Category: Vending Machine

How to fix vending machine keypad panel selection Part 2

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I tired to visit the location again a few after changing the keypad membrane on the Crane GPL 474 4XX Series.

I was shocked to find out that the keypad is not working again.

I opened the vending machine and saw the smaller board that is connecting to the keypad membrance is a little bit burnt.

I took the smaller board and put the vending machine Out Of Service again for the 2nd time.

The residents are disgruntled and very angry and was shouting and at times cursing.

If you have been in the vending machine service industry, you have to be have a cold heart since people will never stop complaining and you jus have to be apologize all the time and just set aside your feelings.

I used to have a brick and mortar store recycling ink and toner from customers on their printing needs and everyday I have to absorb all the complaints of my customer especially living in a very big city when i was still in Manila.

There was an incident that i recalled, we had the Epson printer converted into a continuous printing printer and there was a slight problem on the resetting of the printer firmware and i recalled he was charged P 4,000 pesos and he got furious and tried to call the secutity and complained, screaming at the top of his voice demanding that the job done was a lemon since it stopped working.angry customer

When you are in the servce industry, this is normal and you just have to deal with it in a very calm and civil way.

Getting back to the vending machine.

Here are some of the helpful tips on how to diagnose vending machine keypad selection problems in case it is not the keypad membrane:

1.  turn off vending machine

2.  isolate the problem by disconnecting the cable to the keypad

3.  turn on vending machine

4.  if the smaller built in keypad inside the vending machine works then the problem lies on the smaller board, see the picturekeypad board

I took out the board and i went to an electronics store in Burnaby.

I do not know which electronic part is not working on the board.

But upon visually checking the culprit, there is a burnt out resistor which is 1 Watt, I spent $2.58 for the parts.

So this is a long shot because this part might be working and it just seemed burnt on the board but it might be working.

In order to save $125 ( by calling a technician ) and another $85 ( to go back to your location ) + $? ( parts ) which im sure he will be overcharging, i figure that if you are not well versed in electronics, he may simply tell you that this resistor is worth $30 bucks!!!

Thats why vending machine technician’s make a fortune on easy work especially on electronics.

I got hold of my soldering iron as shown below and resolved the issues, when i got back to the location.  Below are the pictures on how to replace the burnt resistor

5.  Visual inspection will save you hundreds of Dollars!!!

Yesterday i went back to the location and everything seems to be working fine.

I have noticed that the keypad is erratic behavior, sometimes when you press the letter B, C will come come out the display, when you press 5, 4 will come out on display.

I made a visual inspection again and somehow the resistor is a lit burnt again.

My next visit is that i will bring the proper resistor and probably insert a Resistor Socket and everytime i notice when the keypad is misbehaving, i will just have to pull it out and insert a new one.

Replacing a resistor every 1 month will just cost me $0.50 cents, than replacing the smaller board and even saving me by changing the Main Board in case if it is the main problem that cause the resistor being burnt it every month.

I have a question for you.

Would you prefer to save $125+$85 + Parts by replacing a $0.50 resistor eveytime the keypad is not working?

Sometimes the advice of a technician might be changing the MAINBoard which is about $550 and Smaller Board which is $250!!!

In order to survive this vending machine business then you better learn how to make a visual inspection in case these things happen on your vending machine.

People think vending machine business is easy pessy but in truth it is :

1.  Driving the whole day ( Gasoline )

2.  Loading and unloading ( Your Back )

3.  Customer Complains

4.  Customer kicking you out not realizing that it will cost you: Moving $120 per machine, Warehouse Rent $30 per month on machines collecting dust and No Regard to small employed business people

5.  Waking Up everyday and sometimes customer inserts SLUGs or Foreign coins and Jamms your machine and NO Sales when you visit the location after 1 week after parking and paying $3 and time ticking on parking meter

6.  Compressor will cost $800 just to repair and the sales of the location is just $50 per month and it will take $800 / $30 = 80/3 months to recover

7.  You got few locations and if something happens to one location then you are done for the month and end up having short on paying bills.

8.  Vendor operator needs to visit chiropractors to adjust spine, back and joints for maintenance.

9.  Most vendor have problems when walking because of foot pain from overwork.

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Why Are Vending Machines So Heavy?

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Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About Why Are Vending Machines so Heavy and How It Can Affect You

vending machine

The Dirty Facts on Why Are Vending Machines so Heavy

Vending machines are used to serve the broad clientele with the selection of merchandise handling from green grocery to processed products.

The regular case in point is the snack vending machine that may be used for buying and selling of unique kinds of snacks.

Vending machines which sell underwear worn by teens are among those stories that will not die.

Our best in class array of products makes it possible for us to cater to all clients. You might have to remove items which are not selling and replace them with more popular products.

Markups will change, based on the item. 

You are going to have to adjust your profit estimates up or down once you’ve collected revenues for a couple months. This is a benefit to the vendor since it virtually removes the demand for a bill changer.

They have the coin slots to put your quarters in addition to a card swiper for your charge cards.

Make certain you see the machines whenever there are a great deal of people around.

This way it appears like it’s always in use and you’re going to lose less inventory to spoilage. If this is the case and you’re looking for tactics to add some flavor to your dreams with fresh vending machine material, you’re in luck.

However, it’s sorting out the great ones from the undesirable ones that may be such a frustrating approach. The newer vending machines equipped with LEDs are thought to be much safer, too, since they use an entirely different principle for producing light.

Why Are Vending Machines so Heavy

The proliferation of vending machines isn’t possible to ignore. But you have to bear in mind that with any vending machine comes a specific liability. Decide whether you wish to acquire new or used machines.

Vending machines never quit working for you. You’re vending machine may require awhile to develop into profitable.

