vending machines as a potential income

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I have the option to buy 6 candy vending machines. Does anyone on here have experience with this and is there profit potential? They would be put in apartment buildings and the machines are 40 unit vending machines for candy, non refrigerated. See below for the basic style.

Yes, there is a chance for profit, but the vending machine business is very competitive. First, don't expect much profit from only six machines like the one in your post. Those type are very expensive to maintain and keep filled. So unless you have locations that won't be rented out to anyone but you, pass up on this. You would need at least a hundred in high traffic/controlled enviornments like a hotel to turn a decent profit margain.

There are some major drawbacks to the vending machine business. First, you should at least operate in a LLC (limited liability company) to prevent personal loss in the case of lawsuits. Another concern is being a good salesperson. To put a machine in a high traffic area is difficult to do, selling the upside is really important, most places that allow outside vending machine opperators require a hefty rental fee, sometimes as much as 50% of money taken in by the vending machine. That can be bad, if you spend $100, and the vending machine only brings in $25 for you, at best; that's bad, even spread over six machines. Let's not forget taxes.
There is also the problem of finding a distributor, they are expensive no matter what state you live in, and even if you buy a thousand dollars worth of product from them a month, you have to remember that they have clients they would rather take care of, like the ones that buy over 100,000 a month of product.
I am not trying to put you off from vending machines, I am just trying to warn you. If you are really interested in the vending machine business, you will need to remember two things: It is a full-time job and it is not a cheap thing to do. If you are thinking about getting into the vending machine business, start small! Get one simple candy machine. They are not expensive, and you can get them at very low prices on online auction sites. (even at the low prices, you will lose money your first year or two) and if after a year or so, you still like the idea of vending machines, go into the business. If you lose money, at least you have lost less than a "k."
I tried the vending machine thing, and I do speak from experience; It is a tough business! It is a low profit margin activity. It really only works as part of a greater business portfolio. I am not trying to scare you away, I only want you to be ready for how difficult it is! Start really small; see if it is for you, then try it.

Good luck!

Contact your local small business bureau usually run by the local government. They can put you in touch with literally thousands of other small business owners who can mentor you and answer all kinds of questions. The bureau can also help you find the right business for you, help you to prepare documentation for a business loan or license.

I really can not stress enough how much the bureau I work with has bent over backwords to help me.

Good luck.

dev, good luck if you decide to go ahead with the vending machine investment. I'd be interested to find out how it goes. I've often thought about investing in vending machines.

I saw this dude on TV some months ago who came up with the idea of a vending machine for underground stations that sold umbrellas. An untapped market I think. I haven't heard how he's getting on.