Planet Antares Scam Tips & Advice

Planet Antares Scam Alert Protects Novice Entrepreneurs From Vending Scams

2010-06-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

So far we have been dealing with various kinds of vending scams and how they try to rope in operators. Let us now see how we can protect ourselves from them. First of all let us understand if there is really a way out of these scams. Well the answer is yes. However, it is not as easy as said. Planet Antares Scam Alert is aimed at providing information and guidance to novice entrepreneurs to stay away from vending scams.

Generally new and upcoming operators are targeted by scammers. Lack of proper knowledge and required skills makes them highly prone to these kinds of scams. If you have observed a new entrepreneur is aggressive and eager to taste success at its earliest. These aspects are taken advantage of by vending scammers who design new schemes for cheating them.

Although vending scams cannot be avoided altogether, they can be prevented to a certain extent by taking due care. Some of these precautions are mentioned below:

Never let anyone influence you in your buying decisions. Be your own judge when making crucial business decisions. Try to substantiate your judgement with through market research or feedback from clients who have been using the same products and service you are about to purchase. Convincing customers and influencing them in their decisions is one of the marketing strategies adopted by most companies and sometimes even by scammers. So beware.
Try to avoid purchase of costly products and items online since online purchases are quite risky. Sometimes buyers are shown one product at the time of sale and after closing the sale an entirely different piece is dispatched to buyer or sometimes a defective/damaged piece is sent. Moreover judicial system has certain limitations in taking actions against cyber crime. So it is for you to decide how to avoid these scams.
As we keep saying, thorough market research is recommended before purchasing any products or services or even before commencing any business. This research would not only help you in analyzing the present market situation but also helps in arriving at the most preferable products and services that you can go for.
In case you come across a relatively new company with limited track record, check from other customers who have been using their products. As far as possible avoid purchasing products and always prefer to buy products of reputed and established brands like Planet Antares.

Since 1987, Planet Antares Inc is into business of manufacturing and selling state-of-the-art vending machines across US and Canada. Planet Antares vending machines are robust machines designed for long life. If you plan to start a vending business, you should get in touch with support staff from Planet Antares who guide vending operators on how to start the business in correct manner. Planet Antares Scam Alert initiative is benefiting various vending machine operators, if you are confused about particular services, feel free to contact Planet Antares, they will guide you on the same.

Planet Antares Scam Alert Tips

2010-04-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

Scam is an unethical way of making money. Usually people tend to cheat other either by misguiding them or giving them false assurance. Both these methods are adopted in vending industry. Wondering how? Lot of people especially those new to this industry are being misguided by others. There really isn’t much we can do about these kinds of scams. However by taking a few precautions as guided in Planet Antares Scam Alert we can prevent you from falling prey to it.

Never pay any vending machine company until you have checked the product or the company is in business for long time and have renowned standard products that can be trusted. There is every possibility that the vending company collects money from you and later disappears. Pay them only when you are assured that it is a genuine company. Always purchase a vending machine from reputed and trusted manufacturers like Planet Antares, who have been manufacturing vending machines and servicing customers for decades.
Be very cautious whenever you shop online. Since this is one place where there is no possibility for you to check the true identity of the seller. It is very easy for vending machine scams to operate in this way as law enforcement can hardly do anything and at the same time the chances for you to recover your money back are sparse.
Always check with other vending operators about the quality of vending machines, companies commitment to operators and after sales service.
Go in for versatile vending machines like office-deli from Planet Antares. You can stock any kind of products in them which means you have options to change the products with time.

Planet Antares Vending Machines

2010-04-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

Vending machines have become very successful in the last few years. As a result of increasing popularity and increase in number of vending operators, a wide variety of Planet Antares vending machines are being offered in the market. Hence operators should carefully evaluate them before deciding which one to purchase. Vending machines available in the market can be broadly classified into three kinds:

Mechanical vending machines: These machines as the name denotes do not work on electricity and at the same time these machines do not come with any automated features. However there are many benefits associated with its purchase, such as

Easy to install.
Generates revenue in the form of cash coins.
Easy to haulage.
Simple refill and repairing process.
Zero electricity bill.

The negative aspect of these machines is its poor resale value and inability to generate higher returns.

Electrical vending machines: As the name suggests, these machines require electricity to work efficiently. The problems faced in mechanical vending machines can be over come by using an electrical vending machine.

Combination vending machine: In case an operator is aiming at offering more than one product at a time, combo vending machines from Planet Antares are appropriate. Besides being attractive and easy to operate, this machine also has larger storage capacity and can also generate higher revenue.

In case you are new to vending industry, it is advisable to start this business on a smaller scale using simple machines that not only cost less but can also be operated and maintained easily. Before concluding, we would once again like to reiterate that the selection of vending machine is influenced by several factors including your business objectives, scale of operation and financial limitations. Hence operator needs to keep these things in mind while choosing the right vending machine.

Planet Antares Advice - What Determines Choice of Vending Products

2010-04-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

The very thought of starting a vending business on your own is great. However, starting a vending business does not assure success in itself. Just like any other business model, proper planning and strategic implementation along with several factors that determine the success of a business. When it comes to vending industry in particular, besides other factors, kind of products dispensed in your machine also influence its success.

With the success of vending business, wide varieties of products have been introduced into the market. Hence, it is quite challenging for an operator to pick up one from the available ones and dispense in his machine. Candy, coffee, newspaper, snacks and soda are the most commonly offered vending products. These machines can be installed in any business locations. The choice of these products in turn is influenced by operator’s personal interest, his target customers, the kind of machine he uses and the location in which he would be selling them.

Since inception of vending machine business, schools, hospitals, malls, offices, busy streets, recreation malls, railway and bus stations have always been popular location choices for operators. In case you are targeting kids then you can choose candy, ice creams, toys, chocolates, snacks, health drinks, low fat milk and fruit juices. Not only this operators need to be in constant look out for products with high demand and easy availability. Soda is one such product that has both consistent demand and at the same time can be supplied easily.

Modern customers are interested in trying out latest and innovative products. This is quite handy in raising your sales since most customers prefer novelty. They like to experiment with various new products that enter the market. So, don’t hesitate to offer a different selection of products to your target audience. This will not only keep your customers satisfied but also give you a competitive advantage over existing players in the market. For more information on vending business, contact Planet Antares staff and get complete guidance on starting your vending venture.

Vending Tips from Planet Antares

2010-03-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

We all are famous with the four “P’s” of marketing also know as marketing mix. These four P’s are nothing but product, price, place and promotion. Each of these is significant and plays a vital role in the success of vending business. Every vending operator needs to understand their importance and place their prime focus on them. This is the best and most simple way of becoming successful in vending business.

Let us look in detail as to how each of these factors influences the success of a vending business.

• Product: There are several products available in the market. There choice however depends on your target audience and location. For instance: If you have targeted children, you can choose to vend toys, chocolates, ice creams, pop corns, games, snacks, food items etc. The choice of this product would in turn depend on where you would like to locate the machine. In case you are looking to place the machine near a park, you can dispense pop corn, ice cream or toys.

• Price: Pricing is also crucial for success of any business. The choice of your machine is greatly influenced by your investment ability. You have several vending machines available in the market ranging from few hundred dollars to several thousands of dollars. The price of this vending machine depends on the model and features it includes. Smaller machines like candy and gumball cost you less in comparison with machines that come with sound and display systems.

• Place: Place or location is also very crucial for your vending business. Placing the right kind of machine in right location can give you guaranteed returns. Finding strategic locations for placing vending machines is not as easy as it may sound. It is only with thorough market research, that you will be able to identify the right location.

• Promotion: This depends on the kind of product you would like to dispense. In case you are dispensing branded products, you do not need to undertake additional promotional activities. However, if you are vending unbranded items, you can go for paper ads or try coupons and similar activities for boosting your sales.

What Makes Planet Antares Vending Business So Popular

2010-03-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Day by day the demand for vending machines is only on the rise. The benefits of this machine are luring more and more operators towards it. In fact this is the only business opportunity that has been successful in providing employment opportunities to several new and enthusiastic entrepreneurs in spite of economic crisis.

What makes Planet Antares vending business so popular? In this modern world most of us are preoccupied with our own work and hardly have any time for waiting in long queues either for buying products or paying bills. In such a situation, vending machines come handy.

• They are easy to operate.

• Provide quick and instant services.

• Stylish and attractive with several latest and unique features.

• Can be operated by anyone as it does not ask for specific knowledge or skill set.

• Initial cost of set up: When compared to other business opportunities, the capital required to start this business is very low.

• Instant cash flow: This is one of the very few businesses that allow you to reap returns right from the time you install your machine and fill it with sufficient amount of stock.

• Cash flow: There are very few other business opportunities that are all cash. Since vending is a hundred percent cash business, you need not worry about bad debts or other collection issues.

• 24/7 Services: There are no set working hours in vending business. Your machines would be every ready to cater to the needs of its customers round the clock all 365 days.

• ROI: When compared to other business models, the profit margin in vending business is very high this allowing you to enjoy huge returns.

• Tax exemption: Tax exemption is applicable to vending business also. If you fall in the 20%-30% tax bracket, then you have great chances of increasing your profits.

• Vending business has allowed several operators to enjoy complete financial freedom and allows you to have complete control over your money and future.

• Last and most important benefit of this business is that it is least affected by recession or other economic downturns.

Vending Trends by Planet Antares

2010-03-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Vending industry has been a long way since it was introduced for the first time. The benefits associated with this machine made it popular not only among customers but also among operators. As a result more and more operators started setting up their own business. In fact starting a vending business is as simple as 1-2-3. Although this may sound like an exaggeration, it is true.

Why vending? Are you looking for an additional income source? Are you looking for a home based business that does not ask for huge investment? Wondering which is the only business that can guarantee returns right from the day of its installation? Which is the only business that remains least effected by fluctuating markets or economic conditions? The answer to these entire questions is just “Vending”.

As more and more operators started taking up this business, more and more products are being introduced into the market. Vending machines which were once limited to dispensing selected products have undergone several changes are now able to dispense almost anything under the sun.

Vending industry has is able to serve a diverse community. In order to make this process more smooth and effective, variety of vending products and machines capable of accommodating them have been introduced into the market. Unlike traditional vending machines, modern vending machines are customised and are able to offer products that meet individual customer expectations.

Some of the latest vending products introduced into the market in the recent years are toilet- paper, make up vending machines, conventional edible vending machine products, non food vending machine products, novelty vending machine products and many more.

This clearly shows that there is wide choice of vending products for the operator to choose from. Finally it is left to the discretion of operator to choose a product that best meets his target customer requirements.

How to Make Vending Successful? Planet Antares Guidelines

2010-03-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

Operating vending business is not as easy as it may sound to be. Taking up vending business of your own is quite challenging as it needs lot of hard work, strategic planning and its proper and timely implementation. Operators need to be very careful and develop gradual step wise action plan and never make any hasty decisions. To begin with identify sources that can provide you with some financial assistance. You have to do a lot of hard work before your business gets well established. This includes running a route, taking care of day to day activities like paying bills, purchasing stock and tallying cash.

Vending is a customer centric business that aims at catering to specific needs of customers. Once you have procured sufficient finance for starting this business, your next move would be to purchase a new vending machine from reputed company. In case you are a novice to this industry, purchase a basic model machine that is capable of dispensing more than one product at a time.

After purchasing the right kind of machine from a reputed company like Planet Antares, stock it with products that meet your target audience requirements and place it in a right location. Now that you have fulfilled basic requirements of vending business, your next most important step would be proper maintenance of vending machine. Whenever you get a service call, respond immediately and make sure that the machine does not remain in out of order state for a long time. If customers are unable to access machines for longer time periods, it can drastically affect your business and also create ill will among customers.

Proper service and customer service can give you an edge over your competitors. Try to visit at least few accounts personally once in a while and respond to customers calls while in office or otherwise. Quality products, satisfied clients and efficient equipment can make vending a successful business. So, make sure you incorporate all the right elements to make your business a huge success.

Packaging Highly Significant In Success of Vending Industry

2010-02-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

Vending is purely instinct based business hence the appearance or packaging of the product plays vital role in making your business a huge success. Lot of money is being spent in packing products in attractive and colourful covers. If a vending operator aims at boosting his sales, he needs to create a visual affect that stimulates customer psychology. This is when packaging comes into picture.

Three major elements that play vital role while designing appealing packaging.

• Color: Colors are often related to emotional status of an individual. The products in your machine should be in such a way that they are able to grab the attention of customers even from a far off distance. For instance, green is a color that is associated with organic soda machine products like tea and health drinks. Bright colors on the other hand are known to be more fun and pleasing. A vending machine with bright colored products is capable of tantalizing customers who are forced to take a closer look and thus purchase the product.

• Graphics: People are more familiar with branded products, so marking the machine with logos, pictures or fonts can attract customers. Animated characters and cartoons are best suited if you are targeting kids. This is one reason why most operators are advised to place branded items in their machines. Branded items are renowned internationally and hence they are easily recognised by most of the customers.

• Shapes and sizes: Some products come in standards shapes and sizes. These make help customers in distinguishing these products from those of its competitors. However, manufacturers have started making changes in them. For instance, soft drink cans are made more slender and taller than their previous forms.

If due priority is given to these aspects, you can make your business a huge success.

Tips To Follow While Starting a Vending Business

2010-02-18T08:38:00.000-08:00

During these times of recession, most of us intend to start a business of our own but unable to proceed any further due to lack of proper knowledge and guidance. However few tips can help you make all your dreams come true.

Research: Before you take up any business, it is mandatory that you conduct a thorough market research. This research would provide you with sufficient information on various aspects that are crucial for your business success.
Contacts: It is advantageous if you have contacts with people operating in similar field or industry. This will help you in starting your business quickly and also get some valuable suggestions related to the business.
Models: There are various models of vending machines available in the market. Some of these are capable of dispensing two products at a time while others can dispense only one at a time. The choice would however depend on the intention of vending operator. It is however advised to choose a trusted partner like Planet Antares while selecting your vending machine equipment.
Advertising: Purchasing a new machine, stocking it with sufficient quantity of products and installing it in a right location would not be able to do wonders to you. You also need to adopt few marketing strategies that can help in boosting up your business. Advertising is one such strategy. Depending on the scale of your operation and financial limitations operators can choose a mode of advertising that is apt for him.
Staff: Normally for running a vending business, you need not hire any sales force or staff as all the sales work is done by the machine itself. However, you can recruit staff for servicing and refilling your machine.
Last and most important of all is purchase of a vending machine. It is always advisable to purchase a new vending machine from an established and reputed company.

Careful and cautious approach while running and expanding vending business is sure to give you guaranteed success.

Demand for Branded Items to Be Offered Using Vending Machines Is Only Increasing

2010-02-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

Brand is a “name, sign, symbol or design or a combination of these intended to identify goods or services of one seller from those of the other. A good brand is successful in motivating customers, creating customer loyalty, gives clear message about the product and gains credibility.

Brand has always played a great role in promoting products across the globe. This fact cannot be denied. Branded products are recognised across the globe and operators need not take up any additional or special promotional activities for them. This is one of the main advantages of offering branded items in vending machines.

Customers will automatically purchase them as they are already familiar with them. Ideally glass front vending machines from Planet Antares are appropriate for vending these branded products. If earning high returns is your objective then in order to achieve this make sure you offer the right kind of product in your machine and place it in a right location. Selling branded products has never been an issue for vending operators as most customers prefer them since they are faster and cheaper. In case you are selling unbranded products alone, you need to take up some promotional activities to boost your sales. So, a smart vending operator would offer both branded and unbranded products together.

Glass vending machines have been highly preferred model of vending machines for dispensing branded products. This machine allows customers to view the product they are about to purchase. The best thing about branded products is that these come in attractive packing and hence customers get drawn towards them. Besides being attracted, branded products can easily create an instinct in customers and thus force them to try the product. Thus branded item in a glass front vending machine is perfect combination for boosting your business.

Few Tips for a Successful Vending Business

2010-02-01T08:32:00.001-08:00

Vending can be a very lucrative business if only you know how to operate them in the right way. One of the most important aspects for a successful vending machine which operators need to take into consideration are demand for the product and its strategic location.

A few tips for making your business venture a huge success:

• The objective of sale is vital for your business success. However, it varies depending on the kind of product you dispense.

• After deciding on the product you would like to dispense, your next move would be to identify a strategic location where people stay or gather in huge numbers. Some of the most ideal places for installing your machine are lunch rooms, bus or railway stations, shopping malls etc. The choice of location is once again influenced on the kind of product you offer.

• When it comes to purchase of a vending machine, operator has two choices. He can either purchase one or hire. It is much cheaper to purchase a used machine or rent one. However, when it comes to performance efficiency, new ones are far more superior that old or refurbished machines. Companies like Planet Antares manufacture the best vending machines and recommend use of new vending machines as they help you save money in future in comparison to old or used machines which are generally faulty and discarded by previous owners.

• Since the advent of internet, a wide variety of information relating to various aspects is available on the net. All you need is just browse and look for special offers or compare prices of various manufacturers and purchase one at the best possible bid.

• One of the major issues with used or refurbished machines is currency changes. Hence it is imperative for the operator to check if they work with the present currencies and see how easy it is to receive desired product since this would satisfy your customers and bring them back to you for repeat purchases. No none would actually recommend using a used vending machine for your business start up as they often turn out to be much more costly.

• Availability of spare or replacement parts is also crucial. More and more companies offer metal machines which are far more reliable when compared to old plastic ones. The best part with them is that repairs are far easier when compared to the traditional ones.

• The percentage of profits you would be sharing with the premises owner also influences your success.

These simple points if borne in mind can make your vending journey as simple as a cake walk.

What You Need To Look For in A Vending Machine

2010-01-27T11:20:00.001-08:00

We have always focussed on what customers look for in a vending machine or what they expect from it. But now let us see what vending operators need to look for in these machines.

Starting a vending business is very simple and easy. All you need is a little bit of market research to keep your self updated with what is happening in this industry. New versions of vending machines and products are emerging as a result of technological advancement.

. In order to run a smooth and profitable business, selecting an appropriate vending machine is very crucial. Some requirements you should be looking at before purchasing a vending machine are:

• How powerful and efficient the machine is? A strong and powerful vending machine will perform efficiently without any break downs.

• How attractive the machine is? An attractive design and appealing looks will catch people’s attention and create an urge in buying the product. Try Planet Antares machines with the best designs.

• Does the machine have latest features? Latest features help in increasing performance efficiency and provide better customer service.

• How flexible the machine is? A flexible machine would be able to handle multi products thereby increase the efficiency.

• Does the machine have low operational costs? Low operations costs would mean more revenue for the operator.

• Does it come with inbuilt security features? Security features are mandatory not only from operator’s perspective but are also required to safeguard the interest of customers.

• Does it belong to an established brand? Always vending machines of established brands should be preferred. These brands have been existent in the market for quite sometime and have proved their working efficiency.

• Is it a new machine? It is always advisable to purchase a new vending machine as it has long life span and comes with a warranty.

What Makes Glass Front Vending Machines So Popular?

