Start Vending with Used Machines

 

 Start Vending with Used Machines


On the surface, it might seem like buying a vending machine and starting to vend right away is a simple task. However, if you want to stay in business long-term then there are many factors to take into consideration. Most people start out with used machines because they’re cheaper than new ones and offer an easy way to get started without investing too much money.

But even used vending machines need maintenance, upgrades, and some may require repairs or spare parts that can be costly for newcomers who don’t know what they’re in for. It’s not hard to buy a used machine, but it is important that you know what you are getting into and how to fix your machine effortlessly.

Where you put your money is important.

New vending machines cost anywhere from $4,000-$8,000 to start depending on the type and size of the machine. With a new machine, you can expect it to last at least 20 years if properly maintained. Don’t expect machines that have been running for a few months or years to last another year or two with no problems. They will likely break down soon after.

With a used machine, you are putting your money right on the line. You’ll get what you pay for and a lot of times, it’s not worth the cheap price. You may not have anything to lose but if you know more then someone who doesn’t, it may be worth learning and being prepared for when that machine does break down or runs poorly.

Before buying a used machine, make sure that it will last at least 20 years! This includes regular maintenance such as changing batteries and cleaning the mechanical parts of the machines. It’s also important to note that some machines will stop working altogether after they reach certain ages even if they are well run and well maintained. Machines that were built several years ago will likely lose their popularity, especially with children, as time goes on.

Location matters.

There are many vending machine companies out there and it’s important to keep in mind that they all have an area of operation they consider their territory. This means that a Midwest based company may not be able to send a technician to the west coast, where you live. If that doesn’t work for you then you’re left with fixing it yourself or hiring someone local which could end up costing twice as much or more than what the company would charge you for a simple repair job.

New or used, think of your location and how far the company would have to travel to fix a problem. The further they travel, the more they charge. Keep that in mind when looking at machines and be sure to specify your needs before contacting a company.

Brand Name vs Generic.

As with all products, you can buy a machine that is an official brand name or you can buy one of their generic models at a cheaper price. In many cases, the brand name model (Mars for example) will outlast the generic model because it’s built stronger and better overall. This is one of the many things that you will have to deal with when buying used machines. No one machine is the same, even if it’s a generic model. The more you know about your machine before you pick one up, the better off you will be both now and in the long run.

Make sure your purchase comes with warranty and contact information for the manufacturer as well as a list of diagnostic test listed in the owner’s manual. This will help you know right away when something goes wrong with your machine and allow for fixing it without hassle or cost.

How to Fix a Vending Machine

Don’t run your machine before reading its manual. Doing this will only prolong the time it takes you to learn how to fix a vending machine and will require many hours of your time later on if you can ever figure out what you did. You may damage something that’s already broken or even blame the machine when it truly wasn’t the machine's fault. Take your time and read through the manual so you know how to repair your machine if something goes wrong and don’t pass up on learning what you need to do in case something breaks down at an inopportune moment again.

What are the most common problems?

Vending machines are used frequently in businesses and are exposed to many different environments with drastic changes in temperature and humidity from one day to the next. You will never know when these conditions may affect your machine or its parts. The main problem that you are likely to encounter is the maintenance of the machine’s components. If there aren't any major problems with the rest of your machine then replacing a few parts should help bring it back to working condition again.

When a part breaks, it needs to be replaced immediately so that your business doesn’t suffer losses due to faulty machines. Below is a list of commonly damaged parts:

1. Battery (Vending Machines)

2. Bill Validator

3. Coin Validator or Coin Slide

4. Cash Drawer Mechanism or Drawer Assembly

5. Door Catch, Lock or Latch Assembly

6. Door Handle, Handles, Hinges or Latch Assembly (Vending)

7. Duct Covering (Slot Machines)

8. Electrical Control Board

9. Encoder Transducers

10. Fuse or Fuse Box

11. High Temperature Thermal Protectors (Slot Machines)

12. Keypad Driver (Coin Operated Units) (Slot Machines)

13. Microprocessor Unit (Vending Units)

14. Neglected Maintenance Procedures or Dysfunctional units from previous maintenance procedures (Triple Slot Machines)









































One of the best ways to prevent vending machine problems is to make sure that your machine is well maintained and regularly serviced by a qualified technician or by someone who knows what they’re doing with vending machines.

Conclusion

The best place to check out a used vending machine is on the Internet. It’s important to read through reviews from past users so you can be sure that you’re going to get a quality product before making a purchase. It’s also important to read about the company and make sure you are being treated well since many customers have had issues with negative experiences when buying used machines online.

If possible, make sure you test out the vending machine first hand before purchasing it online. You could even hire someone local to take care of service and repairs if you’re buying one online but still want local support.

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