Research and Start a Bulk Vending Business

• Internet
• Observe
• Note
• Vending forums
• Insurance
• Chamber of Commerce
• Better Business Bureau

Search the Internet using keywords like bulk vending, candy, gumball machines.

Be observant. Check out local businesses. See how many have gumball machines or if they have machines from multiple companies. This will give you an idea if the area is saturated or not. You may find that there are locations that have traffic but don't have a gumball machine. Take advantage of that knowledge.

Take note what kind of candy they offer. What equipment is being used?

Browse vending forums for tips and advice from experienced operators. Ex. vendiscuss.com, vendingchat.com, vendingforums.com, vendingtalk.com, and smallbusinessforums.org. Ask as many questions as possible don't worry if you think it's silly. Most are all for helping you get started. Always remember the best decision is the inform decision.

If you can find someone that is or has been in the business and is willing to impart some knowledge, take advantage of it.

Browse ebay.com, craigslist.org, usedvending.com or your local newspaper for possible used equipment. This way you can get familiar with machine models and their cost.

Check local Chamber of Commerce for licensing and permits in your area.

Hunt for good liability insurance. Get 3 to 5 quotes before making a decision. You may get a discount by combining it with your home or auto insurance. Take your time and get the best deal for your money.

Check with the Better Business Bureau to verify any of the companies you are interested in before buying.

It may seem like too much work and a drag but you will not regret starting out on the right direction to a successful business.

Things You’ll Need:

• Research
• A Plan
• Investment
• Equipment
• Product
• Locator

Research - There are many scams out there. You need to do your homework. If it sounds too good to be true it most likely is. I recommend going online. Visit www.vendiscuss.com for example.

Set goals - Make a business plan. Not a complicated one. What do I want to accomplish? Do I want an extra $100 a month or $500? How do I plan to reach that goal? By when do I want to get there?

Investment - How much can I afford to invest. $50 or $5,000? Where is the money coming from? Savings, loan, credit cards? Even if you are just getting one machine to get started, you must consider this.

Equipment - What machine model will I choose? Do I want a single, double, three head machine? Does it fit my budget? I recommend buying used models on eBay or craigslist for best returns. No need to spend $350 or $400 on a new model if you can get the same functionality for $100.

Product - What will I vend? Who is going to supply the goods? Where will I get the best deal?

Locating - Will I be placing these machines myself or will I get a profesional locator? How much will that cost per machine? Where will I find one that meets my needs? I found it cost effective to place them myself. It is hard but if you are a sale type person you will have no problem.

Make a plan and follow through. It can be a very rewarding and do alot of reading and researching.

• Usually you can get the best deal on products in Costco, Sams, BJs. Remember this is a numbers game.
• Avoid 1-800 numbers. Some say that you can collect $300 per month per machine. The truth is that the National Average is $7 per head per month. It all depends on the location. Most likely you will not empty a machine every month.