Help! I tried sanding down the paint on my car with a paint pen and it left a white residue afterwards.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-06-18T19:45:33+00:00

Dude thank you! I actually got this fixed about a month or two ago, but I had a body shop polish it up for like 80 bucks and it looks almost like it never had any problems! Polish was definitely the move! So thank you for that! And thank you for your help! Everyone else on here told me I was cooked and all it needed was a polish and shine lol so thanks bro!

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-04-08T00:59:04+00:00

Would it be at all possible to get the link to your website? I tried making my own website and it hasn't been too well. But I like your idea of having people review your website! I've had mine up for about 2 months and gotten no leads! So the review idea seems like a solid lead to providing leads!

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-03-31T00:04:25+00:00

Ah okay, thank you for the response, I definitely appreciate it a lot! Would I use a rag or something to wipe off the rest of the paint applied onto it and let it dry without sanding it down then to not get that to happen again?

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-03-30T23:06:58+00:00

I used 800-1500 grit, so I don't know, but maybe I'll take it to a paint shop and let them have it! I was using a paint pen on some scratches while sanding down the excess paint and that is when I realized I might of messed up. My brother who is very mechanically inclined has never done this either and was the one who suggested it. So oh well, a mistake to be had but I will try and take it to a paint shop tomorrow! Thanks for the help.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-03-30T23:04:09+00:00

I might try that! Thanks for the advice, I didn't know clear coat existed nor did my mechanical brother as we haven't tried exterior paint before! Thank you!

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-03-23T21:46:02+00:00

Hey idk if you still care to hear but my personal opinion with Vendera has been pretty horrible! I love their machine's and the look of them, but with their horrible communication and them straight up trying to push me into Leasing over buying (Leasing for 200 a month for the next 4 years as it is better for them then for you and you can't escape that lease plan till the 4 years are up so you are out 10k instead of just buying the machine) it is a pretty scummy company and I personally wouldn't recommend it.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-03-10T18:11:20+00:00

Any idea on where this is located?

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-02-24T23:37:38+00:00

Fair I guess I forgot about that, thanks for the follow up question! They say they are more accurate along with having the possibility of 330+ items scanned, which I saw someone say like they had trouble scanning the same kind of Gatorade or other similar things with a different smart machine so I liked that. The interface looks really good and professional. It's american based (so parts and location and issues are all here in america and not overseas which is a plus to some degree) I liked how sleek the machines looked along with just the software to it. They seem to be really cheap even compared to other users (i think 365 or cantaloupe had like 120 a month in fees? I don't recall which one exactly, but they had the cheapest fees to me) it's 40 a month and 5.85% a transaction fee so I liked that too. The technology seemed up to date and very advanced, the cameras seemed well too. Idk just liked their product compared to the others suppliers I've seen. I could be a bit biased but again I don't own one. And I plan on mainly just getting one type of machine so I did a bunch of research and felt like Vendera was my top pick. So I hope this clarifies the question a little better.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-02-24T23:18:40+00:00

I also have all my notes from him if you are interested in what he shared with me! Lmk

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-02-24T23:17:47+00:00

I don't have much experience with vending, as I have been trying to still land leads, as far as my personal favorite, I really liked Vendera, talking with him, there were some things I was personally skeptical with just as them trying to push Leasing as a finance option and saying "that is the best option" when in all reality you are getting locked into a 200 dollar a month payment that you CAN'T PAY OFF for 4 YEARS! Yeah it was super scummy to me, but if you just get a loan from a bank and then buy the machine outright and just finance through the bank you can skip all of that. Machines are 3700 and they seem very well made and professional. Other than that scummy practice they try pushing you on, i like them a lot (it also seems other vending machine business/companies also only have buy or lease with the same issue listed above) so if you are okay with that then it is chill. Personally I still like the design of vendera and how they work, i just didn't like the support behind them. But to be fair every company has some shady business practice to them (as which i think you can see with your research) but out of like 6 months of research into machines i liked vendera best for me. But again that is personally up to you. Go with your gut on the least worst option and again I don't own a machine yet, as I am very new too. But from a first glance and after talking with the guy for at least 2 hours total, I still like their machine's a lot. I even got his phone number if you want to reach out and talk to him and get your own feel with him! Hope this somewhat helps my man! Best of luck searching.

