Can a Toy Vending Machine Still Be Profitable During These Trying Times?
[ad_1]
Many different vending machines have been offering different types of items to customers for years. But few would argue that the kind most appealing to children is the toy vending machine. The most common types include the kind that sell small toys in plastic capsules. There is a wide range of attractive options available to vendors when it comes to this type of machine. After all, selling to children, while a competitive market, has always been profitable when they are sold the right toy. But what are the choices that are available to vendors today?
Toy vending machine design plays an important role in generating customer transactions. Bright colors and shiny parts always make for a winning combination, but the market has become so cluttered with these, especially when they are positioned alongside other competing machines in locations designed for children (e.g., miniature golf course parks, pizza establishments with many entertaining distractions). Vending experts are always looking for ways to vye for a child’s attention and they are doing it in creative ways.
You can choose from a regular version which dispenses small toys in capsules or choose a vending machine that utilizes a crane to be manipulated by the user to capture a toy of their choice. The types of items associated with regular machines are one- to two-inch capsules with fake insects, costume jewelry, glow-in-the-dark plastic trinkets, etc. You can also select a novelty machine which will involve a video game, DVDs, and other higher priced items, but with these, not only is the price of admission higher, but the challenge is greater, too.
A novelty toy vending machine requires a larger investment, but will no doubt pay for itself in the long run with the sales it will generate. The best places to buy these machines online are gumball.com, brandvendingproducts.com, and Novelties-a-GoGo.com. These sites not only have used and new machines, but they also sell the toys, capsules, and other items that can go along with them.
Naturally, a reason why small novelty toy vending has been so successful is due to the relatively low cost associated with it, at least for the smaller variety. There are larger, more challenging machines that require the customer to perform some sort of act to win a prize, and usually means the prize being dispensed has greater value. For example, a joystick used to control a crane in an enclosed plexiglas box to pick up a toy is a popular machine at family entertainment establishments and arcades. Because the prize is worth more, the challenge is little harder. The owner is at risk of investing in more expensive toys, but the consumer also puts up more money for the chance to win the prize. Some machines even feature light and sound displays that increase the chances of attracting a customer who would normally just pass it by.
The prizes that are dispensed by the novelty machines usually include small toy trucks, costume jewelry, candy, plush toys, and any number of other similar objects. To increase the chances of making a sale, vendors sometimes coordinate the prizes being offered with the theme of the establishment or its locale. There are many companies that provide toys for vending machines and you can find a number of them listed on vendingconnections.com.
The cost of a novelty machine on the low end of the spectrum starts around $100, but can go up to $500. The next step up from that — a moderate level — will run approximately $500 to $2,000. Many manufacturers and suppliers offer financing options while others will require an upfront payment. It is also important to check the terms and conditions of the warranty when you buy a novelty machine.
[ad_2]
Source by Mark Sierra
