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Vending Machine Business - Side Hustle
Posted on 9/9/25 at 3:35 pm
Posted on 9/9/25 at 3:35 pm
Looking at buying a vending machine or two and placing them in two specific places that I go to. I remember there was a thread about this somewhere, but I can't find it. Doesn't someone on here have a vending machine route/business? Please chime in.
5
Posted on 9/9/25 at 7:12 pm to b-rab2
Pour salt water down where change would normally go, and it disables the sensor and you can start jamming selections for free. Stock up! Hope you have insurance.
This post was edited on 9/9/25 at 7:13 pm
Posted on 9/9/25 at 8:34 pm to BabyTac
Sir, this ain’t 1980 anymore. Machines don’t come with slots “where change goes” anymore. It’s all digital and take credit cards.
Having said that. Most recent locations have already been contracted out to vendors. It’s a tough business but profitable if you can get into the right locations.
Having said that. Most recent locations have already been contracted out to vendors. It’s a tough business but profitable if you can get into the right locations.
This post was edited on 9/9/25 at 8:37 pm
Posted on 9/10/25 at 6:34 am to b-rab2
You'll need some muscle, or at least the ability to throw a guy in the back of a limousine and drive him around the corner.
Posted on 9/10/25 at 8:26 am to The Pickwick
quote:
Most recent locations have already been contracted out to vendors. It’s a tough business but profitable if you can get into the right locations.
I realize that.. I have only two places in mind. I'm not looking to scale really. I want to add one in our BJJ gym and our crossfit gym and be done. I'd like to provide on the go protein shakes, hydration and energy drinks. That's it.
Posted on 9/10/25 at 9:22 am to b-rab2
Vending Thread by The Ocean
I made some posts in that thread from a couple years ago.
Fastforward to now and I am cycling out all of my mechanical vending machines and purchasing smart coolers. Smart Coolers us AI technology(cameras in cooler) to see what they take out and charge their card.
Pico Smart Cooler
There is a place out of Dallas that is called Ha Ha Coolers who have pretty good reviews. Theirs can be purchased on Amazon I believe.
I made some posts in that thread from a couple years ago.
Fastforward to now and I am cycling out all of my mechanical vending machines and purchasing smart coolers. Smart Coolers us AI technology(cameras in cooler) to see what they take out and charge their card.
Pico Smart Cooler
There is a place out of Dallas that is called Ha Ha Coolers who have pretty good reviews. Theirs can be purchased on Amazon I believe.
Posted on 9/10/25 at 9:24 am to BabyTac
quote:
Pour salt water down where change would normally go
Posted on 9/10/25 at 10:24 am to b-rab2
Wait till RFK Jr. outlaws a lot of the crap they sell in these machines.
Posted on 9/10/25 at 10:25 am to Hawgeye
Thanks for this. I searched for a while yesterday for that thread and couldn't find it. I realize that I'm not going to make a lot of money at all, probably a couple hundred buck a month, if it's a good month. But, I'll be providing a service that is needed at these two sites.
Posted on 9/10/25 at 10:27 am to Hawgeye
What's the cost on the Pico?
Posted on 9/10/25 at 10:33 am to b-rab2
quote:
Thanks for this. I searched for a while yesterday for that thread and couldn't find it. I realize that I'm not going to make a lot of money at all, probably a couple hundred buck a month, if it's a good month. But, I'll be providing a service that is needed at these two sites
You can make money. Don't do anything unless you make money.
Posted on 9/10/25 at 10:38 am to b-rab2
quote:
What's the cost on the Pico?
I think those are going to be around $4-$4500. Then you will have some monthly cost associated with the credit card processing.
IF it were me and I were just starting out, I would go to the Ha Ha website and check those out. While they are a Chinese company, there is a local distributor and servicer in the DFW area. I think you can get some of their smaller ones for less than $3k.
The reason I like the smart coolers is that...
1) It is cashless
2) No moving parts to break like a vending machine
3) Maintenance is relatively easy. Similar to to your fridge at home, keep the back and underneath free of dust that will accumulate.
4) With the AI & credit card processor working together, you can track everything you sell. You will know exactly what you need to take each time you fill it and also know exactly what is most popular, etc. by setting up Par Level in your CC processors software.
Posted on 9/11/25 at 12:36 pm to Hawgeye
Really like this.
What is to stop unworthy people emptying out your entire inventory once they open door? Like getting a $10 gift card or something to have access to the machine opening, then just taking everything.
What is to stop unworthy people emptying out your entire inventory once they open door? Like getting a $10 gift card or something to have access to the machine opening, then just taking everything.
Posted on 9/11/25 at 12:49 pm to b-rab2
Have a route out of houston. Great time to get in. The advancements in tech and aesthetics over the last few years is resulting in this becoming a standard amenity for luxury properties and they can get a small profit % but no additional responsibilities or cost. The closures of circle ks, DG, Walgreens, etc is great as well. For apartments, when you get one, you can get the sister properties fairly easy also.
Posted on 9/11/25 at 7:47 pm to Stamps74
quote:
What is to stop unworthy people emptying out your entire inventory once they open door? Like getting a $10 gift card or something to have access to the machine opening, then just taking everything.
AI cameras in the machine. Once a customer taps or slides their card, it will put a $10 hold on their card. It unlocks the door and then anything they grab and take out, AI cameras see that and charge accordingly.
I was in Vegas at the NAMA show in May and it’s amazing how accurate they track. You can have multiple things in your hand, put one back then shut the door and the AI cameras caught all of it and charged accordingly. See video below on a Ha Ha cooler. The cooler that guy has is the $2999 cooler on Amazon.
Haha Cooler
Posted on 9/12/25 at 5:24 am to Hawgeye
Maybe you explained it and I didn’t catch it.
I’m a criminal. I go to store and get a $20 gift card. I go to vending machine, use my $20 gift card. The VM puts a $10 hold on my gift card. I open the door and take everything out the VM and leave.
What is to stop me from doing that? Certainly not a AI camera.
I’m a criminal. I go to store and get a $20 gift card. I go to vending machine, use my $20 gift card. The VM puts a $10 hold on my gift card. I open the door and take everything out the VM and leave.
What is to stop me from doing that? Certainly not a AI camera.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 6:11 am to Stamps74
quote:
I’m a criminal. I go to store and get a $20 gift card. I go to vending machine, use my $20 gift card. The VM puts a $10 hold on my gift card. I open the door and take everything out the VM and leave.
A regular gift card? We don’t give out gift cards. Only major credit cards can be used.
If you’re speaking about the temporary visa debit cards that can be purchased at Walmart…if what you suggested happens, I’m pulling my machine and finding a different location and likely the employee is getting fired who decided to steal. He/she is on camera.
I don’t do risky locations that do not make money or have a high risk of theft. Smart coolers and micro markets are all located in office buildings, manufacturing facilities/breakrooms, health care facilities.
I’ve had regular vending machines broken into before and all items stolen…the location each time that happened was at an apartment complex, but was probably 5-6 years ago. It happened once and I fixed the machine. The next time it happened I pulled that machine and abandoned that location. Theft unfortunately is a possibility no matter your business model.
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