Coke machine

[CRXPilot]

I'm renting a 25x25 shop at a complex with 50 other units. The idea I had was to install a Coke machine at a central spot in the complex to help offset the rent.

How do I pitch this idea to the owner? Anyone else doing this? What are some good used machines I should look for?

Thanks!

 

[JC23]

I see plenty of used machines on Craig's List. Start there. Good luck!

 

[Zeke]

Oh yeah, you can purchase a machine and fill it from Costco. You'll make a lot more than having a vendor own machine in there. Get a snack machine to go along with it.

Don't use the machines personally!

AFA the owner, all you can do is share the profit and buy him/her a coke when they stop by. If they don't like that, put the thing just inside your door if you are there a lot.

 

[larryv]

I have 7 machines at different locations and have to pay for the electricity only. The hair salons have the keys to the machines and the laundromats and car washes i fill weekly in the summer. The owners of the property like the idea of the convenience for there customers. I bought my machines off Craigslist and I purchase all my drinks from Costco. Be prepared the have and extra bill changer handy and if its an outside machine, a Steel cage! Good Luck

 

[Falcon67]

What they said. Secure the machine if it's outside - I mean TO something. Take the money out regularly and expect to replace it unless it's in a semi-protected place. Just don't walk around thinking stuff like that a 1200 lb, 7' x 4' Coke box located in a nice apartment rec room can't end up in the bottom of the pool. Been there, fished that. Or that some d-azz won't take a cutting torch to the side trying to get at the $4.75 in the coin box. Also think about the location in regards to the snack machine - you don't sell many PayDays with a dead mouse laying on a pack of Lance crackers.

Not to dis wade your notion - vending can be fun, and also WTF. There are people that seem to just hate the things.

 

[larryv]

Falcon67.... i agree with you 100% I have been there before.

 

[kbs2244]

I once had a girl working for me who said that the pop and snack machine her dad had in his shop were what were paying her tuition.
He filled the weekly from Sam's.
The nice thing about owning your own is you can mix the brands.
(No "coke products only" rules. You can put beer (NA) in it if you want.)

 

[CRXPilot]

Awesome stuff. Are these machines 110v or 220v? Also, I'm thinking just drinks to start to avoid trashing expired snacks.

 

[larryv]

110v

 

[aafc1]

I have 200 machines on location. Nobody is torching the machines. Mice cannot get in them unless you make a hole for them. You generally give a location 20% for letting you keep the machine there and as for putting beer in it you better make sure nobody underage has access to the machine or you will be in deep. Hope anything i said helps.

 

[Vinny]

Personal experience, cage it or lock it down. Not that I've ever owned one, but me and my friends had a few tricks to get free sodas and snacks out of the things back when we were kids.

 

[HotRodKush]

What's a typical return on a machine? How many sodas can you sell in a day?

 

[malibu101]

What's a typical return on a machine? How many sodas can you sell in a day?

I'd guess that answer totally depends on location, amount of people past the machine, and price. Kinda a hard question to answer.

 

[Mr. D]

What's a typical return on a machine? How many sodas can you sell in a day?

I was going to ask the same question, anyone care to share?

 

[aafc1]

I am in the business and from trial and error you can sell out a complete machine which is 600 cans or 240 bottles daily with the right location.

 

[formek]

My thought is the owner will want a cut. The other thing is they might cut you out. after you mention it to them the might put in there own. I would put it in your shop and let everyone come in and ues it. then if the owner said any thing it is for you and your customers. and if they put one out side you can lower the price in side. Just some thoughts. good luck

 

[CRXPilot]

My thought is the owner will want a cut. The other thing is they might cut you out. after you mention it to them the might put in there own. I would put it in your shop and let everyone come in and ues it. then if the owner said any thing it is for you and your customers. and if they put one out side you can lower the price in side. Just some thoughts. good luck

Yeah, I'd hate to mention it to the guy, listen to his gears turn, and find a drink machine out there next week. He could easily have his maintenance guy do his own machine upkeep. Would I have him sign a non-compete? This is getting complicated.

 

[klhitman]

i know with coke and Pepsi (talk with our vending guy) that they will give you a machine if you buy and stock their products.

he will stock anything we want in them and if the machine breaks down he calls them, but he has to take out the "other stuff" before they show up.

tell your land lord you will cut him in on the action and he doesn't have to buy any stock or pay someone to stock it. its will be pure profit to him!

 

[aafc1]

Yes but if you buy from coke or pepsi the price is higher so your profit is lower. It sometimes takes them 2 to 3 weeks to come repair and they make spot checks to make sure that your'e not selling someone elses product.

 

[Worsedog]

Also be sure to check if you need any license or permits. There are folks here that make a nice supplemental income by turning in unpermitted machines.

 

[aafc1]

How do you make money from turning someone in? Here in jersey if you turn someone in the town just contacts the machine owner and tells him to pay for the permit.

 

[Nighttrain]

We have one at work which we use as a "fund" maker. The machine is from coke and they maintain it. We purchase only coke product from cosco. We only charge .50 a can which is the lowest price around. Could raise it by we make enough profit and it keeps people happy. It does have a big cage welded around it due to the location (parking garage downtown) and re-inforced plating around the locks. Too many homeless folks trying to break into it.

 

[Worsedog]

How do you make money from turning someone in? Here in jersey if you turn someone in the town just contacts the machine owner and tells him to pay for the permit.

They pay a reward....

 

[aafc1]

oh they don't pay here. they just keep taking.

 

[Eldogg]

I had a old school machine in my shop for a while and I did pretty well with it. Just watch for sells on drinks Sams Club & Costco don't always have the best deals. Around here it was Walgreens or Rite-Aid that had the best prices.