if youre building a niche product business and wondering whether custom vending machines in the US are worth the premium over Alibaba sourcing, here's what exists across different levels of customization and what each is suited for.

Custom branding on standard cabinet formats: entry level version of "custom" in US vending. Names like customvending and vendingdesignworks come up. Standard machine formats with your branding, some product specific configuration, and a custom planogram. Lower cost and faster lead times, but you're adapting the product to the machine's existing architecture

Partial customization from larger US distributors: Some bigger players offer more flexibility on payment systems, screen software, and external branding without touching structural engineering. Works well for higher volume standard product operators who want control over the software and brand presentation but don't need a machine built around

direct import with US integration: Going straight to an overseas manufacturer, there are a handful of Chinese brands that target the US market directly, and handling setup independently. Cheapest upfront, but the support dependency is big, especially when something needs diagnosing remotely or a part needs sourcing without any local presence backing it, at the end you go to local options to fix the imported one

ground up custom engineering for specialty products: dmvi is a good option when you want to build the machine around your product, designing and manufacturing custom vending machines in California, building the cabinet, dispense path, shelving, and screen around the product, a little pricier but really good reviews

Has anyone had any involvement in designing a logo or know a logo designer that does good affordable logo creation? Or any tools I can use to design my own logo?

Hi everyone. I am thinking of putting a vending machine but how do I get started!? Do I have to do it under an LLC!? Or my own name!? Do I buy machine first and then pitch to people!? How do I find people to pitch it to!? I am brand new and any idea would really help

Thanks and regards

Has anyone had any success or figured out how to accept EBT on a nayax, cantaloupe or any of the smart coolers?

Hi I’m looking for advise , if investing in Karak/ Coffee vending machine is profitable?
Have anyone done this or any loop holes to be considered . I’m in contact with the machine manufacturer who can lease it , but I’ll need to source the space further .

Tired of lukewarm office drinks before, but the new open coolers fixed everything.

Anyone in the Rock Hill, SC (between Charlotte & Columbia, SC) area that can share a contact for repairing Seaga vending machine? I've been calling and messaging the companies I see locally but no one responds. If you know a guy can you please share contact details, or request a chat to share privately?

Same issue I previously posted about, haven't been able to fix it and don't have time to learn it all myself. Probably an issue with controller board.

Vending operators: I'm researching an article on the increased adoption of Smart Coolers in vending fleets. I would love to hear about your experiences.

Here are my top 3 questions:

1. Which smart cooler tech would you recommend to other operators based on your experiences?

I'm not an operator myself, but my best guess would be a combination of vision for security with software that supports sales and stock control. I'd love to hear your thoughts and challenges on this one.

2. What is the ROI you're looking to get from getting a smart cooler instead of a new vending machine?

I've noticed smart coolers usually cost less and can house a versatile product mix, which I assume has huge implications for possible gains? What were your experiences with recouping with smart coolers?

3. (The one I'm most curious about) How do your customers feel about buying at Smart Coolers compared to a vending machine?

I've seen a lot of content on YT where operators talk positively about the smart cooler buying experience, but I'm curious about how your customers feel and the impact they've had on their customer experience.

Thanks in advance. If you want to go deeper into the topic, feel free to DM me!

I was at Kroger and sum guy kept glitching the machine and kept getting the same packs every time and every time on last pack comes out puts pack in between door and kept glitching if someone knows what he did I will cashapp you 20$

Looking to purchase a few machines from them and doing due diligence.

What is the make/model of this machine, and where could I get parts to make it operational again? Building currently has no power but assuming it worked when old tenants left. Vending machine came with building.

Our D6 and D7 motors on both of our machines are out of sync and they only rotate either 30 or 90 degrees. We cannot rotate them by hand. Help is much appreciated.