Dear Johndmn,
As I wrote before, there are relatively many business opportunities in
vending, and it is essential that you look care fully into whatever
contract you sign. For example, some of them report false revenues on
the machines, so you'd think it's a great opportunity, or giving you
defected machines. On the other hand, one of my best friends financed
his law degree that way, so this could be a great opportunity.
There are several good sources in which you can find business
opportunities in the Vending field. One of them is entrepreneur.com,
which is in general (in my opinion), one of the best sources for
entrepreneurs. They have a whole section, which the call "The Business
Op Zone", and in it, a category for Vending machines
<http://www.entrepreneur.com/bizopp/category/1,5047,1,00.html?Category=VEND&CategoryName=Vending+Machines>.
In it, those who are interested in snack and soda vending machines,
have a special subcategory:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/bizopp/category/1,5047,0,00.html?Category=VENDFOOD&CategoryName=Food+Vending+Machines
Another source of advices on the vending business is The Vending
Connection <http://www.vendingconnection.com/>, which publishes
professional tips, advices and opportunities. It should be mentioned
that the site is biased, and doesn't mention the risks discussed
earlier in my answer. However, this is a great site to start from - it
lists many opportunities, as well as a "Yellow Pages" directory on
vending. The directoy is divided into different sections, and has also
this category, of soda and snacks machines:
<http://www.vendingconnection.com/ypcombo.html>. Opportunities
themselves are advertised in the classified section
<http://www.vendingconnection.com/classifieds.html>.
Another source of advices is
http://www.livefree.com/vending/author.html, an ebook on the subject.
A good listing of vending opportunities is also available from the
Google Directory: http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Opportunities/Vending/
and:
http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Opportunities/Vending/Food_and_Drink/
(which lists 58 different companies you can contact). You may have to
find a locator (that would fit you the best place) or the supply
youself, but that is not always the case.
Business to Business Resources has a listing of opportunities in the
vending machines field:
http://www.business-to-business-resources.com/Business/Opportunities/Vending/
The Vendors Choice <http://www.thevendorschoice.com/>, for example,
states in its site that it has many sorts of machines (including the
ones you're looking for) and is in business for over 20 years.
Another one is The Vending Information Center -
http://www.vendinginfo.com/ that provides great information on
oppostunites on snack, beverage, cold food vending machines and dollar
bill changers.
TM Opportunity System - http://www.maxpages.com/vendingdoctor also
provide the opportunities consulting service and "food vending machine
consultants, locators, and sales."
Vending Solutions - http://www.vendingsolutions.com Provides beverage
vending machine services nationwide, featuring Pepsi, Coca Cola,
Sprite and other products.
Aran's Vending Directory <http://www.vendingdirectory.com/> lists many
opportunities and contacts.
Vending World <http://vendingworld.com> are distributors of
reconditioned food vending machines.
101 Vending <http://www.101vending.com> is another business that
promises to provide you some support "Providing vending consultation,
bulk candy and snack and drink food machines."
AVS Vending <http://www.sodavending.net> sell and lease new and
refurbished snack, soda and combo vending machines.
U-Turn Vending - http://www.uturn-vending.com offer bulk snack and
candy multi colored vending machines.
Sierra Vending - http://www.sierravending.com/ is a locating service
for soda machines in offices serviced by Coca Cola. Snack machines
available.
Eagle Vend Supply East - http://www.eaglevend.com is a wholesale
distributor of all types vending machines and supplies.
TFS Vending - http://www.tfsvending.com/ also provides soda machines
(from Coke to Pepsi, juice, snack, coffee) and ice cream machines.
VendWeb - http://www.vendweb.com/ are suppliers of new and used
vending machines.
CompVend - http://www.compvend.com supply drink and snack vending
machines.
Global Compressors - http://www.globalcompressors.com/ repair used
soda and vending machines and their compressors.
Best Vending Sales - http://bestvendingsales.com is a distributor of
snack, candy and soda vending machines.
1 A Vending Machines - http://www.1a-vending-machines.com provides
service only in the US (that is why I asked you on your geographic
area).
Vendors NC Home - http://www.vendorsnc.com - seems a bit cheesy to me
(but that's personal), they offer some financing options, so they are
worth a click anyway.
Showcase Food Services - http://www.showcasefoodservices.com provides
bulk, coffee, drinks and snack vending.
IBD Vending Services - http://www.ibdvending.com also distributes new
and reconditioned drink and snack vending machines.
Vencoa - http://www.vencoa.com/ distributs combination snack, soft
drink, candy and bill changer vending machines.
The FTC has several advices for safety in this business. They suggest:
(1) "Look at the ad carefully. If it claims buyers can earn a certain
income, then it also must give the number and percentage of previous
purchasers who achieved the earnings. If an earnings claim is there -
but the additional information isn't - the business opportunity seller
is probably violating the law."
(2) "Get earnings claims in writing. If the business opportunity costs
$500 or more, then the promoter must back up the earnings claim in a
written document. It should include the earnings claim, as well as the
number and percentage of recent clients who have earned at least as
much as the promoter suggested. If it's a work-at-home or other
business opportunity that involves an investment of under $500, ask
the promoter to put the earnings information in writing."
(3) "Study the business opportunity's franchise disclosure document.
Under the FTC Franchise Rule, most business opportunity promoters are
required to provide this document to potential purchasers. It includes
information about the company, including whether it has faced any
lawsuits from previous purchasers or lawsuits alleging fraud. Look for
a statement about previous purchasers. If the document says there
haven't been any previous purchasers but the seller offers a list of
references, be skeptical: the references probably are phonies."
(4) "Interview each previous purchaser in person, preferably where
their business operates. The FTC requires business opportunity
promoters to give potential purchasers the names, addresses and phone
numbers of at least 10 previous purchasers who live the closest to the
potential purchaser. Interviewing them helps reduce the risk of being
misled by phony references."
(5) Contact the attorney general's office, state or county consumer
protection agency and Better Business Bureau both where the business
opportunity promoter is based and where you live to find out whether
there is any record of unresolved complaints. While a complaint record
may indicate questionable business practices, a lack of complaints
doesn't necessarily mean that the promoter and the business
opportunity don't have problems. Unscrupulous dealers often change
names and locations to hide a history of complaints.
(6) If the business opportunity involves selling products from
well-known companies, call the legal department of the company whose
merchandise would be promoted. Find out whether the business
opportunity and its promoter are affiliated with the company. Ask
whether the company has ever threatened trademark action against the
business opportunity promoter.
(7) Consult an attorney, accountant or other business advisor before
you put any money down or sign any papers. Entering into a business
opportunity can be costly, so it's best to have an expert check out
the contract first. If the promoter requires a deposit, ask your
attorney to establish an escrow account where the deposit can be
maintained by a third party until you make the deal.
(8) Take your time. Promoters of fraudulent business opportunities are
likely to use high-pressure sales tactics to get you to buy in. If the
business opportunity is legitimate, it'll still be around when you're
ready to decide. " (Source: "Could 'Biz Opp' Offers Be Out For Your
Coffers?" FTC, <http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/invest/vending.htm>).
However, as I mentioned before, many people make nice profits out of
this highly competetive business, and you may, too. You might want to
discuss it with people who already "been there done that" at the
Google Group "misc.entrepreneurs":
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&group=misc.entrepreneurs
I wish you all the best with your new business. I hope that answered
your question. If you need clarifications on my answer, do not
hesitate to ask, before you rate the answer. I'd be pleased to clafify
my answer and help you as best as I can!
Good luck again, |
