Readers Respond posts comments and responses to the VendingMarketWatch news and Automatic Merchandiser vending related articles published on VendingMarketWatch.com.

I would like some information in becoming a franchise owner. I recently saw one of these vending sites and thought the idea was brilliant!

Like so many others I hate the artifically sweetend waters. I used to buy this water at Albertsons in Clearwater, FL. But when I moved back to Wichita it was no where to be found. Like others I would gladly order it online if I could! PLEASE bring it back any way that I could get it!!

The kosher vending machine at the Hackensack Hospital was wonderful. Good food and strictly Kosher. It had Pizza, Onion Rings, Knishers, Pizza Bagel and a Hot Cinnamon Bun. Yum.

In todays society few people stay steadfastly in one business or working endeavor for a lifetime. Thus they leave no imprint and make little difference in their work. Ben co-directed a very small and hopeful enterprise as an outsider in 1958 (we came into the industry, both from Kansas City, at the same time). Focusing on the information needs of the average vending machine operator, instead of on the so-called leaders, Mike Michael and he built a solid business and gained an unequaled expertise. His contribution spans the timid beginnings, the heyday and the more recent slowdown of the American vending industry. Each human endeavor benefits from devoted builders like Ben Ginsberg. He has fully earned his place in Heaven.
Respectfully,
Walter Reed

As far as I can remember, Mothers cookies was the only bakery that made Chocolate Wafers as in their Butter cookies. These are great cookies, and great for pie crusts, as well as other recipies. As a young parent we lived close to the Mothers cookies plant in Louisville, KY and my two oldest, probably 7 & 8 used to sneek over there to get free cookies. Yeal, got themseles in trouble too. Sure wish someone would make those cookies again. What a shame they are gone.

I to found them ONCE and cannot remember where, they should make it easier to find store locations on the web site!

Yeah, thats it Elliot. The Feds are going to issue tax incentives, or cash rebates, or throw us some TARP money, or give out ARC loans (what a joke that was - look it up). I cant wait to hear what Harkins staff comes up with to help our industry. I think Harkins "interest" is just political window dressing. He was probably giving a long-time supporter some publicity. We all know the Feds dont believe our industry does much for this country, what with all the under-the-table unreported income rampant with cash businesses. That very help that you foolishly believe will be forthcoming could easily be in the form of IRS scrutiny. Heres how Harkins can help the vending industry: eliminate ridiculous nutrition requirements for vending machines, eliminate Energy Star requirements for legacy vending machines, overturn the Randolph-Shepherd Act and stop Federal funding of same, require changes to the currency to maintain the same electronic signatures for our bill acceptors as the old bills, require our equipment suppliers to adhere to existing federal requirements for parts support for discontinued models (Crane-Dixie Narco-AP), reduce debit and credit card fees, provide interest-free financing for new equipment for operators of ALL sizes. Ill not hold my breath for any Federal help for vending operators, especially "funds to support the placement of vending machines."

I really love your wildwood cream soda. Do you make this in diet? I bought it out of a vending machine can youn tell me where I can buy this in a supermarket please

hi michael here......i read your blog its very nice and intresting too.thanks for shairing it.

Small business plan

Congratulations to SVA for seeing the need to present Cashless to their organization. Although points need to be made for the other realm of Cashless - Prepaid - you get your money up front!! Cashless in this realm is without percentage fees and signal fees, unless you want to add a Credit Card Loading Station which brings the fees substantially lower!! Microtronic Cashless Systems is the best choice for lowest cost cashless!

How can i purchase Starbucks coffee machine and how much do i need to invest?

i would like prices and information on your machines! Thanx!

Hello,

I am the Head of Issue Unit, Currency Dept. at the Bank of Israel. I would like please to inquire on how to get a copy of the WVA Coin Design Handbook.

I hope for your favourable response.

Thank you and best regards,

Lior

Great article

I understand the article thoroughly however, in looking very hard at the "top three traffic drivers" as mentioned in the article there is not enough said regarding pricing. Included in the very important categories of value and quality is the ever present pricing structure. As it is very well know within the Vending Operators in general it is ever increasingly hard to get a price consistent with or coupling with value and quality. At current pricing it is very difficult to raise prices enough to truly offer all described in the article. It is easier said than done in this case particularly because for some reason the consumer expects much lower pricing when a product is dispensed from a food Vending machine. This has been written in stone and is very very difficult to ease pricing up consistent with the quality and value this report states that this is what the consumer wants. If in fact this is what the consumer wants and we all know they do want it. Here is the simple question to be answered; are they willing to pay a higher price for the value and quality of product dispensed from a food Vending machine? That is really what it comes down to. I will be glad to discuss this much further at any time. I am an experienced Veteran in the Industry and have an abundance of knowledge and ideas, yes new ideas to go right along with the ever changing Industry and chanllenged times we face every day in the marketplace. My email is above and look forward to any response to open up communication on this very important subject.

Will it work in a glass front vending machine?

Could you please tell if and where I might purchase this tea?

I opened up a roll of quarters from the bank and got one of these. Think its really good luck?

Oh my goodness!!!!!! i just tried the cinnamon coffee cakes and they are wonderful. Even better than anything i have ever made at home! i hope these become available in stores!

I would love to see some real vending companies submit their own biased publicity stories about how they have taken accounts back from the "healthy alternative" wannabe vendors that keep spreading their half-baked vending ideas. There is no way that vending locations are going to continue to settle for less commission (we know thats all most locations want from vending anyway) from "healthy snacks" when they know that putting traditional products in machines for their employees and customers to buy is how they will maximize those commissions. Come on people, is our industry really changing and caving in to publicity. Fight back and report on your taking back of those same accounts when the wannabes fail or or are kicked out for poor service, crappy equipment, or crappy products.