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Starting Planet Antares Vending Machine Business

2010-04-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

Most of us love to start our own vending machine business. But the fear of failure and inability to sustain competition prevents us for taking any further step. In fact the moment you plan to have your own vending machine business, there are hundreds of questions wavering in your mind.

The ideal way of gaining clarity about this business is by consulting experts or others who have been operating this business for quite sometime now. Vending is no doubt a very profitable business, especially if you know the ins and outs of this business. Irrespective of the kind of business you take up, conducting a thorough Market research is mandatory.

An in depth market research would help operator gather wealth of information about various machines in the market, most commonly dispensed vending products, competition, customer tastes, demand for various products and other information crucial for the success of this business.

In case you are completely new to this industry and starting this business without having any contacts, you should be very cautious in every move you make. Since there are lot of fraudsters in the market trying to misguide you by selling poor quality vending machines and products? It is always advisable to browse the net, go through various models of vending machines offered by various companies and choose one at best bid.

Vending is in fact the only business that gives complete freedom to the operator both in terms of the products you dispense and working hours. Operators should be very careful while choosing products to be vended in their machine. It is always advisable to offer more than one variety of products in your machine and try to alter them frequently. This can retain your existing customers and at the same time grab the attention of new customers.

Location and proper service should also be given due priority in vending business as these are the stepping stones to success. Thorough cleaning, prompt servicing and regular repaid can keep your machine in good working condition and thereby boost your sales.

Planet Antares Vending Business and Location Strategies

2010-04-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

If you are under the perception that you need a lot of capital for starting vending machine business, you are thoroughly mistaken. In fact vending is one of the easiest business models that can be taken up by anyone. If finance is your main concern, you can choose basic model machines instead of going for sophisticated ones.

It has been the general practise of many operators to start with one or two machines initially and gradually expand them over a period of time. This business gives you the complete freedom of even operating these machines from the comfort of your residence. When it comes to choosing products for dispensing in your machine, you can go for standard products that have consistent demand throughout the year. Snacks, beverages, coffee, candy are some of the products that have demand throughout the year.

Another crucial aspect that influences the success of vending machine business is location. Operator needs to take due care while finalising on the location. There are various methods of identifying potential locations. Some of the most popular methods are by using flyers or by advertising. Each of these has its own set of benefits and their choice depends on funds available with operator and his scale of operations.

Flyers are really helpful. They spread across the message quickly and help you in getting contacted by people so that we can place our machines in their locations. This method also helps you gather huge information about various operators in that particular locality, kind of machines used by them, their pricing, services rendered by them and similar information which is vital for your business. You should go on repeating this process until you find few locations.

In case you are willing to spend some money, you can go for advertising. You would definitely expect good return on your investment and a good return would obviously mean good leads and prospective locations. So be careful while choosing. It has been proved that all locations are not the same. You can also take the support of a Planet Antares locator to assist you in your quest for potential locations.

How Can You Become Successful In Planet Antares Business

2010-03-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

Success is the dream of every entrepreneur. But is everyone successful? The answer is straightforward “NO”. Why is it that only few entrepreneurs become successful while other get washed away by the tides of competition. Vending as we all know is a customer dominated business model. Customer decision and behaviour drastically influences the success or failure of this business.

Withstanding this cut throat competition is quite a big challenge for vending operators. How can you become successful? Operators can take success if they bear below mentioned aspects in mind:

• Quality: Modern customers are quality conscious. They are ready to spend more amounts but are unwilling to compromise on the product quality. Ensure that you stock your Planet Antares machine with best quality products.

• Customer service: Vending is a customer oriented business. You exist as long as you are able to satisfy your customer. Once your customer is upset with the kind of service he receives, he will never visit you and at the same time stop others from visiting you. Word of mouth plays a key role in this industry.

• Maintenance: Good looking machines can attract customers. Ensure your machine is clean, regularly serviced and is in proper working condition. In case of breakdown, try to resolve the issue at the earliest. One sec of time wasted leads to break in your revenue.

• Gifts and coupons: Use advertising strategies like special gifts and coupons. These not only draw customers towards you but also advertise the products you sell.

• Inventory: Ensure you machine has sufficient inventory stock in it. Make sure no customer returns empty handed after visiting your machine due to lack of stock.

• Latest products: Customers like to try out new products that have been introduced in the market. Try to introduce such products in your machine. If their demand fades, you can replace them with your previous products

Competition In Vending Industry – Planet Antares

2010-03-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

It is quite obvious that with increase in number of vending operators competition is also very severe in thus industry. Sustaining and surviving in this competitive market is a tough challenge for vending operators. The best way of withstanding this competition is by offering prompt and high quality products and services to its target customers.

Unlike other businesses vending is purely customer oriented business. Hence only those operators who understand the pulse of customers and offer products that meet their requirements survive in this market. Few tips that can help an operator withstand competition are mentioned below:

• A smart operator needs to keep himself updated not only after the market but also of his competitor’s moves.

• Operators need to be specific in what they sell. Never get carried away by profits and take up more than what you can actually handle.

• Never compromise on quality of products you offer.

• Vending has gained huge popularity among people who hardly have time to wait in long queue for billing or purchasing products. This machine provides you with the convenience of pick and go. So ensure that you stock your machine with sufficient quantity of stock. This will help boost your sales.

• Always prefer latest and new machines. Discourage used or refurbished machines. New machines are more reliable and ensure smooth operations. Always make sure you buy machines from trusted and reputed manufacturers like Planet Antares.

• Appropriate marketing strategies. Provide discounts and special offers that can increase your sales.

• Prefer glass front vending machines when compared to closed ones. These machines enable customers to see the products which they would be purchasing. Not only this, glass front machines help you in identifying outdated stock which can be easily removed.

• Ability to offer at lower or reasonable prices: Since the establishment and running costs of vending business is low in comparison to other business models. This business also does not require you to hire sales personnel and being a complete cash business, there is no scope for bad debts. These benefits allow you to price products at lesser price when compared to other shopping malls or retail outlets.

These simple tips if followed can give you huge returns.

Tips While Starting New Planet Antares Vending Business

2010-03-16T11:16:00.001-07:00

Just like any other business opportunity, vending business also requires you to take up thorough market analysis. This detailed analysis would provide you with vital information that is crucial for the success of your business. Vending as we are aware is one of the most popular and simple business opportunities. However, this fact alone would not guarantee you success. Just like most other business opportunities, vending also requires a lot of hard work and strategies.

Few tips that can help you in becoming successful in your venture are mentioned below:

• Whenever you start a business, it is advantageous to have some contacts with people in the same field. This will help you in starting your business quickly and also get some valuable suggestions related to the business.

• These days we have a lot of combo machines available in the market. These machines are capable of selling two products at a time. For instance: one section of the machine can sell drinks while the other section sells snacks. The main problem with these machines is their maintenance. These machines break down continuously thus leading to customer dissatisfaction. Instead, purchase full size machines from Planet Antares with electronic eye. These machines come with a latest feature that detect if a product has been vended or not when a purchase is made.

• This is one of the marketing strategies that helps create awareness about the product among customers and creates zeal to purchase it. If you just have a few machines, then advertising is yellow pages is ideal. On the contrary, if you have several machines located across several places, then you can resort to advertising over the internet.

• If you a novice who has just started vending business with just one or two machines, then you may not need any employees as you can do the servicing and refilling yourself. But once you start expanding your business by adding more and more machines, then you may need to hire people to make things easier for you.

• Try to purchase new machines of reputed and established brands. While choosing a product you would like to vend, make sure that the product is fast moving with longer expiry period.

Criteria For Choosing Right Product In Your Vending Machine

2010-03-12T13:24:00.000-08:00

The success of your business is influenced by several factors. Products you dispense, machine you use, location you install, your target audience and the kind of services you render. All these factors impact the success of your business in their own unique way.

With success of vending business, hundreds of varieties of vending products are introduced into the market. Choosing one or two among them is quite confusing and challenging. Since vending is a customer related business, an operator needs to give due priority to customer requirements and their expectations. One common mistake committed by operators is to fill their machines with almost any item that is available. These operators are under the assumption that customers have no other option but to purchase the products offered by you.

This is absolutely wrong notion as modern customers are pretty smart and are particular about their requirements. Hence operators need to keep few things in mind before selecting a product to be dispensed in their machine.

Customer tastes: Since vending is a hundred percent customer oriented business, it is imperative that operators understand the needs, tastes and preferences of their target customers before finalising on the product. Another thing which operators need to consider is that customer requirements are not static; they keep changing with changing times. Hence operators need to keep pace with changing market trends. This helps them in offering products with maximum demand and thus boosts their sales.

Pricing: The price of the product you are about to vend is also vital. For instance: if you are targeting middle class customers and are pricing your product very high, the chances of success are limited. Depending on your target audience, locality in which you are installing your machine and competitors pricing, you need to price your product.

Quality: Modern day customers are quality conscious. They are prepared to spare additional money in order to get the best. If you would like to become a successful vending operator, make sure you do not compromise on the quality of products. Ensure you maintain fresh stock in your machine. Check for the expiry date on the products regularly and replace out dated products on a timely basis. This will not only create good will among customers but also increase sales by increasing the number of repeat customers.

These things if borne in mind by the operator can guarantee him success.

Maintenance Vital For Success of Planet Antares Vending Business

2010-03-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

Most operators give maximum priority to products they dispense, machine they purchase, location and in this process almost ignore maintenance and servicing aspects. Both maintenance and repairs are highly crucial for efficient and effective performance of a vending machine.

Vending is a instinct based business. Most of the times, customers do not visit these machines with a prior intention of purchasing products. The attractive looks of the machine and the appeal of the products create an instinct to purchase the product. Hence maintenance is all the more important in this business.

None of us would like to go and purchase products from a machine that is not clean and properly maintained. Hygiene or maintenance is crucial in case an operator is dispensing food items or medicines. In either of these cases, operators need to check their stock regularly, identify outdated stock and remove them on a timely basis. This if not done on time, can not only affect the health of customers but also spread bad reputation in the market. Thus ruin your business in the long run.

Success of this business is largely dependent on how well the machine is maintained. Thorough cleaning alone does not ensure good maintenance. However, it is a part of entire maintenance process. Servicing vending machine does not mean restocking them or making money from them. Servicing a vending machine means cleaning of all four corners of the machine.

Maintenance is not just limited to the machine; the place where you have installed your machine should also be maintained properly. Another important thing to be noted here is that vending machines should be free of insects and rodents. This will help in keeping the machine free from dust, dirt and vermin. It is the prime responsibility of a vending operator to ensure that only quality food is being vended from their machines. This will keep your customers happy and healthy at all times. And satisfied customers can boost your sales thereby making vending a successful business.

Factors to Be Considered While Starting your Planet Antares Vending Business

2010-03-03T10:12:00.001-08:00

If you are looking to start a vending business of your own, you need to look at various options that exist. Wondering how and why vending business could be profitable to you?

• Competition and strategy: Tough competition exists in vending business. Hence choosing the right product can be quite challenging. Try to purchase machines that are cheap and at the same time very popular among customers. Some of these machines are specially designed to cater to specific segment of customers. Besides selection, positioning of vending machines is equally important. For instance if you are targeting children, you need to place your Planet Antares machine in locations that has maximum children footfall.

• Nature of vending machine: There are various kinds of vending machines available in the market. Some of them run on electricity while others use mechanical power. Each of these machines has its own set of merits and demerits. The choice of them would however depend on the kind and number of products you would like to dispense.

• Product: Make sure you take enough time before finalising on the product you would like to dispense. There are several products available in the market targeting various set of customers. You can choose a product depending on your target customers, financial limitations and competition in your location.

• Location: Location influences the success or failure of your business to a great extent. Choosing a right location is vital for the success of your business. Make sure you place your machine in a place that has maximum customer traffic. However, the people who visit this place should include your target audience.

Vending is a highly competitive business. Operators need to be very cautious and develop strategies, implement them properly for making their business a huge success.

Tips for Successful Vending Business – Planet Antares

2010-02-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

Vending machine business is most lucrative one if only you know how to use them. Demand for the product and strategic location of machine are factors that determine the success of this business.

Few tips that you should bear in mind while staring this business are:

• The product you dispense would determine your success. Demand and profit margin vary from one product to another. Hence you need to analyse each of them in detail before offering.

• Once you have decided the product, you need to identify the right location. Location is critical for success of a vending business. The kind of location you choose should include huge gathering of people and most importantly include your target audience.

• Although vending machines can be hired, it is always advisable to purchase a new vending machine of branded company. These machines not only come with warranty but are also highly efficient.

• Even though used machines cost you less, in the long run their maintenance and other expenses incurred on them would surpass the cost of a brand new machine. Hence always prefer a new machine.

• While purchasing a machine also consider the availability of its spare parts. Since there is no point purchasing a machine whose spare parts cannot be procured easily. Planet Antares machines are believed to be the best in industry.

• Try to offer only those products that have maximum demand or go for branded items. Do not restrict yourself to one particular product. Try to dispense products alternatively in your machine.

• Proper maintenance and regular servicing of machines is also vital. Vending is a customer oriented business and customers generally get attracted towards clean and well maintained machines.

• You can also purchasing existing vending routes instead of starting your own from starch. However, each of these has its own merits and demerits.

These simple tips if followed carefully can make you a successful vending business operator.

Product Selection Crucial For Success of Vending Business

2010-02-22T08:29:00.001-08:00

As more and more number of operators are taking up vending business, a wide variety of products suitable for being vended in these machines are introduced into the market. This is giving operators a huge selection to choose from. “Product” is one of the key elements that influence the success of your business.

There are several factors that influence the choice of product selection. For instance: the kind of machine used, target audience, location and pricing. Keeping these things in mind operators need to select a product that he would like to dispense in his machine. Stocking your Planet Antares machine with the right kind of product is going to give you guaranteed success. How do you know if a product is perfect or not? There are few aspects that help you in your choice of product selection. These are:

• Branded items: Modern customers are highly brand cautious. So, try to offer branded products. Another benefit of selling branded products is that operator need not incur additional expenses on advertising as brand name itself creates a demand for the product.

• Vending is purely an instinct based business so presentation is very important. Attractive packaging is capable of grabbing the attention of customers and even forces them to purchase the product.

• One of the attractive features of vending business is its high profit margins. Hence operators should always try to prefer products with high profit margins. This is the best way to generate more revenue from every single item sold.

• Quality is also vital for success of a business. Hence operators should never compromise on quality. Try to vend only high quality products. This has dual benefits. First, it will increase your good will in the market and second that it also boosts sales of your products.

• Consider your target customers financial ability while choosing the product: If you are setting up your vending business in a middle class locality, then vend products that are within their range.

• Try to vend latest and innovative products that have huge demand: With changing times, customer’s tastes and preferences are also changing. So try to introduce latest and novel products that meet their requirements.

These simple changes can bring in huge success.

Tips for Running a Vending Business Successfully

2010-02-16T09:19:00.001-08:00

Vending gives convenience not only to its operators but also to its users. Are you looking for some additional source of income? In that case, vending is perfect for you. To begin with, you can start with one or two vending machines on a small note and gradually expand it over a period of time.

But before you proceed, make sure you conduct a thorough market research. This would help you in selecting and picking up locations that are financially profitable for you and beneficial for your business. High customer traffic locations are ideal for installing vending machines. Location also needs to be centralised so that commutation becomes easier. In case you do not see any productivity in these locations after placing your machine, you need to look out for new locations.

Vending is completely a customer based business. Hence establishing contact with people operating similar business is very vital in this business. This is helpful to the operator in two ways. It is helpful in starting his business quickly and also in getting some valuable suggestions related to the business.

Your first step while starting this business would be to purchase a machine. It is always advisable to purchase new machines from reputed companies like Planet Antares. The main advantage of this is that these machines come with a warrantee and are highly efficient in terms of their performance. Since more and more operators are switching to this business, several models of vending machines have been introduced into the market. So, it is at the discretion of the operator to choose a machine that meets his individual and budgetary needs.

After purchasing a perfect machine, stocking it with right kind of product is equally or perhaps even more important. The selection of product is dependent on the location in which you have installed your machine and your target customers. Keeping both these things in mind, operator needs to choose a product.

If you think that your job is over by purchasing a new machine and installing it with a product, you are thoroughly mistaken. Vending operator also needs to give equal importance to servicing and maintenance of the machine. Another aspect that needs consideration is designing of appropriate marketing strategies that can boost your business. However, choice of mode and media of advertisement would depend on your scale of operations and budget.

These simple aspects if borne in mind can bring you huge success.

Benefits Of Vending Machines

2010-02-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

Vending is a very simple business which can be taken up by any person irrespective of his professional qualification or prior work experience. Some of the unique features of this business that has made it very popular among people are its ease of operation, ability to offer quick and instant services and a lot of convenience. All these have helped busy modern man in accomplishing several aspects in his day to day life.

This business has huge scope of making a lot of money. Wondering how? Just look at the benefits mentioned below:

• Hassle free installation process: Just buy a product, add margin and sell it using vending machine.

• Complicated machinery: You do not need huge complicated equipment to start the business. This reduces the risk involved in the business when compared to any other business.

• Great business: Just pay your excess income for servicing or repairing the machine. This is the best way to heap more profits.

• Few competitors: This is a new and developing market, so the number of organized competitors is less. This gives you more chances to make money.

• Limited investment: Like other businesses, you do not require huge capital for starting this business. You need not borrow huge sums from financial institutions and get trapped in the debt web. This business gives you the freedom of limited capital requirement.

• More scope: Vending business is in great demand. Irrespective of economical conditions, people still continue spending huge amount on vending services. So you can take advantage of this market.

• Cash flow: This is a 100 percent cash based business and there are no chances of running into bad debts. Vending gives you a chance to get yourself established in the business world. Once you get stabilized, you can use income generated from this business to fund other ventures taken up by you.

• Zero labour: requirement of employees is nil. So there is no need for checking on them 24/7. All you need is to check if the machines are in proper condition and service them whenever needed. You should also see to it that these machines are replaced with stock whenever needed.

• Time restrictions: You do not have any fixed working hours. Vending machines can provide service round the clock. This means that you stand more chances of making money when compared to running a shop.

For more information on vending business get in touch with the experts from planet Antares who can guide you to starting a profitable vending business.

How to Become Successful Vending Operator

2010-02-05T22:36:00.000-08:00

This is a highly competitive market in which only tough guys win and the remaining are wiped away. There are several factors that spell difference between success and failure in a vending business. A business will exist as long as it is able to benefit both the parties involves (operator and customer) else the business would not survive. Though this may sound to be very simple, success cannot be achieved just like that.