2010-01-21T05:46:00.001-08:00

Vending machines have been first introduced during the Egyptian period where they were used to dispense holy water in temples. Gradually people started realising the benefits of using these machines and slowly they started switching over to these machines. Since then this industry has been skyrocketing with no looking back.

With increasing use of vending machines in day to day life, manufacturers are coming with various models, shapes and sizes of vending machines. Each of these models has its own advantages and disadvantages. Of all the existing models, glass front vending machine from Planet Antares is gaining huge popularity among vending operators.

The benefit associated with the use of this machine from Planet Antares is making it the most preferred choice over the traditional closed vending machines. Some of its benefits are:

• Increased sales: In a front glass vending machine, customer can see the product which he is going to purchase. Hence it is believed increase sales and draws the attention of passers by.

• Attractive features: These machines come with illuminated motor and pull forward trays that increase the ease of dispensing. They also come with several eye catching features that give complete customer satisfaction.

• Shelf space: A glass front vending machine comes with small shelf space that can accommodate more products when compared to drop shelf unit.

• Customer interaction: Customer involvement is more in a glass front machine when compared to an enclosed one.

• Unnecessary wastage: Glass front vending machines come with electronic tracking which is used to track movement of products. This helps in tracking fast moving products and also prevents wastage.

• Wide choice: In a glass front vending machine, customer has more items to choose from.

• Branded products: Glass Front vending machines are best suitable for selling branded products.

All these advantages make glass front vending machines highly beneficial.

Expansion of Vending Route

2010-01-13T06:57:00.001-08:00

More and more entrepreneurs are opting to start their own vending business. The main reason being the benefits associated with this business. Most of us may not be aware of the fact that the first vending machine was invented on a drawing board by a mathematician hero. Since then this industry has seen hundreds of varieties of vending and its related machines. These range from small candy machines to large complex and highly technical equipment. All these machines can be operated with cash, change cards, debit cards, smart card technology and much more.

These machines have passed through a lot of phases before reaching the current stage. Whenever we speak of vending the only that strikes our mind is traditional junk food items. Healthy vending is outcome of one such revolution in vending industry. There are few more introductions which we need to make note of. These include low calorie cookies, candy bars, fruits, grain bars, baked chips and many more.

Every business is started with the aim of expanding further. A vending machine operator comes across a situation where he needs to plan for further expansion. Few steps that can guide you in a successful vending route expansion:

• Try to add more machines. Try increasing the product length (add similar kind of products). For instance, if you sell Coke, then add Pepsi to it.
• You can also increase the product line i.e., if you are selling soda, then add sandwiches to it.
• Identify areas that need vending services and offer to locate your machines there. You can also identify prospective locations in your existing vending route.
• If the vending route is becoming too complicated to handle, then employ a worker if required.
• Try to advertise by distributing brochures or pamphlets. These direct channels of advertising can help in market penetrating.
• Also try and utilize the indirect mode of advertising i.e., through word of mouth. Ensure that your customer is satisfied and suggests your product to ten other customers.

So be on the look out for new expansion options. Contact Planet Antares staff for more insight into vending business.

Why is Vending Advantageous Business?

2010-01-08T22:39:00.001-08:00

The increasing demand for vending business is due to the convenience it offers to customers. In this modern world most of us are preoccupied with our own work and hardly have any time for waiting in long queues either for buying products or paying bills. In such a situation, vending machines come handy.

• They are easy to operate.

• Provide quick and instant services.

• Stylish and attractive with several latest and unique features.

• Can be operated by anyone as it does not ask for specific knowledge or skill set.

• Initial cost of set up: When compared to other business opportunities, the capital required to start this business is very low.

• Instant cash flow: This is one of the very few businesses that allow you to reap returns right from the time you install your machine and fill it with sufficient amount of stock.

• Cash flow: There are very few other business opportunities that are all cash. Since vending is a hundred percent cash business, you need not worry about bad debts or other collection issues.

• 24/7 Services: There are no set working hours in vending business. Your machines would be every ready to cater to the needs of its customers round the clock all 365 days.

• ROI: When compared to other business models, the profit margin in vending business is very high this allowing you to enjoy huge returns.

• Tax exemption: Tax exemption is applicable to vending business also. If you fall in the 20%-30% tax bracket, then you have great chances of increasing your profits.

• Vending business has allowed several operators to enjoy complete financial freedom and allows you to have complete control over your money and future.

• Last and most important benefit of this business is that it is least affected by recession or other economic downturns.

So, if you are planning to take up a business on your own, try Planet Antares vending opportunity.

Use Of Glass Front Vending Machines from Planet Antares

2009-12-21T08:39:00.001-08:00

Vending has a very long history. These machines were first traced in 215BC by a Greek mathematician. During that period, they were used to vend holy water in Egyptian temples. As people started realising the benefits of these machines, commercial coin operated machines were introduced. This was sometime in 1880 in London when they were used to dispense post cards. Henceforth there was no looking back for this industry.

Several models of vending machines have been designed and are made available in the market. To begin with, 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.

Glass front vending machines from Planet Antares are latest entrants in vending industry. These are highly beneficial when compared to closest one. Some of these benefits are:

• 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.

Apart from the benefits they offer to the customer, the operator also gets benefited. The first benefit being, operator can market more products in lesser shelf space, reduce promotional costs by vending branded products and identify products that have crossed expiry dates. Not only this, operator can easily identify slow moving products and replace them products that have high demand.

So, all those who are planning to start your own vending business or expand by installing new machines, buy a glass front vending machine now.

Secret for Successful Vending with Planet Antares

2009-12-16T07:59:00.001-08:00

Vending is undoubtedly a customer oriented business. Hence it is important for an operator to understand what customers really want and what can keep them happy. One important key to success is to make them feel that they are important and at all times their tastes and preferences are given due importance.

It is hard to believe that vending machines have undergone lot of transition before reaching its present stage. Yes, this industry which started on a small note gradually gained huge acceptance among people and gradually were used to dispense all kinds of products and services.

Modern market is customer dominated market. Hence an operator in order to become successful, needs to understand the changing needs and wants of customers and offer products and services that meet their requirements and expectations.

Understanding the changing tastes and preferences of customers is crucial for success of vending business. For instance: these days’ more and more people are becoming health conscious. Customers are trying to cut down on their carbohydrate and fat intake and increase their protein intake. So there is huge demand for health drinks, snacks and healthy food products. In such a situation, an operator needs to make changes in the products he vends. He should try stocking his machine with roasted peanuts, protein bars, health drinks and similar products instead of junk food. Once you gain confidence of customers, then there is no looking back in this business. You can retain your existing customer as well as attract new ones.

Word of mouth is the best advertising strategy in this industry. One satisfied customer refers ten others from his family or friends circle. In addition to this, if the operator comes up with some special discounts and offers, then you can lure many more customers towards your business. Customer trust can be gained by offering best quality, reliable, branded products with latest features.

These things if properly implemented can make your business a huge success. For more information about starting a vending business you can contact Planet Antares staff who have been in business for over two decades and understand the vending business like no one else.

Do’s and Don’ts of Vending Business

2009-12-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

The snack and beverage industry has boomed radically in the past decade. New products, various beverage flavors and other related substances have come into the market to meet increasing demand of customers. With such an increase in production of commodities, the vending business has also increased the productivity of vending machines. To cope up with such demand and supply, latest vending machines have been invented time to time. With various business opportunities in the vending business it becomes very significant to keep in mind the do’s and don’ts of the vending business.

Do’s:
1) One must think about a Product before investing into the vending business.
2) One must think about a Location before investing into the vending business.
3) One must do a market survey of the place where he wants to put his machine.
4) One must be aware of various wholesalers for purchasing different product.
5) One must negotiate while purchasing a product for sale.
6) One must consult or discuss the idea with people who are already into the business for better revenue.
7) One must always buy new vending machines.
8) One must always work on the feedbacks in form of suggestion, complaint or any other issue in order to make business better.
9) One must opt for compact vending machine equipped with the latest technology like Planet Antares ‘Office Deli’.

Don’ts:
1) One must never select such a Product that may reduce the chances of profit in the vending business. For example: snacks outside a restaurant.
2) One must never choose such a Location that may cut down the sales of his vending business. For example: milk vending machine outside or in a bar.
3) One must never buy products from a single wholesaler as it may decrease the chances of negotiations while purchasing different products.
4) One must never forget to negotiate while purchasing a product for sale on terms like changing or replacement of perished products.
5) One must never venture into the business without consulting or discussing the idea with people who are already into the business.
6) One must never buy old or refurbished vending machines as they may jam anytime or even go out-of-order every other day.
7) One must avoid bulky and outdated vending machines.

Why Is Vending In Great Demand?

2009-12-01T08:25:00.001-08:00

Automatic merchandising is gaining a lot of popularity these days. This industry has seen maximum growth across the globe and more in US. This is perhaps the only industry that gives you one of the rarest opportunities of making money without any prerequisite skill set or even training.

If you ask me to suggest any business that does not require huge capital, we would suggest vending. This is the only business that does not require any huge investment. It has been statistically proved that vending is a billion dollar industry with huge growth potential. This business gives you complete control over your time, money and growth.

One of the main reasons for increasing demand for this business is, steady cash flow. This business allows you to reap returns right from day one of its installation. You can take up vending business either on a full time or part time basis. Whatever may be your mode of operation, this industry leaves you with complete control over your time thus gives you ample time to spend with your friends and family.

Since you are your own boss, you can run the business the way you want. The initial cost of setting up the business and overhead costs involved are also very low when compared to other businesses. Zero royalty, no commission and no out going fee will allow you to run this business conveniently. This means that you need not rent any premises and run the business from your home.

Vending is most suitable business for all those who are looking at a steady source of income. This industry has helped several families make additional income and provided employment opportunities to many new and upcoming entrepreneurs. But one word of caution before you jump start into this business. Make you-self well equipped with every minute detail about this business. The ball is now in your court, so take your time and make a wise decision.

Benefits Of Glass Front Vending Machine

2009-11-27T12:39:00.000-08:00

Vending machines have become part and parcel of our lives. Our day begins with vending machine and ends with one. These machines have gained huge popularity since their inception in first century BC. Once people started realising the benefits of this machine, there was no looking back for this industry. All those who have taken up vending business have been able to reap huge profits.

If you want to be a part of this billion dollar industry, start your vending business today. However, there are few things you need to familiarise yourself with before jump starting this business. First of all conduct a thorough market research. This helps you to understand the market, customer’s requirements, latest trends in vending business and many more related issues. Your next step would be to choose the most appropriate vending machine for selling the product you want.

There are several models of vending machines available in the market. Of these drop shelf vendors were the first machines that were used to dispense single products. Technological advancement has lead to the introduction of electronic drop shelf machine and glass front machines. Of all these glass front machines have gained huge acceptance because of the benefits associated with them.

Let us look at few benefits of glass front vending machine:

• Glass front vending machines from Planet Antares are capable of generating more sales when compared to closed ones. The main reason being, customers can view the products they are about to purchase. This can stimulate impulsive buying.

• Glass front machines come with attractive features like LED illuminated motor, pull forward trays and refrigeration units.

• These machines are capable of selling more products in smaller shelf space when compared to the traditional drop shelf machines.

• There is more scope for customer interaction in glass front vending machine when compared to closed ones.

• Glass front vending machines come with advanced technology like electronic tracking. This prevents unnecessary wastage of stock.

• Customers have a wide variety of items to choose from.

• Glass front vending machines are best suited for vending branded products.

All these benefits are luring more and more operators towards glass front vending machines.

Vending Machines

2009-11-23T02:14:00.001-08:00

Vending machines have become part and parcel of our lives. Although these machines are being used across the globe, it has been observed that maximum revenue is generated through vending business in US. You can hardly find any place in US without a vending machine. Vending machines are found almost in all places including malls, gas stations, motels, restaurants and many other places.

People of all age groups use vending machines for various purposes. These machines are popular among customers. Apart from the benefits they provide to customers, operators also get benefited in several ways from these machines. In fact this is one of the very few businesses that allow you to reap huge benefits without spending long hours at place of work. Vending business can be taken up both on a full time or part time basis depending upon operator’s feasibility.

Whenever you are looking at purchasing vending machines, make sure you buy new machines from standard companies. These machines are more reliable, durable and easy to operate. All kinds of products can be stored in vending machines. Bulk vending machines on the other hand are capable of storing wide variety of items right from gum balls, candy, soda, juices, sandwich and many other products. While selecting products for your vending machine make sure you also offer some branded items along with the unbranded ones. Since these products are more familiar among customers and do not need any additional promotion.

Strategic positioning of vending machines is equally important. Location is pivotal for the profit that can be generated from this business. Vending machines need to be placed in areas where customer traffic is high and where they can be easily located by customers. Selection of location also depends on the kind of products you offer and on your target customers.

Vending is a booming industry that has changes the lives of several operators. So take up this business in order to make sure you do not lose this opportunity of earning huge profits.

Say no to used vending machines

2009-11-19T09:58:00.001-08:00

New entrants who get into the vending industry often have low budget to start with and because of this they get inclined towards buying old vending machines which are cheap. New vending operators get lured to such deals of buying old machines because they are cheap but the truth is that these turn out to be more expensive than new machines as the amount of time and money spent on their repairs and maintenance is much more as compared with new vending machines.

As a vending operator your aim is to start earning profits as quickly as possible and used and refurbished machines might shatter your dreams as they will have more downtime than uptime. It is always advised to go in for NEW vending machines from reputed companies like Planet Antares to make your operations smooth and fault free.
Here are some reasons as to why you should not opt for Used or refurbished vending machines.

• Used vending machines have archaic technology with very less scope of expansion.

• Parts of the equipment are often flawed and provisionally repaired to sell them.

• Faulty equipments results in repeated break downs. Your business will face a slow down even before it starts making profits.

• These machines are usually discarded by their previous owners because of some trouble.

• Old machines carry no warranties.

• Power utilization of used machines is often high which leads to high electricity bills.

• Most of old machines are bulky and difficult to be installed at compact locations.

• The exteriors are worn out and you will lose all the potential impulse buyers.

Buying refurbished machines has more negative points attached to it. Buying new vending machines will always be more profitable in future as you will get more durable and long lasting machines with warranty. Planet Antares offers the best in business vending machines made with state of the art technology. Partnering with Planet Antares will be the right step towards success in the vending industry.

Vending Is Most Profitable Business- Why?

2009-11-03T06:09:00.001-08:00

All of us might have used vending machines at some point or the other in our lives. Convenience and quality service are the biggest advantages of these machines to its users. This industry is skyrocketing since its induction and hence offers a lot of scope for existing and new entrants.

Several kinds of machines are available in the market beyond your expectations. However, the most common among these are snack and soda machines from Planet Antares. It is not exaggeration to say that you can vend almost anything using these machines. Cigarette machine, lottery machine, ice vending machine, food dispensing machine, tattoo machine, sticker machine, coffee machine, toy machine, video vending machine, photo booth vending machine and many more. Availability of these machines makes vending business a lucrative business opportunity.

Few other reasons that make this business profitable are:

• How many of us are not worried about increasing power bills? Now you need not worry as there are few vending machines that do not run on electricity. So, huge power bills are no more a problem.

• The initial start up capital is very nominal. This makes it affordable to almost everyone.

• You have every possibility of taking up this business on a part time basis and continue with your usual work.

• Profit margins associated with each product are very high.

• Easy availability of spare parts and low maintenance cost also makes this a profitable venture.

• Operator need not hire any sales personnel as machine does the sales for you. So you can avoid salaries.

• Over head costs are almost negligible.

• There is great demand for vending machines and products. These can be set up in almost any busy locations with high customer traffic.

• As soon as machines are installed, revenue generation starts.

All these reasons make this a very attractive and profitable business.

Success in vending business

2009-10-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

Simplicity and honesty paired with amazing service is the success mantra if you are in the vending business. You would have already read countless articles on how to make your vending business successful but the truth is that doing the basics right, just like any other business will help you succeed in the vending business. Here are some points that will help you in succeeding in your vending venture.

Finding good suppliers: Make sure that you find a supplier who will offer you a good deal for your money. Be ready to buy in bulk as this will help you in getting a good deal at discounted rates. You can easily pass on the lower prices to your customers who will be happy to buy a product at reduced pricing.

Service frequently: Keeping your Planet Antares vending machines well stocked will keep your customers happy. No one wants to find a vending machine has run out of cold beverages on a hot summer day. To avoid this make sure that you check on your vending machine stocks regularly. Also make sure that your machines are kept clean and tidy and are always in working condition.

Stock variety: People like to see a variety wherever they go. When new products come out, try them out in your vending machine to see how well it will sell. Place a few healthy choices in your vending machines as well, because there is a growing demand for health products.

Feedback: Ask customers what they would like to see your vending machines and then pay attention to their feedback. There are some locations where you will find that there are more people who prefer diet sodas than regular sodas. This means that you will need to place more diet sodas in your vending machines. If you use the right approach to vend your products, the vending business can be very lucrative for you. With vending, you are only as good as your customer’s say, so make sure that you keep your customers happy.

As you sow, so shall you reap, one of the oldest adages that I’ve heard is just right , at least in this business.

Vending-Business-Planning

2009-10-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

By taking up a Vending business, you can no doubt make huge profits and all of us would love to be a part of this billion dollar industry. However, the success of this business is influenced by the quality of service you render. So, you need to consider some business plans that would be helpful in achieving your business targets.

• While purchasing vending machines, you have two options. Either purchase a machine that is already doing well or purchase a new vending machine. Buying an existing machine may be a cheaper option but it has its own demerits. The scope for repairs and breakdowns is more in a used machine. So, purchasing of a new machine is always a wiser decision. Moreover when you buy a new one, you have every chance to select one with latest and updated technology.

• Arranging capital is another crucial decision while planning any business. You need to estimate how much funds you would require to start a vending business, your financial limitations and sources from which you need to raise remaining funds.

• Location of vending machine: Choosing right location is most important factor in vending business plan. A well crowded location which has huge customer flow has more scope for sales. Another thing to be considered is the accessibility and visibility of the machine, how far it is located from the city and other operators operating in that locality.

• Product to sell: Vending machines can be used to sell a wide range of products starting from candy, soft drinks, newspapers, soda, snacks, ice creams etc. It is up to you to finalize the product depending on the market survey you conduct. Since there is a relation between the product you vend and the vending machine you purchase, you also need to prefer products with long expiry dates. This will reduce wastage of products.

• Marketing strategy: The growth and sales of your business is dependent upon your marketing approach. If you adopt a more aggressive approach, you can enjoy more turnovers within a shorter time span. Try to reinvest the revenue generated from existing machines for expanding your business.

• Proper Maintenance: Last and most important point is how well you maintain your machine. There is no use purchasing a new machine if you cannot maintain it properly. The life of the machine depends on how well you handle it and what care you take. Insurance is highly essential to protect your business from any unforeseen damages or accident.

These aspects need to be considered while planning vending business. To get more information you can get in touch with Planet Antares staff who will guide you through each and every step of setting up your vending business.

Health in a machine

2009-10-14T10:58:00.001-07:00

With the prevailing lifestyles and the moderating dietary patterns in the present day urban life, it is evident that individuals face extreme health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular risks, diabetes and the like. It has also been observed that there is an increased risk of malnutrition and resultant stress and depression due to heavy workload and busy lifestyles. People are engrossed with work at all times which leads to skipping of meals and in turn they forget to attend to their health.