Every now and then you’ll discover an old, old vending machine still being used. Researching vending machines for your company can be a difficult undertaking.

That was a huge deal breaker for me to have the ability to use various locations.

If you’re thinking about starting a vending machine based business (and we think that’s a terrific idea), you’re probably here searching for good info about how to begin.

Many became small business owners as a way of financial survival. You will need to do some cold-calling in the neighborhood light industrial districts.

Just like any vending machine business, the main thing about building a prosperous snack machine network is its location. Remember that while the last decision of what things to vend is yours, it is an excellent idea to ask the location manager about any candy or gumball preferences.

In the end, there are vending machine location services readily available, and if you’re short in time or having trouble identifying locations all on your own, you could consider working with one.

6 Reasons Why Vending Machine affects student obesity

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6 Reasons Why Vending Machine affects student obesityobese student

Vending machines are offering quick snacks and drinks for those in a hurry. Usually, you will see them near universities or even inside them, offices and subways. Where the crowd is, at least two vending machines are there too. They are like a small store in a rectangular shape. So they are not providing fast food or any other artificial food, but sweets ( Snickers, Reeses ), sometimes even sandwiches, and drinks ( water and juice ). Of course, they are pricier than in a normal store.

In many ways, vending machines are used without thinking. Maybe you are not thinking about having a meal right away, but when you see the vending machine, you feel the hunger immediately. So that’s the power of them and that could be a simple reason why the obesity increases.

#1 – Why there are vending machines in Universities?

vending machine on one my school locations

As well as it’s a way to promote the vending machine companies, it’s a way for the University to be sponsored. The sponsorship contract gives sectors the opportunity to develop extracurricular activities for their students.

Vending machines are now a big business, and every public place has one now.

Vending machine is a business and if there are vending machines in the location then it would offer benefits for the vendor and the location. Vendors offer commissions ranging from 5% to 20% on the gross sales. This is the way it goes here in Vancouver, BC

The location such as a university, school or an office would likely want a vending machine simply because it gives them convenience for the students and employees and also receiving a monthly or quarterly commissions which keeps everyone happy.

#2 – Why students are using the vending machine so often?

so many vending machines in school

As a student, you don’t always have the time to cook something for yourself before going to school.

But there is a cafeteria inside the University which can provide you a good lunch.

And still, students are thinking that if they buy things from a vending machine, it will be less expensive than eating from the cafeteria.

Normally the cafeteria installs their own vending machines in the school offering food choices when they are closed on certain hours during the day.

They don’t know that eating from a vending machine makes them hunger. And so it appears the need to chew something, every time. That’s why it’s good to have a chewing gum in your pocket ( Not too much chewing gum either case it has sugar ).

They are eating fast, even standing on their feet, almost not swallow that item correctly. Nutritional researchers says that if you don’t want to put some kilograms on, you have to stay on a chair, eat slow and carefully chew the food. So that the food can digest better.

That’s absolutely wrong and unhealthy.

#3 – Why vending machines are selling sweets?

Vending machines are made by big companies, which, in fact, are producing sweets or sodas. Eating something sweet every day is not as bad as eating fast food every day. Most of the doctors recommend specified sugar portion once or twice per week.

But sometimes, that’s all that students do. Every break from the classes it leads to eat sweets or chips in the University’s garden. It is also a way to get along with other students and have a social life.

Most of the students are stressed about exams and tired because of waking up too early. Chocolate and sugar has been promoted as a booster and something that makes people concentrate, which is not absolutely true. There are some limits, but people nowadays are exaggerating in everything and that’s why the sugar develops into fat.

#4 – Do students feel the need to drink soda every day.

Only if it’s Cola or Pepsi, They are promoting their brand as using caffeine, which helps the students to concentrate when they are up in the morning.

They also have a wide target group that is mostly about teenagers. And you can see it from TV Ads and motto s. Drinking Cola or Pepsi has now been a way of lifestyle. I’m not judging those companies, because they are doing good on the market, and everyone feel the need to drink some from time to time. But again, it’s the limit that is always passed.

Students are most attracted to those sodas because the way it’s promoted. It’s not necessary intended.

#5 – How much money a student spends for getting food from a vending machine?

It depends on the prices. Usually a soda is not much more than 2 or 3 dollars, and prices for the variety of sweets and chips are going from 3 to 10 dollars. Speaking from a student experience, you can spend at least 20 dollars per day, having a ‘ full meal ‘ from a vending machines.

Also, as with the increases of the blood sugar level, there can be many other problems than just obesity. Such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

#6 – Is there a way to stop obesity among students?

There is study done on the Sociology of Education that there is absolutely no correlation no link on student obesity and the school wide deployment of vending machines sales on: chips, chocolate and soda pop.

This is a study done with 19,450 5th grade students for both male and female for a duration of four years. The conclusion on the study simply states that children who could get hold of an Oh Henry chocolate bar after class every day did not gain weight as compared to the children who do not buy Snickers, Oh Henry or other sugary products from the vending machine.

Source : https://slate.com/human-interest/2012/01/junk-food-in-school-do-vending-machines-make-kids-fat.html

There is another study done :

“Every student who can buy junk food at school will suffer from overweight. The effect of junk food availability is statistically different for adolescents whose parents are overweight. Access to junk food in school has no effect on the 44 percent of students whose parents have normal weights. For those with an overweight parent, who may have a genetic susceptibility to weight gain, a 10 percent increase in the proportion of schools that make junk food available increases BMI by more than 2 percent”

by Linda Gorman with reference to Reading, Writing and Raisinets: Are School Finances Contributing to Children’s Obesity? (NBER Working Paper No.11177), co-authors Patricia Anderson and Kristin Butcher

It is hard to do that because everyone got used to eat from a vending machine. Is fast, and you’ll never be late for classes ( that’s a lie too ).