More so in the case of vending which is a customer oriented business. There are few things which operators need to focus on in becoming successful operators:

• Products: The kind of product offered by you influences your success to a certain extent. Just as each customer is unique so are his tastes and preferences. Few customers like to try out different products that are being introduced in to the market on a timely basis while others restrict themselves to one particular variety. As a vending operator, you need to be able to identify the pulse of your target audience and satisfy them by offering their kind of products.

• Vending machine: Vending is purely an instinct driven business. Hence the looks and presentation creates a desire in purchasing the product. Operators should try to use latest product with attractive features that can grab customer attention easily. Planet Antares machines are stylish and the trust factor exists making them the most obvious choice.

• Location: While installing your machine in a particular place, operator needs to identify if that place has required number of target customers, easy to access and clearly visible. You have to install your machine if all these requirements are met.

• Proper maintenance and services: Timely maintenance and servicing should also be given due importance. Since both these help in offering prompt and uninterrupted services to customers.

Hence it is imperative that operator needs to give due priority to above mentioned aspects in order to become successful in his undertaking.

Options to Look At While Starting a Vending Business

2010-02-02T11:15:00.001-08:00

Once you have decided to start a vending business, you have to make yourself well versed with the ins and outs of this business. This is possible by conducting a thorough market research. The information gathered in this research helps you in taking several decisions related to establishing and running this business.

Let us look at some of them in detail:

• Product: Which product should you offer? Before finalizing on the product, analyse what your competitor sells, your target audience, the kind of machine you are about to purchase and the location in which you would install it. In case you are a novice to this business, start by choosing a product that has consistent demand almost throughout the year.

• Pricing: You can increase your revenue by selling the price at high rate or by boosting your sales by reasonably pricing your product. You cannot increase or decrease the price of your product as you like. For instance if your competitor is offering the same product at a lower price, there is no point in hiking the price.

• Location: Location plays key role in a vending business and also decides its destiny. Before identifying a location make sure that it includes your target customers. Are there existing players in that locality? If yes, what is the kind of products that they are offering? These aspects would really aid in making your business a big success.

• Kind of machine used: Modern vending machines are available in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors and models. The choice of course is left with the operator. It is always advised to buy a brand new vending machine as they are latest in technology and work for years without any failure.

These simple aspects if born in mind can bring you huge returns and guaranteed success.

Planet Antares manufactures state-of-the-art vending machines. Experts from Planet Antares provide necessary guidance to vending operators to set up their business successfully. If you are planning to start a vending business then you should contact support staff of Planet Antares.

Steps Involved In Starting A Vending Business

2010-01-29T20:46:00.001-08:00

Vending is both a user and operator friendly business. How? It does not ask its operator to have specific knowledge or skill set for taking up this business. When it comes to customers, vending machines are renowned for their instant service and convenience. Thus these machines strike a balance between both its users and operators.

Lured by its high profit margins and guaranteed returns, more and more operators are keen towards taking up this business. However, before starting, it is imperative that you acquire proper knowledge about the ins and outs of this business. All this and more information related to vending business can be obtained by conducting a thorough market research.

There is a step by step and careful approach which operators need to follow before starting this business. The same is mentioned below:

• Analysing the start up cost is one of the important aspects of planning. The start up cost of vending business will depend upon two factors: the type of vending machine you use and the number of machines you would like to start with. When you are starting this business for the first time, choose a product that is popular and also has maximum demand. For instance: if you are targeting children, then candy or gumball machine is appropriate for you. Try to purchase a new vending machine that is small and less expensive. Candies are very popular among kids and this machine is capable of giving you $127.50 per week. Once you have made enough money, you can acquire some more and different kind of machines.

• Location of vending machine is also very crucial. This is one factor that contributes to the success of your business. Always prefer locations with huge customer traffic. These places include schools, large companies, restaurants, shopping malls, and bus and railway stations. Make sure that the place meets all your requirements. It should be easily accessible, easy to identify and should have a source for power supply. Since ‘there is no gain without any pain’, identify locations yourself or take the help of Planet Antares expert staff for best guidance.

• The price of the product you choose to vend would also influence your business. The locality in which you place your machine influences pricing of your product. For instance: If you place your machine in a locality dominated by middle class customers, there is no use pricing a product high. These products would be out of there reach and hence your sales may get affected.

How to Choose the Right Kind of Product for Your Vending Machine?

2010-01-25T08:34:00.001-08:00

A lot of care and precaution needs to be taken while choosing products for your vending machine. Since your product selection would determine the success or failure of your business. Give more priority to those products that would meet your customer requirements. This is important in order to create an instinct in people to buy products from your machine.

To start with, you need to do an account analysis that will determine what all things you need to include in your vending business in order to meet customer expectations. One common mistake committed by operators is to fill their machines with almost any item that is available. These operators are under the assumption that customers will buy irrespective of whatever you offer in your machines.

If you are of the same view point, you are thoroughly mistaken. Modern customers are very smart and are particular about what they want. They are ever ready to spend more money buying products of their choice from far off places rather than compromising. Hence plan your moves carefully.

Since location also determines on the kind of products to be offered, analyse your demographics. Find out who all would be using your machine? Is the place where you have installed your machine dominated by youngsters, male, female, children, aged people, businessmen or students? All this information should be collected well in advance. Since vending is a customer oriented business, the product you would offer for sale is greatly influenced by demographic factors as mentioned above.

The financial capability of people also influences the sale of your product. For instance: there is no point locating your machine in a middle class locality and offering a very costly item. Undoubtedly there will not be any kind of sales. Hence it is very important for the operator to make smart and diligent moves while stocking his machines with products.
For more information on vending business contact Planet Antares staff and get complete guidance on starting your own business.

How to Make Vending Business a Big Success?

2010-01-21T10:30:00.001-08:00

In today’s competitive world, “survival of the fittest” holds well as only those people who are able to withstand severe competition are able to sustain in the market creating a unique identity for them while others are washed away. Vending undoubtedly gives you financial stability and self confidence. But similar to other business models, it does not guarantee success. You need to work hard and strive a lot to become successful in this business.

However, it is imperative that the operator conducts a thorough market research before starting the business on his own. Vending business needs a pre planned and careful approach. To begin with operator needs to set individual goals. Every successful operator needs to have a predetermined goal in his mind whenever he takes up any business.

Once you have set a goal, start planning your business. What is your target segment? Which products would you like to vend? Would you stick to single product or try multiple products? What equipment you need? What is your budget? How would you go about placing your machines in various locations? Do you require any software? All these and many more questions help you come up with a plan of action.

This detailed research enables you to understand the existing market scenario by finding out minute details such as existing operators, their pricing strategies, various brands of vending machines used by them, how to maintain these machines? How to get them refilled? How frequently these machines are being used? These questions will help you in choosing a unique vending machine that sets you apart from your competitors.

Last and most important aspect for making this business a success is meeting the requirements of customers. Vending is completely a customer oriented business. So you need to keep your-self updated with their changing needs and requirements on a timely basis and Planet Antares can help you in just that. Since a satisfied customer would not only boost your sales by repeat purchasing but also remain loyal for a life time.

Customer Expectations from Vending Machines

2010-01-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

In these testing times, several companies have been washed away unable to bear economic fluctuations. The few others left behind now have to live up to their target audience expectations in order to survive in this market.

What is that customers look for? What do they want? What can keep them happy or satisfied? Every operator needs to find answers to these questions before he or she take up vending business. Always remember that customer is the boss and he can never be wrong. Take his feedback on a regular basis. This helps you to understand his changing tastes and preferences and introduce new products that meet his requirements. Understanding customer psychology is also very important. In fact, this is also one of the marketing strategies that help you sustain competition and stay ahead in the market.

A typical customer would always be drawn to:

• Latest and attractive products: Market keeps changing and so does customer requirements. What is in demand today would be outdated within very few days. Besides this fact, modern customers are keen towards new and attractive models or features. So as an vending operator you need to keep providing them with latest products.

• Stylish looks: First impression is the best impression. This holds good even for vending business especially if you are targeting youngsters. These guys generally get carried away by stylish or hep looking products. Planet Antares machines are stylish and simple to operate. Place your products in these machines and see an immediate increase in sales.

• Branded and high quality products: Brand consciousness is on the rise. Increase in cost of living and spending ability of customers is making them more particular about brands. What was once given least priority is now the modern mantra. It has been time tested and proved that sales of branded items is more when compared to unbranded ones. So, if you have been offering unbranded products till now, make sure you add branded stuff to your product line. This will not only boost your sales but also attract more customers.

• Easy to use products: Why are customers switching to vending machines? The answer is quite simple. Convenience and instant service are the two features that draw customers towards these machines. So make sure that the operation of this machine is kept very simple.

• Fast and instant services: It is the primary responsibility of every operator to ensure that his machine is in good working condition. Even if there is any break down, it has to be attended immediately. Proper maintenance ensures efficient performance. Thus customers can get benefited by quick and uninterrupted services.

These aspects of born in mind can make your business a huge success.

Glass Front Vending Machines from planet Antares

2010-01-14T08:27:00.001-08:00

With growing demand for vending, several new and innovative machines have been introduced. Vending has proven to be one of the ideal models for making money. In fact this is the only business that ensures guaranteed returns without putting in long tedious hours unlike other businesses. This is in-fact the only business that gives you flexibility and freedom to pursue other opportunities.

Your choice of machine is the key for your success. Several models of vending machines are available in the market. Drop shelf machines were initially used by operators for selling single products. Electronic drop shelf machines came next and later came glass front vending machines. Of course each of these has its own benefits.

Of all these glass front vending from Planet Antares is one of the latest entrants in vending industry. Over the last few years, these machines have proved to be far more beneficial when compared to closed ones. Let us look at some of these benefits:

• Increase sales: It is believed that glass front vending machines are capable of generating more sales when compared to closed ones. One of the reasons being, customers can actually have a glance of the products which they are about to purchase. These machines have proved to be a great success in busy locations.

• Features: Glass front vending machines come with several attractive features like LED illuminators, pull forward trays, easy dispensing trays and refrigeration units.

• Shelf space: More products can be marketed in this small shelf space when compared to other drop shelf units.

• Customer association: Customer participation and involvement is more in a glass front vending machine in comparison with closed ones.

• Wastage: The possibility of products getting wasted is very low in a glass front vending machine. The reason being electronic tracking system.

• Choice: Customers have a wider choice because this machine can accommodate more products in it.

• Branded items: Glass front vending machines are ideal for vending branded products.

So, next time you look for stating or expanding your business, go for glass front vending machine.

Starting a Vending Business is As Simple as 1-2-3

2010-01-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

The only business venture that can be taken up without any prior business exposure and with minimum investment is vending. With increasing dependency on vending machines, several new models with updated features are being introduced into the market. The choice of these machines depends on the financial limitations, location, and kind of products to be vended and target customers.

How do these factors influence the kind of machine you purchase? This can be understood by looking at the influence of each factor in detail.

• Financial limitations: Budgetary limitations play crucial role in almost all kinds of business. Operators always have two choices when it comes to purchase of vending machines. You can either opt for a new machine or a used one. If your initial budget is very low, you can go for a used machine otherwise you can purchase a new one. However, the benefits of purchasing a new machine are far more superior when compared to purchasing a used one. You can consult the experts like Planet Antares while venturing into this business

• Location: Location is very powerful factor and can even dictate the success or failure of your business. Every operator dreams of placing his/her machine in those areas where is there is high customer traffic. Once you find the right location for your machine, you can enjoy low maintenance costs and high returns.

• Products vended: The kind of products you would like to vend also determines the choice of your vending machine. In case you are dispensing branded products, glass front vending machines would be more beneficial when compared to closed ones. Similarly if you are looking forward to vend more that one product at time, bulk vending machines would be suitable.

• Target customers: The choice of your machine is also influenced by your target audience. In case you are targeting kids, prefer a machine that has several animations and sound effects capable of drawing the attention of kids.

Once you have purchased the right kind of vending machine, stocked it with right kind of product and installed it in the right location, you are all set to reap the benefits. Isn’t it simple?

Vending- A Perfect Home Based Business

2010-01-05T08:56:00.001-08:00

There can be nothing more satisfying that operating your own business from the door step of your home. Are you vexed up trying all sorts of home based businesses? Have you ever tried your hand at a vending business? Yes, vending. It is one of the most simple and easy to operate business that can be taken up absolutely by anyone.

The main highlights of this business which make it one of its kinds are low capital investment, no prerequisite qualifications or skills, ease of operation, complete cash business, high profit margins, complete cash based business and many more. You no more need to worry about reaching your office on time or how to spend some quality time with your family.

A hassle free solution to all these problems would be taking up a home based business. Now which business to take up would be the prime concern of most prospective entrepreneurs? Vending is perfect due to the below mentioned aspects:

• Flexibility of time: You are your own master. Moreover, there are no set time limits. You services can be offered round the clock.

• Existing concept: Home based business is not at all a new concept. The name alone varies but same kind of service is offered across the globe.

• All you need to do is to purchase a brand new machine, stock it with sufficient quality of items and install in most appropriate place. The rest would be assured by the company.

• This business can be taken up by any member of the family. All you need is to spare few hours in a week and ensure that there is no repair or service related issues.

• A home based business gives his/her operator complete financial independence backed up by freedom and flexibility to work at your own pace.

Besides the above mentioned facts, vending is the only business that allows you to enjoy high returns without the fear of running into bad debts as this is a cah based business.

Vending Business Marketing

2009-12-28T08:15:00.001-08:00

Vending machines have almost become a part of our lives. We can hardly imagine a day without vending machines. This has encouraged more number of operators to take up this business as our dependency on vending machine is only increasing day by day.

How to market this business? This is most crucial question to be answered. First of all operators need to develop a thorough market plan by listing details about the products and customers liking. Are they new and branded machines? You also need to target a particular segment of the market as this is a business-to-customer (B2C) sale. Do you have any set preferences?
For all this to happen, you need to do conduct basic research on existing vending machine businesses in your area. Based on the results of your research, you can arrive at prospective customers and decide on the kind of advertising/ marketing you believe would reach potential customers. All this needs to be done keeping in mind your financial constraints. All this can be done in the following way:

• Maintain pictures of your stock of vending machines or get pictures of the products you intend to sell from the manufacturers.

• Hire a layout designer to develop a brochure that describes and publicize your business. A web designer also helps in setting up a website to promote your business.

• Use business cards with graphic designs to promote your business when you seek for a vending location.

• Make use of advertisements by placing ads targeting specific customers. Attend vending machine business networking events. Pass out your business cards and brochures. It could be possible you can get any vending account from there.

• Make a press release relating to your vending business so that it will catch the attention of prospective customers.

• Gather information related to customers and their preferences.
The above mentioned aspects help in effectively marketing your business. For more tips on running your vending business successfully, you can contact sales staff from Planet Antares.

Customer’s Mind-Set towards Vended Products

2009-12-22T11:01:00.001-08:00

Technological advancements and increase in the variety of products and services offered has given better scope for merchandising industry in the eyes of consuming public. Although operators are happy with this progress, they would still like to see more improved vending industry reputation. For this to happen, operators need to instil confidence in public by providing better value for their money. Once this is achieved, operators can later hike the prices and thus be in a position to offer highest level of service.

Few operators still find that customer do not understand them. This needs to be improved. Customers have an altogether different set of expectations from vending machines and its products. More than half of the customers still perceive that retail prices are low in convenience stores when compared to vending machines. This of course is not true.

Another issue that needs proper attention is that consumers have low regard for vended products. They consider mobile catering to be far superior to vended foods. This is one of the toughest challenges to the vending industry as a whole.

Automatic merchandising is not experienced in image building and has never utilized public relations as an instrument for bringing about change. Vending operators have always equipped themselves with information and questions on how to deal with potentially difficult issues such as food contamination and many more.

With changing times, people also need to change their thinking. Retail prices are in no way less when compared to snacks vending through vending machines. Moreover, it is always the other way round. If you purchase snacks from a vending machine, you will find it cheaper than the convenience store.

Consumers always look for high quality services and for this to happen, they are even willing to pay some extra bucks. This means that it is up to the vending operator to ensure quality services through their machines for which they are already known for.

Expanding Vending Business

2009-12-16T08:06:00.001-08:00

If you have taken up vending as a full time business, you would definitely look at expanding it as soon as you start making some reasonably good profits. Although expansion is not a very easy thing to do, it can be made easier by following a perfect plan.

Most operators take up vending as a small home based business because operators usually start with only one or two machines. As in most cases the machine is operated from the residence without hiring huge offices spaces, it requires low investment in the beginning. This is what makes vending a great business opportunity.

Expanding vending would mean shifting your business from home to another premises or adding more machines to the existing ones. Your business needs to be financially stable before you go for an expansion. The reason being, you need to put in a lot of investment for adding new machines or hiring a new premise.

You have quite a good number of options available for the purpose of expanding your business. Few of them have been discussed below:

• Adding new machines: This is most common practise followed by operators who go for business expansion. Once you have purchased new machines of reputed companies, you need to identify new locations for installing them. This would not be a tough task since you already have acquaintance to the market and customer needs. Tasking guidance from Planet Antares staff can be a good idea while expanding your business to different locations

• Purchasing existing or established routes: Generally people who like to get out of this business, sell their existing routes. Purchasing an established route is a faster way of growing your business. This is because you need not worry about going out in search of new and prospective locations or suppliers. To put it in simple words, you would be starting from a point where the previous operator has left.

• Expanding new horizons: Rather than expanding and offering the same product, you can also try other vending businesses like bulk vending and special products vending. Being successful in one product will keep you prepared for all other kinds of vending businesses.

You should look at expansion option only if you have sufficient capital on hand because once you take up expansion, you should only continue to earn huge profits but not losses.

Good Vending Services

2009-12-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

It is the prime responsibility of a vending operator to see to it that his machine functions smoothly without any hindrances. This can help in providing uninterrupted services to customers and thus generate regular income. But how is it possible? The answer is very simple-regular servicing of machine.

Due to various reasons, operators do not service their machines regularly. Most of them get their machines serviced only after they get depleted by 30% or run out of stock. This is not at appropriate to wait till your machine becomes empty. You can also provide good service even without making frequent visits to vending machines. Few strategies that can make such efficiency possible are:

• Stock your machines with fast moving products. Try to offer two or three such products at a time in your machine.
• Track your sales for at least a few weeks. This will help you know those products that have least demand. You can replace them with fast moving products.
• Try to schedule your vending machine for 40-50% depletion level.

