Written by tc | Posted in Business |

Obviously when it comes to planning a vending route, you want one that is condensed as much as possible to make the best use of your time. When you’re first starting out, I would work at locating in only one zip code at a time slowing expanding outward. The last thing you want is to have to spend an hour and a half driving clear across time to service only one location.

My route is currently located in only in one section of town, so I can service about three to four location an hour. I have locations that are less than 10 minutes from each other, so this makes my servicing very efficient. It takes me only about 5-8 minutes to collect the quarters, fill up the candy and clean the machines. If I have to fix a coin mechanism or trade out some stale candy than this will take more time, but usually I’m in and out very quickly.

When I was new to the vending machine business, I used to worry like crazy about my machines. I’d service them every 3-4 weeks. It took me about a year to calm down and eventually start using my time more efficiently. Now I only service my locations every 45-60 days and this is more than enough. Typical vending products have a shelf life of 60 days, so this is about right. If I have locations that need more frequent servicing, I’m definitely on it, but I no longer waste my time on location that are fine on a 60 day cycle.

Making a full time income will require hundreds of machines so you really need to use your time effectively. When you’re first starting out this is less of an issue, but once you get up to 200+ machines, time management becomes a big issue. Keep in mind that although servicing is the biggest time commitment in vending you also need to make time for book keeping, repairing machines, cleaning machines, running to the bank and buying product.

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