What percentage of schools have vending machines installed?

According to a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health there are about :

80 percent vending machines in middle school

97 percent vending machines in high school

These vending machines are virtually present all schools. It really depends on the products that are sold in the vending machine that will affect the students dietary habits which may result into positively or negatively.

Schools are in the position to implement what kind of products that are to be placed inside the vending machine. Children’s food choices are impacted on the upbringing dietary habits at home and in school. There is a large influence on the eating habits of the children on their parents.

In case of the school’s environment then there are 2 plausible ways to prevent this obesity.

a) The school must tell the vendor what kind of products that should be placed inside the vending machines. Healthy choice is the trend and also offering soda pop that are low in sugar content.

b) The school will introduce some nutritional classes ( optional ) and teach them the way they should take care of their body.

People nowadays are no longer respecting the 3-meals-per-day pack:

having a rich breakfast because it is the more important. And if you don’t have time to make it, at least drink a good coffee from a coffee shop and eat 1 or 2 apples. Having a light or rich lunch. It depends on what you ate in the morning and if you ate something in between the meals. And having a lighter dinner. Dinner is a way to not falling asleep with your stomach empty because you can wake up with some headaches.

The most important thing to mention is that you have to stop eating before you feel full. But if you want to eat much more than usually, consider eating slow and you will see that you will not get that full feeling.

Here is an interesting childhood obesity trends

This data has been taken at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

It is a good thing that CSPI ( Center For Science In Public Interest ) has made a free School Foods Tool Kit which is a handbook manual for parents and school administrators that notes the healthy food choices.

Table of Percentage of Childhood Obesity

Percent 2007-2008 2009-2010 2011-2012 2013-2014 2015-2016
Youth 16.8 16.9 16.9 17.2 18.5
Adult 33.7 35.7 34.9 37.7 39.6

7 Ways on How to Make Your Vending Machine Quieter

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7 Ways on How to Make Your Vending Machine Quieter

noisy office with a vending machine

WHAT IS A VENDING MACHINE?

A vending machine is actually an automatic machine which dispenses or release small food items and other articles such as chips, cans, candies, chocolates, milk, charger, cigarettes, cigars and other upon inserting a token or a coin. A vending machine is mostly found at hospitals, public places, malls, colleges, schools, even at petrol pumps and at the train stations and airports.

A vending machine is very advantageous for the ones who get hunger pangs on their way home, or at school or waiting for someone at the hospital. Moreover, vending machine is very easy to use. However, you need to have money in the form of coins to dispense the food articles that you want.

One big disadvantage of the vending machines is that vending machines are noisy when dispensing and releasing food and other articles. Manufacturers are striving hard to make the vending machines quiet.

Here are some questions on how to make a vending machine quieter:

HOW TO MAKE A VENDING MACHINE QUIETER

Vending machine use speed reducers which dispense the food articles for the by stander. However, the irritating noises are result of the function of the speed reducers in the vending machine. To reduce the vending machine’s noise, it is better to keep maximum decibel level during the dispensing operation.

Manufacturers should keep the range between 40 to 50 decibels. Moreover, the manufacturers should also put the vending machine to function according to the calculated weighted frequency range.

HOW CAN I REDUCE NOISE FROM MY MACHINE?

There are many ways in which you can reduce noise from your vending machine.

These ways include installing noise compressors to compress the noise coming from the vending machines. The other option is to invest in fan bearings.

Fan bearings reduce the friction, hence reduces the noise coming from the vending machine upon dispensing the food articles.

Some of the older type snack vending machine have these fan bearings located at the back of the vending machine and in time this will cause so much unwanted noise.

I simply unplug the molex connector to the fan of the snack machine causing the noise and it solved the problem. See the pictures below on how to locate the fan on your snack machine.front of snack machine

fan of the snack machine

When the snack machine is opened you will see the fan which is normally located on the right most top portion of the snack vending machine as depicted on the picture above. You just have to simply disconnect the power cable on the left or right side which is attached on the fan to solve the noise problem.

WHAT MATERIALS CAN BLOCK SOUND?

You need to replace your fan motors in the vending machines in order to reduce the noise coming from them. One way is to replace the components and the other way is to install noise reducers. Noise reducers include fan bearings next to the fan motors, noise compressors or even a new compressor to suppress the noise coming from the vending machine.

WHAT MATERIALS ABSORB THE SOUND OF THE VENDING MACHINE?

The materials which absorb the sound of the vending machines are sound insulators.

They are basically batts that are made from rock wool, mineral wool and fiber glass that are fit into the machine and in between the studs of the walls.

Another material is the floor underlayement. It is the material that soundproofs the floor to reduce the transmission of noise from the vending machines.

CAN I CHANGE ANY PART IN THE VENDING MACHINE TO REDUCE NOISE?

Sometimes, the vending machine also makes noise because of the old compressor. You can put in or replace the new compressor. The new compressor can reduce the noise from the speed reducers. This can reduce the noise from the vending machine while the machine dispensing the food articles.

AT WHICH FREQUENCY VENDING MACHINE WILL MAKE LESS NOISE?

Speed reducers work according to their normal duty cycles. The level meters of sound determine the frequency which range between A to Z. The audible frequency ranges from 500 Hertz to 6 kilo hertz.

CAN THERMAL TREATMENT MAKE VENDING MACHINE QUIETER?

Apart from the noise barriers and the sound proofing materials, the thermal treatment of the vending machines can also make the vending machines quieter but this treatment does not absorb all of the noise.

SHOULD I GET VENDING MACHINE REPAIRED TO REDUCE ITS NOISE?

