A vending machine can be a great addition to any workplace, allowing staff and visitors quick and easy access to drinks and snacks when shops and supermarkets may not be convenient or quick to get to.
But vending machines aren’t just for business owners looking to provide a facility for their staff. Enterprising people can also rent space in public areas to place their own vending machines as a way of boosting their income with relatively little effort.
But with so many different types of vending machine available these days, how do you go about choosing the right one for your purposes? Read our handy guide to discover the best way to go about buying the perfect vending machine for your business.
Factors to consider when buying a vending machine
Before plunging headfirst into the vending machine marketplace, it would be worth spending a bit of time working out exactly what you want from one. With so many to choose from, that would allow you to immediately begin narrowing down your options.
Here are just a few of the things to think about:
- Location – The starting-point for all that follows, the first thing you need to know is where you are going to put your vending machine. Is it going in a staff canteen, a local leisure centre, a school or college, or maybe even a shopping centre? If it’s going in a public space, you need to ensure that it is visible and easily accessible. You also want to make sure that there aren’t others selling the same kinds of products in the immediate vicinity who might provide unwelcome competition.
- Size – Once you’ve identified where you’ll be placing your machine, you need to ensure that the one you’re buying will actually fit there. With a wide range of sizes available, from those with just a limited number of products to micro markets that offer a far wider choice (and take up a good deal more space), you want to make sure that you’ll be making the most of the space you have to play with.
- Number of people – How many are likely to be passing and hopefully buying from your vending machine? If it’s going in the canteen at a small workplace, you’ll have far fewer potential customers than if it’s in a shopping centre with hundreds or even thousands passing by every day.
- Type of vending machine – Do you want the option of selling fresh or hot options, or will you stick to simple but popular snacks with a long shelf life so that your daily involvement can be kept to a minimum? Fresh food is proving increasingly popular but does mean regular replenishment is going to be needed. It might also be a good idea to do some research into the type of people likely to be using your machine so you can decide whether to stock options suitable for different diets.
- Payment options – If you’re putting your machine in a busy area, you might want to allow contactless payment only. That is likely to allow for a quicker turnover of users as well as negating the possible problems of having to keep change topped up.
Once you’ve considered all the above, you can put together what represents your ideal machine – and at this point, you can start looking for the right supplier to sell or lease you one!
Ready to buy?
Our friendly experts at Nu Vending will be able to help guide you through the vast options and find the right machine to suit you and your business' needs.
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When selecting the best company to supply you with a vending machine, you need to look for more than just a wide range of machines to choose from. These are some of the things a good vending machine company can offer to help make managing your vending machine a stress and trouble-free experience.
- Professional installation – A good supplier won’t just supply a vending machine, they’ll also make sure that it’s been properly installed, is working properly and that you’ve had the chance to ask any questions you need to before heading off to their next port of call.
- Ongoing maintenance – A vending machine can be a major investment, and you want the confidence that comes with knowing it’s maintained to a high standard so that it can continue to work for you for years to come.
- Regular restocking – If you don’t have the time or inclination to keep your machine fully stocked, passing on that responsibility can be a real benefit.
- Payment options – A supplier that cares about your business won’t just take your money and move onto the next customer. They’ll take the time to go through different payment options so that you know that you’re getting the best long-term value, whether you want to buy, rent or lease your machine.
- Customer support – If you have a problem with your vending machine, does your supplier offer a fast response, and do they give you a dedicated account manager with a regular team that knows you and your business?
- Experience in different markets – does your supplier have extensive experience working with clients in wide range of sectors? This kind of supplier is likely to have a better understanding of the particular requirements of your business and be better placed to help you find the right solution.
If that all sounds like the sort of help you want when acquiring a vending machine, then you need to talk to the team at Nu Vending. We’re one of the leading companies supplying, installing and maintaining vending machines across London and the Home Counties and we believe in providing the very best products backed up by superlative customer care and support.
Get in touch with Nu Vending now to discover more about our full range of vending machines and support services.