In case you are using a mechanical vending machine or a machine that does now have latest technology for tracking sales, you can take the help of route drivers. These drivers can provide you with required data. Using this data, you can find out how often your vending machine becomes empty, best selling products, number of columns allocated to each product and number of products that has been sold out.

In case you are using a manual route scheduling, it can be automated with the help of technology and software. This will enable you to derive higher efficiency and result in more accurate results. The two important vending route scheduling technologies are dynamic scheduling and remote monitoring. Dynamic scheduling allows you to automate the delivery schedule on a daily basis. Using dynamic schedule, you can save companies resources, driver’s time and fuel costs. Remote monitoring on the other hand enables monitoring of real time sales data.. This method also helps in servicing machines that are located in remote areas.

So, the ball is now in your court and you can decide on which method to adopt. To get more insight into the vending business strategies contact Planet Antares staff.

How To Gain Customer Confidence In Vending Business

2009-12-04T04:29:00.001-08:00

The recent past has witnessed tremendous increase of vending operators. This has given scope for scepticism among clients. To overcome this situation, National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has laid down few guidelines that help you in building confidence in the minds of customers.

To begin with, update your clients with various financial aspects of your business operations. Explain them in detail the various costs associated with operating this business. In case you get to know that your competitors are paying higher commissions, advice your account to figure out how your competitor is able to pay such high commissions. Perhaps, your competitor has some other aspects which are not disclosed by him.

One important thing which an operator needs to bear in mind is never hide anything from your client. Try to maintain transparency in all your transactions. This will install confidence in the minds of customers. An unethical operator will not be able to substantiate how he is able to pay huge commissions and would always like to maintain some kind of ambiguity in his operations.

Every vending operator should properly maintain books of accounts, share his financial information with his clients and also inform them that an unwilling to participate in an audit should never be trusted. Proper books of accounts will not only make audit simple and easy but also help in gaining customer confidence.

NAMA has been established exclusively for serving vending operators. So, make sure you share all the information relating to best vending practises with your clients. This helps to enlighten any underreporting in sales. Another way of gaining customer confidence is by explaining to them the technology used in your vending machine. Make them aware of operators who are unwilling to involve their client’s participation.

An honest vending operator will always maintain transparency in all his dealings related to vending business.

Vending Machines- Operators Choices

2009-11-30T10:03:00.001-08:00

Vending is one of the very few businesses that have only witnessed growth. Since its inception in 1936, this industry has been growing by leaps and bounces. With the support of latest technology, this industry has been able to offer diverse products and services. Not only have these, various models of vending machines been designed to meet customer requirements. There are innumerable benefits of these machines and some of them are discussed below.

Although there are several models and makes of vending machines available in the market, they can be broadly classified into two varieties. The first kind of machines runs using electricity while the other runs on mechanical motion. These machines are available in various shapes, colors, prices and sizes. Of these soda and snack, gumball and candy are the most popular machines from Planet Antares used across US.

More and more machines are developed keeping in mind customers needs, tastes and preferences. Food, candy, video games, sticker and toy are some of the popular machines that have been designed targeting kids. On the other hand coffee and health drink vending machines are designed targeting people in general. Combination machines capable of dispensing two products at a time are also introduced.

If you are looking at taking up vending business, then popcorn, ice cream, bottled water and food provide you great business opportunity. Though these machines are rarely seen, they have huge business potentiality. Vending industry has been subjected to lot of changes and developments. Customised vending is the outcome of one such development.

Several unique machines are designed to fulfil day to day needs of customers. Of late, vending machines capable of dispensing DVD’s, CD’s, tickets, computer spare parts, cameras, stamps and stationary are introduced. Whatever machine you choose, make sure you locate them in the best location depending on your target customers. Super markets, shopping malls, bus station, offices, railways and retail stores are most ideal for installing your machines.

So all you enthusiastic entrepreneurs out there, you have a wide range of vending machine to select and start your business. Make a wise decision and reap huge profits.

Vending your way to Financial Independence

2009-11-24T08:34:00.001-08:00

There are many people who credit their financial position to the vending industry. You can find several examples where people started vending as a part time business and have now turned it into big business ventures with machines located at numerous locations. According to a study by department of commerce only less than 5 % of vending businesses fail every month as compared to 65% failure rate for other businesses. Vending has always been a profitable business and statistics just prove it right.

Vending business is very easy to start as you can work part time with your current job with very little investment. Being an all cash business, you will never need to worry about credits and bad debts in this business. With the help of Planet Antares machines you can start making money tight from the time you install your first machine.

Vending business is said to be recession proof business as it has been noticed that this is probably the only business where owners have still made profits in spite of recession where everyone is losing their jobs. Another good thing about this business is that this can be carried out from your home and the overheads involved are very minimal.

It has been noted that over 70 percent of vendors start the vending business while maintaining their full time jobs and 85 percent out of these turn into full time vending operators just after a couple of years. This speaks a lot about the success ration in the vending business.

Associating yourself with a dependable vending manufacturing company like Planet Antares can help you in achieving your goal of financial independence within no time. With planet Antares you can control your time, money and future and still be successful.

How To Run Vending Business Successfully?

2009-11-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

Once you have decided to become an independent entrepreneur, you need to thoroughly understand about the business you are going to take up and its pros and cons. Vending is no doubt the most lucrative business in recent years. However, you need to be very cautious while choosing the machine.

Before you start any business, it is imperative for you to do a small market research. This helps you understand the current market scenario, customer requirements and also gain knowledge about the business. You can take help of Planet Antares staff who will guide you through the vending process and will also provide some case studies.

Your success lies in identifying the best machine that would make your business profitable and not a meagre liability. There are several companies and websites that can provide you with a wealth of information about the basics of vending machines. Whenever you start a business make sure you purchase a new vending machine. Though their cost is slightly higher than a used or refurbished machine, their performance efficiency is very high. In case you do not know anything about vending machines, then you can take the help of any person who has technical know-how about them.

The ease of operation is another important aspect that needs to be considered. The machine you install should be easy to operate without any complexity. You should also consider customer safety and satisfaction while installing the machine.

Location and target customers also influence the success of your business. Try to offer products based on the customers you are targeting at. Individual tastes and preferences are not the same and they vary drastically depending on the sex and age group of customers.

Acquainting yourself with technical knowledge is also helpful whenever you come across minor repairs. Your ability to take care of these issues will save a lot of time and money. Moreover, you can keep your machine running smoothly.

All these above mentioned issues if borne in mind can help you run your business more smoothly without any hiccups.

Avoid Bulk Vending Machines To Make More Profits

2009-11-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

Vending is an amazing business to be into. Without investing much time and money, there is no limit to what you can earn. With vending business, you don’t need to manage operations all the time, if you have few machines you don’t even need any one to refill and service them, you can do it yourself. Also you can run your vending business 24/7.

Bulk vending and compact vending both are profitable ventures, but compact vending scores over bulk vending from business point of view. Vending operators are smart to analyze this and opt for compact vending instead of bulk vending operations.
What are disadvantages of Bulk vending?

1. Account termination – With bulk vending machines, as you cannot offer multiple products, it is at times possible that location owners terminate your account to place multiple product vending machines.

2. Product wastage – As you have to purchase products in bulk, there are chances of product spoilage. Until you have a plan where you can return the spoiled product to supplier, you will lose certain amount of money in terms of product wastage.

3. Loss of business due to lacking quality of products – Most of the bulk vending products are sold in open for example candy balls. Operators at times compromise with quality of product and lose business.

4. Health consciousness –Bulk vending products are mostly not preferred by health conscious customers.

5. Expensive products – Quality bulk vending products available in market can be bit expensive for end customers.

6. Location problem – With limited product range through bulk vending, there are very few locations where you can profitably install bulk vending machines. Also many location owners want to offer variety to their employees and customers and do not prefer bulk vending machines.

Compact vending machines are capable of vending multiple products at a time. Planet Antares compact vending machines are 5-in-1 vending machines and are very much preferred by vending operators. As compact vending machines are versatile, they can be placed at almost any location. Customers also prefer compact vending machines as they know they will have option of selecting multiple products.

Planet Antares Inc manufactures state of the art compact vending machines designed exclusively for vending multiple products. If you are planning to start vending operations, contact Planet Antares Inc for all type of vending equipments.

Vending Machines- Perfect Revenue Generating Source

2009-11-04T08:47:00.001-08:00

When it comes to choosing a vending machine, operators have a wide choice to make. Both small and large machines are available in the market. However, financial limitations of the operator need to be taken into consideration while choosing a machine. If budget is really a major constraint, then you need to purchase reasonably priced machines that function properly.

Snack, candy and beverage machines are most commonly used and also quite popular ones. The profit margin in these machines is very high and they are easily available in the market. So, once you have finalized on the machine, the next thing you need is a perfect location to install it. You also need to find a distributor who can supply you with the best quality products. Once you have all these in place, you can start earning.

Vending has always been a very promising industry when it comes to revenue generation. Off late automatic merchandising is gaining huge prominence. This industry requires minimal hard work for you to reap huge revenues. You can also expand your business by reinvesting your revenue and without the need of any financing. The main advantage of vending business is that you need not pay any royalties, on going fees or commissions. You can enjoy your earnings without any obligations.

Though vending has been popular all over the world, maximum business can be found in America. It is surprising to know that hundreds and hundreds of dollars are being put into these machines on a daily basis. Maintenance and other overhead costs are also bear minimum. All these make this a lucrative business.

The other aspect relating to vending is that it gives you the flexibility of running business from home at your own convenience. You can take up this business either on a full time basis or part time basis. However, if you want to make decent revenue, then basic research before placing the machine becomes mandatory.

With careful planning and proper approach, vending can become a very successful business. Planet Antares can help you in starting a successful vending business without too much investment in terms of money and time.

How to increase sales in vending machines?

2009-10-30T08:23:00.001-07:00

The aim of getting into vending business is to make profits and earn money. It is important to increase the cash flow for the vending owner to be able to reap higher profits and this si going to be possible only if the sales numbers increase. No one can predict the sales figure but you can always take the right step towards achieving higher sales. The major factor in any vending business is the vending machine you choose, the location you place your machine at and the products you stock. Below we have discussed some proven points that will help you earn more money from your vending machines

• Attractive vending machines: Once you have your vending business well established with some basic machines, experiment a little by installing more appealing and attractive looking vending machines. Machines with different designs, shape and size attract consumers and sway them to use it. More the number of customers, more the sales will be realized. Planet Antares vending machines are stylish and suit the market requirements. These machines can be placed anywhere and people just love them.

• Go to new areas: In order to increase sales in the machines, explore new locations where vending will do great business. The non-conventional places can also bring in unbelievable profits for you. Moreover, the customers at such places will be excited to use their first vending machines resulting in high sales and profits.

• Introduce new products: A branded product undoubtedly sells more than non branded. Focus should always be on stocking products that are popular amongst public.

• Keep your machines clean: Sales in clean and hygienic vending machines will automatically be higher as opposed to trashy or shabby looking machines. As a vending business owner, it is your duty to ensure the cleanliness of the machines. It will not only generate high sales but also leave a positive impression in the consumer’s mind. You can hire personnel to keep the machines clean and tidy.

About Planet Antares

2009-10-26T06:47:00.001-07:00

Planet Antares is now recognized as one of the biggest brands in the vending industry. Planet Antares has been in this arena for over thirty years and has seen this industry grow from a small industry to a multi-billion dollar industry. Planet Antares has not only grown big monetarily but on their path to success, they have helped several individuals to make their dream come true of attaining financial independence. Planet Antares has not only helped people in getting the best machines but has helped them in all the steps of making their vending business a successful venture.

Planet Antares, established in 1986 is still the most trusted vending manufacturing company in the United States. You can probably find a Planet Antares vending machine in almost every corner of USA and more importantly the company still continues to grow, thanks to the wonderful and flawless vending machines and the excellent customer service which is still unmatched.

Planet Antares has helped many vending business owners in achieving their financial goals by offering them unmatched service and support as and when needed. Planet Antares offers wide array of services, right from selecting a location to stocking the right products and more.

Once you have decided to start the vending business, all you need to do is to call the Planet Antares support and they will manage the rest for you. However , the vending business will still be managed by you as the owner but Planet Antares will be there to support you in doing all the ground work for you to establish a profitable vending business.

How to Market Your Vending Machine Business

2009-10-14T11:07:00.001-07:00

Vending machines have become a part and parcel of our lives. We hardly come across any location that does not have a vending machine. Our dependency on vending machine is only increasing. This is when your vending business comes into picture. Now let’s look at how to go about marketing this business.

Develop a marketing plan by listing details about the products and customers. What kind of vending machine you would buy? Are they new and branded machines? IS the manufacturer you are buying your vending machines from of good repute?

A vending machine from a reputable and trusted manufacturer like Planet Antares would help you in getting more business as people trust these machines as they know that these will never break down.

You need to do some basic research on other vending machine businesses in your area. Based on the results of your research, you can arrive at prospective customer; decide on the kind of advertising you believe would reach potential customers the most effectively for the least possible investment.

Maintain pictures of your stock of vending machines or get pictures of the products you intend to sell from the manufacturers.

Hire a layout designer to develop a brochure that describes and publicize your business. A web designer also helps in setting up a website to promote your business.

Use business cards with graphic designs to promote your business.

Make use of advertisements. Place ads targeting specific customers. Attend vending machine business networking events. Pass out your business cards and brochures.

Make a press release relating to your vending business so that it will catch the attention of prospective customers.

Gather information related to customers and their address. You can use this information to send brochures and business cards. This will help them memorise your business.

All these steps help you in marketing your business.

Planet Antares Introduces New Technology To Vending.

2009-10-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Need for automatic merchandizing is increasing exponentially. Advancement in vending machines is one of the factor that has pushed vending industry to new heights. All companies are working towards securing the most advanced vending technology. Planet Antares Inc - Leaders in vending technology have also invested resources in research and development of vending technology. Since 1987, Planet Antares Inc is providing state of the art vending solutions to vending operators across US.

Planet Antares vending machines are one of the most advanced vending machines designed for ease of operation for customers. New range of Planet Antares vending machines that have been introduced recently is equipped with ultra modern circuitry. New range of Planet Antares vending machines are versatile machines. You can vend almost everything through these machines. 5 in 1 compact vending machines enable you to vend multiple products at the same time.

Planet Antares is constantly investing into finding ways not only for saving costs for vending operators by providing energy efficient machines but also has remarkable climate control to keep stuff fresh. Planet Antares vending software enables operators to effectively manage their vending operations.

Planet Antares vending solutions are easy to operate and reasonably priced. If you are planning to begin a vending business, you need look no further than Planet Antares. Just give them a call and you can discuss your vending plans with experts in the field. Planet Antares not only sells vending machines but also provides necessary assistance in setting up a vending business.

Why you should you buy a new vending machine?

2009-09-29T11:05:00.001-07:00

Vending business is a very simple, lucrative and highly profitable business. The success of a vending business is influenced by the quality of services rendered by the operator. Smooth operation of a vending machine is of utmost importance. The durability and reliability of equipment is ensured only by established and new vending machines.

Buying used vending machine increases the chances of break downs and repairs. Investment in new equipment manufactured by an established company will never let you regret. With a little research on the net, you can probably discover the best vending machine in town. A new vending machine is an attractive prospect for many young entrepreneurs who are looking for additional revenue. Planet Antares sells brand new vending machines equipped with latest technology.

Cheap and used vending machines cause a lot of inconvenience and will directly affect the sales of the product vended. Equipment brought from a reputed or established company like Planet Antares is equipped with state of art technology and provide best services to the customers. A new and branded vending machine will be able to attract huge customer traffic thereby increases sales.

In fact, vending is one of the few businesses that do not require any previous experience. When an operator takes up vending business, he has flexibility in working hours and he can start making income as soon as the machine is placed at appropriate location. Many operators these days are keen on using new machines because they look attractive and most importantly, rarely have any problems or repairs. Not only this, you also have a wider choice in terms of design, technology, color, size and kind of products to be sold.

It is beneficial if an operator adapts himself to changing market needs and purchase new vending machines that include latest technology. This ensures prompt and high quality services to customers. The best quality raw material is used in the manufacturing of these vending machines which keeps them in good working condition for a long period of time. If you are looking to purchase a vending machine, then make the right investment by purchasing brand new vending machine manufactured by Planet Antares.

Importance of Customer Satisfaction in Vending Industry

2009-09-23T22:21:00.001-07:00

Vending is a business that has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. People have taken up vending as full time / part time source of income. With high levels of acceptance, vending business is not just a source of income but also a preferred method of purchasing products among most customers.

It has been proved that acquiring a new customer is more difficult than retaining an existing one. Even in terms of cost, acquiring a new customer is expensive in comparison to retaining an existing one.

Once you have identified your target customers, it is important to provide products suiting their needs. As a vending operator, you should also keep them updated with changes or additions in your vending machines. If you have secured contacts of your customers, you can communicate information through the medium that is most suitable for them which could be direct mailers, e-mail, phone etc. A recent study has proved that vending industry is losing a lot of customers due to lack of proper awareness for new features in vending machines. Customers can find new features bit difficult to understand by themselves. Cultivate awareness regarding new vending technology and products in order to build a strong customer relationship.

Few things you need to update your customers with are:

• Changing trends: Educate your customers on the latest trends. Make them realise that you as a vending operator are following changing trends to offer them the best goods and services.
• Innovation: When customers realise that you updated your machine with latest technology, they will continue purchasing from your machine alone. There by increasing your sales.
• Transparency: Ensure that all activities taken up by you are transparent. This will build trust in the minds of your customers. Once they believe that you are honest, they would stick with you forever.
• Value: Customers would be excited to know that you are introducing new products that match their needs. Make them know which brands you are offering for sale. This will help them relate themselves to those products and your sales will shoot up easily.

In order to provide uninterrupted services to customers, look to purchase brand new vending machines only. This will not only attract customers but also create good reputation in the market for you. Since vending business is growing pretty fast, customers of all age groups seek the best. So try using the latest sleek and technologically advanced machines to provide your customers with best services. When you are looking for a brand new vending machine, you need not look any further than Planet Antares. Vending machines manufactured by Planet Antares are robust in performance. They also come in attractive designs and are ideally suited for all locations.

How to be successful in a vending business?

2009-09-10T05:09:00.001-07:00

Of course a business is driven by the profits it can make and it is no different case in vending business as well. Planet Antares has been leading the way when it comes to vending industry and has allowed several operators to earn through their business plan. However to be successful Planet Antares vending operator you have to be aware of all the factors that translate the difference between profit and loss.