Sometimes, the vending machine also makes noise because of the damaged compressor. Getting it repaired can also help to reduce its noise.

I used to have a noisy Coke Soda Pop machine and it was creating some noise in the lunchroom and the management decided to have it taken away on two of my locations as I have recalled.

It is imperative to have noisy vending machines fixed.

CONCLUSION

Manufacturers are finding latest ways and viral technologies to reduce the noise from the vending machines. However, there are still some ways through which the noise can be reduced to some extent.

11 Advantages why a vending machine is needed in office

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11 Advantages why a vending machine is needed in office

vending machine inside a lunch room in downtown

What are the likely advantages of having a vending machine at the office?

Answer: The benefits are multi fold. Research proves that having a vending machine at the office helps boost employee satisfaction as they feel the company is sensitive to their best interests.

Studies further prove that eating every few hours can help increase the rate of metabolism and hence promotes more energy.

Consequently, employees can work with renewed spirits after a quick go-and-grab munchies break.

I have vending machines in offices where there is a high productivity work done especially in downtown where most of the work are done on the desk.

I used to have a semi office job type scenario and will likely not leave the office if there is a vending machines inside the premises since I do not have to go out and come back and slack off from some of my tasks that needs to be done if I’m inside the office.

What about the maintenance cost of such machines?

Answer: Vending machines are extremely low on maintenance cost.

They require a key or a code to open and you can pick up your favorite item on the list. Also, vending machine operators provide repairmen for fixing intricacies in the machine. A vending machine provides slots for various kinds of snacks items to choose from.

When you are running your vending machine business, it would be a good decision if the machines that you will be acquiring are the newer ones that could provide virtually free from maintenance for at least about 5 years worry free.

What kind of snacks items are generally put up in a vending machine?

Answer: Generally, items like tea, coffee, chocolate bars, candies, crisps, sugary drinks and biscuit items are available on a vending machine.

However, companies can promote health awareness among their employees by adding delicious as well as nutritious foods items. This way, it will lower their consumption of food with too much saturated fat.

A balance can also be struck by including both healthy food items like health drinks, nuts and almond biscuits as well as crunchy carb items like chocolates and chips.

With the advent towards healthier alternatives, than it would be wise to offer healthier choices such as :

  • Cliff Bar
  • Granola
  • Vitamin Water
  • Cookies
  • Baked Chips

healthy snack alternatives

Does vending machine lead to better job productivity?

Answer: Of course so. Having to go off-site to buy snacks and drinks every time one feels hungry can prove to be tiresome. Having a vending machine comes in handy and saves employees’ time and energy to focus on their work.

Instead of going down outside the office and spend time outside could lead to unproductively at work and this might be contagious to the rest of the employees.

It would surely be worthwhile if there is a vending machines inside the premises to avoid employees spending time off-site and this might be a contagious habit and will eventually lead a lot of the employees to go out of the office on longer periods of time. This would result into unproductively habits.

Does it lead to better bonding among colleagues as well?

Answer: The vicinity of the vending machine also serves as a hot spot for colleagues on a break to have a quick chat and promotes greater bonding among them.

Yes if the employees could sit together more often with a presence of a vending machine than it could spark some conversations that would lead into more collaboration in work and probably share and help solve some problems with colleagues.

This would be the analogy in high school canteens, students who are frequent in having breaks in the cafeteria will form long-lasting relationships on school work, friendship and camaraderie.

This will ensure discussions and at times brainstorming of ideas when there is a congregation of people in a common area where they normally snack.

If there were no such common areas for snacking than the people would distance themselves and will just work and will have no room for social interaction.

greater bonding of employees inside a lunch room with a vending machine

A vending machine can make a difference in a workplace, where people meet and would definitely result into beneficial interactions.

How else can they prove beneficial for the office?

Answer: They are also a time saver when it comes to early morning office meetings. Rather than getting tea for a bunch of people from a nearby tea stall it would be convenient to have a tea vending machine installed at the office.

But doesn’t having a vending machine to run to any moment cause a distraction at work?

Answer: One may argue that way, but usually the pros are better. Having to run down the staircase to the hall to grab your snacking item is better than running all the way to the grocery store especially when one has a lot of work pending.

Can there be better alternatives to a vending machine?

It is always desirable to have a vending machine at hand as during times of sickness and fatigue, or after a long day at work, one may not feel in the best of spirits to go all the way to a local store to buy food and may compromise on appetite needs, which in the future can cause serious health issues.

Low Overhead

There is virtually no staff requirements as compared to running a canteen. Installing a few vending machines at can provide : Coffee, Tea, Snacks at can satisfy office staff cravings in afternoons or after a meal.

Healthy Options

When you think about vending machine it comes to mind that everything is junk food. This is not always true if you are offering healthy options such as : Baked Chips, Dark Chocolate, Cliff Protein Bars and Granola.

Most of my locations offers 50% healthy and 50% traditional snacks, since not all staff wanted 100% healthy stuff. This will cover all the snacking requirements for everyone.

healthy options vending machine

The vending machine in one of my locations at a school facility above offers both healthy and traditional snacks for the consumers.

Keep Everyone Onsite

I have mentioned above that if you have a vending machines inside the premises than it would drastically reduce the employees venturing outside the building. This would greatly maintain the mindset and focus on work and not having the mind wandering away.

If there are no vending machines inside the office than most employees will just go out and in the future this will lead into most people going out of the office which is contagious and no employer wanted to see this from happening.

It would really be convenient to have a vending machines inside the premises.

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Vending Machine Out Of Service Again?

by adminUncategorized / Vending / Vending Business / Vending Machine / Vending Machine BusinessLeave a Comment on Vending Machine Out Of Service Again?

vending machine out of service

I’m very sure that there are some of your locations that are having the same dilemma as me.

