Planet Antares Incorporated | Planet Antares Vending | Planet Antares

A blog for people to know about how to manage and find information on vending business.

Friday, February 26, 2010

What’s on Customers Mind that is crucial for Vending Success?

Vending is a customer centric business. Hence it becomes imperative to understand their requirements and mindset to become successful in this venture. Vending industry was initially started on a small note and gained due prominence within no time. Initially vending machines were used for dispensing selective products, but due to increasing popularity among customers of all age groups, these machines are used to vend almost all products today.

The comfort, convenience and instant services offered by Planet Antares machines is driving more and more operators to wards these machines. In order to become successful, operators need to offer products and services that meet customer requirements and expectations.

It is important that an operator understands the changing tastes and preferences of customers. 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.

“Customer is god and he can never be wrong” this is what all businessmen assume hence you need to take his feedback on a regular basis. This helps you to understand his changing tastes and preferences and introduce new products that meet his requirements. Understanding customer psychology is also very important. In fact, this is also one of the marketing strategies that help you sustain competition and stay ahead in the market.

Any customer would look for these features in a vending machine.

• Latest and attractive products.
• Stylish looks.
• Branded and high quality products.
• Look for latest features.
• Easy to use products.
• Fast and instant services.

So, all you existing and prospective operators out there make sure you keep these things in mind while running your vending business.

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Monday, February 22, 2010

Things You Need to Look For Before Purchasing a Vending Machine

Purchase of a new vending machine is critical for the success of your business. There is no doubt in stating that various models of vending machines are available in the market. Which one to purchase is at the discretion of vending operator? However before you proceed and purchase a machine it is imperative that you have a clear cut idea of what you want.

Remember one thing, different machines vend different products and each product has its own set of customers. So before starting the business, make sure you identify your target customers, location where you would like to install your machine and the product you would like to offer to them. For instance a healthy vending machine is profitable when located in a fitness centre when compared to a snack and soda machine. Thus, it becomes important to consider a potential location for placing your machine along with the kind of product and machine you choose to use.

Features and size of the machines: Vending machines come in various shapes, features and sizes. The cost of this machine however would depend on its features and model. Call Planet Antares and compare different machines to make the best choice.

In case you are going for a machine that runs on power make sure that is energy efficient. Otherwise you might have a tough time paying huge power bills.

If there are more number of operators existing in the locality in which you would like to place your machine, try to grab customer attention by offering products that are not very common. How can you identify such products? All this kind of vital information can be obtained by conducting a thorough market research.

Once you have finalized on the product, location and kind of machine you need, your next step would be to purchase a machine that best fits your business requirements. Always prefer machines of reputed and established companies like Planet Antares. Avoid purchasing used or refurbished machines. The price of these may be tempting but remember that you end up spending more than what you have invested. You will spend many time more that what you have saved by purchasing a used machine.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Vending-Preferred Business Opportunity

Why do we start a business? The answer is quite simple, to make profits. Vending is one of the greatest ways of making money especially if you are tired other modes and have failed drastically. Vending is not a completely new concept. This industry has been in existence for almost 100 years now and has proved to be a system with high income generation ability. In spite of recession and other economic fluctuations, this industry has been able to sustain severe competition and at the same time give employment opportunities to several young and enthusiastic entrepreneurs.

Vending is undoubtedly one of the most dependable business opportunities and most importantly it gives you flexibility in terms of operation. An operator can either take up this business on a full time or part time basis. Since this is an instinct based business, customers cannot resist themselves from purchasing products no matter how tight his budget may be. You do not need huge investments to take up this business. It can be started on a small scale with one or two machines and can be operated from home. Once you are confident of its performance, you can reinvest your profits and slowly expand your business.

In case you are a novice to this business or industry, you can start with one or two machines to minimise the risk of running into loses and gradually expand over a period of time. Vending machine business is one of the unique opportunities that allow you to be your own boss and work at your own convenient pace. When compared to others, vending machines have huge demand. However, there is scarcity of independent vending companies providing these services. This is why vending would be a great opportunity to get yourself started.