School going children, on the other hand have hectic work programs and extra-curricular activities that inhibit them to a fixed dietary pattern and thus they lose track of their health and nutritional status.

Vending machines are a boon for the current situation of health problems. Wholesome foods like nutrition bars, cereal bars, freshly made sandwiches; beneficial snacks with regard to the health of the population and beverages like bottled water, juices, tea and coffee are vendible in machines nowadays.

Installing these vending machines in locations that are easily accessible by the public will result in improvement of health and well-being. There is a wide variety of sites where these vending machines can be installed in order to achieve the goal of satisfactory health maintenance like the underground train stations, school cafeterias, outside toilet facilities in shopping malls and multiplexes and also near cash counters in stores.

Planet Antares aids in providing vending machines that are presently required by the majority of the urban population to safeguard their health.

Lately, it has been observed that people are getting conscious about their health and there is growing demand for organic and nutritious foodstuffs at every step. This demand is fulfilled by the vending machines produced by Planet Antares that pays attention to the requirement of the population and thus offer health products catering to all the workaholics.

Is Vending A Reliable Business Venture?

2009-10-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

Is Vending A Reliable Business Venture?

Although vending gained prominence in 1800’s, it is in fact an age old business that can be traced back in the first century BC. Initially these machines were used to vend postcards and gumballs. These were simple machines that had single selection and accepted only one coin.

The snack and soda vending machines which we are now familiar with originated in 1940’s and they had multi selection accepting multiple coins. However, these machines in the 40’s did not dispense change and had only limited selection options for the customers. These were completely mechanical machines and required no power supply at all. Electronic and technology improvements have gradually resulted in innovative vending machines that started accepting currency. This is how vending machines evolved.

Vending operators and manufacturers are taking advantage of these technological advancements. Manufacturers have continued to produce better machines that are more efficient and reliable. Like any other business, proper operations are the key to success in a vending business. So before you set up your business, analyze the market, look for various kinds of products, various locations, new market avenues and various types of vending machines available. All these factors influence the success of your business.

Our financial or budgetary limitations also influence the kind of vending machine we purchase. Operators have two basic choices:

• New vending machine
• Used vending machine

New vending machine: Though the cost of this machine is little high, it is always advisable to purchase a new machine whenever you start a business. These machines come with updated features and warranty. More over the chances of break down and cost of maintenance is very low.

Used vending machines: Most used machines are abandoned by their previous operators before they went out of the business. So the machine might require tremendous repair work before it actually gets into working condition. Even though the initial cost is less, time and repair costs can become very expensive.

A little care and careful planning can make vending a very profitable business. Make Planet Antares your partner while choosing your vending machines and seek expert advice of the experienced staff who can guide you through any difficulties that may arise.

How Can I Start A Vending Business?

2009-10-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Vending is a fast growing business. In last few years, industry has witnessed an exponential growth. There is an increase in number of Vending machine manufacturing companies, vending operators & custom vending product manufacturing companies. More and more people are opting vending machines to get products of their choice. With technological improvements, vending machines are becoming hot favorites, when it comes to grabbing a product on the go. No doubt vending is one of the most lucrative and futuristic business of all times.

Starting a vending business is very easy. You don’t need to be technically qualified or should have years of experience to run it. You can manage your vending business while continuing work in your current job. All you need to do is the make sure that your vending machine has sufficient quantity of products in it. Of course with increase in number of vending machines, you may need to hire an executive to refill and service machines on regular intervals.

To start a vending business, you need to identify a location, where you will place your vending machine. It should have high foot fall. Next thing you would need to do is to identify the products that can be sold profitably at that location. Once you have zeroed in the products, next step is to find out the right kind of vending machine for your products. There are many players, selling vending machines with different features. It is very important that you invest your money into right kind of vending equipment. You should never choose machine from seconds; they can prove to be heavy on your pocket and can crash your vending dreams even before they actually take off.

Planet Antares Inc sells only brand new vending machines. Planet Antares vending machines are latest in technology and come in attractive designs. Glass front vending machine from Planet Antares is a huge success with customers. If you are planning to start a vending business or have existing vending operations, you can contact Planet Antares sales support staff. Besides selling vending machines, Planet Antares experts also guide operators in setting up their business operations.

Packaging And Its Importance In Vending

2009-09-24T11:23:00.001-07:00

Packaging is the art of enclosing or protecting products before they are sent for distribution, storage, sale or use. Apart from making the product look attractive, packaging is done to protect the product, prevent from contamination, and create convenience during transport, security and most importantly as a marketing strategy. Whatever may be the reason, from business point of view packaging is done to enhance sales.

Besides the kind of vending machine that is used to vend products, what is more important is how is the product offered for sale? Product packing should be in such a way that a customer is persuaded to purchase it. Packaging enhances the beauty of the product. With customers giving more priority to packaging, manufacturers are spending equal amounts on packaging as is paid for maintaining the quality of the product.

Modern customers are perfectionists and they want best quality in almost everything. Due to increased craze towards vending machines by both customers and operators, products offered for sale are also being attractively packed.

How packaging helps in attracting more customers?

Following points can help us understand how packaging helps in attracting more customers:

• Customers tend to judge a product by its looks.
• Sometimes attractive packaging urges customer to try the product.
• Packaging acts as a shield and protects product from contamination.
• Packaging highlights the features of the product

Apart from this, packaging is one of the key marketing strategies. The significance of packaging in increasing sales of a product has been realised in vending machines. Packaging makes the product easily noticeable since customers cannot handle the product placed inside a vending machine before it is purchased.

With introduction of glass front vending machine, attractive packaging has become more crucial. As customers can see the product through the glass front, they gather all the essential information related to the product before making a purchase. Not only this attractive packing grabs the attention of buyers easily and arouses an interest to try the product. In case the product is damaged or does not have a clear print on it, then it can damage the reputation of the operator and ultimately discourage the customer from making a purchase.

There are several effective ways of driving sales from a vending machine and packaging is one among them. To know more about how you can generate more sales from your vending machines, just get in touch with experts from Planet Antares. They not only manufactures modern vending machines but also provide guidance to vending operators for setting up their business.

Trends In Vending Industry

2009-09-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Vending today is a rapidly growing multi billion dollar industry featuring hundreds of varieties of vending machines starting from a simple candy machine to highly sophisticated technical vending equipment. Several enthusiastic new entrants are choosing this field. With consumers focusing on low carbohydrate foods and organic foods over junk foods, vending operators have resorted to adopting new trends by offering a variety of nutritional products.

In recent times, popular diets have become more prevalent among vending machines. With increasing number of vending machines, these are becoming key source of meals for many customers. Offering healthier food products will drive sales from customers who are more nutrition conscious. The institute of food and technology has stated top reasons for shift towards healthier eating habits.

• Eating good food: More and more customers are making changes in their eating styles and shifting to healthy foods to promote healthy lifestyle.

• Fear of obesity: With obesity on the rise, more and more customers are seeking products that are low in carbohydrates and calories but rich in proteins.

• Schools and educational institutes: Schools and parents are looking for healthy vending options to fight against child obesity.

Healthy vending trends

With concerns increasing about child obesity, schools and legislators are trying to regulate school vending machines by restricting number of junk food and sugar products in the school. The National Automatic Merchandising Association is also launching a national education campaign for youth to promote the importance of healthy diet. The number of machines vending milk has increased in schools and advancement is also made to improve the quality of milk containers and refrigeration. Schools are insisting on offering dairy milk, Soya milk, flavoured milk and rice milk instead of junk food.

One major reason behind the success of vending business is the availability of automated data collection technology in vending machines. This technology allows machines to record sales at individual product level. Using remote vending monitoring system, operator will be able to monitor every minute detail at the click of the mouse. Operators save a lot of time and manpower using these machines. Not only this, operators are also able to track customer preferences and replace products that have least demand.

With vending technology becoming more reliable, machine operators will be able to run their businesses more efficiently. For successful vending operations, contact Planet Antares. Planet Antares vending machines are one of the most trusted vending machines. They not only sell remarkable vending machines, but also provide guidance for setting up smooth and profitable vending operations.

Successful vending business commands

2009-09-11T05:43:00.000-07:00

It is not tough to start a vending business these days. You would need some degree of funds and the required knowledge to start your vending business. Anyone with the above requisites can get into this business but the hard part is to make it a profitable business venture. You can find many vending operators in this business but not all are successful. There is a reason and Planet Antares, a vending machine manufacturing company guides its distributors and vendors on how to beat the competition and be successful in the vending business. Below are some of the key rules that will help you to remain on top.

Treat your customer as the king: This is one of the most basic rules in every business and it holds true in the vending business as well. A happy customer will refer you to others which will increase your business and profits. Make sure that you keep your customers in mind before taking any decision. Always maintain healthy relations with your customers and keep your operations transparent.

Rely on brands: Almost everyone can relate themselves with brands. Many consumers are very loyal towards their brand so brand loyalty of customers has to be given importance while stocking your vending machine. Make it a point to stock your machine with high in demand branded products as this will automatically generate high sales.

Find a suitable location: Location is very important in order to make your vending business successful. You must install your machines to locations where there is high footfall and where you think, customers will be prompted to buy your product. A survey in the preferred location will help you gauge into the mind of people of that location, according to which you can take your decision. You can also seek the help of Planet Antares expert staff while selecting a location for your vending machine.

Service your machines regularly: make sure that your machines are always in a good working condition. This will reduce the chances of a breakdown and will keep your machine well maintained. Also the products remain fresh in a well maintained machine. Also this will enable customers to come back every time to your machine.

Planet Antares support staff helps you to achieve unrivaled success in the vending industry through steady direction.

How to buy a vending machine

2009-09-07T11:20:00.001-07:00

Buying vending machines can sometimes be a tedious task for a new business owner. He may not know the right resources and may end up buying a machine which is not exactly what he wanted. It is important that you go to internet and research about different vending machines and vending companies. Once you have looked at different vending companies, go to them personally and check out their working strategies. Here are some points that will help you in selecting your vending machines.

The first and foremost point while selecting your vending machine would be to know your manufacturer. We recommend you to buy directly from the manufacturer. Companies like Plane Antares not only provide the best vending machines but also provide you with all the technical details you would need to run a vending business.

Your location would be one of your major reasons while selecting your vending machine. You can choose from glass front vending machines and simple vending machines. If you are at a prominent place with high footfall, you may need a glass front vending machine as products are clearly visible through this vending machine and attracts compulsive buyers and children.

Always choose robust looking and durable vending machines keeping in mind the long run. You might make a mistake if you ignore this point as cheap vending machines may end up costing more with the maintenance and overhead costs.

Planet Antares is said to be the most trusted brand in the vending industry and has a support staff ready to help all 24/7. Planet Antares uses state of art technology and still offers competitive prices for its vending machines. A friendly support staff is always there to guide you through any problems that you may face.

To get durable, robust and state of art vending machines, we recommend Planet Antares machines. Planet Antares has been around for three decades and is the most trusted brand in the vending industry. With Planet Antares take your first step towards your financial independence.

Some common mistakes made by new vending operators

2009-07-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

Most starters in the vending business make some crucial mistakes. Starting a business on the right note is very important for the overall success. If you are looking to start a vending business, make sure that you don’t get trapped by the vending scams. It will be wrong to assume that vending industry is exempted by dishonest schemes. Most vendors fall for the bait of earning easy money. Fake offers lure them to an extent that they oversee the importance of cross checking the company’s authenticity.

Below are some common mistakes that are made by operators. Understanding them before hand will help you establish a profitable vending business.

1) Believing fake promises: Tricksters will promise you that your vending business will allow you to make money while you sleep. Accepting these promises without carrying out any research will lead you in big financial troubles. Planet Antares Corporation would provide you all the necessary information regarding vending business. It is important to understand one universal fact that some efforts have to be made to achieve success. Through a proper market research you can avoid the scams that are quite common in the vending industry.

2) Lack of accounting knowledge: Lack of accounting knowledge is one of the biggest causes of small business failure. You can’t get from one point to another without a basic understanding of the accounting process. Expansion of a vending business can only take place if you have required accounting information of your business. Lack of accounting knowledge will impact profits in your vending business.

3) Under Capitalization: Another common mistake made by a number of operators is to think that a vending business doesn’t require sufficient capital investment. You will need to accumulate enough capital for your vending business to support a profitable growth rate. The operator can start the business as a part time business, until the route gets established.

4) Offering low prices in the beginning: There is no doubt that vending can be started with minimum overheads. This may force the operators to think that they can afford to offer lower selling prices. The operator can afford to do all these things only if the business has grown substantially and is making profits. When the operator hires the first employee, the business has to be profitable enough to support the owner/operator and the employee.

5) Buying refurbished equipment: Many operators purchase old vending machines to save money. These machines usually have low capacity and are faulty. They have out dated technology with very less scope of growth. New vending business owners are often susceptible to fake claims regarding used machines. It is always advisable to buy new vending machine like those provided by Planet Antares.

Say no to used vending machines

2009-07-24T21:44:00.001-07:00

Many new vending operators, who have a tight budget, think of buying old and used vending machines. Such machines are cheap and easily available. They are of an opinion that productivity of the used machines will be same as compared to new vending machines. But buying old and refurbished vending machines can turn out to be a nightmare for your vending business. The losses incurred due to such machines can cost you even higher than buying new vending machines. Planet Antares always suggests you to buy new vending machines to achieve success.

Used or refurbished vending machines generally have a lot of problems and can give its owners a hard time. Your dream of making profits can shatter, if you don’t make a wise decision of buying new machines. In order to save few dollars, you may end up loosing even more. Say no to used vending machines because of following reasons:

• Used vending machines have outdated technology with very less scope of advancement.

• Parts of the equipment are often faulty and temporarily repaired to sell them.

• Faulty equipments result in frequent break downs. Your business will face a setback even before it started making profits.

• These machines are usually discarded by their previous owners because of some problem.

• Old machines carry no warranties. Thus cost of any damage in the machine will have to be borne by the vending business owner.

• Power consumption of used machines is often high which leads to high electricity bills.

• Most of them are bulky and difficult to be installed at compact locations.

• The exteriors are worn out and you will loose all the potential customers.

Buying refurbished machines has only negative points attached to it. Whereas buying new machines at little higher prices will be profitable in the future. Purchasing from a reputable vending machine company like Planet Antares will help in building a profitable vending business. The machines are durable, state of the art and reasonable. The benefits of buying new vending machines are numerous and enable you to start your vending business on a right note.

Key To Successful Vending – Identify Your Customers.

2009-07-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Since the start of the vending industry, more and more people are relying on vending machines as their primary snack source. The $40 billion industry is serving millions of customers. Now more than ever, these machines are able to supply people with just about anything they want to eat. Savvy vending operators know how to give their locations what they want. Customers are the prime focus of every business if they want it to be successful.

Get to know your customers when you start a vending business. A few things to keep in mind are providing your location with the right vending machine for your vendible products, the best resource from which to purchase your products and what top national name brands to stock your machine with. Not to mention the standard financial needs to run your business, the target consumers and your target market. Identifying your consumers and their needs makes the vending business that much easier to manage.

The location’s employees can help you with other factors related to vending. The decision regarding the type of vending machine, the location, the products and brands to be vended are all simplified with knowing what the employees would most like to eat. Every group of employees has different preferences and the vending operator should pay attention to this in order to provide the best product to satisfy their demand.

Products such as candy and cold drinks target children of all age groups, whereas energy drinks and snacks are more appealing to youth. Working people might ask for healthy snacks or drinks when they are on break and want some refreshment. Fill your machines with the most popular brands out there. Apart from choosing a strong business location, the machine’s accessability should be considered when installing your machine.

Your customers will include anyone from children, employees, housewives, shoppers, teenagers, etc. Not paying attention to your location’s needs could hurt your business’ growth. Make sure that the machines are well stocked and do not cause inconvenience to the vending customers.

Planet Antares’ support staff helps you to find prospective customers and provides tools to make them happy. Happy customers are loyal customers. The expert guidance of the Planet Antares customer support staff is there to help you build a successful business.

Phases In Vending Evolution – History Of Vending Machines.

2009-07-17T01:32:00.001-07:00

Almost everyone is aware of the success of the vending business, but few know its background. The emergence of vending goes back to 215 B.C. with a reference to vending machine in the work of Hero of Alexandria. A machine was designed by a first century engineer and mathematician, which dispensed a fixed amount of holy water after a coin was inserted in it. Despite this early appearance, year 1880 saw the real break through in the vending, when the first modern coin operated machine was introduced in London, England. This machine dispensed post cards. Chinese inventors developed a coin-operated pencil vendor in 1076 A.D. Coin-activated tobacco boxes appeared in English taverns during the 1700s.

Vending is a process through which merchandise is obtained through machines on the insertion of coins or bills. This process is also referred to as automatic merchandising as goods are sold without the physical presence of a cashier. The vending business has evolved substantially since its inception. The first vending machine in United States was located at subway platforms in New York City. It was invented by Thomas Adams Gum Company in the year 1988, which vended Tutti Frutti gums.

In 1907, a gumball vending machines were introduced. In the early 1920’s, the first automatic vending machines started dispensing soda into cups and in 1926, an American inventor named William Rowe invented the cigarette vending machine. Machines which dispensed soft drinks in cans and talking vending machines were invented in 1965 and 1981 respectively.

Vending machines are now available in varied size, format and style. The ability to vend almost everything has made these machines widely popular. Modern vending machines come with up to date technology in order to make vending easy and reliable. Products such as snacks, beverages, candy, stamps, post cards, newspapers, books and even gadgets are vended through these machines.

Vending has grown exceptionally to $40 billion industry. The stalwart position of Planet Antares in the vending market is the result of the dedication and hard work put in by the whole team over the period of twenty years. Since 1986, it has made its presence felt in the market through an established network of distributors and customers. People have grabbed the opportunity of starting a home-based competitive business with both hands and felt the change in their lives at personal as well as professional front.

Planet Antares assists you to become a successful part of the growing vending industry. The operators benefit through the association with reputed Planet Antares. The State Of The Art technology introduced by Planet Antares is unique and provides an edge over the competition. The successful historical background of the Planet Antares and its evolution makes it the most viable business option.

ACQUISITION OF VENDING OPERATIONS

2009-06-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Getting hold of an already established vending business has become a trend in the industry. This in my opinion should be avoided as you get the outdated machines. I would recommend to get the latest vending machine from a reputed manufacturer like Planet Antares.

In secondary market, everyone remains keen to know who is buying whom. It may not be visible to most of the operators, but many acquisitions send a wave in the industry. The impact is felt by everyone involved in the trade. Customers, competitors, product distributors, equipment distributors, manufacturers and all other participants are affected.

The immediate impact of the acquisition is on the customers. They form the prime importance in any business. Vending is no exception. Customer satisfaction and requirements have to be very well taken care of. Person who acquires the vending business have to give an utmost attention towards the customers of the business. If you wish to acquire a vending business to your Planet Antares vending operation, make sure that you understand the established customers and serve them with equal or better vending services.