I have a location located on the east side of Vancouver and I placed a very nice glass front vending machine with the state-of-the-art bells and whistles.

Normally the vending machine works really simple. Insert a coin and then the product drops on the delivery bin.

I was very patient with this location and giving them good commissions. Sometimes my commissions are not justified because the maintenance on this machine is more than what I’m supposed to earn. 

Every week there is a problem like delivery bin out of alignment or cans stuck at the bottom which is caused by the customers.

I have a similar glass front vending machine that is producing extremely well in a very busy warehouse in Richmond where most of the users understand how to use a vending machine.

vending machine in richmond

This location is doing extremely well when I secured this location three years ago with regular vending machines. But the regular soda pop machines are coming to age and have a constant problem.

When I upgraded to the glass from vending machine everything was good. But this location constantly has problems like bottles stuck at the bottom, the delivery bin was pulled thereby spending unnecessary expenses. The cost of fixing it is at least $285 with the delivery bin and labor.

How many pop cans can you sell just to recover this expense?

My solution was to sell this good nice glass front vending machine and downgrade for regular soda pop vending machines which are simple and easy to use.

But I’ll give this location another chance and observe.

Sometimes the solution will be just to replace the glass front vending machine to two regular soda pop vending machines which are simple to use nothing fancy like the picture below and produces sales that are expected week after week.

simple no nonsense soda pop machine

If it was you running an extremely good location but the problem is the customers, not the machine, what will you do?

Problem is it takes a lot of energy and effort the switch machines and moving charges alone makes a big hole in your wallet. $120 move out and another $120 move in, the cost of one machine.

It was the first time in my life that someone inserted a loonie inside a bill validator. So this pop machine was out of order for a week and no sales. I guess everyone is different. Some likes to play a prank and most of them are normal users.

coin stuck inside the bill validator

I got out of the area and just having thoughts about why people like to play pranks on vending machines all the time. I sometimes wish they could run the business for a day.

The parking meters in downtown are always rigged by thieves.

They install a miniature magnet and fish out all the coins at the end of the day. I actually saw it myself on late afternoons. But of course I frequent the locations and dared not to take a photo or else vandalism will the result for me on my next visit.

coin meter rigged by thieves to fish coins

When will the gasoline prices get stable here in Vancouver, BC? It is a question always asked by the people living here. Everything is sky high. Insurance, Gasoline, Food and everything is way higher. It is the weather here? I just do not get it.

I wish I can also increase the prices of my vending machines.

good price for gasoline

Some peoples are inconsiderate. It is a good thing that I naturally calm minded person. If you are in a hurry to get all the vending locations done and someone is blocking your way then what to do?

I always see people in downtown trying to fight their way out in situations. But I do not want my small business to be short-lived by arguing, so I guess you notice that your way blocked then just simply quickly drive the opposite way, of course in the commercial lanes too.

inconsiderate truck blocked the side road

There are so many thieves here in Vancouver, BC generally in the lower mainland. I just do not get it why peoples are not alert and aware of what is happening around being vigilant all the time especially when you are outside.

Alas, I was on the way to get home from vending and just have to get one more place done. But soon when I arrived, there was a note on the vending machine that it is Out Of Order.

I suspect that it is just some coin jams that’s all.another out of order vending machine

So I found out there is a coin that resulted in the other coins that got stuck along with it.

foreign coin that got stuck inside vending machine

You know that in the Philippines the default religion is Roman Catholic even if you are not religious.

Even if you are not a devout Catholic or just tag along with the rest it’s better to do what the Romans do when you are in Rome saying scenario.

You see the people in the Philippines are homogeneous, I think you get my point.

I vividly remember that thou shalt not use the name of the lord in vain as some hardcore religious person will put it that way.

I thought I need to take a quick micro-vacation.

jollibee in seatlle

When I was still living in the Philippines, Jollibee beats the heck out of McDonald. Why is this bee beating all the hamburger joints in the Philippines? McDonald, A&W, Burger King, Cali Burger, etc.

I guess a little visit to this Jollibee branch in Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Washington is good enough for me to enjoy a micro-vacation for the moment.

jollibee tukwila washington USA

A vending machine service operator cannot depart when summer arrives.

The sales of pop and beverages cannot be ignored.

Sometimes I wish I was in California or the southern part of the US since the weather there is always hot and a lot more patrons drink loads of soda pop as compared here in the Northern West Coast.

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Wild Week On Vending Machine Business

by adminUncategorized / Vending Business / Vending Locations / Vending Locator / Vending Machine / Vending Machine Business10 Comments on Wild Week On Vending Machine Business

Last week was a wild week for the vending machine business.

I have to double up my energy levels and quickly setup products for the new locations that I secured.

This seems to be a promising location since there are always people waiting and I think I have connected to the manager the first time that I have met.

There was another location that I needed so much time to set up another new location which was in downtown.

There was also no problems when I was with the manager.

The problem is that this particular new location voltage outlet is connected with two ( 2 ) refrigerators and one ( 1 ) walk in cooler.

The combo vending machine when started and once the compressor kicks in the breaker just shuts down by itself. Good thing the supplier had it fixed and a very efficient manner and sending out his technician in a professional manner.

I’m very happy with my vending machine local suppliers here in the lower mainland aside from hunting down cheap prices in Craigslist when looking for a used vending machine.

Sometimes when you buy a used vending machine at Craigslist for a few hundred dollars cheaper from your local supplier then if the compressor or some internal parts choke then you will have trouble in the long run.

Buying a used vending machine from a reputable local supplier may be a good and wise decision.

