Starting a vending machine business is something anyone can do, even when they have limited capital. While starting and maintaining a vending machine business can be very lucrative if done right, there are some mistakes that you should avoid when choosing a vending machine. In this article, we will focus on what you need to look for when choosing one.
Customer Experience
Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the customer experience, notably the ease of using the vending machine. People love vending machines because they are convenient and fast. People do not want to spend a lot of time at a vending machine because it is not working as expected or is hard to use. They do not want to learn how to use the vending machine but instead want to grab what they have bought as quickly as possible.
A simple way to know whether a vending machine offers a great user experience is to check if kids can use the vending machine. If they can figure out how to use the vending machine and complete a purchase, then adults can do the same without thinking about it too much or expending too much energy.
Mechanics
The mechanics for most vending machines are similar. However, some vending machines dispense the products too slowly or are prone to jamming. Once people realize that either or both of these happen with your vending machines, they will avoid them.
It is therefore important to check the mechanics by making a few purchases before letting people use the vending machine. This will allow you to find any issues that might hinder sales and turn people off. Also, check the machine regularly to ensure it is working as expected.
Payment Options
Most people appreciate having the ability to pay with a method that is most convenient for them. Barring that, they will often move to another vendor and might not come back even after you implement the extra payment options.
When looking for a vending machine for your business, it should have not only the main payment methods options but some extra ones that your customers will appreciate. At the very minimum, the machine should allow people to pay using cash (notes and coins), debit and credit cards, as well as preloaded cards. You can allow fob keys, contactless cards, and digital payment options as extras to attract customers who may prefer these payment methods. The good news is that there are several good vending machines for sale that offer a wide variety of payment options, and these are the vending machines you should ask for when shopping for vending machines
Types of Products
Depending on the types of customers you are targeting, a vending machine can sell a narrow set of products or a wide one. You want a vending machine that allows you to sell as many types of products as is feasible. For example, you should be able to sell water and bottles of soft drinks at the same time. If you sell energy drinks, you should also be able to sell soda cans using the same machine.
Choosing a machine that gives you these options not only allows you to attract different types of customers; it also allows you to make changes as needed. For example, if you want to sell fewer soft drinks and more water, the vending machine should be flexible enough to allow you to do this.
Choosing the right vending machine is a very important step when starting a vending machine business. You want a vending machine that comes with at least the bare minimum features and additional ones that would be beneficial to you and your customers.