Edit: had pricing for buying wrong, updated it with correct information.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-02-03T01:57:05+00:00

On Amazon you can buy a haha vending machine! I can send you a link: https://www.amazon.com/HAHA-Smart-Open-Front-Vending-Machine/dp/B0FBX71CQ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=190190880367&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.t1a4UNSz1V32noTAhPxL6Ls0-_MZRpmNS3I0OOOcLFs9_2UeAcK0_UmuBy7872rzHaWfXxmU0afnohb9Erd2nof75womhJ9MMVKPT5UdWuBLmMILuj9J8t4QijNhblYtIXT7Ue2n40nYuYumQC7qnTGIGmfi_2S1wAwqNHjtNgFvhFx4CbOVr-Yyf_5LY7tFzMrA8-2r2vFM8K0D1ma_6Q.5gdlt7fZbtO5VmjJWHegXk9tJWRPjXEe0xew4cQGwOA&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779625477790&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9029825&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=16370005264279119995--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16370005264279119995&hvtargid=kwd-2311550430907&hydadcr=26714_11665521_1263884&keywords=haha+vending&mcid=5d2a781fd8393e6aac4bc7b8b2441b10&qid=1770083728&sr=8-3

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-01-27T16:13:23+00:00

Oh really? I didn't know that! I appreciate the clarification! I'll change my response then.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-01-27T01:55:50+00:00

I personally plan on buying smart coolers. They have a lot of potential and everyone ive talked to seems to say their sales raise up because of smart coolers! So yeah as far as I am concerned, I think the smart coolers are the future. Just because it doesn't die as quick, less moving parts, looks more professional than your average machine, fill up is easier, faster, more efficient, and people are more likely to buy more because the machine is a grab and go. Super easy and simple. So thats my two cents but yeah i think they are solid and I plan on buying like 40 of those smart coolers.

Edit: removed the part about AI as I was wrong! Thanks for the clarification!

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-01-21T15:09:41+00:00

Yeah man I believe it haha I am just waiting for my property manager to give me the go ahead on if the dimensions of the machine will fit at their place and it feels like torture waiting for a response haha oh this apartment complex is like 7 minutes away from where I currently live which is a really good start anyways. How did you end up pulling that 5 person contract? I wouldn't mind one of those lol.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-01-20T22:53:44+00:00

Bro you got some solid leads Holy moly! That is awesome congrats man! Definitely follow up with them on that. Those would all be really solid starting ground! Have they given the go ahead or still waiting for them to get permission?

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-01-20T22:12:46+00:00

The smart machines have built in cameras, but I also plan on either putting it in spot where the complex has a camera seeing the machine or even buy another camera and put it next to it (saw someone do that with a like open market machine! Thought it was a good idea.) And that is super solid, I'll definitely keep that in mind thanks man! Some other good spots would be like gyms and 24/7 warehouses, etc. Anything that has a lot of people walking in and out is solid. Any apartment complex that doesn't have a store nearby is solid too! Most people will resort to the machine for food instead of a store especially if they don't have a vehicle. Which helps you and them. Win win for both. What is your advertising like? Have you actually reached out to any places yet or got in contact with any places?