I have a slight problem when going to work that week. My work van suddenly will not start and that week was a very busy schedule and need to go to a lot of places. I have to spend another $1205 plus towing charges to have the work van repaired.

The fuel filter pump is busted and car mechanic said that vans which are around 110,000+kms mileage usually needed to have the fuel filter pump replaced especially if using it for extreme loading and unloading heavy load conditions.

Believe it or not my work van was fixed on the same day by Action Jackson.

Vending Machine Work Van Being Towed

Sometimes when my phone rings during my working hours, I already get paranoid. There are only several factors that have caused the phone calls.

  • Problem with machine
  • Angry customer loosing money on vending machine
  • Angry manager wanting some changes

So far everything is fine. I have not encountered angry managers wanting changes for the meantime. As long you keep all your customers happy then there will be no problems.

According to my statistics on doing my vending machine business, sometimes on rare occasions that I lose a location every year. So again I’m always cruising around and hunting down prospects for a new vending machine location.

I happened to drop by another location and casually talked to a manager in the east side part of town with about hundreds of employees walking in and out of the building. I was sometimes assuming that this will be a long shot. But at the back of my mind was saying that I used to have 12 brick and mortars shops way back in the Philippines and was very successful in the arena of sales.

I was not a born salesman and finished in Industrial management engineering minor in mechanical actually but wanted to be a software programmer. I have to force some changes and have to learn how to approach and make a pitch. What is there to lose? By gaining another location will be good for me for the meantime as long as all the locations are within the area of my service route.

I actually got another location which is indeed very promising and it will be another wild week for me on setting up and developing rapport with the new manager on a new location.

I suggest that all vending machine vendors out there to practice social skills and making a pitch to prospective locations. Or if you wanted a location then talk to your trusted locator to approach location to make a proper outreach.

Business generally is slower and all self-employed guys out there is hoping for the spring and summer months to set in where the vending business kicks off especially on the beverages.

Whenever I obtain a new location there is a drain on capital resources since you have to come out another vending machine, moving costs, initial setup products costs etc.

I guess this is the way it goes.

Acquiring assets can be a constant drain but a brighter outlook in the long term.

Vending Machine Was Smashed

by adminUncategorized / Vending / Vending Business / Vending Locations / Vending Locator / Vending Machine / Vending Machine Business29 Comments on Vending Machine Was Smashed

I have a combo vending machine in the vicinity of E Hastings inside a secured apartment complex.

I used to have several during that a time when my cortisol hormone levels are always at its peak! I always sleep in on Sundays because I’m not in a rush for work and it’s the only time that I really get into the mood for taking everything easy.

I got a call at around 10 am something with a muffled voice which I hardly comprehend. I called again thinking that someone might have lost a Loonie or Townie which I will gladly reimburse on my next mission.

“Your machine was broken into and the Police is here checking the video tape surveillance”. I’m already accustomed to this kind of incident. I talked to the Police and he recommended that to press charges against the person who committed the crime. I talked to the manager and he told me that the machine glass was all shattered and is emptied of contents.

I called help immediately to secure the combo vending machine on this location , the broken glass will be replaced by an unbreakable poly carbonate and it should be fine.

When you have a break in normally these things most be taken into consideration:

1. Opportunity Loss on the days the machine is out of service

2. Polycarbonate replacement

3. Time for technician to fix it

4. File charges and get police file number

I used to have break-ins before during the year 2017 which is prevalent and more frequent with a lot of location in the E Hastings vicinity. I made money in that area during 2016 to 2018 even thou those unfortunate things that have happened to me.

At present, I still maintain two locations in this vicinity from the previous five in the time of 2016 to 2018. Some buildings were condemned by the City of Vancouver.

With the onset of moving out of those locations I eventually developed a little sense of my sales protocol which I practiced way in the Philippines when I was doing business. I eventually secured some locations by myself in that area.

I called my technician and he told that he was also a victim of vending machine break in in the area of Surrey. I guess some parts of Surrey can be comparable to E Hastings in my own thoughts. Sometimes when I am cruising down the roads in Surrey there are more security measures such as high fences and steel grill bars in all the retail establishments.

I was also maintaining a pop machine in the vicinity of North Vancouver at a storage facility which I bought the location from a locator about 2 to 3 years ago. I normally do not complain even if sales are low, I just wanted to deploy some of my machines at storage.

If I keep machines at storage, I pay around $30 per month. So it would be better to move it on a location instead. But sometimes the location is just producing say: $10 a month and diet soda are exploding because it expires and no one is buying them.

The storage facility in North Vancouver called and told me to move out the machine. Inside my head I was thinking what is wrong with me? I always give freebies when I’m on that location and still get this treatment to move out my machine immediately. The reason was “We had it with you, pop machine with exploding pop and eating money”.

In my thoughts and gut feel, is that some vending locator was trying to snatch my location and offering the North Vancouver facility a hefty commission. I feel sorry for the new owner who will be serving this facility.

Honestly the sales is just around $10 to $15 every month in this North Vancouver storage facility.

I was making everyone happy even how small the account is. Maybe it is an unforeseen force that swayed the location to call me to have the machine removed to a better location which I was contemplating in one of my school locations in Coquitlam which is performing exceedingly well. The school in Coquitlam has an older machine that leaked and it time to replace it with a newer Pop Machine with a Debit Credit Reader which can translate into higher sales.

I guess not everyone can be satisfied.

Did I mention to you that whenever there was an unfortunate incident it always leads to something better for me in general?

While I was servicing both machines in a public facility in New Westminster. Someone approached me and mentioned:”You can stop paying $80 every three months from now on, since we find that we do not need the funds for the moment”.

This is the first time that happened to me living here in Vancouver, BC. Here is the location that is very understanding to the plight of small self-employed business person.

