Take Advantage of Back Door Locations

Hi,
I hope all of your bulk candy vending machine efforts have been going well this month.

This week I would like to talk about taking advantage of back door locations. Well first off, a front door location is such things as a Restaurant, Auto Shop or Car detailing lobby. These are great locations and usually make a little more than a back door location which is an employee breakroom as an example.

I say employee breakrooms and backdoor locations should be taken advantage of. I have found that they are easier to get the location because most managers who will approve the location do not care either way if a small candy machine has been setup for the employee breakroom or next to the employee bathroom. If they feel like they are helping the specified charity they are good with letting you setup the machine.

One of the best places for a backdoor location is a retail department store that has lots of teenagers and college students working there. Most will go into the employee breakroom and want some type of candy. Even if the break room has larger industrial candy and snack machines many times they will pick your quarter candy machine first. The reason why is they may not want to put in the money that the larger snack machine is asking for and just want a handful of candy for a quarter. This can add up over a months time.

I have a candy vending machine in a Clothing Store breakroom and it does very well. Every once in awhile if they clean the breakroom they move it into the back and do not put it back out. When I go up to check it I just walk right into the breakroom, refill it, collect my money and I am out of there. Very little maintenance or hassle except for the occational putting it back out in the designated area if it is removed for cleaning etc.. Most of the employees like it because it gives them a source for a quick affordable snack out of your bulk candy vending machine and it gives you a nice source of quarters.

Till next time, keep on vending!
Candyman
http://www.bulkvending.blogspot.com

Music Stores are Great Locations for Bulk Candy Vending Machines!

Music Stores are great locations for bulk candy vending machines. If you are looking for a good location for your candy machines you should go to your yellow or white pages and look up any music stores that give lessons. My son took guitar lessons for awhile and we would sit and wait in the lobby and I was amazed at the number of kids that would be hungry and get candy out of those machines.

He was a teenager then and I kept thinking what a perfect place for a bulk candy vending machine!
You have a constant flow of younger kids and teenagers coming in and waiting for their next music lesson.

When the parents come to pick them up, they bring the younger brothers and sisters with them and what do you think they want. Yes, candy out of the vending machine. Usually the lessons are after school and everyone is rushing around and have not eaten yet, so some candy in the afternoon is perferct to tide them over and great for your vending profits.

So no matter where you live in the country check this out as an option. Yes, you will find that many already have a bulk candy vending machine in them. Don't be afraid to ask though. Many if for a good charity will be willing for you to put your bulk candy machine in and there is plenty of kids coming in to share the profits.

Till next time, Keep on Vending!
Candyman
http://www.bulkvending.blogspot.com

Bulk Candy Machine Vending Tips

Bulk Candy Machine Vending Tips

1) One of the easiest ways to Boost Sales is by cleaning your bulk candy vending machines each time you service them.
2) Another way to increase sales is by changing the product mix of your bulk candy and monitor it to see how it is doing.
3) Moving the bulk vending machine to a different spot in the same location is another method.
4) Relocating to a new location is a must for underperforming bulk candy machines.
5) You can keep bulk candy like Hot Tamales from sticking together by using non-stick spray like PAM on the candy.
6) To prevent ants from getting in your bulk candy vending machines put a layer of petrolium jelly at the top of the post near the base of the candy machine head - this works very well for preventing ants getting into your machines.
7) Keep your bulk candy machine out of direct sunlight as it will damage the candy quickly.
8) Never let your bulk candy machines go empty or have a prolonged amount of time with an out of order sign on the machine. Check them regularly.
9) Staying organized and planning ahead will help you service your machines much more quickly. Plan the route ahead of time.
10) Get a membership at Sam's Club or Costco to get great deals on bulk candy.
11) When servicing bulk vending machines get a gym bag or travel bag to put tools, petrolium jelly, candy into as not to draw attention to yourself.
12) If you are going to go on vacation make sure you service your bulk candy vending machines before you leave or train someone else to do it for you.

There's Other Bulk Vending Machines Already at This Location!

You walk in to locate your bulk candy vending machine and there are already vending machines at this location.
Well, this is a workable situation most of the time. You have to determine how much foot traffic this location is likely to get and if there is room for more than one machine. Most of the time there is so you are in luck!

Try to put different product than the other machines have in them. Many times more than one machine will not hurt you and if the other machines are not as nice as yours and are not serviced well can be a plus for your candy vending machine and can actually help your sales. So don't be afraid to place your machine with others, just make it a bit unique as to attract customers to it.

An example of this is that I walked into a Chinese Restaurant and saw many machines already there. Many had the little capsule toys in them and a few had some candy that did not even look familar and the machines did not look serviced well. I had asked the owner if I could put my machine in and that it supported my charity. He said yes, and I placed my machine down on the far end but closest to the front door next to the others. This machine does very well and I have been very happy with the results. I even eat there periodically just to check on how it does. Remember my article about being a customer first.

If the location has many employees you might want to dispense a little more candy per handful to get the word of mouth out that your machine gives more candy for the money. This will attract more people to your machines. You can always slim it down a bit later. Especially if it is gum, there is a nice profit margin on this product and you will still be making a good profit.

Also, make sure your machine is the newest, nicest and cleanest machine out of all available machines. People are drawn to a nice new looking machine. If it is dirty and not well maintained or has melted candy etc. is a turnoff and no customers will want to use your machine and it will turn people away to the competitors machine. When your bulk candy vending machine is in an area with multiple machines, make it stand out by being the cleanest and best maintained machine and you will profit from it.

Evaluate the machine over time and if it does not meet your expectations you can always pull it out and move it to a better location, but do not be afraid to place it with other machines initially and test the waters.

Till next time, Keep on Vending!
Candyman
http://www.bulkvending.blogspot.com