Talking about vending industry, you have to make sure that the deals you make are subject to re- negotiation in future as you will realize that in the long run the needs of people change and also the prices of commodities keep fluctuating according to economy ups and downs or due to some factors like increase in price of gasoline etc. This may force the operator to increase the prices to still be in profit.

As a vending operator, you need to understand the competition in your area. You may have to pay higher commissions or offer additional services. You will have to identify these small but very important points very early in your business and deal with them so as to remain profitable. Good customer service is often the basis of a successful vending business.

Location is one of the most important aspects of your vending business. You will need to make sure that you take the decision of selecting the location after proper analysis. Once you have settled down on the location, the type of machine, you would need is the next step which is equally important aspect of this business. You may have to choose from stylish or basic vending machines depending upon the location and the competition. Planet Antares offers wide variety of vending machines which are undoubtedly the best looking and best performing machines in the industry.

Choosing products that you will vend is probably one of the toughest decisions to make since you can have a lot of variety to choose from. To make this decision, you might have to do a survey and would also have to look at the specific choices of consumers in the area where the machine is installed.

Although vending business is easy to start and manage, it does require research to reap good profits out of it. To help you succeed in this business Planet Antares have specially trained staff who will guide you through all the processes involved in starting and managing your vending business successfully.

Reasons to opt for vending business

2009-09-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

Vending business is one business that can lead your way towards financial freedom. You can be your own boss, choose your own time and control your own future without a problem. Planet Antares can help you do that with very little investment and proper guidance to work your way. The best part is that you do not even need to quit your present job to start this business and thousands of Americans have already benefitted from this program. Lets point out some of the reasons why this business is different and how can it benefit you.

1. The Vending business is easy to run and can be done part time with very low investment.

2. All the guidance to start the business is available and proper guidance and help from staff is provided by companies like Planet Antares

3. This business has proved to be recession proof. Even the tough economic slowdown that struck the world so badly, could not affect the vending business as vending operators have still recorded profits during recession.

4. This business is easy to build and will not take away all of your time. You will get ample opportunities to grow and with right decisions you can make your mark and grow big in this industry.

5. You do not need an office , you can start this business working from home.

6. Those who are into jobs can start their own vending business as well. They can appoint vendors and with little supervision can manage their business.

7. Vending business is an all ash business and can help you secure your future.

8. Vending is 40 billion dollar industry and growing which makes it a great industry to invest in.

These are just some of the points which make vending business so attractive. It is easy to start and make money in this business. However never mislead this business as a “get rich quick” scheme as you require strong analytical mind and good management to run this business.

Vending machine product ideas

2009-09-01T11:09:00.001-07:00

Vending machines are able to vend several products, however for start ups and prospective vending owners there are certain products which are generally considered as hot selling products at any location.

Snacks, candies and other confectionary items
Initially when vending machines started to get popular, they could vend candies, snacks and pastries but now with advanced technology and attractive glass front vending machines you can display complete range of packaged food that includes energy bars, chocolates and other snacks.

Frozen Food
Frozen food is very popular in vending machines because of its long shelf life. Moreover there is a wide range of branded products available which reduces vendor’s risk factor as well.

Beverages
Beverages are one of the most popular products amongst the vending business owners as well as customers. Consumers love to have coffee and along with that chocolate soup and tea are also very common amongst them. These products would always be a hit in locations like schools, colleges, universities, teacher lounges, offices, rail and bus stations and airports. Apart from Hot beverages, cold drinks like coke, pepsi, diet coke and pepsi, iced tea, cold coffee are also very popular among consumers.

Planet Antares vending machines can offer you all the above options and more. Planet Antares staff is continuously looking for new market trends and encourages vending business owners to stock high on demand products into their vending machines and make larger profits.

New Vending Machines Over Refurbished vending machines

2009-08-26T00:39:00.001-07:00

Most challenging task is to identify which vending machine will be the best for your business. With rapid changing technology and ever demanding customer, it becomes extremely important to keep up with the pace. Internet and other advertizing mediums are flooded with refurbished vending machines promotions. It is very important to understand that investing in refurbished vending machines would do more harm than good.

Refurbished vending machines are old machines that have been already used for years and disposed of by their owners because of one or the other reasons. They are purchased by junk dealers or refurbishing companies at very low price. These machines are then painted and repaired for faults and are resold at high price.

Most of the disposed vending machines are either faulty in operations or have become outdated. Buying a refurbished vending machine is never reliable. You may have to encounter breakage in equipment and frequent repairs. This can prove to be a very costly affair in terms of time and money. It is a proven fact, no matter how much you try to rectify an old machine problems do persist.

We would recommend entrepreneurs to invest their hard earned money in brand new vending machines. New vending machines are always equipped with latest advancements and improved equipments. New vending machines are designed to attract customers. With new features by your side, you can do wonders in business. Such vending machines are reliable and safe to operate.

Planet Antares Inc is engaged in providing vending solutions to customers across U.S. Constant research and development by Planet Antares empower customers with the latest and most advanced vending machines. Besides providing customers with vending machines, Planet Antares provides complete guidance for setting up a vending business.

Vending machine servicers/repairers

2009-08-11T05:49:00.000-07:00

In this article we will discuss the nature of work of the vending machine servicers or route drivers. Basically they service, repair, install and stock the vending machine and keep them in good working order. Occupations in this industry are classified by the type of machine they work on and whether they specialize in servicing or repairing the machines. Vending machine servicers, often called route drivers, visit machines that dispense soft drinks, candy and snacks, and other items. They collect money from the coin and cash-operated machines, restock merchandise, and change labels to indicate new selections. They also keep the machines clean and appealing.

The technicians make sure that the machines operate properly. They make sure that each and every part of the machine is accurate. When installing machines, vending machine repairers make the necessary water and electrical connections and check them for proper operation. If a machine breaks down, vending repairers inspect it for obvious problems, such as loose electrical wires, malfunctions of the coin mechanism or bill validator, and leaks. They test them with hand-held diagnostic computers that determine the extent and location of any problem.

Repairers may only have to replace a circuit board or other component to fix the problem. However, if the problem is complex, these workers refer to technical manuals and wiring diagrams and then decide whether they must replace a part and can fix the malfunction onsite. They may also take the machine to repair shop.

They periodically clean refrigeration condensers, lubricate mechanical parts, and adjust machines in order to avoid any problem. Servicers and repairers also do some paperwork, such as filing reports, preparing repair cost estimates, ordering parts, and keeping daily records of merchandise distributed and money collected. However, new machines with computerized inventory controls reduce the paperwork that a servicer must complete.

The employers usually look for workers who have graduated high school. They also give preference to those who have completed programs in basic electronics at vocational high schools and junior colleges. The booming vending industry promises good job opportunities for those with training in a related electronic repair field. Planet Antares hires people with skills and also trains them once recruited. The services provided by Planet Antares are matchless and ensures a profitable vending business.

Planet Antares vending tips during summers

2009-08-04T09:16:00.001-07:00

Summers are scorching and consumers demand products which can give them some relief from the hot weather. In order to maximize vending sales during summers, vending business owners need to offer fresh food and cold beverages. It becomes imperative to offer a product mix which meets the consumer’s demands. Some of the products preferred during summers are juice, bottled water, ice creams, diet sodas, energy drinks and many more.

Planet Antares gives some important tips for profitable vending to the vendors during summers.
1. Offer products which are cool, fresh and light.
2. Don’t offer hot beverages such as coffee and tea
3. Regularly stock your vending machine with fresh food
4. Don’t place your vending machine in hot locations
5. Stock products which are not affected by seasonal fluctuations such as chips and candies.
6. Ensure a proper cleaning of the equipment and the surroundings.

Consumers are more health conscious these days and want products which are nutritious and don’t affect their health. Whatever the season is, it is important to maintain the consumer confidence. To achieve that, ensure quality products. Vending business owners need to understand that consumer satisfaction and confidence is difficult to gain but easy to loose.

Choose quality vending machines from a reputed company like Planet Antares that come fitted with temperature control units. These units help you adjust the temperature inside the vending machine according to the weather. Shelf life of the perishable products certainly increases due to temperature control.

Planet Antares offers a great selection of fresh food vending machines, cold and hot beverage vending machines, and combination vending machine. Choose the machine according to your location and reap benefits. Vending machines are also available in compact size which makes it easy for the vending business owner to install them at numerous locations. Moreover, the support staff guides the vendors make the product selection according to the location and seasons. Start your vending business with Planet Antares to achieve maximum profits and benefits.

Vending in small locations

2009-07-28T05:54:00.001-07:00

Numerous locations are out there for vending business owners. Vendors are usually apprehensive of locating machines at small locations. A small location might not be as profitable as a bigger location. But it would be wrong to say that you can’t generate any profits at a location with few customers. Building a successful small location vending program would require commitment and proper planning. Over the years vending possibilities have increased manifold and they generate business even at small locations.

A small location can be a place with less than 50 people. In order to make your business work at such a location, you would need best vending machines. Planet Antares vending machines can work well in the location which has few accounts. Choosing a small location takes the same process as looking for other types of locations. You need to make sure that the vending machine is suitable to the location. A small location can be profitable for your vending business if you use the right approach.

Small locations are easy to handle, since it has a small population. You can easily meet the demands of the customers by providing them with the products they want. This can be easily done since they will be the only people that will be using the vending machines on a regular basis. You can offer quality services to them.

Planet Antares compact vending machines can easily fit at your small location. These machines are most suitable for locations such as beauty salons, offices, teacher lounges, waiting rooms etc. The machines are durable and can offer high demand products to choose.

Planet Antares support staff will lead your way to success at small locations and make high sales in your niche market. There is no scope of making mistakes with professional help at your side. Vending operators drive benefits through the reputation built by Planet Antares in the industry.

Benefits of new vending machines

2009-07-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

Vending machines can be seen everywhere in America. Vending has become the most desirable business option expanding its horizons. Today, almost everything is being vended by these machines. Owning a vending business has proven to be a great opportunity for those who want to be a successful business owners. However, they have to realize that for a successful vending operation, reliable vending machine is very important.

It is advisable to invest in a new vending machine, instead of purchasing an old machine at a lower price which could turn out to be a financial disaster in the future. Vending industry is a subject of continuous changes and in order to keep pace with these changes, vendors should focus on installing machines with latest technology. New machines meet the market requirements most efficiently and are also profitable for the vending business owners.

Planet Antares vending machines are state of the art and the company constantly introduces new features to make them attractive and most desirable. The best quality raw material is used in the manufacturing of these vending machines which keeps them in good working condition for a long period of time where as your vending business can face a setback because of old and faulty vending machines. The outdated parts consume high power which increases the expenses of your location.

New machines bought from a reliable source like Planet Antares come with a service plan as well as a limited warranty. Planet Antares ensures the good performance of the equipment. The machines are tested for quality assurance and are virtually trouble-free. Machines are stylish and equipped with the latest technology. Get started with Planet Antares new and profitable vending machines and give your business a competitive edge.

Outstanding Services Provided by Planet Antares

2009-07-21T00:43:00.001-07:00

Planet Antares Inc. takes great pride in providing a pioneering team of technical and marketing leaders, each of whom provide essential information and personal attention to the success of every distributor. This highly enthusiastic team ensures that all the needs of a new vending operator are met effectively. Essential information about the number of new businesses in a given area, street location, number of employees specifically designed to target businesses most likely to respond to your vending machine services is provided.

The goal is to make sure that every new Planet Antares distributor has enough resources to gauge the market’s potential and maximize their company’s growth. Additional assistance through video is made available to the distributors which shows them exactly how to unpack the machines, clean them, stock them and transport them to locations. Planet Antares helps its distributors to communicate effectively with locations and learn how quick and easy it is to deal with different situations that may arise while locating Planet Antares machines.

Planet Antares’ support staff assists with gathering information on market trends and sales strategies. The distributors receive a newsletter which will keep them informed about changes in things like the federal tax code, potential tax breaks for distributors, critical menu planning, and how to better market your business in your community. This is gathered by a research team that constantly reviews vending, beverage, and food service trade publications, business newspapers, internet and real world market resources to provide the most up to date information.

Four-color glossy brochures are also an integral part of the Planet Antares program and help the distributor gain a competitive edge by promoting their own business as well. The enthusiastic team of Planet Antares ensures customer satisfaction in each and every aspect and helps you achieve success in your vending business.

Planet Antares Vending Machines as Part of Your Business

2009-07-16T05:41:00.000-07:00

Placing a state of the art vending machine in your business can generate additional income as well as cut few expenses. A number of business owners have vending machines installed in businesses as locations and are not limited to large businesses. Planet Antares vending machines are a compact size to suit just about any location. Compact vending machines are by far the most successful vending machines in a vending operator’s business. These machines are small in size and offer a variety of products.

Business owners, whether big or small, can place the compact vending machines in businesses in order to provide snacks and beverages to employees. A survey to find out their snack, beverage and meal choices will help in stocking the right type of products in the machine. Employee satisfaction due to the convenience of the machine on-site would be a great plus for the employer. Happy employees would be more dedicated towards their responsibilities within the company.

A location can always want commission from the vending business owner. This will actually add to the sales of the business. If you are a vending operator, the machine and its products will be your responsibility. A vending machine installed in a retail outlet will bring in more customers. The durable and stylish equipment by Planet Antares will improve the profitability of your business.

Add to your business’ appeal with Planet Antares vending machines. State of the art equipment meets the needs of most business locations. The right kind of vending machine will add to the profitability and success of your business. Planet Antares vending machines will help you grow into the following:

• Financial security

• Valued, long-standing customers

• Repeated sales

• Reduced expenses

Branding Of The Vending Products

2009-06-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

Brands are the synonyms of a reputed and a well established company. Purchase of a branded product verifies smart shopping as the products are well known in the market. Advertising or marketing of a company’s products inform and persuade the buyers to make a purchasing decision. Consumers very well identify with the branded products and achieve satisfaction with the fact that they have purchased a genuine thing.

Vendors need to identify the brand loyalty and preferences of the customers and cater as per their choices. Sales will notice an upward trend in case the venders are stocking up the machines with branded products. Consumers of vended products will not face any confusion while making a purchase through these machines as long as the products dispensed are branded and quality products.

Planet Antares guides you through the best of the products to vend through your machines. The most common vending machines are soda and snack machines. Brands such as Pepsi and Coca-cola are the consumer’s preference and stocking the Planet Antares vending machine with such reputed products will lead to the goodwill of your business and generate high sales.

It is also important to keep introducing new brands in addition to the already existing brands. This will provide variety to consumers in case they want to try and shift to something else. Introducing the variety will attract more people as they have wide range to choose from and hence higher sales. The prices should not differ from those kept in the c-stores. Any hike in prices of the brands will lead to the lower sales as consumers will find it beneficial to buy from the stores rather than the vending machines.

Understanding your niche market and their choices will make you go places and help in the expansion of your business. Scheduled refilling of the machines is also required so that the machines are never out of stock of the branded products. Quality and safety of the products has also to be maintained. Any case of expired branded products will bring bad name to your business and affect your sales.

Branding of the products in the vending machine is as important as the branded machine itself.

Challenge Of Small Planet Antares Vending Accounts

2009-06-03T05:41:00.001-07:00

It is not possible for most vending machine operators to service accounts with fewer than 50 employees profitably. In order to do this in your Planet Antares operations, you can develop a system to do that. To service your small accounts efficiently, service frequency and sales-per-stop should be reviewed with care.

You don’t get much gross profit dollars to capitalize your investment, but the good thing is that you won’t have as much sales volume concentrated with a single customer. Even in case of smaller accounts, you can exceed the NAMA operating ratio average.

In the past few years, many operators have either given up on the small account market or tried to use smaller machines and less frequent servicing. Through efficient route management, a Planet Antares small account can be serviced in a profitable manner. A specially designed flexible route accountability system can be used to schedule routes based on historical sales data of each machine.

The most critical cost in servicing vending machine locations is labor and not equipment. You are able to capitalize equipment investments with smaller than “industry standard” account sales volume by leveraging labor productivity gains. The accounts are serviced as per the sales volume. Sales are tracked for a period of six months to determine service frequency.

Optimal time to service the account of closed front machines is at 60 percent sell-off. Thus, only 40 percent of the machine needs to be filled at the time of service. For Planet Antares glass front vending machines, a different sell-off ratio is assigned due to the negative consumer perception caused by empty spirals in these machines. Handheld computers are a great help with data tracking. The easy part involves developing a database to determine when the account needs service while route scheduling is the hard part. To chalk out an efficient schedule, you can use a grid map of the Planet Antares service area. This allows you to get your pre-service selling margins up substantially.

All in all, category management and computerized data collection will help you to succeed in the vending trade. Moreover, you can use technology to serve small accounts profitably.

Price Points Tips for Planet Antares

2009-05-28T23:37:00.000-07:00

The introduction of larger sized candy in your Planet Antares vending machines means that you will need to increase the price of the candy bar. First of all assume a vending price of $1 and then a $0.57 blended cost on the large size candy and $0.75 on its smaller counterpart with a blended cost of $0.38. you also need to consider the 6 percent commission paid to drivers. This is a percentage of gross profit and usually 15 percent on the large size candy and 12 percent on the smaller size candy.

If the large size candy proposition has to work in your Planet Antares vending business, the product must sell for at least $1. In certain cases, price points above a dollar are required if the larger size line is to be financially beneficial. A positive move will be higher price points for your Planet Antares vending business. Your coin mechanism will suffer with incremental price points of $1.10 and $1.15 but this is part of the vending business as operators strive for higher revenue.

In the short term, the operating expenses for your vending business are fixed. Some of these are rent, insurance, depreciation, amortization and interest. You need to find a way for your Planet Antares vending machine to produce more with each route driver stop.

The introduction of large sized candy in your Planet Antares vending machine will provide you with this opportunity. This, of course, would not be without a few concerns. The proposition that the candy companies are promoting is almost identical to what we have heard before from salted snack companies and bottlers.

For vending operators who are willing to change, the conversion to the larger product has been favorable. This has not been easy for everyone. Those who plan to become market leaders will expose themselves to the possibility of lost business as the competition overtakes their accounts with the traditional programs.

Increasing Planet Antares Vending Business Sales From Website Construction

2009-05-27T01:37:00.001-07:00

Every day, more than 700 million searches are conducted on the World Wide Web. This means that there could be prospective customers searching for products to fuel and energize their employees workforce everyday, including snacks and beverages. Millions of people use the search engines to find what they are exactly looking for.

This makes it imperative for the name of your Planet Antares vending company to appear on the first page of the results from these targeted searches. In this competitive world, everyone needs to build a website.

