5 common mistakes when operating a vending machine that you should avoid:

Inappropriate spirals

Trends come and go - so your range will change from time to time. But now you want to save costs and changeover effort and simply use the same spirals for product B that you have already used for product A? It can work, but it can just as easily backfire. Even if the dispensing of the products has worked on the first 2-3 attempts, it is possible that the product will either get stuck due to the spiral not fitting 100% or come loose from the spiral on its own. Both cases should be avoided, as in the first case you will annoy the customer and in the second case you will make a loss.

Do not use security systems

In terms of the security of your vending machine and therefore your investment, which you have financed with hard-earned money, it would be reckless not to protect your vending machine in the best possible way. Especially since many security systems, such as wall anchoring for your vending machine, are already available at very reasonable prices or can be easily made yourself. You should therefore always consider where your vending machine is located, what dangers could exist at this location and how you can protect your vending machine from these dangers.

Maintenance/repair work without disconnecting the machine from the power supply

Tinkering with electrical appliances without first disconnecting them from the power supply is never a good idea. In such cases, there is almost always a risk to life and limb from electric shocks. Therefore, if you open your vending machine to carry out maintenance/repairs such as retrofitting modules, you should always disconnect the vending machine from the power supply beforehand. This is not only for your safety, but also for the safety of your vending machine, as the main circuit board may burn out if you connect/ disconnect modules while your vending machine is connected to the power supply.

Unsuitable location

You can already find a blog article on the topic of "The right location for your vending machine". However, location does not only mean localization on a macro level (e.g. at station X) but also on a micro level. In concrete terms, this means: where exactly do I place my vending machine within the area of station X? For example, it is important to avoid placing the vending machine next to the toilets or next to the smoking area, as many customers could be driven away by unpleasant odors. You should also choose a place that is as shady as possible, as it is not good for the vending machine or its contents if the sun beats down on it for several hours a day.

Insufficient research

You want to get started with your new vending machine as quickly as possible and are keen to earn a passive income soon. We can absolutely understand that, but you should inform yourself thoroughly before starting up your vending machine so as not to violate any legal or tax regulations, which can quickly lead to very severe penalties.