I was astoundingly happy to get such a very fortunate incident that happened to me on that same day.

It was also that day when someone called me out of the blue.

It was a location that I was soliciting last year which was located in the vicinity of E Vancouver that have rejected my proposal for a placement of a combo vending machine.

If I myself approached a location for a placement of vending machine then I inherently knew that it will be promising and high performing.

The conversation was very quick and swift. I offered a computer printout of sales report every month and he agreed and will have the machine moved immediately in the last week of February which I will be very busy.

For some reason I got another call from my trusty locator.

She found another school location in the vicinity in Downtown which is perfect for me to consolidate with my existing route. This locator is the creme de la creme and I wish she will always have a great relationship with me as a client.

Indeed it is a mutual beneficial relationship since I have been performing my duty as a vending machine vendor and is always a good customer of her.

Sometimes I tell these incidents to my mother who is happy in the Philippines. She told me what the heck Im I doing here in Vancouver, BC???  and getting stuck there for so long with cold weather and life seemingly robotic???

I replied:”I’m trying to succeed here in Vancouver, BC. Trying to do some online stuff and mostly still in the offline manual laborious work that I have to endure for the time being.”

I’m getting envious now with my sisters enjoying the sun there in Boracay, Philippines.

Not to worry I’m still here in Vancouver, BC doing vending machine business!

There are times that I need to recharge myself after a long day work. I have myself portable Gunbanyuko which is in a great health rejuvenating device! You can also get one for yourself if you are serious about your health like I do. Optimum maintenance of health and youthfulness is a must when you are driving, loading, unloading every day.

Harassed At Location To Pay Up

by adminUncategorized / Vending / Vending Business / Vending Locations / Vending Machine / Vending Machine Business3 Comments on Harassed At Location To Pay Up

I was going about my rounds as usual here in Vancouver, BC.

I was in the east part of town and usually I have to be quick to get around. I always see many shattered bits of car windows on the side street whenever I park in the neighborhood.

Remember that I was already traumatized on the incident that was transpired in front of my townhouse.

I went to this hotel location in the east side and I was immediately harassed and was ordered not to leave the location without paying up on my monthly rent.

I normally give around $20 to $45 dollars per month on this location. But somehow the manager looked at me and the cash box every time to go there for servicing and just declared an increase to $65 per month.

This was a location that my vending machine vandalized before many times with a smaller machine which can easily be tilted. If the commission is increased again, I guess I have to vacate the location in the near future.

Everytime I visit this location which is a weekly gig for me, I’m forced to hand out cookies and free pop to the location. There was times that I voluntary gives out freebies but there was one incident that I said I have to go and was in a hurry, he just go took some goodies in my bin and say that this is cheap stuff and it won’t a difference if I he get a couple of these every week.

I mentioned that this place is not my turf. It is not my property and I’m just another vendor who services the machines in this location.

I had so much worst experiences when I used to run my business in the Philippines. People entering and shouting on bad service and intimidating my employees on Ink Refill Leaking and all that stuff.

I used to run this brick and mortar business back In Philipines: Saveinks.com. Last year, I went back to Philippines for a vacation, and I have noticed that all the ink and toner refilling shops and centers went out of business. The reason behind this was: Epson, Canon and Brother printers came out with refillable printers.

I got one as a present from my big brother who is the authorized distributor of Brother printers in the Philippines, see picture below:

It took me a while to hook up this since I have to get hold of a voltage converter from 110v to 220v for my Brother Printer.

How to Calibrate a Royal Vision Bottle Drop Vending Machine

I have an out-of-order Royal Vision bottle drop at a location that has been selling extremely well and I have to clean sensors and calibrate the Royal Vision bottle drop from time to time.

Here is You Tube video on how to properly align and re calibrate the Royal Vision bottle drop vending machine.

I have to visit a nearby location that the Pop machine is having some problems and there is some burnt smell. I have thoroughly checked the pop machine and seems that everything is working. The location called and still smelled something is burning. I left a message saying to unplug the pop machine for the meantime.

I have to visit a recycling location which is not far. My locations are normally set on a route so that everything is easy access for me. Normally all locations are grouped together.

Can you believe it or not, that this location which looks like very chaotic due its nature of business is out performing about Two ( 2 ) Vancouver downtown offices put together. See the Two ( 2 ) machines below that does not need to be fancy with bells and whistles.

I have to head out for my lunch. You see I’m always trying to be a vegan whenever I’m given the chance and opportunity to eat fresh greens.)

A midst the snow, I have to plow my way back to the streets.

As I have been mentioning that I have to go out no matter what each day except for Sundays on occasion to target my collection since there is ending in the bills.

It pays to being persistent, even if you get rejected at times in acquiring new vending locations.

I mentioned on my previous blog that there was a location in Richmond, BC that needed some space for shelving s and I had to remove the machine.

Out of my expectations, I got an email to move the healthy max machine to a public location that is serving hundreds of customers every day

.They require me to wrap the healthy max machine all black since it would be nice to blend in to the location. It took me around 2.5 hours to do the job, on wrapping it and also re stocking the machine on this new location.

This location will indeed be performing a lot better than the Richmond location which I lost early this year or just a month ago. I constantly try to find locations on my own and at the same time looking for deals from locators.

It works out both ways when you are still acquiring locations.

Acquiring locations will always be an insurance policy for me. It will serve as a backup for me in case I loose one or two in which the sales will not be affected.

When I was heading home, I got some orders which was dropped off at the back of my garage. I installed a $1.99 mouse trap and finally my nemesis was caught.

I feel a little empathy towards a small creature trying to survive in the winter cold. Mice do feel pain just as humans do. But I have to take care of bigger things. Securing your business is of out most priority.

