Used Vending Machines
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when youre buying used vending machines or an already established route. There are people in the Internet though that sell used vending machines for outrageously high prices, keep a look out for those. Theyre trying to take advantage of people who are new to the vending business.
Buying Used Vending Machines for a Bulk Vending Route
When starting out on the vending business and youre into used vending machines, its always a good idea to buy groups of machines that are all from the same manufacturer and keyed the same. This will save you from keeping too many keys and give you the convenience of having interchangeable parts. Its important to have a route consisting of machines from only 2-3 different manufacturers. The replacement parts are expensive in bulk vending machines; it is usually more practical to buy a new machine than it is to buy a couple new coin mechanisms and a replacement Plexiglas face plate. Its a good idea not to buy small mixed lots, try to buy as large a lot as you can afford and lots with only one type of machine.
Buying an Already Established Bulk or Full Line Route
When youre new in the vending business, you must proceed with caution in every decision you make. Its easy to over pay or get ripped off in transactions whether you are looking to buy an established bulk vending route or an established full line vending route. When it comes to valuing a vending route, the important thing to keep in mind is to only place a value on the used vending machines. From the buyers perspective, the locations have absolutely no potential value. This doesnt necessarily mean that the locations dont have any value, they do, but there is clear cut way to value them.
People who are trying to sell an established route will make all sorts of income claims, but the vast majority of them will not be able to verify these earnings. Vending is a cash business, people dont keep accurate records or dont report the income that they earn, and verifying income will be a hard task. Of course these sellers want you to believe what they say, but unless they can provide you with tax returns or other reliable proof of earning, look over everything they say with a healthy dose of skepticism.
In Summary
The key to buying an established route or used vending machines, just like other pro bargain buyers, is to wait for the desperate seller. Dont just jump on the first good deal that comes your way; wait for a deal that with rock bottom prices. Believe it or not, there are a lot of these desperate sellers, those who are just looking to unload their route or used vending machines dirt cheap to the first cash buyer who shows up at their door.