Any negative impact on the accounts will lead you nowhere. If the customers are rendered with poor services they will feel ignored by the new operator who has taken over. Effort has to be made not just to maintain the existing customers but also to attract new ones. After acquiring the vending business you can place an advertisement to inform the customers about you and also assure them with the quality services they have always been receiving. This will generate a confidence among them and will make them believe you to keep continuing with your vending activities.

The suppliers should also not get affected by the acquisition. The trust has to be maintained and they should be encouraged to remain the ever essential part of the business. They should feel secure with the new operator only then will they continue with operation. A healthy environment is a pre requisite in the industry and the possessor needs to understand the importance of it.

Expectations will only rise from your business as it expands and the operators need to become more participative in the operations and ensure the stability.

TRENDS AND GROWTH IN VENDING BUSINESS

2009-06-05T05:53:00.000-07:00

Automatic merchandising is one of today’s fastest growing industries. It is fast, easy and economical. The vending industry has seen an extreme amount of growth over the past few years as it gives an opportunity to the vending consumers of convenient and fast shopping. It offers new entrepreneurs a way to start business and grow quickly. Vending business is not limited to any particular industry or brand among that industry. Vending business opportunities with Planet Antares are vast. Diversification of merchandise offered is the most remarkable trend in the vending business. The most money spinning and unwavering vending machines in the market place have been snacks, beverage, and candy and food vending machines.

Planet Antares vending is a billion dollar industry, stable and growing. The amount of money could vary from 20 dollars to 100 dollars a day depending upon the type of machines you own and operate. Vending can be very profitable business as department of commerce study revealed that fewer than 5% of new vending companies fail each month which is not as much as compared with a 65% failure rate by the Small Business Administration, for independent, new business start up. Planet Antares ensures a sure shot business success with an extreme professional support.

Almost 70% of vendors start off on a part time basis, keeping their full time job alive. After work or on weekends is the time when they check their machines and service them. This allows their money to work for them while they keep their present jobs. 85% of them turn to full time vending after two years. We might wish that our economic system operated differently, but it doesn’t. Having money or not having it largely controls what we do in our lives. Planet Antares Vending gives you that independence of money. Not only is the greatest growth of vending ahead of us, but also the greatest diversification of vending is yet to come.

Money is the ultimate aim of getting into any business. Planet Antares Vending allows a person to invest 10 to 20 hours per month and get a return on money invested 100% to 200% in the first year and hence proving to be the money yielding business within a short time span. This business is recession proof. 2.6 million Americans lost jobs in 2008, with 524,000 eliminated in December alone, the safest passage way that comes into lime light at this point of time is self-employment and planet Antares provides you with that golden opportunity.

Planet Antares Vending Locations For Enhancing Sales

2009-05-21T07:48:00.001-07:00

Today, vending operators are facing situations where workplace populations have declined and operating costs continue to rise. It is difficult to find skilled labor and competition is becoming very strong. This makes it essential for you to sell through every vending machine that is already on location.

If you plan to increase the sales volume of your Planet Antares vending machines, there are only two ways to do that. First is to add new locations while the second is to generate additional traffic in existing locations. The second option is much cheaper and will have a more dramatic effect on the profits of your Planet Antares vending business. An increase of 1% in the same location sales can improve the profitability by 20% or more.

Generally, most of the costs involved in running a vending business and serving an account are fixed. These are vehicle and facilities expense costs, administration costs and so on. This would mean that higher traffic at such an account would only involve additional product costs, higher commissions and sales tax.

According to an industry observer, the gross profit in vending presently runs at around 52.5% while operating expense averages at less than 25%. It has also been observed that operating profit has declined to an average 1.6%, being half of what it was 10 years ago. This should encourage you to use the method of generating more dollars from each Planet Antares vending machine at every location without having to increase operating expense to any great extent.

Another way to increase sales in your Planet Antares vending business is to add new locations but it is also costly. The best thing that you can do is to increase the sales in the existing locations. This can be done by adding more products in your vending machines or adding more vending machines in that same location. These strategies can be effectively used to increase sales.

A vending business should always be profitable. If it ceases to be profitable, you must start looking for new ways to increase sales. By doing that, you can ensure that you maximize your profits at all times.

Pointers For Buyers Of Planet Antares Vending

2009-05-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

If you plan to start your own vending business, there are many options that can be used for doing that. The most common way to get started is to purchase vending equipment from a good company such as Planet Antares Inc. you will gain access to many vending programs that claim to be lucrative business opportunities. However, it is your responsibility to select the ideal one for your vending business.

A great way to get into the vending industry is to buy an existing vending route. This implies that you will get established vending locations, machines and customers for your vending business. Obviously, this can save a lot of time and energy on your part. In case you are interested in this option, read further for more information.

Once you have made up your mind to become a vending machine business owner, it’s time to start searching for vending route sales. There are generally advertised in newspapers and local dailies. Next, you must go through the different options and try to look for vending routes in your area or surrounding areas for more convenience.

When you visit the vending locations, check the equipment carefully. These should be in a good condition and work properly. There should be no need for regular servicing of the Planet Antares vending machines. In many cases, vending routes on sale have malfunctioning equipment that breaks down frequently. This is a scenario that you won’t desire in your business as it can be quite costly to maintain.

Another important aspect of buying an existing vending route is to enquire about the reasons for the sale of the vending route. The previous owner should disclose the reasons for getting out of the vending business. Common issues that lead to vending route sales include:

1. Moving to a new location by the previous owner
2. Change of line of business

No matter what the reason for the sale of vending route, it is crucial to confirm that it is a worthwhile investment and not a waste of your hard earned money. if you want to make effective decisions, keep all the above factors in mind and only then can you run a successful vending business.

Revealing Secrets That Make Vending Operators Successful

2009-05-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

It’s not enough to think that vending is the right business for you. What’s more important is the ability to make it work for you. This requires adequate research and understanding of the different elements of this business.

For a newcomer, the best vending machines will be the small candy, gumball or toy vending machines hat can be bought for very less amount and located easily. Also, these are easy to maintain and repair. If you are willing to make a larger investment, there is an option in good quality snack or soda vending machines like Planet Antares vending machines. A variety of snack vending machines are also available in different sizes, shapes and styles. While some of them need very little floor space, others can be placed on the wall. You can also buy mechanical vending machines or go for electronic vending machines.

After choosing the right vending machines for your vending business, the next step will be to pick the products to be dispensed. Evaluate the customer requirements in your region to find the best product to be sold. Keep the best selling products in your Planet Antares vending machines to make more money.

Avoid getting into a vendor franchise offering a single item. Customers will prefer using vending machines that offers product variety. There are other things that must be considered for setting up and running a vending business. Some of them are:

Business cards
Go for low cost business cards to start your vending business with low investment marketing. There is no need to spend excessive money on your business advertising because your vending machines will do it themselves.

Postcards advertising
A good idea will be to mail postcards to local businesses that you want to target as potential locations for your vending machines. This will help to convince them about the advantages of keeping your equipment in their premises.

Other than these factors, you must enquire about the license and permit regulations applicable to your business and keep track of the vending routes on sale in your area of operations.

Coffee Vending Machines by Planet Antares

2009-04-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Different places have different kinds of vending machines placed in them. Among the most common vending machines is the coffee vending machine that can be found in hospitals, airports, office buildings and many other stores and popular locations.

Planet Antares coffee vending machines offer specialty coffee to customers instantly. They are proving to be fierce competitors of the coffee shops located at many places. Coffee vending machines are a good investment if you choose the location carefully.

Planet Antares Inc offers high quality machines with great features. It is recommended that you focus on the quality of coffee that you offer to your customers. Product quality is very important to decide the success or failure of a vending machine. When you begin as a coffee vending machine operator, make sure that only fresh coffee is dispensed.

As a Planet Antares coffee vending business operator, there should be no problem for placing your vending machines. Most stores and business owners will be easily convinced for keeping your coffee vending machine when you approach them. If you are willing to spend a little more money, you can offer snacks along with coffee. This will meet the needs of vending machine customers for different products.

Try placing your coffee vending machines in a school or college campus to gain greater sales. Place water near the coffee vending machine to make fresh coffee for customers. While some coffee vending machines provide instant coffee with pre-stocked ingredients, there are others which can vend freshly brewed coffee.

Planet Antares Inc provides information on technological upgrades in vending machines so that you can enhance customer service. Nowadays, coffee vending machines offer larger coffee cups than the older versions. These also possess better brewing and thermal systems.

Facts About Planet Antares Vending Business

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

It is well known that vending business is one of the most profitable home businesses around. If you have already made up your mind to get into this business then you should always aware about the complete picture about this business

Firstly, you should not start thinking that Planet Antares vending business is a piece of cake. You will need good analytical and management skills along with good attitude to make it a success. Although the start up cost for this business is pretty low, you will need to calculate the exact total cost of your Planet Antares business. You will need to determine this as this would help you in making a decision of either purchasing or leasing vending machines

The next step should be to choose the right vending location for which you will need to carry out some research so that you know which location has the right amount of traffic and competition. You will need to gather all other essential information like which machines are dispensing similar products as this will help you in managing vending machine operations; all this will be needed for you to be on the right track to start a vending business.

It is also important for you to understand that the maintenance of your vending business has to be carried out by you. This includes checking the supply of vended products, ensuring that the vending machines are working properly and you will have to buy and stock products in your Planet Antares vending machines. Moreover, you should be able to handle money matters properly. As a business owner, you may delegate some duties to a vending operator, but you must see all the details yourself to make sure that everything is being done in the right way.

By now, you surely know what you want from your vending business and have a complete vision of a vending business. Look at all the facts before you decide which kind of vending business is best suited for you. As one of the most profitable businesses around, vending has definitely become a great way to make your financial dreams come true.

Attracting Vending Business Customers

2009-03-31T10:21:00.001-07:00

If you look closely, you will find important similarities between the operations of a machine shop and a full line vending machine business. Both of them depend heavily upon expensive capital equipment that seems to last forever. No business can succeed without the key elements of growth and customer satisfaction.

Usually, Planet Antares vending operators view growth in terms of the number of locations acquired by them. Firstly, they will hire expensive salespeople to seek out new customers and alos they would be prepared to invest substantial sums and take additional debt to pay for the new state-of-art machines to equip the new account. Moreover, the vending operators sit back and look at their existing customers as cash cows.

Remember that your vending machines will last long only if the vending equipment is maintained in a proper manner.

It is common for the average vending operator to worry about the competition offering his locations the same deals with new equipment that he is offering or even better deals. All this can be a worthless exercise as there are too many vending operators sitting on warehouses full of older equipment that they have taken from locations they have lost to aggressive competitors. No cost is too high when it is paid for acquiring or preserving a location.

Always remember that existing customers are more valuable than the future customers. With existing customers, you have already dealt with the cost of obtaining and equipping the customer and enjoy a certain level of credibility with them, based upon the quality of product and service offered by you.

Planet Antares vending operators and their vending locations can greatly benefit from new vending equipment. It also requires fewer service calls. Higher capacity vending machines produce lower route labor and vehicle expenses for the operators. In the end, this will result in higher sales for the Planet Antares vending business.

Advantages of Planet Antares Vending Route

2009-03-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

In the world of vending, many people come with the aim of making more money and living a life of financial independence. If you are one of them, there is a chance for you to get ahead of the rest without too much struggle by getting in touch with Planet Antares Vending Company.

Apart from the high standards of vending machine quality and durability, the programs offered by Planet Antares Inc 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. These will run efficiently for a long time and not let you down. With attractive features and easy to operate functions, these machines will surely bring in great profits to your vending business.

Branded products
Your vending machines msut carry only branded, well performing products. 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
Usually, you will find Planet Antares vending machines 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
Buying a vending route involves consideration of many factors. 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
As competition in the vending industry becomes more aggressive, 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 Mechanical Vending Equipment

2009-01-20T04:05:00.000-08:00

As the owner of a small scale vending business with inappropriate equipment, it may seem very tough for you to achieve success from mechanical vending machines. In such circumstances, Planet Antares Inc can ensure a successful vending business for you.

With Planet Antares vending programs, you can generate substantial business income by investing in a few machines or a large number of machines. The focus needs to be on purchasing high quality and durable vending machines.

I would suggest that you go for Planet Antares mechanized vending machines. These are low cost and easy to maintain, when it comes to the vending products. Moreover, these mechanical vending machines are known to be the most reasonably priced vending machines in the industry.
Mechanized vending machines constitute of a separate coin mechanism for each vending section. So, if one coin mechanism gets jammed, the other selections will still operate. This is possible through the turning of the coin mechanism handle.

For dispensing of change, a side mount dollar bill changer can be used. This is suitable 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. It is simple to troubleshoot and repair these machines.

Planet Antares Inc provides high quality and high capacity vending machines that enable you to make lesser trips to the locations for refilling and servicing. This equipment is capable of vending snacks, candy, soda, bottled juices and change for dollar bills.

Being user friendly, mechanical vending machines provide great benefits to the vending operators. As customers are short of time and look for convenience these days, this can be a great way for you to turn vending into a profitable and popular business.

Recent Trends In Vending Business Sector

2009-01-15T04:43:00.000-08:00

The nature of the vending industry is highly competitive and challenging. Every month brings new and skilled entrants to the marketplace. Either these prove to be incredible success stories or die out quickly.

Upon introduction, the Planet Antares Refreshment Center was quite popular and still retains great amount of customer patronage. The existing vending equipment is being updated and enhanced constantly, making the older versions obsolete.

Recently, the market has been flooded with popcorn vending machines. Also being launched is a new machine that is about to change the way popcorn has been offered in vending machines in USA. This is just one of the many new concepts that are coming up in the vending industry.

In the meantime, technological advancements are being experienced in snack and beverage vending machines as well. These are the most popular vending products that you can find in the market. In the future, there are bound to be a lot of changes and new features in snack and beverage vending machines.

Moreover, there has been increase in use of occupancy sensors and controllers in vending machines to reduce power requirements during long periods of non use. Planet Antares vending machines are non electronic and this implies that you will not have to worry about saving on power.

Planet Antares vending machines are different from their counterparts due to the technological advances made in their features over the years. These have been greatly improved to serve the customers.

Planet Antares Inc Offers Exclusive Vending Solutions

2009-01-12T03:44:00.001-08:00

As every new entrepreneur tries to get a share of the booming vending industry, it is only the smartest who will reach on top.

Do you want to be one of them?

If your answer is “yes”, this article will help you find the way to vending greatness. In fact, there is no sense in struggling for a living while people find the key to success and move ahead. You deserve to become financially independent and be in control of your destiny.

Planet Antares Inc offers unique vending opportunities that can help you gain an edge over others in this business. I suggest that you apply for one of these vending programs and see the change in your financial position!

When you contact them, you will be provided with detailed information about their offerings like:

1. Vending machines
2. Vending products
3. Vending services

Let us understand these in detail…

Planet Antares Inc is a reputed company that has hundreds of satisfied customers using its equipment. Both vending operators and customers find these machines to be easy to handle, safe to use and hassle-free.

Being perfect for most locations, these vending machines are liked by the premises owner as well. You won’t have any difficulty in convincing a location owner to keep your Planet Antares soda or snack vending machine as these are popular products that sell easily.

The company also provides candy, toys and gumball vending machines along with snack and soda vending machines. If you are interested in starting a small vending business, these are a better option.

Next comes shopping for products to fill in the vending machines. At Planet Antares Inc, you get both at affordable prices. Choose from a range of branded products that are loved by Americans and even the ethnic segments of customers.

The prominent services offered by Planet Antares Inc are locating the vending machines, servicing and repair of the equipment in a prompt, efficient manner. Other services include provision of good customer and technical support as well as instruction manuals for beginners.

Well Stocked Planet Antares Vending Machines

2009-01-07T04:14:00.000-08:00

Since Planet Antares vending machines constitute some of the most popular equipment used by vending customers, it is the responsibility of every operator to make sure that the vending machines are well stocked and in top condition. For this, it will be essential to service the vending machines whenever needed.

Contrary to popular belief, vending machines are all about the products dispensed by them. These are responsible for bringing in the money. For profitable vending, your products need to sell in large volumes.

Generally, people start running a vending business with one or two vending machines. If you want to avoid business related headaches that occur when you take on more than you can handle, this is the perfect option. Unfortunately, a lot of vending operators don’t understand this.

Once you have set up your Planet Antares vending business, it is your responsibility to ensure that all vending machines are well stocked. With one or two vending machines, this can be done in a hassle free manner. As it is, you will have to put in lesser time and energy in maintaining fewer vending machines.

High traffic locations are perhaps the best place to keep snack and beverage vending machines. These locations include schools, hospitals, subways, train stations, shopping malls, etc. Generally, such places have high traffic and are ideal for Planet Antares snack and soda vending machines.

Planet Antares vendors must choose the right locations for their equipment. This is also crucial for enhancing business profitability. Of course, this will only be possible if your services are up to mark and the machines in top condition. Customers will get annoyed if they can’t find their favorite soda/snack in your vending machines.

Generally, certain products will sell faster than the others in different vending locations. Keep a watch on the items in your vending machine to ensure that it is well stocked. It is also important that you pick certain days of the week to service the vending machines.

As a result, you can gain knowledge about the best products to be sold through your vending machines. It becomes easier to determine the quantity of the products in your vending machines.
Choose a local supplier that can provide you with a bulk stock of products in your Planet Antares vending machines. By making bulk purchases, you can keep extra stocks so that your machines don’t run out of products.

Tactful Ideas For Firing Vending Business Employees

2008-12-22T06:23:00.000-08:00

Like any other business, different aspects of the vending business need to be managed professionally and tactfully. You may find that several employees are not performing well or misusing business resources. Such attitude can either be corrected by certain measures. If these are not effective, there may be no other option than to fire the personnel to avoid a negative impact on business performance.

Here are a few tips for sound firing policies for your vending business:
1. Reprimand the employee as and when you notice any mistakes or ignorance in performing duties. It is important to address issues instantly and not let them go unanswered.

2. Avoid making a specific list of rules which should be stringently followed. Formal rules will only encourage your staff to do just enough to get by. Try to make broad rules instead of a formalistic list of rules which can be used to fire someone. This will make your Planet Antares business activities more effective and improve the work atmosphere as well.

3. Try to set realistic targets and standards. If an employee can meet realistic standards, there will not be any need to fire him. Your decision should be based on his performance and a strong basis of appraisal.

4. As far as possible, you must avoid the need to terminate a worker’s services. Instead, you can discuss any performance issues with the employee before taking the final step of terminating their services. Try to motivate the employee and tell him to make a commitment towards work.

5. Once you decide to fire an employee, keep your calm while doing it. Don’t embarrass the individual or make any unnecessary comments that make him/her angry.

6. You must not fire any employee on a Friday or at the end of the day. This may result in the person getting the whole weekend to complain and find a reason for putting legal claims on your company.

7. be honest and straightforward while telling the employee about the reasons for firing him/her. If you beat about the bush or give vague reasons, it will only increase the misunderstanding and increase chances of potential lawsuits.

8. After the termination of a staff member, you should take care not to discuss the reasons for discharging an employee with other members of the organization. This can lead to increased feelings of injustice, hurt and anger.

