Articles on Vending
Vending Machines - A Brief History
Vending machines. Can't walk into a store without bumping into one of these tempting titans. A friend of mine tells me that at his local supermarket they have vending machines that sell everything from smokes, to candy to trading card game packs. People just can't seem to get enough of them.
So when did this vending machine craze start and who started it?
Vending machines, or going by their technical term "automatic retailing machines" actually go back a long way. Supposedly, and I'm not really sure how you would verify this, the Greek mathematician Hero made the first vending machine in 215 BC when he invented a machine to vend holy water in Egyptian temples.
The first commercial vending machines, however, appeared up in London, England in the early 1880's. The first machine dispensed post cards. Then a gentleman by the name of Richard Carlisle, an English publisher and book store owner, invented a vending machine that sold books. The closest thing we have to that today are those machines on the street corners that you get the daily newspaper from. But I digress. In 1888 the Thomas Adams Gum Company gave the United States it's first vending machine. The machine was installed on the subway platforms of New York (where else)? and dispensed Tutti Frutti Gum. In 1897 the Pulver Manufacturing Company added animated figures to it's gum machines. Kind of like a toy surprise. This feature is still prevalent in gum machines even today, except most of the time you pretty much just get some cheap plastic decoder ring or a rubber space monster that smells pretty bad. The actual round gumball vending machines were first made in 1907.
As time went on you could get just about everything from vending machines including cigars, post cards, stamps, cigarettes, tampons, and the list goes on and on.
Probably the most famous vending machines, even to this day, are the Coca Cola vending machines. How many commercials on TV over the years have we seen that have featured these machines? Of course soda machines are no longer limited to just Coca Cola. Pepsi has also gotten into the act as well as just about every other major soft drink manufacturer.
Another big thing in vending machines today is food. Go to just about any public place such as an office building or an airport or train station. It's a known fact that people waiting for public transportation get very hungry after a while. In these machines you can now get salads, sandwiches, desserts, canned goods and just about anything that won't go bad if not refrigerated.
Vending machines are not limited to just public places. You can also get your own vending machines for your home. They're not the full blown business versions but they are working models that you can toss a few gumballs into. As a matter of fact this is a very big business in the United States as people just love showing off their replica Coca Cola machine.
There is no question that vending machines are convenient. They make it so that we can get just about anything, anytime, anywhere. It's hard to find anything bad about them. Except maybe those times when they take your money and give you nothing in return.
Author: Michael Russell - Article Source: Ezine Articles
Facts About Starting A Vending Business
Like most of the rest of us humans, you have always dreamed of being your own boss and having a life of financial security for you and your family. A vending business might just be the opportunity you’ve been looking for:
• You can earn up to an 80% profit margin with vending machines.
• You won’t have to hire anyone else, unless you want to.
• You will realize self employment tax advantages.
• Vending machines are an all cash business.
• You can run your business from your home-no need for an office.
• You will set your own working hours.
Vending machines have been around for a good-long time, and will be here for a long time to come. This is a great opportunity and you might as well get in on making money with a product that sells itself. This is a booming industry and anyone can have a vending business of their own.
Snack vending machines come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some sit on a table and others are made to be hung on a wall, there are also the stand alone floor models. Some vending machines are electronic and others are manually operated.
You have a choice of the type of goods you wish to offer with your vending business. Some snack vending machines allow you to purchase hot drinks as well as snacks from the same machine, while others will serve snacks and soda. Some snack vending machines offer you a choice of soda, snacks, and coffee or hot beverages, all in one machine.
You will need to be able to raise and lower your prices on the machines. If your supplier asks more money, you will be able to pass it on to the consumer when you are ready. Electronic machines will usually allow you to change the price, while manual machines will need to be modified.
You need to have product options, don’t get into a vendor franchise that offers only one item. Remember, people like variety, and you will do better in your vending business if you offer an array of drinks or snacks. Some vending machines give you the option to add other products to your machines as often as you like.
No matter what type of vending machine you choose, you will need certain things to get the ball rolling:
· Business Cards– You won’t need to spend a great deal of money on your business advertising. Low cost business cards are a great way to get the word out.
· Postcard Marketing– Mail postcards to local businesses offering your services and pointing out how they can make a profit. This is easier than physically visiting each location. Offer a free gift if they will make a visit to your website.
· Create a Website– You will want to establish an online storefront for your vending business. You can answer any questions a potential customer may have, and show them your machines before making a personal visit.
There are other areas you will need to address when you start a vending machine business, such as licensing and startup costs. You can find out what you will need if you contact your local Small Business Association. You may also be able to get information from the vending machine company, or vending machine franchise you go through.
Author: Mario Churchill - Article Source: Ezine Articles