Complaint Review: Independent Vending Concepts

I have had a totally different experience in this situation. First of all the truth is that all energy chews are not created equal. Some are fantastic and some not so good. Before you invest in any of them check the product out. You are investing in a product not a distribution method. The distribution method you choose has to work for you and your personality, if not you surely will fail. Check out how they are manufactured and see if they follow all of the packaging guidelines required for resale.

The marketing behind the product is more important than anything. Look at the product name, claims, marketing materials, and advertising places, etc before you decide which one to sell. I am not going to single any company out here because all of the chews I have tried work. The problem usually is in the naming of the product or the packaging design or something like that. Think about the name and what it represents and decide if you can get behind it.

Now look for the distribution method that works for you. That could be Internet, wholesale, retail, vending, fundraising, premium giveaways, or many other methods of distribution. The most profitable in percentage is vending, and vending is a lot of work. The issues you have are locators, machine difficulty, travel expenses, and location, location, location. You see location in vending is just like location in real estate. It is the determining factor of success or failure. If you aren't willing to move the bottom 20% of your machines every month to try to get better locations, don't waste your time vending. Now I recognize the manufacturer listed in the complaint, and have personally not had any trouble with them. I am 100% satisfied by them. If a machine is defective call them, send the part in and they replace it. Depending what the issue is you may not even have to send the broken part. Remember also that they are selling the machine only not the opportunity and they back it well. The bus-op guy is the guy making the money if you are spending $300 or more per machine you need to evaluate the investment really carefully. Most of the Bus-op sellers have not so stellar reputaions. A little research up front will potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars. There are many types of machines to vend with however so make your decision based on facts, not rumors or reports from people who have failed. People that have failed always look to someone else to blame instead of looking in the mirror, as they should. Now I personally wouldn't buy a business opportunity from someone only interested in selling the method of distribution and not worrying about the product itself. If the product itself isn't marketed correctly the product will surely fail.

Vending is not a get rich quick business as sold by the bus-op people. Look around and you will see that people with hundreds or thousands of them own the majority of vending machines. Sure you may only have to empty them monthly, but if you have enough of them to make a substantial living you will be working many hours a day.

The next method is getting out and placing a new product as a rack-jobber or a salesman and starting a true distribution company. This is how the biggest player in the game got started and now you find that energy drink everywhere you go. If the location sells anything, I promise you that they sell this product. If you can't get territorial rights for a product stay away and if they promise you them, ask how they guarantee it. Look at their advertising and see if they are spending the money to promote it or if you are going to spend tens of thousands to grow your business. You will always need to promote and put profit back into sampling and things like that.

Locating machines is where most of the headache comes from. Learn to do it yourself and you will have the most success. Most locating companies want you to pay in advance and won't let you come with when they place them because they don't want you to see how easy it really is. If you are placing hundreds of machines it might be worth using a professional locator but don't over pay.

Used equipment can be a great opportunity for vending and could be a less expensive alternative. Remember thought that it takes multiple methods of distribution to be successful so look for someone that promotes all channels of distribution and allows you to participate in them.

So if you are looking to get into an energy distribution business, look at the different opportunities and decide for yourself which product is best and go with it. Feel free to contact me at any time with questions at midman128@yahoo.com.

As someone who owns machines that sell the energy chews this complaint mentions, I must say I do not agree with his accusations. There may be some companies that are misleading with figures, but vending as a business is an age old business that has a long history of success. I have owned hundres of coin operated machines manufactured by t'pico over the years, and have profited thousands of dollars. I presently own and operate machines that sell the buzz bite type energy chews and see a return of about 15 to 20% of my original investment amount for my machines monthly. What should be mentioned is that this business is not for the lazy. If you are not going to get out and place the machines, or at least pay a placement service for doing that job for you, then it is a poor choice to buy into a vending business. However once you place the machines, even a bad location makes me $20 to $30 a month in profits per machine. I do NOT sell these machines. I have no reason to voice my oppinion other than I had a very different experience. Not everyone who buys machines will be successful with it, but it is unfair to blame the company selling the machines. That is like buying a $2000 exercise machine then blame the seller when you do not work out on it. Not fair. If you have machines you cannot place, google placement companies and get them placed. Otherwise do not rain on other peoples dreams just because you choose to sit the sidelines. VENDING MAKES MONEY. I have been making money with it since 1998.