Your Planet Antares vending business has great potential for generating high sales and profits. However, make sure that you keep all the above factors in consideration when you decide to fire a person to avoid bringing a bad name to the company.

Meaning Of Quality Vending Services

2008-12-18T06:46:00.001-08:00

Providing quality vending machine services means that the clients or the locations that you are providing for is not lacking in any way. As the owner of a Planet Antares vending business, you would want your snack and beverage vending machines to be installed in particular locations. Business offices, colleges, schools, hospitals and other kinds of locations usually need vending machines in their premises. Vending operators will have to provide the locations with Planet Antares vending equipment and you would also need to service the vending machines on a regular basis.

The functions of vending operators include cleaning, maintaining and refilling of vending machines. He also collects money from the machines, the time of servicing depending on the number of vending machines and the type of vending machines. Usually, the location owner provides the location for vending machines without servicing the vending machines. This is the responsibilty of the vending operator only.

If you fail to service the vending machines effectively, it will result in disappointment of the location owner. They may even ask you to remover the vending machines. This means that you may end up losing your business and your company name will also be tainted. That makes it essential to provide quality vending services.

Planet Antares vending business involves quality vending machines that will never let you down because you will hardly ever experience any downtime. Downtime is equal to loss of sales. As a vending operator, you must practice preventive maintenance on the vending machines to keep them functioning at all times. The location owners should not experience any downtime with the vending machines because it means that employees or customers or the location will end up being annoyed for what they don’t get.

An integral part of the quality vending services is refilling of the machines. Keep track of the stock levels in the vending machines in different locations, so that you can know when you will need to refill the vending machine. There are items that are usually quick sellers. Work out a schedule for it and make sure that the vending mahcine never runs out of a particular item.

A vending operator should also understand the needs of the clients and customers. This is important for providing quality vending services.

Procedures of Filling Vending Machines

2008-12-15T05:12:00.000-08:00

After deciding to become a Planet Antares vending operator, you need to understand the responsibilities and duties involved in it. It is not justified to invest your hard earned money in vending with no adequate returns due to your own ignorance. For this, you must carefully select, purchase, locate and maintain your vending machines to get value for your money.

Filling or stocking of your vending machines is one of the basic factors that need to be considered by vendors. It is essential to store the products properly to make sure that there are no problems while dispensing them. This includes checking the products before and after they are shipped. If you skip this part of vending service, it may lead to filling of vending machines with damaged or rotten items.

A safe bet is to buy high grade, branded products from reputed companies like Planet Antares Inc. Once you have ensured that the products are good quality and fresh, your vending machines are ready to be stocked.

Before this, you must estimate the number of items that can be placed in different slots of a vending machine. Customers may get irritated if they order their favorite drink or snack and something else is dispensed.

Plan your schedule in such a way that the vending machine can be refilled at regular intervals. Don’t forget to indicate the number of items placed in the vending machine and check it for efficiency in operations after that. Along with refilling, a vending machine may require cleaning and repair of any broken parts. Check whether the coin acceptor is in working condition.

Verify that the coin acceptor is not sticky or jammed. This can help in preventing problems when the customers try to get the ordered products from the vending machine.
While servicing the vending machine, check that the lights are in proper working order. These may indicate sold out and currency change limits that will not be displyed if the same are not working.

Apart from the amount to be filled in the Planet Antares vending machines, the timing of such operations must also be considered. You must place a sign regarding the last item filled in the vending machine on it. This way, customers will know which items are fresh and hot in case of snacks and cold in case of beverages. If your vending machine is placed in a business office, make sure that it is filled and ready to dispense products at least an hour before the employee working hours begin.

It is essential to introduce new products in your vending machines from time to time. This doesn’t mean that you should stop filling conventional bestsellers in your vending machines. A combination of both will be most effective for your vending business sales.

Start-Up Tips For Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-12-09T05:22:00.001-08:00

As a unique home based business opportunity, Planet Antares vending programs can help you get into the snack and beverage vending business – fast. The vending machine business is a booming industry that virtually anyone looking for a lucrative business opportunity can participate in.

Primary Research
Many people have lost their hard earned money due to lack of proper research and information for making decisions. To avoid making these mistakes, you need to be wary of “new” vending concepts. It is essential to carry out lots research before venturing into the vending business.

Selling fresh juice, newspapers, or frozen yoghurt isn’t as certain as selling the more traditional products like snacks and beverages. That is the reason why with the right vending program, you can never go wrong with a Planet Antares vending opportunity.

Beginners in the Planet Antares vending business need to have access to sufficient capital. You can start off with one or two Planet Antares vending machines, while running the business from home. A vending business can be part time or full time. If you want to run it as a part time business, you will find that you are restricted in the type of locations that you can have.

Full time job holders will need to adjust their schedule, so that they can service the vending machines efficiently. Speaking to existing customers to get advice will help you avoid making beginners mistakes.

Right vending machines and locations
Planet Antares offers quality vending machines as well as great vending programs that will help you choose the right locations for the vending machine. This is important since the two have to go well together.

While looking for strategic locations, the research conducted beforehand will come in handy. If the location doesn’t look right or feel right, it most likely isn’t. The location has to be suitable for the type of vending machine that have. A snack and beverage vending machine usually does well in high traffic locations.

Success in the long run will require you to invest in quality vending machines. There should not be frequent mechanical problems with the vending machine, since it will lead to loss of sales.

Vending Industry Shows New Pricing Strategies

2008-12-03T03:52:00.001-08:00

Planet Antares vending machine operators are now using new management tools such as handhelds and Plano grams for tracking product turns with the minimum amount of extra labor. As a result, some of the vendors have revaluated their pricing strategies.

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

One theory suggests that you should not pass the savings on to the customers so that you can keep the pricing simple and increase your Planet Antares business bottom line. It is possible to lower the price of certain items and still generate a gross margin at the same or higher level than the branded items.

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

All this implies that it’s 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 oportune time for vending operators to rethink their pricing strategies.

Planet Antares Tips For New Vendors

2008-11-27T04:41:00.001-08:00

In the beginning of your career as a Planet Antares vending operator, you may not be able to afford full time help right away, so part time help is a logical option. This kind of help can be found mush more easily. Often, firemen, shift workers and postal employees seek part time employment. Vo-tech schools with work training programs are also a good source.

In case you cannot afford branded products and machines, don’t get discouraged. Most vending operators have entered the vending industry with small budgets. The key is to have a good financial understanding. Many start-ups fail because they are loaded up with a heavy debt burden. Selection of bad equipment or lack of business prowess may also lead to failure of your vending business.

Planet Antares vending business ensures that you have the capability to give the customer what they want, when they want it. Many times, the larger companies lose track of where they started and how they got there. If you are not able to provide service to the customers, it implies that you will not have them for very long. After all, vending is all about service.

Beware of scam artists out there. Planet Antares vending operators must seek references before dealing with a locator. The best way to find locations is to go out and look for one by yourself and ask for referrals from other customers as well.

With time and experience, you will gain access to the right kind of locations for your vending machines. It is better to find locations yourself so that you learn all the basics of location hunting while deciding whether a location is good for your equipment or not.

Generally, startup companies use the membership warehouse clubs for their purchases to begin with. That can work until the time that you start spending too much time at the club when you need to be on your vending route or getting more business.

From the point of view of a distributor, new vending machines are the best choice for any vending operator. Planet Antares vending operators need to be motivated to be smart and buy some of both, used as well as new machines. That will be a more efficient and profitable decision than just new or just used ones.

Instant Returns with Planet Antares Vending

2008-11-24T03:05:00.000-08:00

For those who want to start a home based vending business, it is imperative to be aware of a few important facts about this business.

1. Vending machines start earning revenue for you almost instantly.
2. It is quite inexpensive to buy a brand new, high quality vending machine.
3. If you choose the right locations for your vending equipment, there is great possibility of earning return on initial investment within the first year itself.

While entering the vending industry, you can confirm these facts from any experienced vending business owner. It is a great feeling to see your first vending machine earn immediate returns upon installation. The vending business is actually a unique opportunity to become your own boss and that is what attracts thousands of people towards it!

Be careful while selecting the equipment for starting your vending business. Make sure that you don’t overpay for any equipment that is not worth the price. You need to look for a reputable vending company such as Planet Antares Inc and get high quality, durable vending machines from them at competitive prices.

Fraudster companies may also approach you with attractive deals. They may claim to offer the best vending machines, products and services and assure instant success to newcomers. Unfortunately, they hardly ever deliver on their promises and you may end up losing a lot of money, time and energy in the process. It is best to carry out preliminary research about the different kinds of vending machines and suppliers in your area to get lucrative deals.

After deciding about the machines and products, it is essential to search for effective locations. You can do this on your own or with the help of a hired vending machine locator. Planet Antares Inc offers locating services as part of their deal with customers. Also, you need to match the location with the kind of vending machines you purchase and products to be sold.

In the meantime, it is important to determine the amount of vending commissions to be paid to location owners. This is the percentage of profits that is given to the location owners in exchange for keeping your Planet Antares vending machines in their premises.

Eventually, you will understand that saving is essential for business growth and development. So, buy your products supplies and equipment from a wholesaler and not the retail distributor. This will save you a lot of money.

Outdoor Locations For Profitable Vending

2008-11-21T03:43:00.000-08:00

On the whole, outdoor vending is an important part of vending industry. So far, leisure locations such as parks and amusement centers have been successful for outdoor vending.

These are lucrative options for placing outdoor snack vending machines. In large theme parks, bottlers are usually hired to undertake vending tasks but the smaller ones prefer independent vending operators like Planet Antares vending operators.

Great potential for accessing a wide customer base is offered by such locations, providing diverse product selection as well as enhance vending business profitability. Some of the facts about outdoor vending locations that make them highly attractive include:

1. Retail establishments have increase square footage and draw heavy customer traffic.
2. There has been a rise in the number of housing complexes with common areas.
3. Attendance has been growing in public parks.
4. National accounts of vending management companies that manage vending services have been persuaded to make better use of the vending opportunities available, including outdoor sites.

Outdoor vending locations don’t incur much maintenance problems as they don’t get frequently kicked underneath and in the condensers. There is a mixed view about the lucrativeness of vending machines in outdoor locations among Planet Antares vending operators.

It has been reported by certain vendors that outdoor machines produce similar returns as indoor machines in same kind of locations. On the other hand, vending management companies are of the view that outdoor locations provide higher sales and profits.

Actually, the cost of maintaining a vending machine outdoors is higher and so are the returns. However, independent vending operators can choose to lease cold drink machines from bottlers, who will bear the overhead of security.

Apart from Planet Antares vending operators, many other operators have also experienced success with beverage and snack vending machines placed in outdoor locations.

In short, outdoor vending offers a unique opportunity for growth at a time when the traditional locations are already saturated. By capturing such lucrative locations, your vending machine business will surely have great potential for sales and profitability.

Profitable Small Planet Antares Vending Accounts

2008-11-14T05:53:00.001-08:00

Many vending operators hold the belief that It is not possible 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. Efficient handling and servicing of small accounts requires careful reviewing of service frequency and sales-per-stop.

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. The NAMA operating ratio average can be exceeded even in case of smaller accounts.

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

You need to understand that the most critical cost in servicing vending machine locations is labor and not equipment. By leveraging labor productivity gains, you can capitalize equipment investments with smaller than “industry standard” account 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.

Data tracking can be easily performed through handheld computers. The easy part involves developing a database to determine when the account needs service while route scheduling is the hard part. For making 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.

In short, 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.

Additional Income With Bulk Candy Vending

2008-11-07T03:47:00.001-08:00

The present scenario of the economy makes it essential for all of us to look for additional sources of income. Bulk candy vending business can be the perfect source of such extra cash that can help you get through the tough times easily.

US economy is close to recession currently. This month, more job losses were announced along with the fact that people are losing their homes at a surprisingly fast rate. An all time low has been recorded b the real estate industry sales and even the stock market seems to continue dropping at an alarming rate.

If you are in a normal job, it is perhaps becoming difficult to rely strictly on your job as the means of your support. It has become imperative to look for other things to bring cash flow into your personal budget.

You can consider starting your own business, be it at a small scale or a full fledged one. Vending business is a great way to start earning additional income apart from your regular paycheck. Buying and selling vending machines or products may be just the right thing for you.

This $40 billion industry has millions of people making all cash income to supplement their existing income and can be used to get a bit more security in your life than with a job. Moreover, you can attain complete control of your financial position, unlike a regular job.

Bulk candy vending is easy and cheap to start up. You can find a lot of information online as well as offline about vending machines, products and other aspects of starting a vending business. Just select a reliable vending company like Planet Antares Inc for beginning on the path to successful vending.

Before taking the plunge, you must collect as much information as possible about the vending business. Apart from the bulk candy vending business, other vending business programs that you can get into include crane machines, soda, snack, digital items or health products.

In the end, it is a matter of the time and money you are ready to invest in the operations.

Planet Antares Directs Vending Business Expansion

2008-10-30T02:39:00.000-07:00

While planning to become a full time vendor, you would of course want it to expand as soon as you are financially able to do so. Planet Antares Inc provides vending programs that will make this task easier and help you achieve your dreams.

Most people start vending as a home based business and buy a few vending machines. Thus, it will need low investment at the start since you will not be required to have an office or a warehouse to run your vending business.

This makes Planet Antares vending a great business opportunity!

For expanding your vending business, you will have to move your business out of your home or just simply acquire more vending machines and locations. It is imperative for a vending business to be stable both in finance as well as structure.

Buying new vending machines

In order to expand your Planet Antares vending business, the first thing that you would need to do is to buy more vending machines. The locations that you have may not be enough to cater to your vending machines. As a result, you may have to acquire more locations. Just make sure that you understand customer needs in the new locations.

Purchasing established routes

Established vending routes are sold by people who are retiring or getting out of the business. If you are expanding your vending business, purchasing established Planet Antares vending routes would be a quick way of growing your business.

Expand your horizons

Planet Antares Inc provides vending business with snack and beverage vending machines. When you want to expand your vending business, you can try other vending businesses such as bulk vending and special products vending.

The decision for expansion of your vending business should be made after considering the amount of investment you can make. Once you have expanded the business, you should only continue to make profits, not go at a loss.

Planogram Design For Vending Machines

2008-10-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

In case you are unaware of it’s meaning, the term category management denotes a system designed to enable you to take advantage of market research in selection of products fro your Planet Antares vending machines.

Basically, there are three steps for designing a planogram and consist of:

a) Identification of product categories
b) Space allocation to each category
c) Deciding on specific products for each category

Even though this is a judgment issue, it is better if you divide these categories into further sub-categories. Actually, it is easier to do a planogram if there is lesser number of categories. Still the more categories identified, more the planogram will ensure variety.

Once this has been done, you need to allocate space in the Planet Antares vending machine. At least one facing should be available for each category. The number of facings will depend on the category sales and how the products fit into the shelf.

Next comes the product selection. You need to consider several factors for this difficult task, such as:

Core products
These are items that sell consistently in all machines and represent 20% of the total product mix.

Cycle products
These are filled in each machine during the menu cycle but changed between such cycles. Majority of the products constitute cycle products.

Choice products
These are items that can be provided for a particular location to meet specific requirements. These are usually less than 20% of the product selection.

Separate planograms may be preferred by certain vending operators for different accounts according to their nature. On the whole, a planogram gives you control over what products to be included in the vending machines. In absence of such a technique, there will be no efficiency in operations as drivers will use personal preferences to save time.

Tips For Enhancing Planet Antares Vending Business Sales

2008-09-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

In spite of what people tell you, starting and running a vending business is not all that simple. To get good returns for the time, effort and money spent in establishing it, you must be willing to put in dedicated efforts for the same.

Both small and large vending enterprises can bring efficiency in their operations through constant commitment and ability to face changes in the vending industry. You need to be equipped to handle the highs and lows of daily business activities in the right way. Most people think that the vending industry is the shortcut to make quick money but end up losing even their initial investment.

Vending machine manufacturers and Planet Antares distributors create and sell vending equipment, products and other related items to people who want to become vending machine operators or own a vending machine for their business. When selecting such providers, you need to evaluate your requirements and budget and look for reputable companies like Planet Antares Inc.

On the other hand are the vending operators and the marketing representatives who go out to find new locations. These may be professionals hired by large enterprises or the vending operators themselves. The success of your vending business depends on several factors like:

Your understanding of the customer’s needs including other business owners, location owners and consumers. Observe their tastes and preferences before you actually offer a product or vending machine to them. This will help you convince the location owners to keep your equipment and get customers to use it.
Try to meet the people involved in your vending route and create a personal touch with them. You can also join a vending association to establish your name and reputation as a reliable vending machine operator. Interacting with other members will also allow you to get many ideas and tips for improving your business.
Make sure that your Planet Antares vending machines are in good condition, the products are branded, popular and fresh and the customers are able to access them easily. Even as a small scale vending business owner, these factors will make a lot of difference in customer satisfaction and potential profitability of your vending machines.
Gradually, you can revise the sales targets for your Planet Antares vending machine business and expand your operations by buying new machines, introducing new products and techniques.

Insight Of Planet Antares Bulk Vending Routes

2008-09-08T03:15:00.000-07:00

For those looking for financial independence, the doors of the vending industry are waiting to be opened. Considering the vending business, there are two ways to enter it:

• Bulk candy vending
• Soda and Snack vending

The focus will be on bulk machine vending business and its operations in this article. This segment of the vending business includes various types of vending products like:

• Gumball vending
• Sticker/tattoo vending
• Capsule and toy vending
• Super ball vending

Before starting your own vending business, you need to know about the advantages and disadvantages of bulk vending. It will be illogical to step into this business without any knowledge about its diverse aspects. No vending operator wants to regret their business decisions later on.

Some of the major merits and demerits of Planet Antares bulk vending routes are listed below. You must evaluate them carefully before deciding to step into the vending business.
Merits:

1. It is easy to handle bulk vending machines and move them to and from various places
2. When you establish a bulk vending route, it will be very inexpensive as you can start from a small scale and expand gradually
3. Servicing and maintenance of bulk vending machines is simple
4. The products are small and easy to handle as these can be easily stocked and refilled
5. For such vending machines, you can find locations that have very less floor space
6. Service intervals can be fixed according to your convenience to allow flexible time schedule

Demerits:

1. There is potential for lower income per location in case of bulk vending machines
2. This leads to higher turnover due to low income in various locations
3. You will have to keep looking for new locations to keep your income flow at a substantial level
4. It may be difficult to keep accounts as this is not need based product that is in demand by vending machine locations

Healthy Vending: A Potential Opportunity Or Threat?

2008-08-29T07:52:00.001-07:00

The vending industry is at a point where new and dynamic changes are being witnessed. While some vending operators have adapted to them, most of the players are still struggling to retain their market share while hesitating to change with the changing market elements.

One such recent trend in the vending industry is the introduction of healthy products for customers. Majority of the Planet Antares vending machines vend fried snacks and high-calorie beverages. Now, they will have to redesign their product mix to suit the needs of customers.

