Learning

There's nothing convenient about a vending machine when it gets vandalized. Especially if it's a recurring issue. What was supposed to be an added amenity for your business suddenly becomes an inconvenience. So what are you supposed to do?

Our customers who experience vandalism to their machines often ask us what can be done to prevent it from happening again. Here three measures we suggest:

1. Place the machine in a visible area. 

Perhaps the best advice to stop a vending machine from being vandalized is to have the equipment placed in a high-traffic area. A place where many people (either customers or staff members) will be able to see the machine. While it's not always desirable to have a piece of vending equipment in plain view, it's a sure-fire way to keep potential vandals from damaging the machine. The more visible the machine, the less likely it is to be vandalized. 

Remember when you could by a can of Coke for $.50 or a bottle of Pepsi for $1.00?  Those days are {mostly} long gone.  For several years, suppliers big and small have been sending out a similar message: cost of goods increases on the supply side is forcing them to increase retail pricing in vending machines. 

Many establishments ÛÒ workplace, apartment complexes, retail stores and more ÛÒ can benefit from having a vending machine on site.  ItÛªs an added convenience for employees, guests and customers by offering beverage and snack options for a nominal fee.  When you are looking for vending options, who do you call?  What are you really looking for?

Who would have ever thought of buying a cell phone plan from a vending machine? In France, a company called Free is introducing the concept, allowing customers to pay for a cell phone plan and receive a sim card, via the machine. 

Just when you think you've heard it all--vending machines that sell neckties, batteries, or even Pokemon products--Sprinkles Cupcakes goes a step further by launching the very first cupcake machine.  

As mobile phones become the more popular choice among consumers for making payments, a Canadian-based company has created a new way to purchase items from vending machines. Paylab Networks Ltd. has developed new technology that allows consumers to purchase products from vending machines using a new mobile phone application, along with a built-in point-of-sale device. PayLab will debut the technology at the upcoming National Automatic Merchandising Association show in Chicago.

Meet the latest vending machine to make waves throughout the industry, Dreambox.  This new machine is a standalone 3-D printer that allows users to create a three dimensional item on their computer using a variety of software programs and upload it to Dreambox via the Internet for printing.  The object is then shipped to the person after payment is made online.