Vending Machine Refurbishers

Buy product in larger quantities.  Larger quantities can often be purchased for lower unit cost.

Save on expenses in other parts of the business to compensate for higher product costs.

Dispensing correct portions is a huge key to candy vending.  It is easy to give so much product that you end up making a very small profit.  My suggestion is to give no more than necessary for each sale.  A good rule of thumb is to give about enough candy to fill a child's hand.  In general numbers I give 5-6 pieces of larger candies like M and M Peanuts and about 10 pieces of smaller candies like Runts, M & M chocolates, Reese's Pieces, and Skittles.  For gumballs, you can order a smaller size gumball and actually get more sales per box (in most situations) thereby helping to preserve a good profit margin.  Check with Sam's, Costco, or your gumball supplier about prices and information on smaller size gum.

Concerning point three above, we accomplished this by extending the amount of time we serviced our machines.  This accomplished two things:  One, it saved on our servicing expenses such as gas, meals, and lodging (I regularly stay in motels to service our 2,200-plus machines).  Two, it cut down on our time investment in the business.

There are many many "little" things you can do to increase your profit margins.  I invite you to spend some time on my site reading articles I have provided to help bulk vending operators and those considering buying vending machines to launch a new home business.

Good luck!

Mark Evants manages a profitable vending company of 2,200 machines in the mid west. For more extremely practical vending tips and articles on increasing cash flow and structuring your vending business visit: http://www.vendingarticles.net - Tips and Articles for PROFITABLE Vending!