Americans love snacking and use vending machines to grab a quick snack or soda on a daily basis. However, recent studies have shown alarming rates of obesity among adults as well as children. This has led to greater awareness among the customers about their depleting health. Even health organizations are discouraging schools and offices from keeping traditional vending machines that dispense high-calorie items.

In such circumstances, it has become imperative for vending operators to look for healthy vending products. As customers become conscious about what they eat, Planet Antares vendors will have to cater to their health and fitness oriented desires. While most vending operators take this as a challenge or threat to their business revenue, you must accept healthy vending as a part of the dynamic vending market and change our strategies accordingly.

Many of the vending product manufacturers have already started creating and selling new products that have lesser calories and fat content but retain the taste and flavor of the best selling varieties. Some of the popular healthy products being offered are:

1. Nuts
2. Milk bars
3. Meal replacement bars
4. Nutrition bars
5. Milk and tea as beverages

Apart from these, there is a vast array of other products that are launched in the vending market regularly. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you must remove all the traditional products from your vending machines. The key to success will be arriving at an optimal mix of both conventional and healthy items. This also allows you to serve a wider customer base.

Strategies For Successful Planet Antares Vending

2008-08-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Business marketing forms an essential part of your plans to increase customer base, keep the interest of current customers alive and motivate employees and operators too. Not only will effective promotion help in pleasing the customers but also fulfill the requirements of route drivers. Also, it allows you to build your business brand image.

A common mistake made by most vending operators is thinking that running a vending business doesn’t require any marketing or promotion. In reality, the myth that vending machines can sell on their own needs to be gotten rid of. You will need to do a certain amount of marketing to attract customers and obtain new locations.

Successful promotion need not be of any specific type. It can range from homogenous products made by the vending operator to sophisticated games and contests that require a complex procedure of sending competing coupons to customers or route drivers.

Vending machine manufacturers and distributors like Planet Antares Inc may also carry out promotional activity. If your promotion isn’t effective, it will be due to lack of interest on part of the end consumer.

As a vending machine operator, you can plan your vending business promotions according to the following elements:
• Size of vending machine business
• Nature of customers
• Product trends and demand
• Needs of the route drivers
• Budget restrictions

While planning a promotion campaign, you will have to consider all of the above factors. Basically, you will need to be creative while promoting your vending machines, products, etc. This may be done in a simple way by giving caps or t-shirts to customers or you may opt for a more expensive and impressive campaign.

A good idea will be to offer combo snacks as special promotion of your Planet Antares vending machines. Customers love specials and even if they don’t need the vending products, they will order them to get a free gift or something extra. Many vending operators have used this way of giving prizes with every purchase to increase their customer base and in turn, business profitability.

The aim is to make your Planet Antares vending machines more interesting and attractive to arouse customer interest and encourage impulse buying. In recent years, promotions have become quite popular among vending operators to beat the competition.

Ideal Tips For Planet Antares Vending Machine Business

2008-08-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

One of the best ways to start on the path to financial freedom is to become a vending business owner. Even though its benefits attract many people to enter this booming industry, only a few are aware of the various aspects of a vending business.

In this article, you will learn about the most important elements of the vending machine business.

Risk
Very little risks is involved in starting a vending business. If you invest in vending machines with a small amount of money, you can always sell them easily and get out of it if you don’t want to be a vending operator or incur losses. I would suggest you to begin with a small scale vending business to get an idea about its running.

Return
Substantial profits can be earned in the Planet Antares vending business as you can buy products for a nominal price while the selling price can be fixed at a much higher price. For instance, gum balls can be bought for $0.02 each while these are sold for $0.25 each.

Machines
Buy the vending machines from a reliable source like Planet Antares Inc to get value for your money. There is a vast rang of vending machine available for meeting specific requirements of different customers. Make sure that the vending machines match the locations and target customer demands.

Locations
Select the right locations for vending machines according to the vending machines and customer preferences. Check the different places in your area that can keep your equipment. Check whether the chosen locations have heavy traffic and easy accessibility for customers.

Vending commission
Vending commission will have to be paid to location owners for keeping your vending machines in the premises of vending operators. If the location owner waives off the commission for a charity, you will save this money.

Maintenance
Set a proper schedule for servicing and maintenance of vending machines. There may also be different problems with the equipment which can be solved on your own or with help of technical support staff of the vending machine company. Ensure that the vending route is well maintained and the machines are up and running at all times.

Price Points Of Planet Antares Large Sized Candy Vending Machines

2008-08-21T07:24:00.001-07:00

Selling large sized candy through your Planet Antares vending machines means that you will need to increase the price of the candy bar. Assume a vending price of $1 and a blended cost of $0.57 on large sized candy and $0.75 on its smaller counterpart with a blended cost of $0.38.
The 6% commission paid to the drivers will also need to be considered. This is a percentage of gross profit and usually 15% on large sized candy and 12% on smaller size candy.

If you want the large sized candy proposition to work well for your Planet Antares vending business, the product must sell for at least $1. In certain cases, price points above a dollar are required for beneficial results.

A good strategy 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 remain fixed. Some of these are rent, insurance, depreciation, amortization and interest. Think of a way to make your Planet Antares vending machine 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 will not be without a few issues of concern. The proposition that the candy companies are promoting is almost identical to what has been heard from salted snack companies and bottlers.

The conversion to the larger product has been favorable for vending operators who are willing to change. This has not been easy for every vending business. As competitors remain willing to provide the conventional programs, potential market leaders face the risk of business losses.

Rise In Vending Costs Through Power Disruptions

2008-08-12T06:01:00.000-07:00

As the vending operators move from manual operations to digital technology and software operated systems, the vending business has essentially become dependent on power. No more will you see mechanical vending machines dominating the marketplace. Instead, majority of the vending equipment is electronic and consists of hi-end technology.

Even though there are numerous benefits of purchasing electrical vending machines, there is one thing that causes problems for your vending business, if not taken care of. The problem of power disruption can be a potential risk for vending business operations and losses.

There can be consistent disorder in the vending operations due to power failure, energy surges and lightening. Even the equipment will face a negative impact by frequent fluctuations and may even breakdown eventually. Thus, protection of your Planet Antares vending machines and building of sound power supply systems has become a critical part of a successful vending business.

With the growing dependence on digital technology, quality power has increased in demand for many vending machines, office equipment and facilities. This requires electricity to function and carry out different operations in real time.

Another factor for consideration is the security of your vending machines. This can be done with the help of a power protector. It helps in avoiding electrical noise and other interfering elements from disrupting machine operations. There should be proper provision for ensuring minimum amount of damage to the machines. The basic purpose is to extend the life of your vending machines while enhancing their reliability.

Warranties are also offered by several vending machine companies on equipment that provides a cover for repair cost. This cuts down on the risk being faced by you and may give the full replacement value of the Planet Antares vending machines if there is any occurrence of system error.

It is essential to compare power protection companies to select the right one for matching your specific requirements. Always look out for additional services and programs available for your Planet Antares vending business while searching for a suitable power protection company.

Why Are Planet Antares Vending Machines So Profitable?

2008-08-08T05:46:00.001-07:00

Many times, entrepreneurs are advised to invest in high quality vending machines if they want to succeed in their vending business. Among the best vending machines in the industry are Planet Antares vending machines.

These are reliable and durable equipment that can be a worthwhile investment in the long term. Moreover, the design of these machines is very simple to understand and user friendly. Thus, you will hardly have to worry about the product dispensing or your money getting stuck in the machine. These vending machines are designed for hassle free vending.

A number of factors are responsible for the profitability of a vending machine.

The location of the vending machines is the most important thing to be considered. Not enough emphasis can be laid on this element of a vending business. The vending machine bought by you must go well with the location that you choose.

Try to obtain high traffic locations for your Planet Antares vending machines, even though they can fit in any location. The reason for this is the popularity of snacks and beverages in most locations. This makes Planet Antares vending machines very lucrative. Good places for such vending machines can be shopping malls, motels, subways, etc.

As glass front vending machines, Planet Antares vending machines possess great advantage. The products placed in the vending machine will always be visible to the vending operator. This allows customers to view the contents of the vending machine and attracts more attention than a closed vending machine. In comparison, glass front vending machines are more profitable than closed ones. Place brightly colored products in the vending machine and it will grab customer interest and result in higher sales.

The contribution of the products sold cannot be underestimated. They represent an important factor in determining the profitability of your Planet Antares vending machines. You need to offer a variety of products in your vending machines for serving varied customer tastes.

As Planet Antares vending machines have great capacity, you can vend all kinds of products through them. Glass front vending machines must be filled with eye catching, branded products that compel customers to buy them instantly.

Profitability Issues For Planet Antares Vendors

2008-08-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

All your Planet Antares vending locations may be earning what they should. In spite of this, there can be problems that may arise later on. Most of theses issues can be classified under five main categories.

1. Gross sales
As per the population of the location, the sales will also vary. As the population increases or decreases, so will sales. If a new fast food outlet is opened near your location, sales can decline. Since gross sales are the main determinant of the bottom line, they need to be monitored closely.

2. Gross profits
Gross profits are sales less cost of goods sold. If product costs increase and you cannot raise the selling prices in your Planet Antares vending business, the gross profits from the location will decline. Moreover, if a dishonest route person doesn’t return all the cash collected, reported sales will fall while the product costs will remain the same and the gross profits will also decline.

There is need for the vending operators to understand that gross profits don’t portray the whole story. At a given location, gross profits may remain as 54 percent, but if sales drop by 50 percent in real dollars, gross profit will also drop.

3. Operating costs
The operating cost of the vending business should be limited to the client related costs alone. There include the direct, variable costs associated with servicing the client. The larger ones include direct labor and vehicle, commissions, equipment depreciation, sales tax, etc.

4. Net profits
Net profit is the result left after deducting all the operating expenses from gross profits. It must be calculated in both dollars and percentages.

5. Return on investment (ROI)
ROI is the net profit from the location, annualized and expressed as a percentage of the capital investment in that location. This calculation is important as it is possible to show acceptable net profits, expressed as a percent of sales and still have a problem. You should monitor the problems that can happen in your Planet Antares vending business to ensure efficiency.

Security Concerns In Planet Antares Vending

2008-07-31T01:17:00.000-07:00

Since the invention of vending machines, vandalism has been an issue faced by vending operators. However, in the current times, thieves are using more sophisticated methods to beat the machines. As a vending operator, you just have to look for a way to counter this. All over the country, thieves have broken into machines and gotten away with large amounts of money.

Vending machines like those provided by Planet Antares Inc do not only face the problem of theft but also have to struggle with the damage done to machines which has been phenomenal.
Thieves can pry open the door using all kinds of tools and steal the coin mechanisms, dollar bill acceptors with bills still intact, money pans as well as the products contained therein. When vending machines get vandalized, it can cost the operator $50 to over $1000 per incident.

It is possible for a machine to get vandalized when the customer kicks the machine in anger. This happens when they get the wrong product or maybe the coin mechanism gets jammed along with their change and even end up messing up the machine while trying to retrieve change. A customer can get angry with the machine for several reasons. This is not usually experienced with Planet Antares vending machines as they are well built and all their mechanisms do not get stuck.

As a Planet Antares vending operator, you have to come up with ways to minimize such incidents. One of the latest weapons against theft and vandalism is the availability of change card accessibility and cashless vending technology.

Special computerized debit style utilization is used to insert the smart cards in the vending machine. Alarm systems are also available that sound a loud siren if the door is opened without the proper code. The alarm may also be sounded if the machine is tilted or roughed up.

In order to curb theft and vandalism for your Planet Antares vending machine, you can use surveillance cameras that will capture any illegal activities. A good idea is to place warning signs that note prosecution for theft or vandalism.

Theft can be deterred through signs indicating that money is removed twice a day from the machine. Remember that high security locks, padlocks and other precautions are taken. These are more economical precautions for your Planet Antares vending machine.

Successful Sales Process For Planet Antares Vendors

2008-07-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

Consistent dedication to a multidiscipline process is required for success in vending sales. This is necessary for both small operators as well as large multi-state operators. In order to be successful in your Planet Antares vending business, you should be prepared to handle the ups and downs of everyday sales life.

A segment of the vending industry includes the product, equipment and other goods and services that are sold to the vending operators. On the other side are sales people who represent the vending operators who go out and acquire new business.

On the supplier’s side, a salesperson does more of a relationship type selling process. Whether you are selling vending equipment or products at the regional level, you will call on the same people on a daily basis. Therefore, you will need to take several steps to develop these relationships that lead to success of your Planet Antares business.
These maybe:

Step #1
When you meet new customers, you should not approach them straight away with your products or vending machines and ask them whether they would like to try it. First, you must get to know them by enquiring about how they started the business and whether the whole family is involved. Also, you can ask what they have done to make the business successful.

Step #2
Apart from this, you should meet the route people as well as become involved in the state vending association. All this is essential to the success of your Planet Antares vending business.

Step #3
You must become committed to the success of your Planet Antares vending business. This is essential if you want your vending machines to become popular and generate sales. Make sure that you get to know your customers properly. Cold calling is more common in the large vending enterprise market and involves calling on new people everyday. Your aim should be to develop relationships that can turn to referrals and eventually more business.

Step #4
Check your sales goals for every month to determine how many cold calls will be needed to be made in a day to get appointments. Next, you will have to determine how many appointments will be needed to create enough sales to meet your monthly sales goal.

Avoiding Fuel Wastage In Planet Antares Vending Operations

2008-06-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

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.

Planet Antares Vending Management Software

2008-06-09T00:33:00.000-07:00

At different stages, the vending operations can differ in various aspects. It may be at the beginning, growing, stagnant or declining stage. Vending management software offers an effective tool for improvement for all these stages.

For many years, industry specific software systems have been available and keep offering more benefits with technological advancements. For Planet Antares vending operators who want to grow, management software is a tool that will keep the company organized and allow it to operate efficiently.

However, most vending operators are facing the challenge of making time to learn the functions of the software systems. Most of them do not have the resources to allocate an employee for studying and implementing software.

Like any management tool, software requires a significant investment. This forces many vending operators to delay the implementation of this tool. In time, all sensible and forward looking operators will realize that they stand to lose by doing so.

A review of the major software packages revealed that many of these packages have immense benefits that will not turn obsolete. Upgrades will be possible in very little time and most of the work will be handled by the software provider.

The development and establishment of the DEX protocol has been a great development in recent years. It is the electronic data standard that will enable Planet Antares vending machines to report to management software. Most of the vending specific software systems will allow operators to use DEX.

Category management is a system that has many benefits including simplification of product selection at the route and warehouse levels, which will give management more control over individual machine menu. It may not be easy to predict future trends but a software system that offers comprehensive package of management tools will definitely be a worthwhile investment for your Planet Antares vending business.

New Tools For Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-06-04T02:40:00.000-07:00

Technology offers the capabilities that can enhance the financial management efficiency of vending operators. All that is required is a large upfront investment. You will have to invest more resources to gain the capabilities that will improve profitability. It will allow the Planet Antares vending operator to manage better financially. Mainly, this includes management software.

This doesn’t mean that equipment and software are the only areas where vending operators need to invest periodically. As products, equipment and software become more advanced, the level of training period also becomes higher. You will have to invest in the education and development of staff as well.

Planet Antares vending operators need to plan to incorporate new tools that will enhance their efficiency, leading to higher customer satisfaction. Even though the ability of individual operators to invest varies, you should be capable of identifying the financial benchmarks that will enable you to measure the ROI.

Going back in time, it has been proven that the vending industry involves high level of waste and shrinkage. This has been mainly due to weak accountability systems. As a result of this, one can safely say that most vending operators will benefit from an investment in better information management systems.

When you plan to gather the required financial information, you may need to have an employee who is trained for the same. This means that there will be need for additional investment in education. Once this information is collected, the operator will be in a better position to partner with customers.

Planet Antares vending operators must remember that investing in the future is easier when the operator has overall game plan. Not only capital, but also time will have to invested in educating themselves about the rapidly changing industry.

Training And Qualification Of Planet Antares Vending Repairers

2008-06-03T05:33:00.000-07:00

To repair a vending machine is a “hands on” job and you can learn it through work experience only. Beginners can learn while working under the direction of expert employees as they stock and repair vending machines. Many companies look for applicants who have a high school diploma. One must possess a high school or vocational school training in electricity, refrigeration and machine repair. If you have the mechanical skills, they your chances of employment are higher.

If you are looking for a repairer for your Planet Antares vending machine, ensure that you engage one that is highly qualified so that there he/she is able to handle any sort of damage easily. Planet Antares Inc also offers manuals that can help the repairer out.

Most repairers or servicers have vending routes, so they need to have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. There will be a lot of driving involved while going from one location to another to service your Planet Antares vending machines. The driver will need to be dependable at all times.

Technological advancements have taken place in vending machines, including Planet Antares vending machines. You will have to search for repairers who have some electrical training as well. Some schools offer one or two year programs to teach basic electronics. It is imperative that the repairer has some electrical know-how as they will be in more demand as technological advancements take place.

Entry level employees are given basic tasks such as cleaning and filling vending machines. Gradually, they learn how the vending machine operates and start installing new features and adjusting the machine. By slowly gaining knowledge of how to work on the Planet Antares vending machine, it will take about 6 months to 2 years to gain the full knowledge of the vending machine and its operations. It all depends on the expertise and learning ability of the repairer.

Upgrading The Image Of Your Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-05-27T03:10:00.000-07:00

Meeting customer desires and using branded products is a part of raising the image of vending business. The common customer is becoming more knowledgeable and educated when buying the items and brands have become all the more important. If you keep branded products in your vending machines and make the customer aware of it, the future will be bright for your Planet Antares vending business.

It is important for you to believe in the importance of branding. The vending industry is being viewed by manufacturers as a more credible marketing alternative. This can be done on a smaller scale, meaning that instead of doing a dedicated branded machine, you could go for a dedicated branded shelf or a spiral within a machine. As a Planet Antares vending operator, anything you can do to leverage brand equity enhances the image of vending.

On the whole, the vending industry itself has not done a good job at marketing themselves. At one time, c-stores had to overcome a negative stereotype. There are similarities between vending and c-store evolution. The c-store eventually overcame a stereotype as an overpriced outlet to one that provides greater convenience and saves lots of time.

No longer does the shopper price shop between a supermarket and a c-store. They understand that c-stores are selling a convenience. In this way, the vending industry can change consumer perception too.

The focus of your Planet Antares vending business should be on marketing. In large vending operations, an entire division must be dedicated to marketing. The customer needs to be educated about the service that the vending industry provides for them.

In short, the vending industry needs to be promoted as a whole. You need some critical mass to do that cost efficiently. If you are able to get the consumer to perceive the vending industry for what it is, margin pressures would be eliminated. If the public is educated about the services that are being provided, they would be more willing to pay for it. If the vending operators continue to compete on the basis of vend price that means that the industry won’t move forward at all.

Planet Antares – Valuable Advice On Vending

2008-05-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

When you decide to buy a planet Antares vending machine, you will be investing in a very profitable venture. Thus, you can learn how to earn money from these machines using the excellent programs that they offer. When you commence your research, just equip yourself with the right information and be assured that you will be well on your way.

