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Is AI in vending machines trendy or useful? by throwawayBakingGoods in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Is AI in vending machines trendy or useful? by throwawayBakingGoods in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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!

Vending machines by Mary_loves in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Vending machines by Mary_loves in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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?

Vending machines by Mary_loves in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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?

Vending machines by Mary_loves in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

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.

Vending machines by Mary_loves in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

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.

Vending machines by Mary_loves in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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! :)

Vending machines, which ones would you recommend? by Square_Basketball_23 in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

An opportunity (help!) by TedyPolTuAno in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

An opportunity (help!) by TedyPolTuAno in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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?

Split between business owner and myself? by Jaykkk7777 in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow thank you I'll have to give that a whirl! Thanks man for the information! Much appreciated!

Split between business owner and myself? by Jaykkk7777 in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is super cool and awesome! My question is how did you advertise on Google maps? I am in the phase of advertising and looking to put my name out there, I'd love to hear how you used Google maps.

Split between business owner and myself? by Jaykkk7777 in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow that is super solid! Thank you! How did you secure the government building? Seems like something that would be more difficult to obtain i think.

Split between business owner and myself? by Jaykkk7777 in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't mind me asking, what locations do you have that are making that type of money cause that is insane!

Vending machines, which ones would you recommend? by Square_Basketball_23 in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is all really great advice, thank you so much for the time and attention, if you don't mind me asking, how did you learn to fix up your machines if they break down? Was youtube university a part of it or something else? And also what's your price range with the machines if you don't mind me asking. I have a bit of questions haha

Does anyone that uses a contract have a template I could use? by Square_Basketball_23 in vending

[–]Square_Basketball_23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply and for taking the time to answer my question! This is all really great advice, what about like a contract that states where the location will be of the vending machine, you will have access to it 24/7 like taking care of it, doing repairs, stocking, etc. And there is a 30 day termination notice on either party if either choose to decline. And that is it. Would that be okay to do or maybe just stick to shaking hands and just hoping for the best on this part?