Planet Antares Vending | Planet Antares

Monday, September 24, 2007

How Safe Is Your Planet Antares Vending Machine?

Vending machines are not just a source of “all-cash” income for the vending operators. It is also an attractive source of getting money for burglars and crooks. This has become a huge problem for the vending industry. Breaking or hacking a vending machine has become commonplace and the rate of this nuisance is rising every day.

Usually, vending thefts consist of taking cash from the machine. The thieves break into vending machines and plunder coins and bills worth thousands of dollars. Such incidents have been reported all over United States. Not only does the vending operator lose earnings but the vending machine also suffers damage.

There have also been reports of the entire vending machines being stolen. There is extensive damage to machines with bill acceptors and coin receptacle being pried open, doors broken, products being stolen and money looted.

The cost of repair for such spoiled machines can vary from $50 - $1000 in a single incident. At many times, the expenses may go even higher than this. For vending operators, this implies huge additional costs, loss of revenue and reputation too. Reputable vending machine companies like Planet Antares Inc. emphasize on having sound security mechanisms for vending machines.

A new technique for protecting the vending machines against vandalism is cashless vending technology. This includes charge card accessibility wherein smart cards are put into the vending machine. There is a computerized debit mechanism in such vending machines which help in accepting payments without cash involvement and hence, reduce theft possibility.

Another way to reduce thefts is the installation of alarm systems in vending machines. Such alarm sirens may go off when a machine is opened without entering the right code for opening the door or when the machine is handled roughly or tilted.

Advanced vending technology allows some machines to take a picture of vending attendants when they open the door and don’t enter the right code. There may even be provision for automatic calling to a security company in case of any misuse or attempt of theft.

For locations with vending machines placed outside, you can order security cages to ensure the safety of your Planet Antares vending machine. This allows the customers to access only key areas like the coin receptacle, product selection buttons and the change returned. You must select the security cage according to the level of vandalism in your area and the security requirements of your machine. These may vary from one side protection to security for the entire machine.

Other than this, you can use high security locks, surveillance cameras, signs indicating prosecution measures for theft, etc. All these methods should help you protect your vending machine from theft and damage.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Tips For Making Smart Vending Business Decisions

A vending machine business is a great way to achieve financial freedom and gain control of your life. However, you need to be smart about it. There are many people who may give you disastrous directions or take advantage of your ignorance. It is better to be aware about the various aspects of this business before you actually open shop.

The first decision for starting a vending business will be to buy a vending machine. Even though you must look for affordable equipment, cheap machines should be avoided. You get what you pay for and the cheaper the vending machine, the lesser revenue it will generate. These are usually available in the price range of $ 50- $150 and are not reliable. Even though you may save initially, the expenses of repair and maintenance of such machines will be many times more than the amount invested by you originally.

It is best to buy good quality machines from a reputable vending machine supplier like Planet Antares Inc. Do not get lured by attractive and cheap vending deals offered by relatively less known sources. You should also ensure that there is a guarantee on the machine and technical support is sound and prompt.

A good company will accept payment through credit cards and will not insist on “cash only” transactions. This indicates that the vending machine provider may not have a merchant account. Check their credit worthiness and payment security systems before you pay anything.

Experience also matters. The vending machine company may be a new start-up or even a distributor who sells machines manufactured by other companies. Enquire about their past record and business performance. You can even talk to their existing customers to get a better idea about their services.

Test the technical and customer service of the company to see if it is as effective as they claim to be. The technical staff should be adept at handling any and every kind of technical problems relating to your vending machine. This service should be available 24X7 to keep your vending machines up and running consistently.

Do not trust the testimonials displayed on the vending company’s website alone. Compare different suppliers for machine features and prices to get the best deal for starting your own vending business. There is no such thing as the “best machine” but you can surely find the right vending machine according to your business goals and limitations.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Virtues of Planet Antares Soda Vending Machines

It seems like the soda vending machines have been around forever. Everywhere you go, you can spot one or more of such equipment. Moreover, these are excellent income generators for people in the vending business. So have you ever wondered why these machines are so popular among vending machine owners and customers alike?

While these are more difficult to manage as compared to bulk vending machines, there are various benefits of soda vending machines. Their capacity may vary from 200 to 500 cans and are usually found in offices and convenience stores. At the front, these machines may have branded logos or simple designs according to the products stocked by them.

The main advantages of these machines are:

Location
Business owners are more willing to keep soda vending machines in their premises as these are popular among all kinds of customers. So it will be easier for you to get your vending machine installed in good locations.

Capacity
Soda vending machines have much more capacity as compared to bulk vending machines and do not require refilling frequently. This also means that you can earn more per refill session, which is beneficial for your business.

Better business relations
Your relationship with premises owners will be good if you keep your vending machines in top condition. A soda vending machine is much bigger than the candy or toy vending machines and thus, requires the services of a mover to be installed in a particular location. This will even save your time and effort in shifting the heavy machines.

Machine servicing
Planet antares vending machines have vend counters which enable you to keep a record or track of the number of vends from a machine. This makes it easier for you to account for product sales and avoid misuse of the machine by employees or customers.

Multiple options
You can choose from a variety of machines and routes to find the right one for your business. One of the best ways to start a soda vending machine business is to purchase already located machines. This option may not be available frequently but if it is, you must go for it as there is saving of time and money without any need for finding new locations for your machines. If you are planning to buy a new vending machine, compare the features offered by different vending machine suppliers and the price charged. Also, there are many good companies like Planet Antares Inc which help you to locate and service your vending machine.

All these factors make soda vending business an attractive opportunity for establishing a successful and financially rewarding business.