How to obtain vending locations

There are basically two ways to obtain vending locations: you can find them yourself, or you can hire a vending locator to do the work for you Locations Everyone has heard the platitude “Location, Location, Location.” Location does matter but what is more important is matching your business model with the right types of locations, and understanding how your location decisions affect other areas like Bulk Vending Machines, Products and Service.

If you are going to locate yourself, there are a few questions you should ask yourself, such as:

1. Do you have a lot of time?
2. Are you a good salesperson?
3. Do you have a lot of friends in your community that would be willing to host your vending machine?
   
   If you answered “no” to two or more of these questions, then locating yourself may not be the right solution for you. Finding good locations takes a good sales pitch, good people skills, self-motivation, and time. Another great tool that many vending guys recommend is having a local charity in which you sponsor. For now, I will say that most of the prized locations are ones that you find on your own. Operators find locations by making cold phone calls as well as just walking into the business and talking to the manager in person. Both ways can be effective. If you are a regular customer of that business and they know that, then your chances of getting in will increase 10-fold. Don’t be afraid to ask as you are leaving your gym when you are done working out, or when you’re shopping for a new car. Sometimes these impromptu opportunities are the best and take no effort at all. Lastly, you need to hit up your friends. Whether they are the business owner or an employee, they will have the ability to get you into their business and they can keep an eye on your machine for you too.

Finding good vending locations is not rocket science, but it is one of the most overlooked aspects of vending. You must take into consideration your time involvement or make a budget for it- especially if you are in the bulk Toy machine business since the lifespan of these locations is much smaller than the full-size machines. Vending machines in your garage don’t make money. Vending machines in very low foot traffic locations also don’t make money, However, vending machines found in high traffic businesses with plenty of traffic from kids do make money and you need to get your machines there.

It is a job that no one really talks about, but in vending when a business closes or new management comes in, a machine will have to be relocated, sometimes new management will keep the machine but as far a closing the doors to a business which has been your machines home for many years, it is tough. So, know your ABL’s …Always Be Locating!

Here is our list of possible locations where vending machines could be located: Restaurants, Retail, Schools, Grocery, Doctor office, Dentist office, Museums, Gift shops. Events, etc.