As a vending operator, you will find that your website is your online pitch for internet users. Customers are internet users and the first stop for a consumer in need of a product or a service is an internet search engine, not the traditional phone book. Like all other marketing communication tools, websites should be oriented first and foremost to serve the need and interests of your current customers and your potential customers.

A website for your planet Antares vending business will enable you to increase the potential for obtaining more business. In other words, this is just another form of promoting your Planet Antares business. Potential customers can view your website at any time and that means that you gain a number of new accounts using the website.

As the competition for winning new business gains momentum, your website needs to stand apart from the crowd and at the same time it needs to be sophisticated and professional. It should attract potential customers and reflect your business.

The designing, development, scripting and overall management of the site can have a great impact on how easy it is for your company to land first among search engine results and how easy it is to succeed through online marketing. Your web promotion can make or break your planet Antares vending business. It is a crucial element of your marketing and communications strategy.

Finding The Best Resource For Your Planet Antares Business

2009-05-18T05:43:00.001-07:00

If you have been successfully managing your Planet Antares business, you will soon reach a stage where you need more employees and you will have to search for them by advertising it via Print Media or Online Media

Most of the vending operators already are familiar with the Print India which include newspapers and magazines. Online media is not very common but very effective in the modern world as it saves a lot of time.

Posting classified ads on sites like craigslist can be very beneficial as anyone who is a computer literate would now generally visit craigslist site if he is looking for work. As a vending operator , you would save time as you can get resumes in your email and that can save time speaking over phone.

Once you have the resume , you can shortlist the candidates and then fix a time for interview.
For many people, the daily paper is the first thing that comes to mind while planning a help wanted ad. To determine the additional publications available in your areas, you need to do a little more hard work. Once you have decided the location of your ad, you need to think when to run it.

Take your time and think about the message you want to convey through the advertisement. In the current competitive market, everyone is trying to get the best from the same set of applicants. So, you need to ensure that the ad distinguishes your vending business from others effectively.

The present times are those of low employment and only a select few candidates are worth hiring for the success of your business. In such circumstances, you need to find the best alternative sources of getting in touch with job seekers.

Avoiding Fuel Wastage In Planet Antares Vending Machines

2009-05-15T05:49:00.001-07:00

A common problem faced by vending operators is that of high fuel costs. It seems that each and every time, there is a hike in the cost of fuel. A vending operation always uses a vehicle to transport products from the base to locations. If you are the owner of a vending business run from home, you would be using your personal vehicle. In contrast, if you run a vending machine business from a warehouse, you will be using a vending truck since it is more spacious.

If your Planet Antares vending business is sizeable, it means that you have probably hired a route driver. A route driver can easily waste the fuel of a vending truck by using it for personal reasons. This implies extra costs for your vending business. If the vehicle being used is not well maintained it can increase your fuel usage. That means you need to look for ways of saving fuel.

Technological advancements have made it possible to save fuel but these are long term solutions, not short term ones. The other drawback is that technology requires an upfront investment.

Some of the vending operators have added satellite based fleet monitoring, called Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in their Planet Antares vending business. This enables them to improve operating efficiencies and employee accountability. These systems help in saving fuel in three different ways:

a) You can know about any unauthorized use of the vehicle
b) It is easier to determine more efficient routing
c) You can monitor the speed of the drivers

Another long term solution is to convert to alternative fuels for your Planet Antares vending operations. These days, propane is less costly than either diesel or gasoline, this is just one option that can be used to cut down on the amount of money spent on fuel in your Planet Antares vending business. a gallon of propane gas costs less than half the price of gasoline. While looking at alternative fuels, operators need to consider performance differences.

1. Keep tires properly inflated to increase fuel economy.
2. Drive at a steady pace as unnecessary speed-ups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy.
3. Perform maintenance checks as per your schedule.
4. Prevent lengthy engine idling and turn it off when you are delayed for more than a couple of minutes.

Delivery Trips For Planet Antares Vending Business

2009-05-11T08:13:00.001-07:00

An obvious way to cut down on fuel costs for your Planet Antares vending business is to use less gas by reducing the number of deliveries. This will make better use of the driver’s time and provides more value to the operator for the same wages and health care costs.

If you have not been working on this till now, it is the right time to start optimizing your routes. The best way is to look at certain “metrics” for each Planet Antares vending machine and then plan on updating both planograms and delivery schedules.

It is much easier to collect and analyze the appropriate metrics with the help of a modern vending software system. In spite of this, the job can be done without one. Start looking at recent services at each Planet Antares vending machine and then consider the following metrics:

a. percent deleted

b. percent filled

c. number of sold out columns

d. number of sold out products

e. value of dollar sales

The goal in chalking out schedules and planograms is to service the Planet Antares vending machine when it is as depleted as possible with no sold out products. Usually there is a certain amount of sold out columns that may be acceptable because studies show that you will only lose the sale if the customer does not get what he wants.

Apart from the damaging 60% rise in the cost of energy, operators are facing rising healthcare and labor costs and lower manufacturer rebates. All these issues together can seriously lead to decline in business profitability. However, Planet Antares vending operators can adopt the practice of reducing delivery trips, to mitigate the impact of rising costs and falling rebates.

Planet Antares Vending: The Right Business Opportunity

2009-05-06T13:04:00.001-07:00

Planet Antares vending is a business that you will have difficulty in if you think that it is anything but a business. O start your vending business on the right foot is very crucial. In this day of information, there is no reason that you should make any mistakes.

Of course, you need to ensure that you don’t fall victim to high priced, poor quality vending equipment. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars on such equipment. There are some companies that will demand much more than what they are offering in return. Steer clear of such schemes that mislead innocent buyers like you. With Planet Antares vending equipment, you can get what you expect and much more. You need to get informed on the right companies to start your business with.

In fact, the success of your Planet Antares vending business just depends on several factors. A prime factor is that of vending machine location. There is not enough that can be emphasized about the vending location. You need to carry out research on the kind of places available and it is also important that you see this location for yourself. Choose a location that has a large number of potential customers and find out what other vending machines are placed in the area and what they are vending.

Another thing to be focused upon is the selection of quality products for your Planet Antares vending machines. By this, it is meant that you need to opt for branded products that are popular because customers will want to purchase from your machines.

The income generating potential of your Planet Antares vending business is extremely good. Don’t fall prey to any of the scam artists who make unrealistic promises. In the real world, it is companies like Planet Antares Inc that show you the exact picture of your income expectations. Their vending programs have been highly popular and successful for hundreds of customers.

All these facts should be enough for you to take an informed decision whether the vending business is right for you or not. Like so many other people, you can finally become an entrepreneur. These people are making enough money to make a good living and some have even decided to leave their regular job to become full time vending operators.

Electronic Locking Systems and Planet Antares

2009-04-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Over the years, several changes have been incorporated in vending security.

With Planet Antares vending machines, electronic locks will provide the same level of security as their mechanical counterparts. Moreover, they will also have the ability to control and monitor access of every vending machine.

As the trade loss rises in the vending industry, internal suspicion is becoming more prevelant with time. Partially, this is due to the fact that while external break-ins may decline with the use of higher security locks, trade loss is still evident.

Planet Antares Inc suggests that you consider changing from a mechanical lock to an electronic locking system for greater safety of equipment and income. Evidently, it doesn’t make sense to be constantly looking at audit reports.

Since drivers and technicians carry one key only, the process is easier for them. The lock programming will allow them to accept the key. They also have an expiration date, which means that they will not function until they are reprogrammed.

You don’t want to end up feeling helpless in case of theft just because there is nothing much that can be done immediately. These situations can be effectively handled by using an electronic locking system.

Evidently, this system will result in a more efficient way to supervise vending route activity. Thanks to machine audit reports, this has now become possible. In case of shortage of time for a route driver to finish his route, you will know the reasons for such an incident and avoid it in future.

The electronic locking system can be used on a daily basis for your Planet Antares business to program keys and run audit reports in case any shortage occurs. This can be a quick way to find out why the shortages have appeared in the first place.

New Vending With Contact-Less Technology

2009-04-14T10:47:00.001-07:00

Retailers are supposedly the biggest competitors of the vending industry. Its been hard for the vending industry to keep us with them but the latest technology might just be the key towards a better future and boom for the vending industry. But with this technology you cannot have any cash transactions.

Think about going to shop without your wallet or your credit or debit card. Yes, this is the latest contact–less vending technology. Cashless and contactless: This type of vending is a relatively new phenomenon in the vending industry. In contrast, gasoline retailers and toll road operations have been using the technology for over 10 years now.

It is actually not as complex as you might think at this point. Contactless transactions simply require a plastic card, flexible tag, mini-card, or key chain fob embedded with a microchip to pass within the proximal range of a device reader. There is no direct contact or line of sight needed. All you need to do is to place the card in close proximity to the Planet Antares vending machines for the transaction to happen.

Studies have shown that this form of payment can be authorized and executed up to 53% faster than credit card transactions and 63% faster than cash payments which results in more transaction volume for the Planet Antares vending machine operators.

In 2005, there were 13,370 domestic restaurants that accepted contactless, cashless vending. Implementation of this technology at fast food restaurants showed a reduction in purchase transaction time that was sufficient enough to impact the restaurants ability to support a higher volume of transactions.

Consumer preferences are also shifting towards contactless payment systems. This is the perfect opportunity for the vending industry to bring the business up to date with new trends. This will lead to greater revenue through flexible payment options for customers. No doubt, this will bring in more profits for your Planet Antares vending business.

Financial Management with Planet Antares Vending

2009-04-09T09:32:00.001-07:00

With ever rising costs and new accounts still hard to locate, it becomes vital for vending operators to execute efficient financial management. Generally, small vending operators don’t think too much about financial management. They feel that they don’t need it as they are already doing well without doing it so why take the headache.

Like in other businesses, in vending business as well you may see some unexpected changes happening and if you do not have good financial plans, you might see have to face difficult t times. It is important for Planet Antares vending operators to be on top of different aspects of business and be safe at difficult times.

The right way to know exact status is by maintaining profit and loss statements of your business. The profit and loss statement shows gross sales of a definite time period, then the operating costs which include product costs. Then deduct operating costs from the gross sales which gives the net profit of the business. There is a set of industry averages available, the National Automatic Merchandising Association’s( NAMA) Operating Ratio Report. This report is conducted annually and designed to offer comprehensive, yet to the point guidelines for analyzing profitability. The key financial ratios are summarized in this report. The basic elements of financial management in any business are the financial operating ratios.

If the previous year has not been very successful, it may still not be as bad as it seems, once the financial ratios have been reviewed. At the same time, vending operators can find themselves unable to meet their payroll if they fail to pay attention to these fundamentals. To run your Planet Antares vending business successfully, you need to pay attention to these basic ratios and plan financial management.

This report evaluates a wide range of operating ratios across the industry and then compares the typical NAMA member’s figures against the industry’s best performing firms to help in finding areas that could be enhanced to increase profitability.

Planet Antares Efficient Currency Handling

2009-04-06T10:24:00.001-07:00

All vending operators, at least once, have felt the need to eliminate ‘exact change only’ situations in their vending businesses. For long there has been no solution to it but with Planet Antares vending machines this situation can be avoided by using its new currency payment systems.

If customers can use whatever change that they are carrying at the moment, you will find that the sales of your Planet Antares vending will increase tremendously. This ability will change the way that customers purchase from your vending machine.

Overall, technology has improved the reliability and durability of bill acceptors and changers in vending machines. There are several advantages that come along with this technology such as reduction of consumer price resistance and at the same time wider variety of price points in the machine. This can be effectively used in your Planet Antares vending machines because they carry a vast variety of products.

Most bill acceptors take denominations over one dollar and most pay out coins as change. A five dollar bill acceptance is a customer convenience that will help sales in your business. Nowadays, consumers are getting used to putting five dollar bills in vending machines. Planet Antares vending machines come fitted with bill changers which make them very convenient to use when customers are looking for change.

Five dollar bill acceptance creates the need to sort 1s and 5s. This can be taken care of by using a dual pocket coin sorter. In spite of the customers getting into the habit of carrying dollar coins in their pockets, operators have nevertheless found it worth their while to offer dollar coin payouts to support higher denomination bill acceptance. This has resulted in a need for regular refilling of coin changers with dollar coins.

All this has made vending operators divided over the importance of currency handling equipment as they differ in their beliefs. What you need to consider is the ability to invest in such devices, customer service level to be attained and of course, your profitability targets.

Specialization For Vending Business Efficiency

2009-04-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

All vending operators will benefit from the concept of operating dedicated beverage routes. Planet Antares vending operator must ensure that they do enough business to keep at least one full time route person busy. There are several benefits that come with this.

A well designed beverage truck, with outside, roll up doors on the sides can be filled by the pallet with a forklift truck. As compared to a mixed-product route vehicle, this will take much lesser time. In such circumstances, you will have to load one case at a time.

Due to space limitations on a mixed product truck, Planet Antares operators may not be able offer all the brands they could proftably sell. Although many customers will opt for an alternate brand or flavor if their first choice is not available. In fact, certain customers may even decide to walk away and lead to loss of sale. A well designed truck allows you to stock all the items that are demanded by customers of your business.

For new route drivers, it means learning how to fill one type of machine and thus, have one less type of machine to learn. This would cut down on the amount of time taken for training a new route personnel and bringing him closer to the point where he is capable of running a Planet Antares vending route on his own.

Specialization is a must for enhancing business efficiency. When an employee only handles one product, he will learn how to handle the product with very few wasted motions. The machines will be filled at a faster pace since he will be more efficient. Mixed product route will also benefit. They would have one less product to worry about, and no longer have any chances of tripping over beverage cases in the vehicle.

The driver can reach more locations to service perishable product machines once he has removed the beverage trucks from the vehicle and the beverage services from the route.

If you try to run a dedictaed beverage route for your Planet Antares vending business, using a typical step or cube van, it will probably be too much work. It’s best to go for a truck that can be loaded with a forklift.

Exploring School Premises As Vending Machine Locations

2009-03-30T09:47:00.001-07:00

A successful vending business involves finding good locations for keeping the vending equipment. Even though it seems like every possible location for vending machines has already been covered, it really depends on your own creativity.

Locating vending machines in schools is a good idea. Many vendors look at this as a cash generating opportunity for their established vending businesses as well as new enterprises.

Commonly, vending machines are found in elementary schools but these are becoming common in high school and college campus also. The government regulations influence the contracts with school or college owners. Such legal aspects must be considered before selecting the location for keeping your vending machines.

Before deciding where to install the vending machine, you must know that the school owner or institute will require a certain amount of commission as part of the profits in exchange for allowing you to setup a vending machine in their premises. This aids them in getting additional money for funding various activities. Public schools are generally funded by the government and need supplementary funds. On the other hand, you can earn good profits from the vending machines.

For schools, you must select the appropriate vending machines. For instance, soda and snack vending machines are very popular among school children and youngsters. Planet Antares Inc provides a wide range of such vending machines at competitive prices. You must stock these machines with healthy food items and check them for expiry period and hygiene.

Currently, many American schools are becoming hesitant about keeping vending machines in their premises. This is due to increasing awareness about health issues. Junk food such as chips, candy, soda and other snacks are being discouraged or even banned in some schools.

Planet Antares vending operators should not view this as a bad change. In fact, you can find new niches within the same industry. If you stock the vending machines with healthier snacks and beverages, you can still earn a lot of money while keeping the institute and children satisfied.

Nowadays, different innovative products are being dispensed through vending machines in schools. These include school utensils, milk vending, stationery items (pens, pencils, etc) and sticker vending. This makes vending machines even more interesting and popular.

On the whole, schools and colleges are excellent vending locations. If you can adjust your vending machine to the social and legal issues involved in this option, you can successful utilize this opportunity.

Constituents of Planet Antares Vending Machines

2009-03-27T10:17:00.001-07:00

The raw materials used for making quality, durable vending equipment include four major elements such as:

• Galvanized steel
• Lexan or other plastic
• Acrylic powder coatings
• Polyurethane insulation
A large part of Planet Antares vending machines is created with Galvanized steel. It ranges from 10 guages to 22 guages in thickness. External doors and internal tank and the outside cabinets are made with the thicker guages. These parts require internal guages for internal door and plates, can stacks and mechanisms such as coin validators and product trays.

The front panels are built using a tough polycarbonate plastic, Lexan. When it comes to thickness, sheets of lexan in the vending machine can range from 0.13 in to 0.25 in. in terms of performance, laxen sheets provide high level of durability. It is very difficult to break, flame retadant, easy to shape and can be treated to restrict UV rays, light and heat transmission. These lexan sheets are also used for Silk screening of product logos, names and illustrations. In effect, you can save money by reducing energy and replacement costs and hence, improves the life of your Planet Antares vending machines.

The surface of Planet Antares vending machines is painted using acrylic powder coating. It offers the best overall exterior durability and can be formulated into products with excellent chemical, detergent and stain resistance. This material also offers benefits like hardness and scratch resistance for your Planet Antares vending machine. It also gives a smooth and high gloss finish for your machine. Moreover, Acrylic powders meet the governmental environmental standards.

Polyurethane foam is used to insulate the interiors of the vending machine. It helps to create a seamless, waterproof, durable covering layer. Additionally, it provides structural stability to both the cabinet and the tank of the machine.

Observing The Sales Trend Of Vending Machines

2009-03-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

In the 2005 Automatic Merchandiser State of the Vending Industry Report, it was reported that the vending industry had its first sales gain since the recession that began in 2001. With the rapidly recovering economy, the vending industry’s total sales rose to $21.26 billion.

Mainly, this growth has been the result of higher product sales. Planet Antares vending operators were also faced with an increase in operating costs along with the increase in product prices.

Recently conducted market studies have observed that consumers are drinking more speciality coffee. More and more Americans are drinking coffee daily these days. other that coffee in the workplace, consumers are also going out to buy coffee. This represents a great opportunity for coffee vending machine operators to grab a larger market share and increase sales and profits.

Many vending operators had to face the challenge of pulling equipment out of large traditional industrial accounts. as a result, there was a fall in the manufacturing/warehouse/fabrication accounts below 30% of the total customers in the vending industry in 2004. Such shifts in the customer base indicate the changes witnessed in the nation’s workforce.

Moreover, several vending operators retreated from accounts in schools and correctional facilities. They realized that these accounts were based on commissions and must be periodically rebid.

Actually, these vending machines are considered as direct competition to their schools and not as support service by most school authorities. The school accounts are also compromised by the nutritional restrictions to a great extent. As a Planet Antares vending operator, you can place healthier food items in the vending machines.