Here in Canada some mouse do carry the dreaded Hantavirus. So all pests must be exterminated to ensure healthy and safe environment.

Chocolate bars prices going up

by adminUncategorized / Vending / Vending Business / Vending Locations / Vending Locator / Vending Machine / Vending Machine Business20 Comments on Chocolate bars prices going up

I still have a few more machines that i need to change the locks on them.

 

The reason for the changing of locks is that my work van which i have mentioned on the previous posts that it was vandalized and all my vending keys were stolen.

The week after the new year was getting some momentum already on the sales and it’s revving up to it’s normal sales.

 

The only constant expense will be the rent or the mortgage which does not shows it’s mercy on it’s drawn against your bank account every month.

While i was driving my work van for the usual visits on the locations. I was tuned in to a radio station, i think it was 104.9 FM and the DJ was mentioning that the most unaffordable place in the world which is just second to Hong Kong is Vancouver, BC.

I totally agree to this since most businesses just stay afloat and always in survival mode, any uncertain uneventful scenarios will have disastrous havoc in the small potatoes, small businesses.

I heard it again on the radio that St John’s, Halifax, Greater Moncton ( see the link ) and most other regions in Canada offer more affordable housing and slightly higher salary than Vancouver, BC.

 

I really have not looked up the population of these places but i guess where can you put 100 to 200 vending machines for instance in Halifax ?

 

I grew up in Makati City a city that never sleeps which is comparable to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok or Jakarta.

If i was transplanted to places which are sparsely populated then maybe it will be extremely difficult for me to survive. City people brains are wired differently since they are mostly exposed to a lot of information overload when growing up and extremely flexible and mobile.

 

In growing up in a big city means lots of distractions and observations on the revolving multitude of businesses and people who are trying to survive.

 

 

Whereas if i grew up in the Philippine countryside which i find here in Vancouver, BC where most Filipinos are originally from then Vancouver or anywhere in Canada is heaven sent. I guess you see the picture now ?

Perhaps a Londoner who migrated to Halifax or NewFoundland will be a good idea ? Maybe for him Vancouver, BC is boring compared to Downtown London what will it be if he settles in rural Canada ? Never.

I just wanted you to see what my thoughts on how i feel like living here in Vancouver, BC Canada. In business you need to be flexible and also if you relocated.

But in the long term which is still far away i will keep on moving since it is my nature and maybe most city person’s perspective. You know that in business you have to be alert on opportunities right? It is like looking for a better job with better pay where you should grasp it and move on! Vending business for now suits me.

Nonetheless, lets talk about Vending.

As usual i need to take some break on vending lunchtime, it is the first time that i saw a Rubber Band Ra men.

I’m a small self-employed businessman. I understand that it is not the fault of the establishment. I did not think of calling a lawyer for this matter. You have to give fighting chance to a small business to prove it’s services that sometimes you think does not up to your standard. I can be understanding but what about the other finger totting happy sending emails manager’s out there who suddenly for no reason at all does not want your machine anymore ? Statistically most managers are easy and flexible to talk to, so do not get me wrong or think it im ranting.

Aside from vending too much i recently went to a motorshow in Abbotsford which took like 45 minutes driving from Vancouver, BC and i was reminiscing my Yamaha V max which i sorely missed so much back in the days when i was still in Makati City.

My previous Yamaha V Max was 1994 model, so the picture below is the recent one.

I proceeded to a location near the airport and have not been there since December, it was about 2 months since the people there did not care and not too fanatical on an empty snack machine.

I went there trying to destroy and replace the lock but i took off without servicing the bottom portion the combo machine since i could not remove the lock even thou i drilled and removed most of the lock.

I have to be creative when i go back there on my next visit and find a hook to remove the notch that was left on the lock.

How to fix a vending machine without power ?

 

I went to one of my locations in downtown which i go every month. The machine was empty of chips but there was no powder. It is an old reliable machine located in a heritage building. I thought it was the breaker or the power transformer. I was about to leave the location because i do not have the time to remove the transformer.

Alas my inner voice told me to inspect the power cord

 

and viola i was able to fix it by removing the burnt extension cord and directly plug the snack machine cord to the power outlet and it worked like a charm.

It is not only me that is not updating my coin mechanism to accept the new shiny loonies but the parking meters as well as you can see that i took my new shiny loonie without any credit on the parking meter. I got some vending locations and people complaining why my coin mech not accepting the new shiny loonies, but at least you have the option to use townies or debit credit card and my vending machines split out the new shiny loonies if it does not accept them yet.

I guess not so many people complain against the parking authority, but they are throwing their weight around on small business operators. I guess im just overthinking on this, but this is my feelings and my thoughts.

Waiting for the new program to update the coin mechanism. Which will cost me around $30 again per machine to upgrade.

Chocolate bars prices are going up again.

 

Wholesale club where i normally visit obviously is where i always go to buy products beside vending products of Canada. The chocolate price per piece seems to be hovering around $1 already.

I also went to 7 Eleven and just casually checking the chocolate bars and the prices are retailing for $1.75 plus tax. When people see me doing vending machine business as a full time business they constantly think that i got loads of cash and profits.

You see the got a lot of locations in the east side which sells chocolate bars for just $1.50 and a large percentage for $1.75 and maybe a handful for $2 a piece. Honestly i do not know how to approach the manager again have to wear a big smile and say that prices have gone up again. And needed to change it to $2 a piece.

Did i mention before that i have several locations that im still selling chocolate bars for $1.25 a piece a midst that i have trouble finding a parking space or sometimes i get a ticket for some uneventful events by some pen totting enforcer who likes to write all the time.

Not to worry, better days lies ahead.