Firstly, you need to find out the prices of various kinds of vending machines and compare them. You will find that the vending machines offered by Planet Antares Inc have the most reasonable rates. Different vending machines operate differently and that implies that their price will vary accordingly. Planet Antares vending machines are highly profitable and this will be beneficial to you while beginning a vending business.

Software pertaining to vending machine operations is also available. This helps the vending business owner to manage operations in the most efficient manner. As a vending operator, you will need to chalk out your vending routes, regular vending deliveries and monitor all vending repair costs. This is done by the vending software on your behalf so that you can maintain a competitive edge.

It is recommended that you read books on vending while carrying out research on it. There are many books available in the offline as well as online market. You should preferably go for the start up e-books or complete guides that will advice you on how to conduct your Planet Antares vending business.

Consider becoming a member of the many vending association as a beginner in the vending industry. With the resources they have, it can be a great help in setting up and running a smooth vending business.

Whatever you want to know about vending, it is all available on the Web as well as in various books. All you need to do is make sure that you look in the right place. Planet Antares Inc can guide you regarding all the nuances of starting a successful vending business so that you can flourish and make all your financial dreams come true!

Ways To Beat The Competition To Your Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-05-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

The vending industry is really competitive in nature. If you want your Planet Antares vending business to be successful, you will need to beat out the competition by staying on top of the game. If you are planning to install a vending machine at a place that already has other snack or beverage vending machines, you will witness a sharp rise in the degree of competition among the vending operators. All you need to beat the competition is to implement some strategies in your vending business.

By going for quality vending machines that function without too much trouble, your chances of beating out the competition will increase. Planet Antares vending machines are attractive vending machines that are strong, durable and possess the ability to attract the attention of potential customers. Most of the vending machine sales are impulse purchases by potential customers who are compelled to buy an attractive offering from the vending machine. If you can manage to grab customer attention, your vending machine will stand out in the crowd of vending machines placed at the same location and offering similar products. This makes it imperative to focus on the looks of the vending machine before buying it.

A quick and easy way to pull customers to buy from your vending machine is to incorporate some form of technology in your Planet Antares vending business. If other vending machines in the same location are also offering the same kind of service and your vending machine is offering a unique vending experience, customers will definitely buy from your vending machine. Additionally, location owners would want to have such a machine in their location as they know that it will generate more business for them also.

Concentrate on providing quality products to customers so that they continue to buy from your vending machines. Find a supplier that can offer branded as well as other products so that you can maintain a wide range of items in your vending machine. This will ensure serving of needs of maximum number of customers. As they keep coming back for more purchases, you will slowly get to know which products are popular in each location. Once you come to know about these items, you should only keep these products in your vending machine to ensure that customers will keep coming to your vending machine. By making bulk purchases, you can also avail of discounts and hence, get best deals on the supplies.

Another thing to be emphasized is regular servicing of the vending machines and ensuring effective maintenance to avoid mechanical problems. Keep the vending machines clean and make sure that you cater to customer requirements in the best possible manner.

Vending Business And Effective Plans

2008-05-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

If you are the owner of a vending business, planning is essential for the success of the same. A good place to start is with the mission statement of the company. You must not consider this as a formality to be fulfilled while framing a mission statement for your business. In fact, it provides ongoing guidance and the basis for individual employee responsibilities. You can use the mission statement for your Planet Antares vending business to improve the company’s goals to succeed in the face of any new challenges that may arise.

Some of the priorities in your Planet Antares vending business can be:

Improved employee training
Identifying new growth opportunities
Improving vehicle maintenance
Upgrading field equipment

In contrast, the barriers to growth might be as follows:

Poor customer service due to insufficient employee training
Old equipment
Weak client relations

For growth, various strategies can be adopted such as:

Creating a director of marketing position
Enhancing customer relation skills of service personnel
Increasing the number of stops on existing routes

Establishment of company goals is essential part of any effective business plan for your Planet Antares business. These should be both long term as well as short term. Goals give something concrete to aspire to for employees. Also, they provide a solid basis for the management for rewarding employee performance. One of the key tools in the success of your vending business can be goal setting.

Focus can be provided through goals and objectives to employees who otherwise have a busy schedule. The two types of goals a company should identify in a plan are quantitative and qualitative. While quantitative goals can be measured in numbers, such as sales and profits, qualitative goals are people-oriented.

After you have identified the goals for your Planet Antares vending business, the tasks must be created to achieve these goals. There should be classification of all goals into annual, quarterly and maybe even monthly, weekly or daily tasks. While doing this, keep in mind the state of the industry and local market conditions.

Most of the vending operators are keen on improving their marketing strategies. If the company performance has resulted in non achievement of the goals, you need to evaluate two things, namely, the market and how the company is serving it.

Vending Machine Techniques: Planogram Design

2008-05-05T06:07:00.000-07:00

In simple terms, category management is a system designed to enable you to take advantage of market research in selection of products fro your Planet Antares vending machines.
Basically, there are three steps for designing a planogram and consist of:

a) Identification of product categories
b) Space allocation to each category
c) Deciding on specific products for each category

I would suggest that the categories be grouped in smaller categories. This is a judgment issue. Actually, it is easier to do a planogram if there is lesser number of categories. Still the more categories identified, more the planogram will ensure variety.

After this, you need to allocate space in the Planet Antares vending machine. At least one facing should be available for each category. The number of facings will depend on the category sales and how the products fit into the shelf.

Next comes the product selection. This is a difficult task and needs consideration regarding:

Core products

these are items that sell consistently in all machines and represent 20% of the total product mix.

Cycle products

these are filled in each machine during the menu cycle but changed between such cycles. Majority of the products constitute cycle products.

Choice products

these are items that can be provided for a particular location to meet specific requirements. These are usually less than 20% of the product selection.

Certain vending operators create separate planograms for different accounts according to their nature. Overall, a planogram gives you control over what products to be included in the vending machines. Otherwise, there will be no efficiency in operations as drivers will use personal preferences to save time.

Gain Total Control With Vending Business Opportunity

2008-05-01T10:11:00.001-07:00

An extraordinary way to start your own business is to begin with a Planet Antares vending opportunity. One feature of the vending business is that you don’t need a specific qualification or experience to get started. Simply begin with one small machine and learn the ropes as you go along. Take the mistakes in stride. The best vending opportunity will be a chance to buy an established vending route.

Always remember to take the time to evaluate the business before jumping into it. a lot of people make this mistake and only regret it later. Don’t do anything before you understand the working of this business. It is not a shortcut to success and more money and it definitely requires an initial investment. You can’t place vending machines at any place and think that they will make money for you. It is important to recognize the effective locations and ignore the others.

Certain vending machines will be more suitable for some locations than others. Candy vending machines will not do as well as a coffee vending machine in an office building. In places such as bowling alleys, Planet Antares soda and candy vending machines will be more suitable than coffee vending machines. Gradually, you will gain experience in different aspects of this business and determine whether it is for you or not. So, it’s best to start small and eventually grow into a larger business.

Try and go along on a vending route with a business person. It will help you in learning the basics of the vending business. Another way to get information about the vending machines, routes or products is to contact a vending machine distributor. These people are the first to know about the possibility of an opportunity to buy a vending business because they have so many contacts in the industry.

One way to begin with a vending business opportunity is to acquire the services of a locator. This person will find the best locations for your equipment and carry out all the research required for the same. Make sure that the vending opportunity you select is legitimate and not a scam. This can be done by going on the route with the owner and seeing for yourself the money generated by the machines.

If you don’t have much technical knowledge, ask a third person to inspect the machines to ensure that you are not stuck with costly repairs. If you think the vending program is worth your investment and capable of generating a second income, go for it!

Importance Of Vending Machine Technicians

2008-04-22T02:08:00.000-07:00

The person who installs and repairs your vending machines is called a technician. Usually, their functions include loading and unloading of machines, transporting them to new places and making other adjustments and connections. After setting up the machines, they will ensure that everything is working properly.

The tasks vary for different vending machines. For some, the technicians may have to check the product dispensing mechanisms and change making operations. Some of the other activities include checking the refrigerating or heating mechanisms. All these must be considered in a proper manner that will enable your Planet Antares vending business to operate efficiently.

A lot of people use vending machines on a daily basis. Consequently, the equipment has to face deterioration. Certain machines may also get damaged due to mishandling by customers or operators. This problem is incurred by almost all vending machines at different stages. This makes it imperative for you to go for good quality, durable vending machines such as those supplied by Planet Antares Inc.

It is the responsibility of the technician to determine the cause of any problems with the vending machines. They will have to undertake repair, replace and rebuild the defective parts to ensure that your vending operations resume and go on smoothly.

Planet Antares vending machines are highly renowned and reliable. Even if they break down, the mechanic will be able to troubleshoot the problems after following the standard procedures developed by the company. It is the manufacturer who will know the best options for machine parts and components.

Commonly, repairs can be made by the vending machine technician at the place where the equipment is located. However, they may require moving the machines to their workshop in certain cases for repair and overhauling.

Repair work is undertaken on the basis of echnical blueprints, illustrations, schematics, repair manuals and diagrams to aid their work. Moreover, tools such as pipe cutters, screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers and soldering irons are used to keep the vending machines is working condition. In thw orkshop, they use tools like saws, grinding wheels and drills. Thermometers and refrigerator manifold gauges are used to test the refrigeration systems.

Basically, technicians help you in preserving the lifeline of your vending business, the vending machines. The essential and critical parts should be cleaned regularly to ensure smooth functioning of vending equipment. That’s where the vending machine technician assumes significance.

Healthier And Low-Carb Vending Products

2008-04-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

One of the major challenges that are faced by Planet Antares vending operators is being on the cutting edge of trends. Vending operators faced this challenge in the 90’s when low fat food seemed to be taking over the conventional products.

According to market research, 17 percent of the U.S. households include individuals on a low-carb diet. There is no doubt that a lot of customers are demanding low-carb options in vending. Such products are demanded by a large section of the vending industry customers. If you think about it, this is a potential profit center that is desperately needed to help the industry out of a financial slump. It will be quite profitable for you to introduce low-carb products in your Planet Antares vending operations.

Millions of Americans are dedicated to carb counting for every meal they eat. This has created a great opportunity for vending operators. The majority of such operators feel that vending manufacturers have done a good job at providing new, healthier and low-carb products.

Any vending operator who doesn’t feature at least a few low-carb items will end up missing out on potential sales and profits as well as ignore his obligations to supply desired products to its customers. For many people, their vending machine snacks or beverages are an important part of their diet schedule. This can only happen if they find the required products to keep them on the fitness track. Since many years, there have been several options in Planet Antares vending machines that are low-carb like nuts. Now, there is a rising demand for such products as people become more concerned about their health.

In today’s rushed lifestyle, vending machines have assumed significant roles. Hence, there is great opportunity to meet customer needs. The industry needs to focus on this trend and take advantage of it because vending is in a perfect position to meet customer needs and adapt to their changing desires and wants.
Among the health conscious consumers, low carb products have set a new benchmark. Even though health experts disagree on its merits, interest continues to grow as Americans become more and more health conscious. So, this trend towards low-carb products cannot and should not be ignored by Planet Antares vending machine operators.

Top Class Facilities In Vending Machines

2008-03-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

With technological advancements, it has become possible for vending mahcines to keep up with new customer benefits with controller boards, retrofit kits and peripherals. In several cases, Planet antares vending operators have been able to win business by offering new equipment with unique features. These may be:

Guaranteed product delivery
Higher denomination bill acceptance
Cashless transaction capability

Purchasing a new vending machine that has some of these features is very hard for some vending operators, especially during the current economic period. However, there are a host of kits, controllers and peripherals that will make it easier to stay with an older vendor.

Now, most of the older vending machines can now be upgraded and have become capable of DEX and MBD. Upgrading is also possible for offering guaranteed product delivery, large bill acceptance and debit and credit card acceptance. Planet Antares vending operators can upgrade the vending machine to some of the new technologies.

Guaranteed product delivery is one of the most popular new capabilities. This feature is provided by the most of the vending machines offered by Planet Antares Corporation. Today, there are controllers and kits that offer this same functionality for many other glass front vending machines.

Since Planet Antares vending machines have the capabilities of guaranteed product delivery, they can be competitive with other companies offering new vending machines. This is why this capability is a plus point in your vending equipment. Definitely, this is a strong selling tool.

Retrofit kits have been used to extend the bill acceptance on changers but it needs to be compatible with the specifi changer model. Refunds and unnecessary service can be reduced. The kit can re-establish credit in vending machine for a failed vend, thus allowing a second purchase attempt by customers. After two failed attempts, Planet Antares vending machines can refund the customer’s money.

Water Vending Machines As Lucrative Source Of Income

2008-03-05T04:14:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the new segments in vending business. one such trend is the growing number of water vending machines that can be seen at almost every location you visit.

Who could have thought that a simple thing like selling water could be such a lucrative source of income?

In fact, bottled water sales constitute almost half of all the drink machine sales. So, owning a Planet Antares vending machine that dispenses water can be a very sound investment decision. For those who are looking for a good business opportunity, water vending machines are definitely the answer to your quest.

An important consideration in determining the profitability of vending machines is the location chosen for placing them. A water vending machine can generate lots of revenue if you install it strategically. Just imagine the amount of money you can make by placing just one or two water vending machines in prime locations.

You will come across many people who prefer vending machine water to tap water. The reason behind this is that water in vending machines is purified and allows people to get a healthier option.

Remember that like other vending machines, even Planet Antares water vending machines require stocking, repair servicing and proper maintenance. If you treat it like a real business, water vending can be an excellent business opportunity. It’s a surprise that so many people are still unaware of the potential of this business to earn tons of profits!

Once you start making money on your vending machine, you can expand your business scale and income potential by purchasing four to five vending water machines placed in prime locations around a specific area. Assuming that only a hundred people visit each location daily, your profits would be sky high. Water sells and you will not regret becoming a water vending operator.

Many of the consumers cannot live without their vending machine water and come back daily for buying it. These are the people who make your vending business all the more lucrative. Millions of people across the world are taking advantage of this unique money making opportunity and so can you.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Full Line Vending

2008-02-20T03:38:00.000-08:00

In America, an average of 7 out of 10 people buys something from vending machines. Vending machines are immensely popular among people of all age groups and cultures. It is seen as one of the most lucrative ways to make money and gain financial independence by many people.

Full line vending refers to the business of operating vending machines that sell cans or bottles of snacks or beverages. In North America, a common volume for soda is 12 fl. oz. (354 ml) or 20 oz. (590 ml) where as in Europe it is 330 ml or 500 ml. for snacks such as chips, candy, etc, the range is usually of 1-3 oz. Usually, Planet Antares vending operators prefer to place snack and beverage vending machines alongside at a particular location for more efficient customer service and overall maintenance.

Advantages of full line vending
For Planet Antares vending operators, snack and soda vending machines have the advantage of being preferred and demanded by many locations. They will even take the initiative of calling the vending company for installing these machines in the location owner’s premises. Also, snack/soda vending equipment is bulky and difficult to move. So, you will rarely get a request to remove them from a location after installation. The large size and vend counters also make it difficult for employees or outsiders to steal any products or money.

Disadvantages of full line vending
It will take longer time to service snack or soda vending machines as compared to the bulk vending machines. Also, the vending products take more space in such machines. The machines are hard to repair due to their complex functions and components. If you are a part-time vending operator, it may be very difficult to maintain full line vending machines.

Trends in full line vending
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was a trend in the United States for large retailers to enter into contracts with national companies for providing full line vending services in their branch break rooms. This resulted in large amount of sales but very poor service quality, as complained by employees. The national vendors were hardly concerned about the product preferences of the employees in such offices.

In recent years, this trend has started reversing and most full line vending companies are small entities that offer personalized, quality services.

Trends In Currency Handling For Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-01-18T04:09:00.000-08:00

With the rise in competition and industry responsiveness towards vending customers, a growing number of vending operators are feeling the need for eliminating ‘exact change’ situations. The vending technology has been upgraded and innovated to meet these requirements. Planet Antares vending machines are using new currency payment systems that have the requisite features to avoid any such problems.

Moreover, certain vending machines are even capable of recycling bills which can result in multi vending solutions. With the evolution of new techniques, vending operators are finding new ways and tools to offer easier and more convenient payment options to their customers.

It is common for people to turn away from a vending machine because they are not carrying the exact change required for buying the desired products. if your Antares vending machine can offer customers the ability to use whatever change they have for purchasing products, there will definitely be a positive impact on the sales and profits of your vending business.

With more and more having the convenience of paying with the currency they have, there can be larger vending machine revenue. All you need to do is introduce advanced currency acceptors and change detectors in your equipment. This will help in ensuring higher sales and smoother operations too.

The reliability, durability and versatility of vending technology have made new changes in bill acceptors and changers. The various benefits of using such upgraded technology include the following:
• Reduction of consumer price resistance
• Ability to enhance product variety
• Wider choice in price points

All these benefits will make vending machines more responsive to customer needs and requirements. On the other hand, you can get higher sales and revenue by using such technology.

Commonly, bill acceptors accept denominations over one dollar and pay-out change in the form of coins. Customers will appreciate a change to acceptance of five dollar bills. On the other hand, this will help in increasing customer base as well as your Planet Antares vending business sales.

You will also feel that cash collection and counting becomes easier with higher denomination currency. You won’t have to count and stack a huge amount of bills, thanks to the higher capacity of coin changers and vending technology upgrades.

If your machine accepts 1 and 5 dollar bills, there will be need to sort them out. This issue can be easily handled by using a dual pocket coin sorter. Supporting higher denomination bills is a feature worth investing in. offering dollar coin payouts can make vending even more convenient and faster for customers.

As the number of working professionals continues to rise, the vending machine sales will also boom. However, there will be need for you to adopt certain strategies that can make customer’s vending experience simpler and convenient while providing higher income for your vending business.

Operating Lease For Vending Machines

2008-01-04T03:32:00.000-08:00

If you are not willing to invest a large amount of money in your vending business, you have various options that can help in getting equipment at less costs and yield high returns. One such option is to use operating lease. It has the benefit of providing higher ROA (return on assets) as well as reducing the operator’s risk by enhancing flexibility in asset allocation to the highest revenue generating location.

Leasing vending equipment is the same as taking any other equipment on lease. You can find reliable vending machines from Planet Antares Inc.

The different advantages of taking vending machines on operating lease include the following:

• Induces flexibility of lease through lesser fixed cost purchase
• you won’t have to worry about equipment obsolescence
• various strategic requirements can be fulfilled with more capital available for channelisation
• the lease cost of vending machines is matched with the revenue stream of a contract

As compared to previous years, more and more products, component features and technological innovations are being introduced by vending machine manufacturers. These changes can lead to higher sales and profitability. However, this is only possible if you invest more money in acquisition and upgradation of equipment as well as current bestseller products. You also need to dispose off the obsolete and broken machinery.

In order to improve cash flow and the return on assets, you must ensure that one or both of the below occur:

• Reduction in investment base
• increase in profitability

An operating lease allows you to be successful at both these factors. It will be easier to increase ROA and obtain a sound balance between fixed and variable costs. When you take the machines on lease instead of purchasing it, your fixed costs will be reduced and the equipment will become a variable cost. On the other hand, the investment gets eliminated on the balance sheet.