Aspects Of Planet Antares Vending Route

2009-03-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

The vending market attracts many people, most of whom aim to make more money and living a life of financial independence. Buying an existing vending route enables you to get an advantage over the others in your vending career.

Apart from the high standards of vending machine quality and durability, the Planet Antares vending programs include unique services, extensive information and customer support for every aspect of the business. All this is available at competitive prices.

Buyers of established vending routes can enjoy several benefits, including:

Quality vending equipment
Planet Antares Inc offers well built, durable vending machines that will run efficiently for a long time and not let you down. Such vending machines have the capability of bringing in great profits with attractive features and easy to operate functions.

Branded products
Keep only branded, well performing products in your vending machines. All the products need to be fresh and packaged in attractive packing. With glass front vending machines, it becomes even simpler to grab customer attention and encourage impulse buying.

High-end locations
Planet Antares vending machines are preferred in high-end locations that are visited by a large number of people. These may include airports, hospitals, shopping centers, departmental stores, doctor’s clinic, bus and train terminals, etc.

Strong relationships
You will have to consider a number of factors while purchasing a vending route. There are high chances of strong relations between the location owners and the vendors. Planet Antares vending machines are preferred by many facilities and thus, allow you to form good relationships with the location owners.

Latest technology
In view of the increasing competition in the vending industry, Planet Antares vending machines are incorporated with up-to-date features and technology. Moreover, you can upgrade them with the help of software and devices.

Not every vending business owner is lucky enough to get an opportunity to buy a Planet Antares vending route. So, if you get such an opportunity, don’t let it go!

Planet Antares Inc Shows New Pricing Strategies

2009-03-05T01:52:00.000-08:00

As one of the leaders in the vending industry, Planet Antares Inc has introduced new management tools such as handhelds and Planograms for tracking product turns with the minimum amount of extra labor. Hence, some of the vendors have revaluated their pricing strategies.

Since a long time, vending operators have been complaining about the inability to raise prices to the same level as other retail channels. vending prices are determined through the factors like market competition and customer contracts. Many vending operators agree that a more scientific pricing strategy would improve sales and profits.

One theory tells vending operators to avoid passing the savings to the customers so that you can keep the pricing simple and increase your Planet Antares business bottom line. the prices of certain items can be lowered without effecting the level of gross margin that previously exists.

In the vending industry, the ‘take out’ customer is unheard of and thus, presents a huge opportunity for growth and profit maximization. If Planet Antares vending operators are supported by secondary suppliers, the dependence on big manufacturers would be reduced.

Thus, it is the right time for Planet Antares vending operators to experiment with value pricing. One of the reasons for this is the increasing price consciousness among consumers and higher attention being paid to special offers.

Moreover, location sales have decreased because of downsizing. In short, it is an opportune time for vending operators to rethink their pricing strategies.

Customer Awareness About Vending

2009-02-23T06:06:00.000-08:00

Lack of consumer awareness and education has been a major reason for the loss of potential customers of the vending industry. Recently, a study aimed to determine vending machine consumer motives for purchase decisions. Additionally, it examined the potential areas to expand vending machine use and the general public’s awareness of new vending machine technology and products.

Essentially, Planet Antares vending operators should try to make consumers informed about the products being vended as well as any technology that they may have decided to incorporate in their vending business.

Some of the findings in the recent study regarding consumer perceptions on vending are listed below.

• For most customers of vending machines, the main motivation for vending machine purchases was convenience and ease of buying from vending machines.

• A lot of consumers are reluctant to make vending machine purchases because of poor selection and the misconception that vending machines usually do not offer healthy options. With Planet Antares snack and beverage vending machines, you will be assured of the right product selection to suit the location.

• The success of your vending business also depends on brand recognition. Consumers expressed high brand loyalty. They usually make purchases of familiar items from vending machines. Branded items are highly visible in glass front vending machine like those offered by Planet Antares vending machines.

• Surprisingly, majority of vending machine consumers are unaware of new vending machine technology. You can offer cashless payment options since it makes the whole buying process more convenient.

• Potential vending machine consumers hesitate to make vending machine purchases because they believe that vending machines do not offer healthy products and that the general prices of vending machine products are on the higher side.

One of the most important responsibilities of Planet Antares vending operators is to set such misconceptions straight. Consumers need to understand that they can find health products in Planet Antares vending machines and that a good vending operator will not sell the snacks and beverages at higher prices than the retail market.

2009-02-11T04:04:00.001-08:00

Income Collection As A Vending Business Operation

Vending machine operators have to look after various functions, one of them being the collection of all-cash income. Right from the moment of installation, your Planet Antares vending machines will start making money. The customers will just have to insert coins or notes in the machine and the required products will be dispensed.

Servicing the vending accounts includes this function of cash collection. If your vending machines are located in apt places and easily accessible by customers, you will have enough income to collect each time you visit your vending route.

Apart from vending, majority of the vending machine operators have a regular job that provides them primary income. So, cash collection can be done on weekly or monthly basis. Whenever you get time from your job, take the time to collect cash from equipment. This will also have to be done when you want to repair the vending machine or a certain component like the coin acceptor.

The frequency of cash collection depends on the performance of your vending machines at different locations. Planet Antares vending machines are high quality, durable machines that allow you to make great profits without too much investment.

If your vending machines are installed in high traffic locations that is frequented regularly, you must collect cash at fixed intervals. However, a less popular location can be visited for cash collection after longer gaps in time.

For vendors who have more than one vending machine at a location, it may not be easy or even safe to collect cash from them at a single day. In such a case, you can set a locked deposit box in the vending machine or get a sales outlet operator to deliver the cash. Another option is to use a night depository box.

Planet Antares vending machines are durable equipment that can really increase the potential for earning high profits. These ensure smoother operations, better customer service and higher sales. So, you will need to plan your visits frequently to collect cash from such high performing equipment.

A good idea is to carry a money bag to the vending locations to keep the collected cash. Be alert because people may be watching your activity. In order to avoid theft, keep changing the day of your visit to various vending locations for cash collection. Use a sound security system to ensure that your money doesn’t get stolen as well as protect your vending machine from damage.

Changes In Plans By Planet Antares Candy Vendors

2009-02-02T00:20:00.000-08:00

In recent times, changes in key supplier’s programs have forced Planet Antares vending operators to review their plans in the candy vending segment of the vending business. Already, they have suffered one round of price increases, only to be faced with another one now.

The frequent price hikes have made it essential for vending operators to rethink their buying plans for candy products. Most of them are of the opinion that they cannot raise prices more than they already have, due to the competitive pressure. On the other hand, certain vending operators have considered larger size bars to allow them to provide greater value for a higher price.

Although most vending operators are still not sure about their plans, they realize that there may be need for more changes to the candy bar offerings in future since the introduction of the glass front Planet Antares snac/candy vending machines.

Several vending operators are looking forward to increase in price points before they start offering large sized candy in their vending machines. You can consider selling lesser candy in your vending machines by decreasing the candy facings from two shelves to one and a half. If candy is not an important, popular product that affects your business profitability, this can work for you.

Of course, you need to keep aside a certain amount of funds for changing candy spirals to larger snack spirals. In the long term, this cost will be worthwhile for your Planet Antares vending business. You must also look for snack companies and suppliers that are willing to offer incentives in exchange for guaranteed placements.

Eventually, the profitability of your vending business will not be compromised with higher priced items. Initially, certain customers may complain about the rising prices of products. However, Planet Antares vending operators have found the number of such customers to be less than expected indicating a positive change in customer response towards rising prices.

In spite of these factors, large sized candy is finding popularity and huge market share and shows potential for great growth and profitability. Planet Antares vending operators must take advantage of this trend to ensure that their vending business will definitely generate higher returns and more sales.

Fine Print Of Snack Vending

2009-01-28T05:17:00.000-08:00

The moment you step into the vending business, you will be surrounded with snack vending machines of different formats and styles. A majority of these vending machines have glass front doors and the customer can see the products placed inside.

While using your Planet Antares vending machines, customers would prefer to view the offerings before buying them. Otherwise, they will be reluctant to buy the products. This allows them to browse what snack they would prefer. Always remember that the consumer thinks with their eyes.

Planet Antares Inc offers snack and drink combo vending machines, one of the most popular type of vending machines in the industry. This is due to the offering of both snacks and drinks which are always in great demand by the consumers.

You can purchase snack vending machines under different categories. While some may offer only six different types of snacks, other machines may provide a wider selection.

A wide range of snacks are offered through Planet Antares vending machines. Before placing them, you will have to consider how much traffic is in that location before you can decide about the size of machine to be purchased. The ambience of the premises will also make a difference. Try to match up the style of the vending machine with the surroundings.

While buying a vending machine, the best deal is to go for the most current machines, with sophisticated computer chips and mechanisms, sales tracking, easy restocking and so much more.

In the long run, vending machines with such features will not let you down. In other words, you need a reliable and durable machine. Going for Planet Antares vending machines can prove to be a wise decision and these machines will remain reliable even after a lot of use.

Dozens of vendors will provide cheap and attractive looking vending machines but you need to ensure the quality of their equipment so that you get value for money along with customer satisfaction. For a large number of people, Planet Antares vending machines have proved to do so. They are compact, reliable and easy to use. In short, they are ideal for serving all sorts of customers.

Revenue Potential Of Planet Antares Vending Machines

2009-01-19T04:57:00.001-08:00

It has been proved beyond doubt that vending machines often prove to be great money generators. Planet Antares vending machines can make money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year.

As such, this is a unique opportunity to start making all cash income as soon as the vending machines are placed in popular, customer centric locations. This is the reason why this $ 40 billion industry is booming with thousands of people entering the vending business everyday.

To begin with, go for Planet Antares candy vending machines that are easy to locate and affordable too. With a larger capital base, Planet Antares snack and soda machines are the best choice as these are very popular among people of all age groups, work fields and cultures.

Moreover, you need to look for effective locations for placing your vending machines. Planet Antares soda and snack vending machines are suitable for all kinds of locations. Nowadays, people don’t have the time to go to a restaurant or store for meals or snacks. These vending machines can be quick fix solutions in such situations due to their convenience and time saving features.

High traffic areas like shopping malls, subways, business offices, airports, etc can prove to be strategic locations for installing your vending equipment. Position your machines in a way that is accessible by the target customers. Make sure that the location matches the vending products to be dispensed so that you can maximize sales and profits.

The vending products need to be chosen carefully after analyzing their quality, freshness and brand. In case of different vending machines, the capacity of holding vending products also varies. You must buy items in bulk to get discounts and prefer branded products to encourage impulse buying by customers without too much advertising costs.

Buying the right vending machines and products as well as strategic placement of equipment is crucial to make your vending business successful and financially rewarding.

Planet Antares Outlines Need For Uniform DEX Standards

2009-01-16T03:30:00.000-08:00

These days, it has become common practice for vending operators to blame equipment manufacturers for not doing enough to standardize their DEX hardware and software.

Many people agree with the view that manufacturers did not adopt a set of standards and these are too broad. Different manufacturers have different understandings about the ways of sending information.

As a result, a few vending operators including Planet Antares vending operators are demanding more stringent DEX standards to be adopted by NAMA. This has been supported by several equipment manufacturers. They agree that standards can be improved to a certain extent. In the initial usage of DEX, Some of the operators have faced problems.

In certain cases, the DEX standards have been too broad. It may be possible to sort out problems faced by some Planet Antares vending operators with the help of more stringent DEX standards.
According to manufacturers, not all machines require the same type of data. Similarly, all customers do not want the same information from the machine. There is risk of extra cost in excessive standardization without providing any additional benefits.

One major point that needs to be understood is that standardization will not always assure Planet Antares vending operators that manufacturers will abide by new protocols. Manufacturers of equipment indicate non compliance with existing DEX standards by competitors. They have pointed out that the task of gathering data in a usable form is one that should be handled by the software company only.

In the end, it is a matter of debate whether minimum standards are essential, since many protocols are already being followed for the sake of convenience and simplicity.
Among others, Planet Antares vending machines also apply certain DEX standards. These include:

Coin mechanical fields
Coin to tube
Coin to coin box
Coin from tubes
Total coins
Cash from validator
Total vends
Total cash

Tips and Tricks For Choosing Vending Machine Company

2009-01-14T01:34:00.000-08:00

Establishing a vending business requires careful contemplation of the various steps for setting up a vending business. You will have to search for a vending machine company to supply the vending machines for the same. This is a crucial decision as an ideal vending business needs the right kind of vending equipment.

You must look for a company that will offer vending machines at the right price. Planet Antares Inc offers high quality vending machines along with essential information that is required to start your business on the right foot.

With time, you will realize that the vending business is very different from any other business. You can handle it from home and only need to visit the vending route to service your Planet Antares vending machines on a regular basis.

Planet Antares Inc is a vending company that sells both new and used equipment to suit the requirements and budget of all sorts of vending operators. Their vending machines are created for all kinds of snacks and beverages.

A single individual can run a vending machine company from home or it may be a large enterprise with a staff prepared to take your order. Planet Antares Corporation is such a large company with experts who are ready to guide you from the very start of your business.

The company’s website provides extensive information. With great experience and countless satisfied vending operators, you will be on the way to setting up a well paying vending business.

Don’t forget to do your homework and carry out thorough research about vending companies before making a commitment to purchase from them. After all, it will not be the sign of a good vending operator to switch vending machine companies’ right in the beginning of their operations.

I would suggest you to stay away from vending machine companies that continuously put obstacles in your path to smooth operations. It will be worthless to develop good relations with such companies. Instead, you must go for a reliable company like Planet Antares Inc to get best results.

News For The Vending Business Newcomer

2009-01-09T04:22:00.001-08:00

It is true that starting a vending business is one of the best ways to achieve control of your life and become your own boss. However, this requires you to keep certain aspects in mind, including:

a. Vending Machines
Pick vending machines that can serve customer needs and meet your business requirements. It is of utmost importance to purchase the machines from a reliable vendor like Planet Antares Inc who will offer quality equipment at reasonable prices.

b. Funds
An important fact of the vending business is to have access to sufficient capital. Many vending operators fail due to their inability to gather adequate amount of funds or use them properly. A lot of vending operators suffer high debt burden and fail to pay off their borrowings.

c. Products
Initially, you can begin with a membership warehouse club for making your product purchases. Just make sure that there is enough time for other important tasks such as business cost control and expansion.

d. Locations
It is crucial to find and acquire lucrative locations for placing your Planet Antares vending machines. You must find and select locations on your own so that you have all the requiste information about the client account and know how to convince the premises owners to keep your machines.

e. Employees
Many people start off their vending business from home. So, you may not need to hire any person for helping you in your vending business. As your Planet Antares vending business starts making profit and has a large customer base, you may need outside help apart from your family. Then, hiring employees will be a logical decision.

f. Technical and Customer Support
Your Planet Antares vending machines is capable of meeting impulsive customer demands in the best possible way. Large companies often forget the importance of personal service and that is where a small vending operator can take advantage of this opportunity.

Planet Antares Vending Business Gives Best Results

2009-01-04T23:21:00.001-08:00

When handled properly, vending business can be a lot of fun and generate huge income for you. Initially, you may buy small vending machines at a cheap price. With time and experience, you can slowly expand your business as the profits start coming in.

Planet Antares Inc offers some great vending business opportunities. While the cost of purchasing the Planet Antares machines is a one-time cost and products to be dispensed are very cheap, you can expect high profits that can be collected daily from the vending machines.

Basically, you should take care of a few elements to convert your passive, side business into a full fledged, financially rewarding venture with Planet Antares Inc.

Vending Machine Location
A basic factor that has a significant role in your vending business success or failure is the location of vending machines. Think of places with a large amount of footfall and waiting people.
Coin operated equipment need to be placed at places where maximum number of people may be carrying spare change. In the end, it is a matter of your intelligence and creativity to find untapped spots.

Usually, customers buy vending machine products impulsively. Hence, you need to place the Planet Antares vending machines strategically at most convenient and busy places. You may even hire a vending locator to undertake this task for you.

Association with a Charity
By doing this, you will get stickers showing the association, to put on your vending machines. Business owners seldom refuse to keep a charity machine. At certain locations, they may even waive their own commission for such machines.

Professionalism
Don’t make the mistake of taking your vending business as a shortcut to success. Planet Antares Inc may provide vending opportunities with utmost flexibility in management and operations but you must maintain a professional outlook and treat it like a real business.

Tips To Install Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-12-30T05:12:00.001-08:00

If you are thinking of installing vending machines in your office, it is a great idea!

For employees who can’t leave their office, snack and beverage vending machines setup within the premises are a good way of appeasing their hunger. There are various options available to you for the installation of vending machines in your company.

With a medium sized business with 20-50 people, you can get the local vending operators to setup vending machines at your location. This will enable you to enjoy the benefits of a vending machine while its maintenance, filling, collection and insurance will be undertaken by the vending operator himself. Try to negotiate the price of the products being offered to your employees so that you can get a subsidized rate.

If you are not ready to invest a large amount of money for installing vending machines in your premises, Planet Antares Inc can provide reasonably priced machines to you. Other options include vending machines on rent or even used machines. However, in this case you will have to take care of the vending machine on your own.

Rented vending machines may also have various conditions attached to them. Products may have to be purchased from the vending machine supplier only. This may include their profit margin and the products may be costlier than other sources. Your product cost may go up to $100 per month in such a situation.

As you can charge as much as you want on the vending products from customers and get considerable amount of control, this is a good way of starting a low-capital vending machine.

In order to gain total control over your vending machines, you should consider buying a new Planet Antares vending machine. This allows you ultimate control and freedom to price the products as per your discretion. You would not have to share your profits or agree to any stipulations given by the vending machine supplier.

While a new bulk candy machine costs about $350-450, snack machines can be a little more expensive ($ 3000-5000). Gather information about different kinds of vending machines and reliable vendors like Planet Antares Inc. This will help you decide the best vending machine for your office or store. You can find a good bargain if you compare different companies for the type of machines offered and their reliability.

Avoid ‘quick money’ schemes that claim to be the ‘golden opportunity’ for new vending machine buyers. If vending is not your primary business, treat it like a good supplement and not a money making machine.

Planet Antares Vending Route Essentials

2008-12-26T07:55:00.001-08:00

Starting a full line vending business requires understanding and implementation of various factors. Such information is available on the internet, library or any other source of information.

However, the best and first hand source of information about the vending business is vending operators. They can give you input about any aspect of the vending business from their opinion and experience.

For a thorough insight into the basics of vending route management, the best way is to go out on the vending route with other vending operators. Look for operators in your local area who can help you gather information before starting your Planet Antares vending business.

