When it comes to coffee, Australians have a knack for making this rich flavourful drink. Aussies love getting this deliciously caffeinated beverage in their favourite cafe, and coffee vending machines Melbourne come as a nice treat during the busy Monday morning rush.
With over thousands of vending machines across the country, who’s to say that a coffee vending machine in Melbourne is not a lucrative business? Are you thinking of starting your own coffee vending machine business? What are the things you need to know? Do you always need to buy brand new machines or can you simply buy used vending machines?
Sure, you’ve got plenty of questions in mind. Who wouldn’t have? That’s why we’ve listed down some of the handy tips you’ll need in buying a used coffee vending machine in Melbourne.
Always Look for the Details
There are a lot of functional and affordable vending machines out in the market. If you have a tight budget, you don’t have to worry. More and more used vending machines can easily be utilised for different purposes.
Unlike snack vending machines, coffee vending machines have a lot of mechanisms you need to check. That’s why it’s best to be critical and conscious when buying a used one.
Whether you want to hop in on the vending machine business, or you are still looking for the right machine for you, these three tips will help you find what you’re looking for:
1. Pick a product you want to sell.
There are many products for you to sell, and it is essential to identify whether you want to vend fresh bean coffee, instant coffee, or non-caffeinated drinks. Your decision helps determine the type of vending machine you want to purchase.
With the machine’s build, you also have to be extra careful with the mixing bowl – to avoid mixing strong-flavoured ingredients to mild tasting ones.
You need to assess your priority products in your search for a coffee vending machine in Melbourne. What most customers love is a wide array of options. Learn from the experts; you need to be critical in your product options. This helps increase revenue and cater to the varying needs of diverse customers.
So, before doing anything else, list all the products you are interested to sell.
2. Consider the location.
Location is one of the many factors to assess whenever you are planning to start your own coffee vending machine business in Melbourne.
You have to be thorough in your search. It’s even advisable for you to scout at least five locations before settling in one. Check the size of the building, the market type, and the number of potential customers.
As an aspiring business owner, you have to be keener in your search. This improves the chances to be a successful vending machine operator.
3. Purchase from trusted suppliers.
While a lower price doesn’t always translate to bad quality products, it can be a clear indication of alarm. Don’t be deceived by extremely cheap vending machines. Remember, you are buying used items.
There might be hidden issues and unforeseen factors that caused the price to significantly drop. As a guide, vending machines keep a good resale value. Usually, used vending machines will be slightly lower than a brand new machine. That is why it’s best to purchase used machines from reputable sellers.
More Things to Consider
Product Storage and Equipment
Each product requires specific sets of equipment and tools. Fresh milk needs refrigeration, while powdered milk requires dedicated storage. To compare, fresh milk has more upfront cost – from additional milk frothing tools, more diligent cleaning requirements, and shorter shelf life.
However, fresh milk is the superior choice when it comes to milk options for your coffee. What’s interesting is that many powdered milk choices have become great alternatives to fresh milk.
Hardware and Setup
Are you wondering how coffee vending machines work? They can either be tanked or plumbed. Every unit has a special hardware and mixing mechanism that allow ingredients to produce a delightfully rich drink.
Plumbed units do not require constant refilling, unlike the tanked units. Since plumbed units store ingredients at greater capacity, they are directly near a water source to allow better availability of products.
Have you ever tried buying from a vending machine but you all get too disappointed because the drink is not available? Well, we all tried that. Most customers encounter this problem with tanked units.
Tanked units store their products in a gravity-fed tank. This uses a hose, jug or bucket, and a small pump to feed the machine for dispensing.
Dispensing and Inventory
When buying a coffee vending machine, you also need other items to proceed with your business operations. You need to ensure that appropriate items are stored in the machines – from stirrers, sugar packs to disposable cups.
However, different machines require extra storage space to display cups, stirrers, and sugar. Asking your vending machine supplier about the features of your desired vending machine is also paramount. This way, you will learn and know what to prepare for you to start your business.
On to the purchase
After the rigorous process and research, the last tip is to assess the most suitable method of financing your purchase. There are a lot of things to consider in choosing, but always go for what works for you.
Leasing and rentals offer great tax benefits compared to other payment options. This can be beneficial in turning your capital and cash outflow into revenue from the beverage sales. You can also spread the cash outflow and monthly maintenance costs of the machine.
Are you ready to operate your own coffee vending machine business? TCN Vending Australia makes your journey to being a coffee vending machine owner simple. You only need to check out our website and see our coffee vending machine options in Melbourne.
TCN Vending Australia can supply vending machines for sale to customers throughout Australia. So, wherever you are, we have your vending machine needs covered.
Order a vending machine from us today. Call 1800 959 910 or email us at enquiries@tcnvending.com.au.