Innovations are making life easy and much better. Today it’s possible to find a vending machine for everything. However, as a business person, there’s a lot to consider when buying a vending machine. But to make it easy, you need to choose a vending machine partner that will satisfy all needs. To help in making that decision, here are features to include and ignore when picking a vending machine.
Size
Size is the first feature to include but remember, it affects the price. For instance, an entry-level tabletop tea vending machine is cheaper than an entry-level standing machine. You usually pay double for the steel frame than for more features. It’s recommended to go for a tabletop vending machine with a stand rather than a floor-standing unit.
Consider fresh milk instead of powder
Powder milk has a bad reputation when used in vending machines. Most tea-coffee vending machines use creamer instead of powdered milk. Creamer is a milk substitute that makes tea or coffee taste bad. But pure powdered milk contains milk and tastes like normal milk. The price of vending machines that use fresh milk is higher compared to powder milk options. In addition, powder milk machines are cheaper to run than their counterparts. Therefore, go for powder vending machines but use the right powder milk.
Long term cost
Quality comes at a price. Getting a vending machine with any budget is possible, but the quality will differ. Buying a cheap machine will cost you more in the long run than getting an expensive one that provides quality. However, all this depends on your preferences and budget. But it’s best to pay more upfront fees while purchasing than to incur the extra in the long run due to repairs.
ADA compliance
When buying a vending machine, it’s crucial to consider ADA compliance. Machines that are ADA-compliant their usability must be between 15″ and 48″ from the floor. The machine will allow everyone to get the services without struggle.
Payment options
The vending machine price goes up depending on the payment option. A coin, credit or debit card is the best for business purposes to make profits. But you can also get one that allows payment through mobile apps. However, if you are trying to regulate the misuse of products, a free vending machine is good and is acceptable to bear the burden. But remember, if you can go free, do it to save on costs.
It’s best to get a machine that provides several payment options apart from cash. In addition, always ensure the machine has change to pay back cash users. Finally, remember to avoid machines that offer only one payment option. It will limit customers because they can’t access different payment modes.
Flexibility
The packaging of products is always changing. Therefore a flexible vending machine is the best. Next, go for a machine that has adjustable snack and drinks selections. This feature is advantageous because it lets you easily configure the machine to fit the product packaging you are selling. Unfortunately, most business owners try to find products that fit the machine.
Easy vending
No one wants a machine that’s complicated to operate. As an entrepreneur, ensuring the vending machine is easy for everyone. For instance, go for machines with LED lights to showcase products well. Such features allow the consumers to see the products in the machine. In addition, consider a machine that is consumer friendly and has controls such as braille identification. These features make vending machines all-inclusive.
iVend
It is a standard feature to consider when picking a vending machine for any business. The feature is a delivery sensor system that ensures consumers get their product 100% each time they buy. iVend uses infrared technology, and if the consumer doesn’t get the item correctly, they receive their money back instantly. The feature also allows them to have an alternative to get a different product. Getting a machine with this feature satisfies consumers by eliminating misvends.
There is a wide range of vending machines available in the market. It can be challenging to choose one with all the features that will satisfy consumers. Therefore you need to consider the most important features listed above. It’s always vital to ensure you get a versatile and flexible machine to increase your profit margin.