Despite being your competitors, there are several vending operators who will be ready to share this information and take you out on a vending route. This allows you to find out about locations that are ideal for snack and beverage vending machines. Different locations are suitable for different vending machines.

Search for specific locations if you want to setup snack and beverage vending machines. As a Planet Antares vendor, you have the advantage of having vending machines that are always in demand in diverse locations.

Also, it is important to see how the vending operator relates with the location owner. You can understand the needs of a location only when you have good relations with the owner. In the long run, it is a must to ensure the owner’s satisfaction with your vending services.

By going out on a Planet Antares vending route, you can also meet the suppliers who provide the products needed for your vending machines. They can tell you which products are in demand and how they sell.

Apart from this, you can know about and compare the prices of different products on the vending route. Purchases should be made from a supplier who offers products at a reasonable price so that you can make a decent profit in your Planet Antares vending business.

To ensure the growth and profitability of your vending business, you must focus on providing quality vending services. You will get an idea about the kind of servicing that a snack and beverage vending business needs by going out on a vending route. You may even learn how to do some minor repairs on the vending machines.

Rising Costs of Vending Operations

2008-12-23T07:36:00.000-08:00

Planet Antares vending operators, among others, have raised their prices in several product categories but the price increases are not enough to offset the losses in pre-location sales or machine placements. Usually, the price gains are only a few cents on an average. This implies selective increases on an account basis as opposed to “across the board” increases.

In contrast, the operating costs have risen in other sectors as well. Along with product price rise, there has been an increase in fuel prices. This trend of rising prices has given Planet Antares vending operators a double whammy, because besides raising their own operating costs, these increases also result in lower disposable income for customers, leading them to spend less on refreshments.

Moreover, currency upgrades can also add to cost of operations. Recently, the government introduced a new design for the 20 dollar bill. Upgrades of bill changers and validators continued at certain percentage points.

Planet Antares vendors viewed higher denomination as a way to support higher product prices. Higher denomination bill acceptance also made it essential to have dollar coin payout, which required more 4 and 5 tube coin changers.

Due to rising operating costs, market share has been driven to both the extra-large and small operators. The larger operators have the financial resources to meet increasing costs and offer a wider range of products and services at the same time. The small operators enjoy the advantage of low overhead.

The ability of Planet Antares vending operators to invest in new technologies that offer customer benefits can also be limited by suppressed revenues. Cashless payment options and broadband wireless internet facility have already been offered by convenience stores and other sectors to attract more customers.

Vending operators fall behind in this race to offer customers new technology. There has been hardly any improvement in the percentage of operators that use DEX handheld computers which allow for more accurate cash counting and the ability to match selections to account preferences based on line item sales.

Planet Antares Offers Vending Enlightenment

2008-12-18T05:26:00.000-08:00

This article is an eye opener for people who don’t want to one of the thousands who enter the vending industry with very little or no information about the way vending business works. Don’t make the mistake of investing your money in the wrong machines, products or even, the wrong line of business.

Defining “Vending”
A vending machine is the equipment that stores products purchased by customers in exchange for coins or other forms of currency. These machines are strategically located at places where potential customers are likely to visit frequently.

The products stocked in the vending machine will be displayed to make it easier for the customers to see what the machine offers. Planet Antares vending machines are of various types, including food and non-food vending machines of different sizes, styles and colors. They may offer a variety of products or a single line of items. Also, a vending machine can be simple or complex in features and technological terms.

Location Matters
Even though it seems like vending machines are everywhere, there are still many untapped places that can be used as potential profit areas. Usually, vending machines are located in offices. Even hospital corridors, lunchrooms and cafeteria are common ground for vending machines. Such places have many people waiting for long periods of time. Other good locations include hotels, schools, museums and retail stores.

Business Tips
As you enter the vending business, gather information about the rules and regulations applicable to the vending industry. You will also need a license to work as a vending operator. The next step will be to find a vending machine manufacturer or supplier. You can either buy a new machine or take it on lease. Planet Antares Inc can provide reliable machines and other services at competitive prices.

Vending franchise is also gaining popularity as you can start as a novice and get guidance regarding the vending locations, machines, products, tax and legal issues from the vending company that offers the franchise to you.

Vending Machine Maintenance
A good vending machine supplier will help you establish and manage your vending business effectively. You should have access to continuous technical and customer support to keep your machine up and running at all times. Also, you must track product performance and replace outdated products.

In short, you need to carefully analyze, interpret and implement the various factors involved in vending business for it to be profitable.

Recent Sales Scenario In Vending Business

2008-12-12T05:47:00.000-08:00

The 2005 Automatic Merchandiser State of the Vending Industry Report reported that the vending industry witnessed its first sales gain since the recession that began in 2001.

With the slowly recovering economy, the vending industry’s total sales rose to $21.26 billion. This growth can be mainly attributed to higher product sales. Planet Antares vending operators were also faced with an increase in operating costs along with the increase in product prices.

According to a recent study, consumers are drinking more speciality coffee. The percentage of Americans who drink coffee daily is also going up. Other than the workplace, people are also going out to buy coffee. This is a great opportunity for coffee vending machine operators to grab a larger market share and increase sales and profits.

In the past few years, vending operators had to face the challenge of pulling equipment out of large traditional industrial accounts. This resulted in a fall of the manufacturing/warehouse/fabrication accounts below 30% of the total customers in the vending industry in 2004. Such shifts in the customer base indicate the changes witnessed in the nation’s workforce.

Moreover, many vending operators retreated from accounts in schools and correctional facilities. They realized that these accounts were based on commissions and must be periodically rebid.

In contrast, the school authorities consider vending machines as direct competition to their schools and not as support service. The nutritional restrictions also compromised the school accounts to a great extent. Planet Antares vending operators can tackle such situations by placing healthier food items in the vending machines.

Fuel Saving On Vending Business Operations

2008-12-10T05:43:00.000-08:00

The problem of high fuel costs is being faced by almost all the vending businesses. There seems to be a constant rise in cost of fuel. A vending operation always uses a vehicle to transport products from the base to the locations.

If you are running a Planet Antares vending business from your home, you would be using your personal vehicle. On the other hand, if you are running your business from a warehouse, you will be using a vending truck since it is more spacious.

For sizeable Planet Antares vending business, you will probably have to hire a route driver. A route driver can easily waste the fuel of a vending truck by using it for personal reasons. This would be added cost for your vending business. Your fuel usage may increase due to lack of maintenance of the vending machines. That is why you need to look for ways of saving fuel.

Technology
Planet Antares vending operators should be aware that technology offers new ways to save fuel, but these are long term and not short term solutions. However, technology will require an upfront investment.

One technology that some operators have added in their vending operations is satellite-based fleet monitoring, known as Global Positioning Systems (GPS). This system can improve operating efficiencies and employee accountability. This allows you to save fuel in several ways, like: 1) they allow you to know if there is any unauthorized use of the vehicle; 2) they make it easier to determine more efficient routing; and 3) it allows you to monitor the speed of the drivers.

Alternative fuel
Another long term solution for your Planet Antares vending operations is to use alternative fuel. Today, propane is less expensive than either diesel or gasoline. This is just one fuel option that you can use in your vending business so that you can cut down on the amount of money you spend on fuel. Vending operators need to consider performance differences when looking at alternative fuels.

Fuel saving tips for route drivers
1) Keep tires properly inflated because under inflated tires can decrease fuel economy.
2) Drive at a steady pace. Unnecessary speed-ups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy.
3) Perform maintenance checks according to schedule.
4) Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn the engine off when you are delayed for more then a couple of minutes.

Planet Antares Inc Offers Snack And Beverage Vending

2008-12-08T03:53:00.001-08:00

A Planet Antares snack and beverage vending business can be a profitable venture.
If your vending machines are well maintained and you use the right vending program, you will earn great rewards within no time. Here are a few tips that can be used to make your vending business more profitable:

a. Spread out your route in a way to increase your sales volume. More the selections placed in your Planet Antares vending machines, more will be the profits that the location will generate.

b. Be smart and try to avoid paying commission to the location owners who keep your vending machines. Make an offer of free advertising of their business on your other vending machines in other locations. If the owner of the premises still wants a commission, set the sale price at a level that covers the commission.

c. Vend sodas for 50 cents and your chips for the same amount. The customers will be inclined to spend the whole dollar in your Planet Antares vending machines.

d. Always keep “mountain dew” in your vending machine. It is a favorite among kids and popular among adults too.

e. Keep in mind that 24 oz bottles cost you much less than 20 oz bottles.

f. To pull canned drinks from the lanes of a vending machine at a faster pace, try using a toy arrow.

g. By using only quarters in your bill changer, you will only get the whole dollar fed back into the vending machine. Focus on maximizing the profits of your Planet Antares vending business whenever it is possible.

h. Make sure that your Planet Antares vending machines are well maintained. Service on a regular basis is essential along with replacement of slow moving products to alternatives whenever required.

i. Attractive looking vending machines have greater potential for encouraging impulse buying by customers. So, try to make your vending machines look nice and interesting.

Planet Antares Inc Recommends Vending E-books

2008-12-04T04:50:00.000-08:00

When you go online, you will find thousands of e-books about different topics, including the vending business. The internet allows you to learn whatever you want to know about starting and running a vending machine business from these e-books and articles on the web.

Here you can find bookstores with books related to vending business that allow you to download the e-book of your choice for a reasonable price.

Once you starting searching, you will come across e-books on every subject imaginable and you won’t even need to leave your computer. Usually, e-books can be downloaded through Adobe Reader, Mobipocket Reader and Microsoft Reader. You can even find complete start-up guides for starting a Planet Antares vending business. You will slowly learn how to bring in big profits from vending machine sales.

Every year, Americans utilize vending machines to the tune of more than $40 billion or more in buying sodas, candy, water, coffee and snacks of all kinds. The booming vending business is attracting a lot of interest from people who want to become entrepreneurs. Vending e-books will effectively guide you for just that.

Planet Antares vending is a great way to start your own business. There will be very little maintenance required and it is an all cash business, no fooling around with checks. It is best to start with a part time business by placing a few vending machines with local businesses. Gradually, you will be able to invest more in your business and take your vending business to greater levels of growth and success.

Vending e-books will show you the entire do’s and don’ts of the vending business. This includes the best locations to place your vending machines, where to purchase new machines at a discount, tips on account management and other helpful information. You can buy them for very less price.

Don’t get confused by all the books on the subject of vending that are found on the internet. Just browse through what is available and choose one that you think will give you the information you seek. You may even want to read more than one vending e-book on the subject to learn everything possible about the Planet Antares vending business.

The best thing about e-books is that these don’t take up much time space and no shelf space at all. You will be able to find certain subjects on a larger and more efficient scale than you would a physical book. Starting a lucrative vending business will become much easier with a well chosen e-book.

Latest Vending Products: Fat Free Snacks

2008-11-26T04:22:00.001-08:00

Your Planet Antares vending machines may or may not generate good returns with fat free products. When fat free snacks were introduced in the market, positive response to it was really slow.

Now, things have changes as more people gain awareness regarding the benefits of fat free snacks. These people want to lead healthy lives and the best way they can do it is by eating nutritious food.

We all know that Americans love snacking and this has led to a large portion of the population becoming overweight. For people who are interested in reducing fat in their diet, it is essential to have the choice of being able to purchase fat free snacks.

As a result of this, millions of consumers who are enjoying the benefits of these fat free snacks. Planet Antares vending operators must reserve some shelf space for fat free snacks that will serve those snackers who are conscious of their weight.

In contrast, several industry observers think that there is no future for such snacks. They believe that these snacks have not performed as well as they were expected to. Some of the reasons for these include:

1. Being expensive, these items are less affordable to a number of people.
2. Another issue is that people are generally not interested in fat free snacks.

This is something that has changed over time. These days, people are more conscious about what they eat. This presents a great opportunity for your Planet Antares vending operations.
A survey of various vending operators pointed out a similar disinterest and disappointment in fat free snacks. These are vending operators who have tried to sell these snacks at their locations and not generated good results.

Still, this doesn’t mean that you will face the same circumstances in your Planet Antares vending business, when you decide to sell fat free snacks. Several fat free snacks are very popular among customers who are conscious about their health. When placed at strategic locations in vending machines, they will generate huge sales and profits.

Planet Antares Tips For Serving Mid Market Accounts

2008-11-17T05:11:00.000-08:00

The rise in cost of operations has forced many Planet Antares vending operators to ignore locations with fewer than 100 people. Still, one segment of this market, the honor box customers continue to remain in demand. However, recent hike in product and labor costs have led them to start exploring new business opportunities.

Mid market accounts represent one such opportunity. These are vending locations that are too small for traditional vending machines but larger than 10 to 50 person accounts that honor box operators traditionally serve. Planet Antares vending operators can explore this underserved market.

In the meantime, the honor snack market remains the exclusive domain of a small group of operators who have learned to cater to the demands of a changing market with product shrinkage, high employee turnover and almost no means of product accountability.

Certain vending operators believe that vending is not a threat to any of the honor box accounts. No vending company is interested in an account with only 18 employees. Most of the honor box accounts have fewer than 50 employees and high account volume is one of the keys to the honor snack business.

Multiple boxes can also be placed at a location if an honor snack box is unable to meet the needs of an account. In addition to this, you can takeover an account with 80 people or more that want a snack machine and soda machine like that provided by Planet Antares Inc.

Planet Antares Tips: What Not To Do In Vending Business

2008-11-13T04:06:00.000-08:00

A few mistakes are common for any newcomer in the vending industry. That is part of the learning process and as you get experienced, these mistakes may be valuable lessons for you.

Still, there are certain mistakes that can have a significant impact on your business and may cause great losses to you. Many amateur vending operators make such errors of judgment but can avoid them.

Given below are some of the most common vending business mistakes that if avoided, can save a lot of time, energy and money for you.

1. Believing alluring schemes
It is easy to trap new entrants in the vending business with the promises and high claims made by vending opportunity providers. Many of these schemes turn out to be scams that make money only for the source company and not for you.

To avoid this, you must compare and study the quality, capacity and features of different vending machines and service quality of vending companies before investing your hard earned money. Planet Antares Inc offers complete instructions and assistance for vending operators to make an informed purchase decision.

2. Accounting process ignorance
Running a vending business makes it essential for you to understand how to monitor and record business operations. Vending operators must know about the accounting procedure, principles and policies so that they can compile and analyze transactions as well as financial statements. This is essential for effective business decisions and profitability estimates.

3. Inadequate capital
As a vending operator, you need to ensure that you have enough capital to support a conservative growth rate. There should also be scope for future expansion and investment in technological up gradations or unforeseen expenses.

4. Faulty pricing
Vending operators often make the mistake of starting their business with low overhead costs and pricing their products at a low price too. Such a policy should only be adopted only when you have a well-established business and require more help.

5. Low capacity equipment
Many experts will recommend smaller vending equipment for starting your vending business. However, these machines also require frequent refilling and servicing. You can only fill a limited amount of items in them, so the cost per product comes out to be higher. It is advisable to go for larger vending machines like those provided by Planet Antares corporation.

6. Lack of updating
Vending operators should keep updating their vending machines, products and services. If you think that your vending equipment does not need any upgrading once it has been bought and installed in fruitful locations, think again. Customer demands keep changing and your vending equipment must also adapt to them to keep customers satisfied.

You need to take care of all these factors so that your vending business doesn’t suffer any form of failure or losses.

The Truth About Vending Route Commission Systems

2008-11-11T04:16:00.000-08:00

In reality, commission systems are most suitable for situations where the employee has a lot of control over the rate of production. Of course, it depends on his ability to work harder, smarter, longer and faster.

However, these are less effective in industries where the employee doesn’t have total control over the rate of production. A vending route environment would be one of those industries. For example, a route person who is aid on a commission basis knows that he will earn more if he collects more money on his route.

At Planet Antares Inc, a route driver will learn how to fill and clean vending machines as quickly as possible. He must also reduce the amount of time spent at each location, with the hope that he will have more time to service machines and collect cash each day.

Till now, a commission system appears to be a win-win situation for the Planet Antares operation and the route person. In this way, the employee can earn more commission and the company can earn more profits.

Recently, a survey revealed that most operators pay drivers some type of incentive. There are very few companies that pay drivers a fixed salary. Some of the vendors pay only commission and other pay a combination of commission and salary.

However, there are several issues related to commission systems as well. As the route driver would want to service more Planet Antares vending machines, he may:
1. Drive too fast
2. Perform less than 100 percent of the machine sanitaiton requirements
3. Ignore simple mechanical procedures
4. Fail to take the time to coin test a machine after filling it

Any or all of these factors can create more serious problems than the problem the commission system was originally designed to solve.

On its own, a commission system will not teach you how to schedule a route. The trick is to service the Planet Antares vending machines only after the machine has made enough sales to profitably justify the cost of service.

Planet Antares Offers Vending Machine Locator Services

2008-11-06T04:47:00.000-08:00

The boom in vending industry has resulted in hundreds of vending machine locators claiming to be providers of the best possible service in the world. It’s important for you to recognize the genuine ones and avoid the fraudsters. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as it seems to be.

Planet Antares Inc is one legitimate company that offers vending locator services to vending machine operators to enable them to earn high profits through enhanced sales.

In the beginning of your vending career, you may prefer to locate the vending machines on your own. On the other hand, you can employ the services of a vending locator. This saves precious time for other business aspects. Rather than spending time and energy in calling potential location owners and preparing presentations to convince them, you can focus on plans for business expansion and profitability.

However, choosing a locator needs careful analysis. The company should possess relevant work experience and credibility like Planet Antares Inc. To get best results, verify the longevity of the vending locator company. This will help in establishing their previous performance and success rate.

Usually, locator companies don’t offer their services for a single or a few machines. They will provide locator services only for large number of vending equipment so that they can earn high rate of commission.

In short, a good vending locator will have the following important characteristics:

Capability to find best possible locations for your vending equipment
Knowledgeable staff with the requisite expertise and professional skills
Measures to choose potential vending machines through research
Sound technical and customer support service
Flexibility in service deals to enable small, medium and large companies to take advantage of locator services

Once the locator company has been finalized, place your vending machines according to the target customers, vending products, etc. With the help of a good vending locator like Planet Antares Inc, you can finally start enjoying the benefits of your vending machine business.

Planet Antares Vending Business FAQs

2008-11-03T02:42:00.001-08:00

Commonly, people enter the vending industry with the goal of making great profits from this lucrative business opportunity. Sadly, most of them have very little or no knowledge about the various aspects of this industry and end up losing their hard earned money.

