Do you have a printed catalog?
No, we do not. Our product line-up expands frequently so it would not be practical to print a catalog.
Can I use your vending machines to dispense fish food or animal pellets?
Fish and animals like snacks, too. Let’s not leave them out. Many of our customers have used our machines to dispense fish and animal food at petting zoos and fish ponds. Please note, however, that our machines are not built for outside use and are not weather-proof. If you do use the machines outdoors, we would recommend installing something above the machines to protect them from the weather. Any of our machines with candy dispensing wheels would work just fine. We would suggest one of our single heads or single heads w/stands.
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Do you sell replacement parts?
Yes we do, but only for the machines that we sell. If you are looking for parts for a machine that you did not buy from us, you are welcome to give our parts a try but we cannot guarantee compatibility. Click
here to view our parts page.
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How much
will my vending machine make?
If we could accurately predict how much money your vending machine will
earn, we would no longer be in the vending business--we would be on Wall
Street. What we do know is that the success of your machine
will be dependent upon three factors: location, location, and location.
The busier the location, the better your machine will do. It’s
that simple.
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How do
I find locations for my vending machines?
This can be accomplished in three easy steps:
Step 1. From now
on, wherever you go, keep your eyes peeled for busy locations. Any
location with a lot of foot traffic is a good location for a vending machine.
Step 2. Approach the location owner and propose to set up one of your
machines within their store, explaining to them that you will completely
service the machine yourself. Let them know that the machine takes up
less than two square feet of floor space, does not need any electricity,
and will provide their customers with a great service. Best of all, they
will earn a percentage of the gross sales (anywhere from 15% to 33%, its
up to you).
Step 3. Set up your machine and start making money!
Once you set up the first machine, find another location and start the
entire process over again.
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Do I
have to offer the store owner a percentage of my sales?
This depends on the approach that you take. If you approach the owner
as a business person strictly interested in expanding your vending route,
then it would be proper to offer them a percentage of the sales. Do not
forget that offering a percentage is an incentive for the owner
to allow you the space in their business. We recommend offering anywhere
from 15% to 33%, depending on the location. Another approach that you
could take is through charity. There are many charitable organizations
that will supply you with stickers to put on your vending machines in
exchange for a nominal monthly fee, usually $1 per month, per machine.
Most store owners will allow you space in their stores for free when you
are associated with a charitable organization.
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Should
I use a locating service?
We firmly believe that the best way to secure quality locations is to
do it yourself. If, however, you wish to use locating services, there are a number of locating companies that you can contact and hire independently. Gumballs.com does not promote, sell, or endorse locating services of any kind.
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What are
good locations for vending machines?
In our experience, certain businesses have consistently proven to be successful
locations. These include restaurants, bowling alleys, skating rinks, shopping
malls, Boys and Girls Clubs, laundromats, movie theaters, high schools,
colleges, markets, coffee shops, banks, automotive centers, taverns, and
apartment complexes. Always be on the look out for more obscure locations
that could prove to be really favorable. Some surprisingly successful
locations that we have come across include auction facilities, casinos,
bingo halls, horseback riding facilities, and airports. If you frequently
have friends and guests over to your house, you might consider putting a
small candy machine in your bathroom. Remember, any place with steady
foot traffic is a good location for a vending machine.
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Do I need
a business license or insurance to operate a vending route?
You should consult with
your local licensing department to find out the specific rules and regulations
pertaining to bulk vending in your state.
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Once I place a machine, should I have the location owner sign some sort of contract?
This is up to you, but in our experience we have found that a contractual agreement is unnecessary.
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Is theft and/or vandalism a big issue with these machines?
Because bulk vending machines are typically placed in high visibility and high traffic locations where there are people or employees at all times, theft and vandalism is uncommon. If you are locating your machine in a questionable location, a simple and cost-effective solution would be to wrap a chain around the base of the machine and chain it to a fixture within the store. This simple solution would prevent any would-be thieves from attempting to steal your equipment.
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How often
will I need to service my machine and how long does it take to service?
Our spiral gumball machine holds up to 3300 gumballs and could go several
months without servicing. However, we recommend that you check on your
machines at least once a month. Servicing a vending machine, which includes
collecting the money and refilling the machine, takes about three minutes
per machine. A vending route consisting of 100 machines could take as
little as 6 hours a week or two weekends a month to fully service.
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Do I need
a truck or van to run a vending route?
No. Our spiral gumball machines, bulk vending machines, and triple-vend
machines easily fit within a standard vehicle. That is, of course, unless
your vehicle is a bike. Then we have a problem.
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Can I
operate my vending business from my home?
Heck, you could operate your vending business out of your bedroom closet
if you really wanted to. There is absolutely no need for an expensive
office or warehouse.
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I want
to make a purchase, but I just don't trust this online Internet payment
stuff. Can I pay by mail?
You certainly can. Click
here for instructions.
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Can a
machine be set to "Free Spin" without quarters?
Yes, but we are warning you now: be ready to buy gumballs by the truck-load.
If you would like your vending machine to free spin, be sure to mention
it in the comments box within the shopping cart system when placing your
order online.
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Can your
vending machines be shipped internationally? Can the coin mechanisms be
adjusted to accept foreign currency?
We can adjust some of our vending machines to accept foreign currency
and ship to international destinations. Please visit our international page for more information.
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Why should
I purchase from gumballs.com?
Because we are really, really, really nice people.
When you buy from us, you are not only purchasing the finest commercial
quality vending machines available, but you are also benefiting from our
expertise and knowledge of the vending industry. We have put these machines
to the test in our own vending route to ensure their superior quality
and durability. You can rest assured that when you buy from gumballs.com,
you are purchasing from a company that has the experience to help
make your investment worthwhile. We are also a proud member of the Better Business Bureau!
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What are
the gravitational, conceptual, and geophysical implications of the gumball
rolling down the spiral track and how do such implications harmoniously
coexist within the laws of motion?
No Comment.
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