NAMA gets many inquiries from individuals interested in setting up their own vending business. While there are many legitimate business opportunities in the vending industry, potential investors should investigate opportunities fully before entering into any agreements or making any payments. Over the years many individuals have complained about vending machine business opportunities for a variety of reasons, including non-delivery of equipment, low quality or over priced equipment, and poor or inadequate sales through the machines as placed on location.
Avoiding Scams
The Federal Trade Commission produces several pamphlets with important tips on investigating business opportunities. The following link will take you directly to their pamphlet titled, "Business Opportunities: Avoiding Vending Machine and Display Rack Scams."
The attached article by the Better Business Bureau explains common tactics fraudulent promoters use.
"Don't let vending machine schemes take your money."
For More Information:
Federal Trade Commission
Better Business Bureau
Learning More About The Industry
It is also useful for potential investors to learn as much as they can about the industry. NAMA offers several resources for this purpose. Vending 101 is comprised of materials designed for recently established vending operators with relatively new operations.
NAMA also offers a wide variety of self-study, training tools and resource materials developed to assist you in increasing your business, marketing, and operational skills in the areas of vending, coffee service, and food service management. NAMA's Education and Training Catalog has the comprehensive list of these tools, with titles, descriptions, and prices.
For news and useful up-to-date information, many vending operators rely on the trade journals of the vending industry.
They are as follows:
Automatic Merchandiser
800/547-7377
FAX: 414/563-1699
Vending & OCS
770/451-2345
FAX: 770/457-0748
Vending Times
212/302/4700
FAX: 212/221-3311