Here are some of the most common questions asked by a novice vending business owner while starting the “all-cash” income generating business.

#1. What are the risks involved?
There won’t be much risk involved if you go for a reliable vending distributor or supplier for buying the equipment and products as well as getting help in locating the machines. Planet Antares corporation provides excellent vending program that have a very high success rate without any overheads.

#2. How much time does it take to get a return on investment?
Most reliable vending machines will offer a financial return on initial investment within the first year of starting the business. It depends on the products, and locations chosen by you.

#3. Are there any locations left for new machines?
The market may seem to be saturated but it isn’t. There are many different places that can be tapped for placing your vending machines and generating sales. Keep an eye on the sites under construction and even the areas near your location.

#4. How will I know if the machines are reliable or not?
Choose a reputable vending company like Planet Antares Inc to buy vending equipment. Also, make sure that they provide a warranty on machines.

#5. What are the legal issues that need to be taken care of?
Check with your “state comptroller” to know about the license or permit required for setting up a vending business. Don’t forget to enquire about the taxes levied on the chosen line of vending also.

Profit Maximization In Planet Antares Vending

2008-10-29T03:49:00.001-07:00

If you want to enhance your vending business profits, look for locations that will not cost you a lot of money. If you have friends or relatives that own a business, you can place Planet Antares vending machines in these locations because they won’t charge you much.

Even if you don’t have friends or relatives in this line, you can decide to approach a business owner that is familiar with you and ask them to install your vending machines in their premises.
I must remind you that while searching for locations to keep your Planet Antares vending machines, you need to negotiate for the best deal that you can get. The common ‘rent’ for vending machines is about 10 – 30% of the profit of the machine per month. Aim for a lower percentage than that.

Sanitation and proper maintenance are other important factors to be kept in mind. By keeping them clean and well maintained, you will ensure that your vending machines look attractive and grab customer attention. In the end, this will help in profit maximization.

Basically, there isn’t much tasks involved in vending machine servicing. All that is needed is to show up once a week to service the machines and also clean it. Glass front vending machines should be cleaned properly so that the products are clearly visible. Dirty machines are definitely a put-off for potential buyers.

A good way of maximizing your profits is to look for locations with a lot of traffic. These have higher chances of people buying from your vending machines. More the foot traffic more will be the people who will see the vending machines. In short, greater potential for sales and profits for your Planet Antares vending machines.

Make sure that fresh and popular products are filled in your Planet Antares vending machines. If any products go bad or expire, replace them immediately. This can be avoided by proper planning and monitoring of inventory.

Sales Trend Of Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-10-22T04:55:00.000-07:00

Recently, the vending industry reported its first sales gain since the recession that began in 2001. As the economy recovers, the vending industry’s total sales rose to $21.26 billion. Such developments can be allocated to higher product sales.

Planet Antares vending operators also faced with an increase in operating costs along with the increase in product prices.

According to a recent study, consumers are drinking more speciality coffee. This is accompanied with a constant rise in the percentage of Americans who drink coffee daily. Apart from the coffee in their workplace, people are going out to buy coffee. Evidently, it is an opportunity for coffee vending machine operators to enhance their market share to enjoy greater sales and profits.

Over the past few years, several vending operators had to pull out equipment from large traditional industrial accounts. This resulted in a fall of the manufacturing/warehouse/fabrication accounts below 30% of the total customers in the vending industry. As a result of such changes in the customer base, the nation’s workforce will also be affected.

It was also reported that many vending operators have retreated from accounts in schools and correctional facilities. This is a result of their realization that these accounts were based on commissions and must be periodically rebid.

Moreover, these vending machines are considered as direct competition to schools and not as support service by the school authorities. The nutritional restrictions also compromised the school accounts to a great extent. Planet Antares Inc suggests placement of healthier food products in vending machines for ensuring consistent sales and customer satisfaction.

Mechanical Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-10-17T04:28:00.000-07:00

I always tell newcomers in the vending industry to be wary of the promises and claims made by companies to allure them. If you want to be successful, it is very important to have realistic objectives and understanding of the vending business.

With a small vending machine business having inappropriate equipment, you will not be able to achieve success from mechanical vending machines.

Planet Antares vending machines can ensure a successful vending business for you. Their vending programs can help you generate substantial business income by investing in a few machines or a large number of machines. More than quantity, the stress is on quality of the vending machines you buy.

Let me explain why buying Planet Antares mechanised vending machines is a good idea…
These are low cost and easy to maintain, when it comes to the vending products. Planet Antares vending machines are known to be among the most reasonably priced vending machines in the industry.

Each vending selection in the mechanized models has a separate coin mechanism. So, if one coin mechanism gets jammed, the other selections will still operate. This is possible through the turning of the coin mechanism handle.

Dispensing change becomes possible through a side mount dollar bill changer. These vending machines are ideal for smaller accounts with less than 75 employees as they have lesser capacity and are more compact. Refrigeration is carried out via usage of power and electricity.

With high capacity, Planet Antares vending machines reduce your work burden as you will have to make lesser trips to the locations for refilling and servicing. Refreshment Centers are capable of vending snacks, candy, soda, bottled juices and change for dollar bills.

Planet Antares Vending For Debt Free Business

2008-09-23T08:02:00.001-07:00

If you are planning to start a vending business, please don’t go into debt for it. Save money to buy your first vending machine. Have the patience to avoid getting burdened by debt. Vending is a source of passive income and not another factor in your list of dues.

Open a separate checking account to handle all of your business transactions. Purchase your candy and machines out of this account and deposit your revenue. This enables you to know when you have made enough to buy more machines by checking your account balance.

Ask for help from an accountant or lawyer to set up the proper business structure and to get the proper licenses in your area. Since this business involves smaller amounts of income, it is even more important to keep good records to make sure that you are turning a profit.

For most vending operators, the hard part is getting locations. Giving employees a quick treat to keep up their spirits and offering a product that the owner doesn’t have to hassle with isn’t enough to convince them. Offer a commission to the location owner. They may also suggest purchasing a vending machine of their own. You must convince them about the benefits of your services.

Another good way to obtain locations is to associate with charities and inform the location owners about it. While there are national charities that have programs specifically designed for vending operators, forming a relationship with a local charity that actually means something for you is a better option. Also, this will help motivate you to get locations and also provide a way for you to actually contribute to charity instead of putting it off until you make enough money.

All in all, it’s best to put in hard work and dedication to make your vending business successful. In your haste to establish a vending business, you may take decisions without considering all the essential factors. Such actions can result in costly mistakes in future.

Thus, it is best to be patient and consistent in your efforts so that you can build a sound business structure and get true value for your money by going for reliable vending programs like those offered by Planet Antares Inc.

How To Become A Planet Antares Vending Distributor

2008-09-12T02:09:00.000-07:00

If you tired of going to office every day and laboring non-stop throughout the year, you are one of those people who want to be independent entrepreneurs but don’t know how to do the same. No need to worry!

The vending industry is being recognized by more and more people as the channel for realizing this dream. Opportunities for all kinds and sizes of businesses are offered by Planet Antares Inc to become vending machine distributors.

You may want to earn some passive income through a part-time business or start a full-time enterprise. Both these goals can be achieved through the option of becoming a vending machine distributor.

There are various benefits of this unique business opportunity. Some of these include:

1. Total control over your own business
2. Flexibility in machine selection and pricing
3. Ability to earn high profits with a low investment
4. Lesser overheads
5. Easier marketing and brand building

Locating the machine should not be very difficult as the branded vending machine will be readily accepted by business owners. However, you must have at least the basic technical knowledge to keep the machines up and running. Also, you need to make sure that these are regularly refilled, repaired and serviced.

It provides the perfect opportunity to exploit the different good locations in your area. Planet Antares Inc offers locating services also. This helps you to find the best locations for your vending machines. Moreover, you can get more vending machines as your business expands and profits increase. As a vending machine distributor, you can get all the desired machines from a single company at reasonable prices rather than going to different vending machine suppliers.

Once your vending machines are selected and well-placed, you can’t just sit back and relax. Keep rotating the products and look for new locations to plug the gaps in unexplored markets. This will help in earning more profits as well as expand your business.

Finally, you can enjoy total business control while earning substantial profits without spending too much on either investment or daily expenses. There will also be no need to spend so much time in finding the ideal machines, products, locations, support and bargains.

Impact Of Customer Preferences On Planet Antares Vending

2008-09-03T23:33:00.000-07:00

Vending operators are often more concerned about purchasing the right vending machines and products. With so much emphasis on these aspects, they often make the mistake of forgetting the most important part of any business – customer desires.

As a Planet Antares vending operator, it is essential for you to analyze and understand customer preferences. Think about what the customer wants and not what you have to offer. While this may seem like an unnecessary exercise, it will prove to be fruitful in the long run.

Recently, there has been growing focus on customer demands as vendors realize the direct relationship between the customer preferences and business profits. While factors like vending machines and products also affect vending business returns, it is the end customer who will ultimately determine the success or failure of your business.

A growing trend among customers has been their preference for healthier products. This seems to be a challenge for most vending operators who have been selling conventional products till now. Planet Antares vending operators can use this change as an opportunity to bring in greater profits.

With more and more people becoming health conscious, it has become imperative for you to offer a variety of healthy and nutritional products. New and tasty products are being launched in the market every month. All you need to do is find the right vending product supplier for creating an effective product mix. Planet Antares Inc offers branded and high quality products that will sell well among customers of all ages and cultures.

Moreover, a good vending product supplier can guide you regarding the popular products which will attract greater number of customers. They know about the latest trends in the vending marketplace and also about the right strategies to acquire a larger customer base.

Vending products like milk, tea and nutrition bars are fast becoming popular among people who want a healthier diet. In order to cater to such customers, you must develop a product selection with both traditional as well as healthier product items. This enables you to enhance your business sales without losing out on the previous customers.

It is quite clear that customer needs and desires form a crucial part of the vending business. Once you have purchased reliable vending machines such as Planet Antares vending machines and put quality products in them, just relax and watch the money flowing in.

Impact Of Vending Markets On Your Vending Business

2008-09-01T07:26:00.001-07:00

As part of the vending industry, it is a must for you to understand the workings of vending business from larger aspects to fine details. Still, most companies ignore the basics and end up arriving at misleading conclusions. Commonly, people start a vending business to become their own boss but they forget the need to plan and implement effective strategies in the haste to become rich.

In the current competitive market, you can hardly afford to relax and ignore the market forces. Every change in customer demand or other environmental forces requires prompt action and implementation of innovative strategies to beat the competition. There are plenty of vending customers as well as vendors. Thus, it becomes essential to offer high-end service to create your brand reputation.

You need to coordinate your Planet Antares vending business with the market trends. This implies combination of effective strategies with innovative products. To retain your market share, you must undertake any or all of the following steps:

• Open new markets
• Increase sales through smaller accounts
• Higher per capita sales
• Introduce bestsellers and new products in combination with conventional ones
• Implement new technology
• Find new and lucrative locations
• Reduce cost of operations of existing business
Cost cutting doesn’t imply reduction of spending on each and every business operation. Vending operators who do that will see their business suffering high losses instead of making profits. You must concentrate on performance improvement and expense management for getting good results.

Planet Antares vending machines are technologically updated and reliable in nature. These also use software for greater control over route warehouse inventory. This leads to lesser money wastage and better resource utilization.

Moreover, you need to focus on motivation of employees, vehicle drivers and vending operators. If they want to excel in their functions, there are greater chances for your vending business becoming successful.

Alternatives For Planet Antares Vending Routes

2008-08-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

It is not very difficult to start a vending route. It is an easy, inexpensive and profitable way of entering the vending industry. You can choose different vending machines and products according to your business needs and objectives.

To begin with, the bulk vending business is a great opportunity to gain financial freedom as well as setup a rewarding venture. It’s the perfect way to say goodbye to the restricted office job, time schedule and earning potential.

Essentially, this includes gumball, toys, stickers, tattoo and candy vending machines. Starting out in the bulk vending industry involves choosing a vending machine and products according to the desired customer base, locations and sales level. Before taking the plunge, you must plan your moves carefully.

Planet Antares bulk vending machines are easy to setup and transport. As they require very little floor space or can be hung on the wall, these machines can be kept in all sorts of locations. You can enjoy flexible working hours and service these vending machines easily too. Vending products are also easy to handle and refill in the vending machines.

Start looking for busy areas with large amounts of customer traffic comprising of children and their families. These people are definitely the largest segment of customers for candy vending machines and toy vending machines. Planet Antares Inc allows you to take benefit of its vending locator service to get the best locations for your vending machines. These are usually places with kids waiting and using candy or toy vending machines to pass time.

Don’t forget to check the rate of theft and vandalism in the area selected for keeping your vending machines. Security mechanisms like automatic alarms should also be introduced for protection of your vending machine against theft.

To create a successful vending route, search and compare various vending machine suppliers before selecting a reliable company. Look for good quality vending machines with technologically updated features and capacity to stock a large amount of product quantity. Customer and technical support as well as instruction manuals must also be provided by the vending company.

The Rise Of Bottled Water Vending Machines

2008-08-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

In the recent years, bottled water has gained popularity at an astonishing rate. This is true for both Planet Antares vending machine operators as well as vending customers. Now, bottled water products have a large market share and have become a perfect alternative for traditional beverages.

The rise in sale of Planet Antares bottled water vending machines has been phenomenal. There are several aspects that contribute to this development, such as:

#1: Water Quality
People are very particular about the quality of water available from the municipal water supply. Thus, there has been a rise in demand for bottled water. These are considered more trustworthy as compared to normal water. Also, bottled water is processed with purification and filtration before getting packaged.

#2: Healthy Alternative
Obviously, bottled water is a healthier alternative to soda and other beverages. With rise in health awareness and concerns regarding the impact of traditional beverages, increasing number of people are demanding bottled water rather than soda to quench their thirst.

#3: Marketing
Smart and attractive promotion strategies are being employed to arouse customer interest in bottled water. Basically, they target youngsters who will not hesitate in paying more for water as compared to the older generation.

#4: New Water Products
Many new developments have been seen in the bottled water vending industry. High quality vending machines like those offered by Planet Antares Inc can be filled with carbonated or flavored water. A good idea will be to go for minerals, vitamins and vegetable extract enhanced water. Higher profits can be generated by selling these new products at higher prices due to their health benefits.

With the expanding soda vending industry, bottled water vending machines are experiencing large scale of success in terms of operations as well as customer satisfaction. Not only is this segment beating the competitors but also complimenting them. Better the water quality, better will be the quality of coffee dispensed from coffee vending machines.

Essential Credentials Of Planet Antares Vending Machine Repairers

2008-08-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

Repairing a vending machine is a “hands on” job and you can learn it through work experience. New personnel can learn while working under the direction of expert employees as they repair vending machines. A high school diploma is a requirement for most companies. One must have a high school or vocational training in electricity, refrigeration and machine repair. By possessing such skills, your chances of employment are higher.

While looking for a repairer for your Planet Antares vending machines, make sure that you engage one that is highly qualified so that they are capable of handling any sort of damage with ease. Planet Antares Inc even provides manuals to help the repairer in finding the right solutions for different issues.

Most repairers or servicers have vending routes, so they need to have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. While going from one location to another for servicing of the vending machines, a lot of driving might be required. The driver should be such that is dependable at all times.

Today, vending machines are using technologically advanced features, especially Planet Antares vending machines. You need to search for repairers who have some electrical training as well. Some schools will offer programs of one or two years to teach basic electronics. Thus, the repairer must have some electrical knowledge to enhance their demand in the dynamic marketplace.

Basic task such as cleaning and filling vending machines are handled by entry level employees. Gradually, they learn how the vending machines operates and start installing new features and adjusting the machine. as they gain knowledge about the workings of the Planet Antares vending machines, it will take about 6 months to 2 years to gain the full know-how of the vending machine and operations.

Mechanism Of A Beverage Vending Machine

2008-08-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

Beverage vending machines are the most popular form of vending machines. These are used for dispensing soda, juices, bottled water and other beverages. These must be strategically placed to get the maximum exposure and access by customers on the run and those who wait at busy places.

To get a better idea about the working of beverage vending machines, read on.
A Planet Antares vending machine includes a dynamic combination of technology and methodology. By inserting coins or money in the coin receptacle, the machine detects through a currency detector. After this verification, it will dispense the desired beverage. New vending machines accept paper bills and credit cards as well as coins.

Polystyrene plates and platinum coating regulate the cold temperature inside the vending machine. The beverages are stocked in a big slide and placed in the vending machine. To buy a specific beverage, customers must select the relevant button at the front of the vending machine.

At the end of every bin, there is a rotor to put the desired beverage into a shaft. This is the channel through which the cans move till they reach the dispenser. Once the beverage reaches the dispensing area, customers can take the beverage ordered by them.

Sensors are installed in the bins of Planet Antares beverage vending machine to detect the amount of stock which is present in the machine and flashes a red alert light when a particular beverage needs to be refilled. You can avoid manual checking of the machine as the automatic sensors will instantly tell you the time for filling the machine.

All these form critical parts of a vending machine, particularly a beverage vending machine. You can be assured of getting worthy vending machines from reputed suppliers like Planet Antares Inc. They offer a wide range of vending machines for different kinds of beverages and other products as well as after-sale services like locating, refilling and repairing of machines.

Fundamentals Of Mechanical Vending Machines

2008-08-18T08:56:00.001-07:00

It may not be easy to be successful as a mechanical vending machine operator if you have a small firm with unsuitable equipment. Yet, Planet Antares vending machines never go wrong in providing effective vending programs. With these vending machines, you can succeed in your business by making a small investment in a few vending machines or a large number of machines.

It is easy to maintain mechanical vending machines and they are affordable as well. Planet Antares vending machines are available at very reasonable costs. In fact, these are known to be the most reasonable vending machines in the industry.

In a mechanized vending machine, every selection has a separate coin mechanism. So, if one coin mechanism is jammed, the others will still carry on operations. This is done via the turning of the coin mechanism handle.

Change is dispensed through a side mount bill changer. These machines are suitable for smaller accounts with less than 75 employees as they posses lesser capacity and are more compact. Power and electricity will be required for refrigeration. It is simple to troubleshoot and repair mechanical vending machines. Thus, you get to save a lot of money by investing in such equipment.

Planet Antares vending machines have a larger capacity, so that means fewer trips to the locations for refills. Snacks, candy, soda, bottled juices and change for dollar bills are dispensed by Planet Antares Refreshment Center.

Another benefit of the mechanical vending machines is that they are user friendly. This is essential for gaining more customers as no one will want to spend more time than minimal to understand the workings of the machine.