Facts That will Make You Think Differently About Vending Machines in Brisbane

These following facts will make you look differently at vending machines in Brisbane. While most of us take them for granted when we are hungry or thirsty and craving sugar, they have not always been so handy. In order to show how interesting vending machines actually are the professional vending company, Benleigh Vending Systems has shared some interesting facts below. 

History of vending machines

Have you every wondered when vending machines first came into use? This fact definitely surprised me and really made my brain go into overdrive. Amazingly, the first vending machines date back to ancient Greece. As wacky as it sounds the first vending machine was invented way back in 215 BC by engineer and mathematician extraordinaire, Hero of Alexandria. While the vending machines did not spurt out soft drinks and chips like we are use to, it actually did give out a type of drink. Funnily enough, what was dispensed from the first vending machines was holy water. For a simple coin, you could get a drink of holy water. The vending machines were located in temples in Egypt, which at the time was ruled by Greece.

Fast forward to the 1880s and modern forms of vending machines were introduced to London. Unlike the vending machines in ancient Greece, these vending machines more resemble the vending machines we use today. These vending machines dispensed postcards. It wasn’t long until the vending machine technology was taken across the seas to New York City. In 1888, vending machines were placed on New York subway platforms and exchanged coins for chewing gum. It wasn’t long until gumball vending machines were created in 1907. In 1926 cigarette vending machines were introduced, followed by soft drink vending machines in 1965. 

Popularity

When you check out the statistics about vending machines, you’ll understand just how popular they are. In the United States alone a whopping 8 million snacks and confections were purchased in just one year from vending machines. Also, 5 billions soft drinks were purchased. The industry itself in the United States, is made up of 8,000 vending machines companies, while annual sales are estimated between $19 and $29 billion.

Vending machines more dangerous than sharks?

Many of us have irrational fears about the ocean based on sharks. Since Jaws aired, countless people have vowed not to go back into the sea. There is something terrifying about the deep, dark sea and the unknown predators that live beneath. However, what if I was to tell you that vending machines kill more people every year than sharks do. Astoundingly, vending machines are responsible more four times more people than sharks. Every year 2 to 3 people are killed a year from shaking vending machines in the pursuit of free merchandise. Whereas, the average deaths caused by sharks each years is recorded at 0.6 deaths per year.

Japanese Vending machines

If you have ever been lucky enough to visit Japan, you will know firsthand about the massive range of wacky vending machines they have. Unlike in Australia, Japan is home to the most interesting vending machines in the world. Snack and soft drink vending machines are replaced with vending machines that dispense the strangest things. When it comes to food you can get rice, bananas, corn soup, ice cream and even eggs. Other items you can exchange for coins are batteries, umbrellas, electricity, fortunes, toilet paper, flowers, costumes, masks and toilet paper.

For more information about the range of Benleigh vending machines on offer in Brisbane, check out the Benleigh Vending System’s website at http://benleighvending.com.au/.

In Brisbane Money Talks and Vending Machines Deliver

Vending machines are just that, machines that vend products (mostly delicious sweets and soft-drinks) for our convenience. But how do they actually work? What are the little known facts about our Vending Machines in Brisbane? We’ve all wondered to ourselves about the local vending machine but we’ve never asked anyone about it before.

According to the Business Dictionary, “a vending machine is an electronic machine used to dispense a product to a consumer after a certain amount of money has been put into the machine." There is a lot of literature on the benefits of vending machines for entrepreneurs and business owners alike.

By far the number one question is whether or not a vending machine can make you money. A vending machine can give small business owners real extra income without cost. Most vending companies do not charge for placing machines in a business, and they split the proceeds with the small business owner. Vending machine providers generally do not allow a small business owner access to the money collection vault and reserve access to approved vending machine mechanics. These individuals visit on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. It is very important for profitability that vending machines remain stocked. If your machine runs empty, money will be lost, and that is a guarantee. To avoid an empty vending machine it is important to realised that all vending locations will have a different usage. These fluctuations can be determined by season, whether its freezing cold and an iced cold drink is the last thing on someone’s mind or scorching hot and everyone is dying for a coca-cola, or demographic.

If you are considering investing in a vending machine make sure you weigh up the initial investment costs and the ongoing expenses you will have to pay. The initial investment when running a vending business includes the cost of the machine and the initial stock to fill it. Machines can be bought new or refurbished. The initial investment required within this industry can fall anywhere from the low thousands to the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Did you know that a gumball machine is considered a vending machine?

Ongoing vending machine expenses may include, general liability insurance and the cost of keeping the machine well stocked. Monthly rental or commission payments might need to be paid to the business owners where you place your machine. This is not always an expense vending machine owners incur. These location royalties can range anywhere between 5 and 10 per cent and sometimes up to 20 per cent. Transaction fees are not something you will necessarily take into account, but if your machine takes card, then you must expect that there will be transaction fees.

The amount of servicing a machine will need is dependent on several factors, including where the machine is located and how often it is used. Maintenance expenses include the cost of the parts that you have to purchase and of course the labour costs. Make sure you have a warranty. Distributors and franchisors typically will offer at least a limited warranty to cover issues that arise from normal usage for set number of years from the purchase date. Even if your machines are in good running condition, it’s wise to have regular maintenance checks to help prevent larger problems in the future.

If you would like to find out more about installing a vending machine in your Brisbane office, contact Benleigh Vending systems on 1300 629 153 or visit their website http://benleighvending.com.au/.