So, what are you still waiting for? Start your own vending business now.. To get help on starting your new vending venture, contact Planet Antares staff and work out your way with the most amazing business opportunity.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

How to Start Vending Business?

There is always certain ambiguity in the minds of people taking up vending business. The benefits and advantages associated with this business draw more and more number of operators towards it. No matter which business you are going to start, a thorough market research is mandatory. The information gather in this research helps provides with a clear cut idea on the steps you need to take before starting this business.

Few steps that can help you in this regard are mentioned below:

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

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

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

Planet Antares can help you in knowing what it takes to start a vending business and how to make it profitable.

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Friday, February 5, 2010

Why Vending Business?

Vending is one of the oldest business models that have been in existence. Since its inception, this industry has been booming and giving employment opportunities to several enthusiastic and upcoming entrepreneurs. With passing time, this business has been able to get wide acceptance both among customers and operators across the globe.

There is hardly any place where vending machines are not seen. What makes this business so popular?

• Vending business has high profit margins.
• This is a 100% cash business. Therefore there is no risk of bad debts and collection issues.
• There are no fixed working hours and you can run your machines round the clock 24/7.
• You need not take up this business on a full time basis. You can continue with your main job and take up this business on a part time basis.
• You need not appoint sales personnel as vending machines takes care of all your sales.
• Like other businesses you can enjoy tax benefits even in vending business.
• Except for regular maintenance and repair costs, operator does not incur any major overhead costs.
• This is perhaps the only business that gives you instant returns.


However, this does not mean that your job is accomplished just by installing a machine in a location and filling it with required quantity of stock. There is huge competition in this industry. Hence operator should be very careful and come up with strategic moves in order to be successful.

To begin with, he needs to do a thorough market research. This will help him in understanding the in and out of vending business. With the data collected via market research, vending operator will be able read the pulse of customers, the present market scenario, the needs and wants of customers, various models of vending machines in use and the products that have maximum demand.

After gathering and analyzing information, operator needs to finalize on the kind of machine he would like to purchase and then place it in a perfect location. Post installation, operator needs to ensure that machine works properly as this is essential for offering uninterrupted and prompt customer service. These things if ensured can bring about huge success.

Planet Antares staff can be helpful, if you have plans of starting your own vending business. Planet Antares has been a trusted brand for decades and its presence in itself can attract customers. Moreover, their machines are robust and stylish at the same time. With Planet Antares you need not worry about break downs and other problems in a machine. You can concentrate on your business to get more clients and MAKE PROFITS.

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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Success Secrets Of Vending Business

There is hardly any business that would compromise on initial investment. So, in case you are a new or upcoming entrepreneur you need to be prepared to invest huge amounts for starting a business of your own. This reason is letting down many young and enthusiastic people. Good news for all of you is that there is a business that requires minimal capital but ensures your returns with high profit margins. This is none other than vending business.

Once you have decided to take up this business, purchasing an appropriate machine would be the first and foremost step. Several vending machines are available for sale, rental or leasing depending on your business needs and budget limitations. You can choose the machine of your choice form this wide range of high quality and well maintained machines. Each of these options has its own merits and demerits. Planet Antares has been the choice for most while selecting a stylish vending machine.

Renting a vending machine may sometimes become very challenging. These machines have been used earlier and have been subjected to a lot of wear and tear. So, the probability of a break down is very high. The performance efficiency of these machines would definitely be low when compared to any other new machine. Another disadvantage of renting vending machines is that they do not come with the latest and updated features which customers may be looking at.

If budget is your main constraint, you can choose a simple, new and basic model machine rather than complicated ones. This will not only cost less but also perform far better than a used one. Now that you have finalised your choice for purchasing a machine, your next step would be to strategically place them. For this you need to identify the best places suitable for your kind of product and then install your machine. Conducing research is really very useful. In this way you would not only be able to know the areas that already have vending machines but also understand how they are performing.

After installing your machine, you also need to strive to compete with other competitors in that particular area. Operators need to remember that the secret of successful vending business is happy and satisfied customer. This can be achieved by offering quality products and by keeping your machines well serviced and clean.

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