This means that you will have greater flexibility in business. Also, you have the option of saving your funds and using them for better purposes. The headache of maintaining the equipment is not yours. You can carry out operations in a stress-free, efficient manner. This makes operating
lease a worthwhile investment.

The time period of an operating lease taken by an Antares vending operator may vary from one, three to five years. Once the time period for the lease expires, you have the option of re-leasing the equipment, upgrading to newer versions and technological components, buy the equipment at fair market value or even return the equipment. Your decision depends on the quality of the equipment, terms of lease and the value of the vending machines.

Most vending operators prefer to buy the equipment rather than taking it on lease or renting it. You must always weigh the benefits of renting the equipment as compared to purchasing of machines.

Advertising Methods For Your Vending Business

2007-12-24T06:18:00.000-08:00

When your vending business requires expansion and starts catering to a large number of people, you will have to employ staff that can help you carry out the various functions. There are several aspects of vending business that cannot be handled on your own. It’s best to hire personnel for operating, repairs and servicing of the vending equipment so that your business can run smoothly.

To find such employees, you can adopt several different techniques such as:

• Going online
• Using Print media

These are the two main forms of advertising which can prove to be helpful in your search for the right employees for carrying out business operations in your company.

#1. Print advertising
Vending operators may or may not know how to write a classified advertisement that can be published in newspapers, journals or magazines. Usually, such ads of vacancies are given in newspapers and published under the ‘classified’ column.

However, most vending operators get discouraged due to their lack of ability to write a good ad and prefer the word of mouth method of looking for employees. If you want your Planet Antares vending business to be successful, don’t rely on the traditional ‘word of mouth’ technique alone.
To create an ad for a newspaper, you will need to do some homework regarding the publications available in your area. The daily paper is a good place to spread word about a vacant position in your organization. Once, you have selected the newspaper in which you want to get your ad printed, the next step will be to decide the day of running it.

Make sure that your ad tells people what you actually want to say. Try to convince the potential applicant about the benefits of working with your company instead of choosing any of your competitors. If you can distinguish yourself as a better employer, you will have a better chance of getting good applicants.

Your ad should not be boring or in the standard format. Make it as attractive and interesting as possible. It should grab the reader’s attention. the sales representatives of the publication can help you with this aspect by giving useful suggestions for making a great impact while designing the ad.

#2. Going online
Nowadays, a major part of the potential employees are going online to search for jobs. The web-based job advertising has gained huge amount of popularity which will only grow in the near future.

It would be a good idea to include a ‘jobs available’ section in your company website so that a visitor looking for a job can find the required information easily. You can also put an ad with the numerous job search portals to find employees for your company.

Vending Products: From Snacks To Meal Replacement

2007-12-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

Customer demands and preferences are changing frequently and any vending operator who wants to maintain his market share will have to adapt accordingly. Snacks are a favorite vending product among people of all types, cultures and age groups. With better lifestyles and diverse likings, evolving consumer tastes allow vending operators to provide a wide variety of snacks than ever before.

Many of these snacks have become a vital part of people’s daily routine. Most employees are short of time and hardly manage to go for proper meals. A bag of chips or a snack mix from an Antares vending machine is the perfect replacement in such cases.

Recognizing this need for quick-fix hunger solutions, snack manufacturers are trying to create and introduce new flavors and ingredients every month to increase customer satisfaction and business profitability. There is intense competition among vending industry players to get the maximum number of customers to use their vending equipment. If you want to maintain a reasonable level of sales, it’s best to keep up with the changing market environment, especially customer demands.

Another trend that is fast emerging is the demand for healthier snacks that have lesser calories, more nutritious elements but still have full flavor and affordable price. This is a great opportunity for snack vending machine operators to meet customer demands by an appropriate product mix while increasing sales. The best idea will be to offer a combination of conventional bestsellers and the healthy snacks in demand at the moment.

Antares vending machines have witnessed a growth in the demand for bold flavors as the traditional snacks are serving as meal replacement for many people. They want “grab and go” food products that will as filling and healthy as a proper meal. Employees who can’t leave their work desk for long periods of time and travelers are the main clients of such snacks. In most cases, the emphasis is still on convenience rather than fitness or healthy diet.

Future trends

While bold flavors are popular since a long time, spicy and tangy flavors are also gaining popularity in the snack mix. Snack manufacturers are trying to make chips and other items self-sufficient i.e. without any need for sauce or dip to improve the taste.

Planet Antares vending products have taken this trend into consideration and offered hot and spicy snacks in various flavors to the operators for filling their vending machines. Not just the ethnic community but also the general public has shown a liking for these new snack flavors.

In the time to come, there will only be lesser time to sit down and have a meal. That means higher demand for “on the move” food which can be met by vending machines. There will be new product innovations, better and faster vending equipment as well as greater range of price points for a variety of items.

Steps To Attain Success In Vending Business

2007-10-29T01:19:00.000-07:00

While starting a vending machine business is hardly possible without the requisite information and understanding of the vending industry. This does not mean that you have to be an expert on vending business but a basic research and analysis is imperative. Don’t make the mistake of getting into the field before you know what it is all about. Otherwise, a vending business may be a costly mistake which may result in substantial losses rather than profits.

To establish a successful vending business, you must follow the below listed steps.

a) Choosing a Vending Machine Supplier
Out of the thousands of vending machine companies claiming to be the best in the industry, it may be difficult to find the right one to buy vending machines. It is important to find an experienced, reputed vendor like Planet Antares Inc to get the worth of your money. It is better to buy a reasonably priced vending machine rather than free or cheap vending machines. This will help you avoid getting ripped off your hard earned money.

Don’t ignore the experience of the company and customer testimonials about the quality of services of the company. Read the details of the sales contract and make sure that you understand the terms and conditions before actually signing it.

There should be adequate technical and customer support to ensure continuous and effective performance. Your machines should not get stuck at any time. There should be warranty on machines taken by you for a certain period of time. Reliable companies even offer refilling, repair and maintenance services for their customers. This enables you to focus on other issues of planning and implementing vending business.

It is important to choose a vending machine supplier after comparing various companies, models of machines, products and their prices.

b) Vending product selection
You can buy vending products from a vending machine provider or a wholesale supplier of vending products. A large variety of vending items are available for different types of equipment.

c) Locating
You will have to be creative while convincing the business owners about the advantages of keeping your vending machines in their premises. Look for high-end locations with heavy customer traffic and popular stores. Try to find places that have employees working in a 24X7 atmosphere.

If the chosen locations have other vending machines, you can replace them if the owner is facing problems. On the other hand, you may place your vending machines along with other machines and beat the competition by giving better performance.

How To Make Money With Planet Antares Vending Machines

2007-10-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

If you are wondering if it is possible to make money with vending machine business, the answer is yes. However, many people think that in the vending industry, making money and making easy money is the same thing. While it is easy to start your own vending machine business, considerable effort is required to ensure sustainable profitability in the long run.

Planet Antares vending machine benefits include the ability to earn a stable income conveniently and with a low investment. There is also greater flexibility of work operations as compared to a job or other business opportunities. Once you buy good quality machines, it is important to locate them properly and keep them in good condition.

When you look for vending locations, make sure that it matches your chosen products and the demand of target customers. You can get a large amount of cash from a single vending machine that has been strategically located. As revenue starts increasing, you can expand business by taking new machines and looking for untapped locations.

Start with a traditional vending product rather than going for a newer product like newspapers, digital goods, etc. choosing the right vending machine products is an important task for customer satisfaction and sales maximization. You should keep observing the sales pattern of the different products to differentiate popular items from slow moving products.

Use technically updated vending machines. This will help you achieve:

Better customer service

Lesser machine damage and wear and tear caused by manual handling

Sales monitoring through vend detection technique

Larger customer base through multi-payment option

Higher level of security with cashless payment technology for vending machines

If you want to get a good market share of the vending industry, look for reliable vending equipment from reputed suppliers like Planet Antares Inc who offer good quality machines at affordable prices along with after sale services like restocking, repair and overall maintenance.

Your vending business may be a source of secondary income or a full fledged venture. If you run it professionally after careful planning, it will be a huge success. Don’t treat it as a shortcut to money making. Remember that vending machines can help you make money but you will need to put in appropriate amount of time and effort for that.

Understanding The Functioning Of Bill Validators

2007-10-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

Vending machines are a great way to earn extra income. You may start with a small vending machine which dispenses candy or toys, or invest a lump sum amount in large equipment like snack and beverage vending. With technological advancement, new features are available in vending machines.

Dollar bill validators are one such innovation. Unlike the coin accepting vending machines, these are capable of accepting bills and not reliable on coin alone. It will enable you to procure and serve a larger customer base and in turn, maximize business profits.

Before you install a dollar bill validator in your vending machine or buy a vending machine which incorporates it, make sure that you understand the functioning of this component. Moreover, the bill validator may get stuck at times and function properly otherwise.

Dollar bill validators use various techniques for their operations. Validators of high quality use multiple techniques to accept new and wrinkled bills. These also detect counterfeits and thus, allow customers to dispense products after inserting genuine currency only. The denomination of the currency is also verified by the bill validator.

Bill identification is done through the use of:

Sensors

as US currency has magnetic ink on the bills, bill validators use a sensor to detect whether the bill is of the right denomination or not and if it is legal or fake.

Photocell

this technique is similar to a tiny camera in functioning. The bill is compared to patterns stored in memory of the validator to determine the different denominations required for different products.

A bill validator may not function properly or display a “transaction failed” message due to excessively wrinkled bills. These creases will make the note appear as incorrect to the bill identification device. It also depends upon the quality of your vending machine’s bill validator. If it is of high quality, bills with certain defaults will be accepted. Otherwise, only crisp notes will be allowed to pass as valid payment.

When you select a vending machine, verify the kind and quality of the bill validator. Reputed companies like Planet Antares Inc will offer high grade vending machines with proper multi payment options including a dollar bill validator. This feature can not only enhance customer convenience but also benefit you as a vending machine operator in terms of substantial returns.

How to Secure a Vending Location

2007-10-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

One sure way of increasing the profits of your Planet Antares vending business would be by securing new locations. Nevertheless, finding new snack and beverage consumers in a mature market can prove to be quite difficult. Vending operators must combat rising prices and shortages of locations. This is why many vending operators choose to increase profits at their current locations while still maintaining their customer base. If you are looking to secure a location for your Planet Antares vending business, you can use the Internet, which has proven to be a powerful tool.

The Internet can be used to solicit prospective snack and beverage vending machine locations and to also find potential location leads. In the past vending operators used to rely on phone directories, business directories and purchased lists. This has of course all changed with the availability of the Internet. Many of the old techniques are no longer plausible. Today you can use the Internet as a business directory to look for information on potential vending machine locations. In addition to this, the operators can also use the Internet to research and qualify their leads.

The Internet can also be used to attract new clients. Businesses today are using the Internet to shop for services such as snack and beverage vending machines. This is an advantage that you would have as a Planet Antares vending operator. Snack and beverage vending machines are usually on demand by most locations. This is because Americans love snacking. Whether you are in an office, business, hospital or shopping mall, you will always notice a snack and beverage vending machine in a corner somewhere. If you have an effective business website, you can wait for the leads to come to you when they are looking for vending machines. Investing in pay per click services can help to improve your website rankings, which of course would make it more effective.

Regardless of the benefits of the Internet, direct mail, in person soliciting and networking will still continue to strongly play a role in securing locations. Nevertheless the most critical tool for securing locations is a good salesperson. A good sales person should be able to develop high quality location leads which can be converted into sales. There are certain established methods for securing locations for vending business that cannot be replaced, but the Internet is now a new possibility. You can use the Internet to secure locations for your Planet Antares vending business in a cost effective manner.

Financing Your Planet Antares Vending Machine Business

2007-09-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

The most popular cash generating business cannot be started with a shoe-string budget, if you plan to treat it like a real, full-fledged business. Your vending machine business will require a reasonable amount of capital investment in vending machines, products, employees, locations and other factors. Apart from the initial investment, you need liquid funds for running the business smoothly. So, it is imperative to plan the financial aspect of your vending business carefully.

Before you actually start working as a vending operator, think about the possible expenses which will have to be incurred. This includes both short and long term costs such as machine purchasing cost, transport and location costs, training costs, product buying and rotation costs, electricity bills, etc. You may even have to pay commission to business owners to keep your machines and license and permit fees.

There are various options for financing your Planet Antares vending machines. These may be one or more of the following:

Lease
Vending machine manufacturers or suppliers may offer financing and leasing options to you for buying vending machines. These may involve payment in installments spread over a long period of time. This is a good funding alternative for beginners and is less risking too.

Borrowings
This involves applying for loan from banks or other financial institutions. You will have to prepare a detailed business plan which outlines your business objectives and service goals. You can borrow according to the category in which your business falls and upto the amount for which your business is eligible.

Tax
If you are starting your own business, you must act like a prudent entrepreneur. Use tax loopholes in the legal framework to your advantage. New businesses can enjoy various subsidies and even show many items as expenses to reduce their taxable income. This option is very useful to save on taxes and is used by small and large businesses alike.

Planet Antares Inc. provides a wide range of vending machines at competitive prices. You can even choose an appropriate financing option with this company. This enables you to start your vending business without excessive spending and verify if you really want to do it or not.

Don’t make the mistake of starting your vending business with meager funds. Financial distress can spell doom for even the most promising business. it is always better to start with a sound financial backing and then proceed to build a successful vending business.

Targeting the Right Kind of Locations

2007-09-12T02:33:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more important than the right locations for your vending machines. If you are starting a Planet Antares vending business, it is very important that you target the right market to vend your products to. This is something that you can do by looking for the right locations for your vending machines. Then again, if you are already an established vending operator, you would still need to target the right market when you are expanding your vending business. This would mean that you would need to place your newly acquired vending machines in the right locations.

There are all kinds of locations that are suitable for vending machines. Planet Antares vending machines are snack and beverage vending machines, which means that they are suitable for almost all kind of locations. These kinds of vending machines do well in high traffic locations. This would include places like shopping malls, subways, airports, retails stores etc. Such locations usually have high traffic, which of course would mean more potential customers seeing your Planet Antares vending machines. Vending machine sales are impulse buys. Most of the time people are compelled to buy from vending machines only when they see the vending machines. They are usually attracted to the bright look of the vending machine or if it’s a glass front vending machine, they are also attracted to the products in the vending machine. These are the reasons why high traffic locations are preferred for snack and beverage vending machines.

In order to find the right market for the vending machine, you should observe the locations in your area that already have snack and beverage vending machines. If the vending operators in those locations are making good profits, then the location would be ideal for your Planet Antares vending machine. Placing your vending machine where other vending machines are already set up should not bother you. At least you know that the location is profitable, as opposed to approaching a location where your vending machine would be the first one. You just need to be competitive in these crowded locations. Observing the vending locations in your area would help you target the right market for your vending machine.

There are businesses, offices, industrial plants and other kinds of premises that are always looking for snack and beverage vending machines to provide these products to their employees. These kinds of markets already have a certain number of customers that will use the vending machine on a daily basis. The advantage of these markets is that you would always expect a fixed number of sales on a daily basis.

There is no need to always go out looking for a location. One can hire a locations company or you can start a website for your vending business. A website will make it easier for people looking for vending services to find you. There are all kinds of locations that need vending services. They are more likely to look online for information than anywhere else.

Advice on the Supplier to Use in Your Vending Business

2007-08-22T04:55:00.000-07:00

With a Planet Antares vending business, you will be provided information by the company on the kind of supplier that you should engage for your vending business. The company will help you understand that you need to sell products that you know the customers will want to buy. Snacks, candy and beverages are products that always do very well in most locations. This is why the snack and beverage vending business is very lucrative.

Look for a supplier in your local area, because you shouldn’t have to drive a long distance just to buy your supplies. Along with the information that is provided to you by Planet Antares, you should also search the Internet for information on the suppliers in your area. The supplier should have all the products that you would want to purchase. When a product is new in the market, the supplier should have the product available with them, especially if the product is popular with the public. This means that if you want to be on top of your vending business, you should be very much aware about the products that are popular in your area at any particular time. When you are armed with that piece of information, you can then ask your supplier for these products. Trends come and go; a product may be a hit for a short or long period of time. This is the reason why you need to be up to date with how products are doing in the market.

A vending machine supplier will also provide you with information on the products that you want to sell in your vending machine. This means that for your Planet Antares vending business, you need to look for a supplier of snacks and beverages. They will tell you which locations are ideal for these kinds of products. These suppliers deal with a huge number of operators, so they get to know a lot about which locations are working well for the vending operators in your area. They are the best people to give you advice on this.

When it comes to snacks and beverages, a vending machine will need to carry name brand products as well. These are products that sell themselves, so your supplier should be able to provide you with these items.

When you are purchasing products for your Planet Antares vending business, you will need to buy a large stock of the products. Your vending machine supplier should sell the products in bulk, so that you don’t keep going back for the next stock. Since you are buying products in bulk, make sure that you have ample space to store them. A garage can be an ideal place for them if you are running the business from home. A warehouse is also another option, especially when your business expands.

Lastly, buy your products from a reputable vending machine supplier who will sell you fresh products instead of ones that are about to expire. The products need to be fresh, so that the customers are fully satisfied with the purchases that they make. This would mean repeat business for you. To have winning snacks and beverages in your vending machine, you should engage the right supplier.

The Advantage of a GPS System for Your Vending Business

2007-07-17T00:20:00.000-07:00

In recent times vending operators have been investing in new technologies such as cashless vending, category management and telemetry. Others have also invested in satellite based fleet monitoring, known as Global Positioning System. This is one technology that can prove to be very useful for your Planet Antares vending business, especially if you have a sizeable vending business.

GPS technology can provide you with current information on driver and vehicle activity such as service stops and variations in routes. As the owner of a vending business, you would have probably hired a route driver to cover the vending routes. Route drivers can decide to use the vending trucks to run their own personal errands. This will of course result in misuse and wastage of fuel. GPS technology in your Planet Antares vending business will help your counter this problem. With this system, you can get to know exactly how your vending truck is being utilized.

If you are considering a GPS system for your vending business, it is important that you first consider whether it is worth investing in. There is no need for you to invest in technology that will cost you more than you make. The GPS system has to be financially beneficial for your vending business. A GPS system consists of two main types, namely “active” and “passive.” When it comes to the active system, data is presented via cellular telemetry to the main office or to a website where the subscribing company can view its fleet activity in real time. In passive system, the data is stored for retrieval and uploaded to the main fleet computer once the vehicle returns. There is also a two way tracking system that utilizes low orbit satellites that will allow communication between you and the drivers.

The vending truck that you use for your Planet Antares vending business uses fuel to move from one point to another. If the vehicle is being misused in anyway, the GPS technology can help you to monitor the company vehicle movement to make sure that it is not being misused. This will contribute greatly to your vending business. It will also allow for more efficient routing by letting you know how fast the vehicle is traveling so that no fuel is wasted on excessive speeding.

Some of the other benefits for this system are faster response time, improved customer service, cost savings, increased reliability, improved employee accountability, decreased vehicle wear and tear and increased revenue for your Planet Antares vending business. Again, this kind of system would only be beneficial if you have a sizeable vending business.