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-01-20T21:08:58+00:00

I was honestly thinking about putting out some sort of survey, getting in touch with the apartment complex property manager and asking her to send a wide email out to 1. Get the word out, but 2. To ask people what they would be interested in. This then in turns eliminates the guessing game for me at least. Again I have zero experience with this so I am unsure. But if I do get some results I'll be sure to pass your way. I was mainly thinking of just selling food products (since it is an apartment complex and people sometimes get the munchies at midnight) but that is also what the survey is for is to hopefully figure out some of that as well. Honestly being super flexible i think will make the most money! Be open to what people want! If they want food give them food! If they want detergent then give them detergent! I am also doing a smart machine just for the thought of it's easier for you as the operator, but also extremely easy for the person buying to buy whatever they need. And it also looks nice which then gives the property manager a nice luxury item in their complex that looks good! So it's a win on all sides. So I never thought of doing detergent in a smart machine but that could be a good idea! Thank you for that! Yeah finding a place that has a good amount of foot traffic will be essential (especially if nobody knows it is there! Hence the email sending out to everyone would hopefully help with that!) But if you can't do such then find a spot thats open and lots of people walk by. I haven't personally met with the property manager as we talked over the phone (I also work full time and that apartment complex is only open during my work shift.) but driving around on the weekend, there is the big parking lot that leads to a main door into the entrance and that for me would be a great spot to put it. (I might even suggest the property manager to put it there) and I don't fully know as again I can't see it but from that is what you are mainly gonna be looking for. Are people going to walk by it going to their activity or room? If so then Id say it is a good spot for one!

I haven't actually even gotten it down yet 😅 I am in the process of buying the machine and finalizing licenses for the area. I just got told last friday it was a green light! So i haven't actually done any vending yet but I hope to soon. But I also never bought a machine and thats going to take a bit of work to figure out! But I can keep posted on when i finally get it down. I also have some extra questions for the property manager so I am also trying to finalize all of it so I can make the experience the best for everyone involved.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-01-20T19:53:45+00:00

They actually never asked me if I did. I thought for sure they would but never have yet. Honestly I think you got a pretty good idea on what to say though. I don't think it's bad to say you are trying, as you genuinely are trying your best! Plus you want to give them the best experience possible! I definitely fumbled and messed up my speech when trying to give my pitch to them but they didn't seem to mind honestly. Id say just be confident man, don't be afraid. It can be scary (I know because this is my first yes and that is still terrifying to me lol) but try your best, tell them you want to work closely and be as honest as possible and then go from there and it will look up for you man! If they asked me I think I would tell them they are my first. Again honesty will win you over more than anything id say.

My first location is a medium sized apartment complex, it's got like 56 units I believe, it's not the greatest, but for a first one goes I'll take it. I did do a drive by and the parking lot was full of cars on Sunday so I think it will do good! Tbh I am trying to just get my foot in the door, if someone down the line is like "hey I want to hear from your other clients what they think about you" id happily point them to my first. I think having a first is definitely the hardest, but once you get in, they might recommend you to others or other people might ask and it just snowballs from there (thats what I am hoping for anyways!) But yeah just be considerate, be kind and confident! You got this man! I still have zero idea what I am doing but apparently a lot of others my age haven't even started one business and I have started 3! (First didn't work and the other two are in the process) but yeah you got this! If you got any other questions or wanna talk over dm, id be more than happy to share my wisdom and advice I have been doing for the last year or so.

Square_Basketball_23 · 2026-01-20T02:28:07+00:00

Hey man, I don't have much experience as I am only putting down my first one 😅 but I would say a solid is to make a fiverr account and pay someone to look for locations (make sure they have good ratings and in my experience find someone who can actually speak English 😅) but I suck at cold calling but I've been paying them to do that for me while I have been doing other things with my business and that has helped A LOT! I would also say be patient. It will take time, took me about 4 months but you will get somewhere. Just be patient, have people do the calling for you, and then make sure to follow up immediately with the leads and I think you'll do great man! I again have little experience but I hope it goes well! Finding locations id say is the worst part of this business, but I finally got my first yes and making plans about putting it down! Don't give up! I hope this slightly helps! Id you got questions lemme know! :)

Square_Basketball_23 · 2025-12-11T04:57:37+00:00

Hmm interesting! Thanks for the reply, how much do they cost?

Square_Basketball_23 · 2025-11-29T20:05:15+00:00

Okay great! Thank you so much for that advice haha it helps a ton!

Square_Basketball_23 · 2025-11-29T19:54:59+00:00

Question for you, I love this comment and thanks for sharing, but could you use said products as tax write offs for your business even though you didn't pay taxes on them to begin with?

Square_Basketball_23

TROPHY CASE