacation package, generating buzz for the campaign that was impossible to ignore.

These are just a few of the many ways that companies are using social media enabled vending machine units to their advantage. As you can see, vending machines are no longer just for selling snacks in between shifts at work or for picking up the occasional soft drink in between classes. They’re a full fledged marketing channel that can generate millions of dollars a year in revenue if utilized effectively.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

Your Goals for 2021

A new year is officially upon us. If you have not yet, it is time to make goals for your vending business in 2021. These goals should include focusing on what your customers are craving, both in technology and snacks. Let’s discover what your keys to success look like in 2021.

It cannot be stated enough. Cashless vending is something you cannot afford to skip. Cashless payments, such as through Greenlite or PayRange, not only benefit the customer, but they benefit you as well. Cashless payments mean quicker transactions for you and an increase in same-machine sales. By not providing cashless payment options, you are losing sales and possible customers.

Another trend in 2021 that is predicted to increase is more product transparency. This includes more than simply nutrition information. This is storytelling features on the products you are providing. For example, Vending MarketWatch recently produced an article in which brands are using barcodes or a QR code to give background information about where the product came from. Customers may be more drawn to these products if they are included in your vending machine.

Many people saw an increase in their anxiety, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help put people at ease in 2021, consider offering products that prioritize immune health. Snacks and drinks that cater to these needs include dark chocolate, orange juice, yogurt and nuts. Put customers at ease with what you provide through vending. The best part? All of these products can be featured through a variety of Vending.com machines, such as the Express Combo Vending Machine, the MarketOne Snack 6W Vending Machine and the MarketOne 5W Cold Food Elevator Vending Machine.

Vending.com is here to help steer you in the right direction in 2021. For more questions about our vending equipment and services, call us at 1-800-548-1982.

Posted on | by Phil Masters

The Importance of Proper Guidance for Employees

For many employees, the employee handbook is only one small piece of working for a company – a piece quickly forgotten. They read it, forget it and get on with learning and doing their job. While this may not be ideal from and employer perspective, it is important to realize that forgetting the employee handbook is a luxury only available to employees. As an employer, the employee handbook is an important tool for communicating with your workers and protecting your company from unnecessary lawsuits.

The importance of an in-depth employee handbook

The employee handbook explains a number of things to your employees – things that they need to understand to integrate effectively with your company. It not only tells them the history of your business and your mission and goals, it explains hard and fast rules for getting along in the company. It lays down the law on what is and is not acceptable.

In addition to the rules of your company, the handbook also lays out the specific laws that are applicable to employment with your company. There are federal and state laws pertaining to employment – and perhaps to safety in your particular industry – that employees need to be aware of.

All of this information is put down in clear writing that is then explained to the employee by your company. Employees can look to the handbook for clarification, as well as to management and human resources if applicable. The important thing is, all parties have the same reference – the handbook.

The handbook protects your company

You company could do everything right, operating well within the law and treating your employees fairly. This does not protect you from legal action by unscrupulous parties – even people you have hired and taken care of. Companies are sued all the time whether they do anything wrong or not. But, as long as you are obeying the law and have solid documentation to back you up – such as with your employee handbook, you should be able to effectively defend yourself.

Consider at-will employment. If you are in an at-will state, you should certainly have that information front and center in your handbook. Employees should know that legal realities of your relationship to prevent any confusion on down the line. Disciplinary measures are sometimes necessary and should be mentioned in the handbook as well, along with the relationship between disciplinary measures and at-will employment.

Harassment policies are also an important component of the handbook. Sexual harassment charges can hit a company hard, damaging both its reputation and its bank account. Your policies towards any type of harassment or discrimination should be clearly stated in the handbook. This is something you will want to be able to reference should anyone ever attempt to lay blame on your company policies for harassment or discrimination situations.

Invest in your employee handbook

The employee handbook is important enough to invest time and money in. Consider hiring an attorney familiar with employee handbooks to ensure you include everything necessary to protect your company – both now and in the future.