Towers

[PabloV8]

Well I never really have problems when another competitor installs a vending machine, as i have installed towers when vending machines [large electrical type only] are in place.

But the other day i went to a site to service a tower [homebase] and noticed a new SnackTower in place - have to say they look very swish!

Even had the machine permanently screwed into the wall!

Was going to leave a note to say that this particular Homebase was due to close but thought that would be unprofessional so left as is. My tower under-performed considerably against this new vend machine in its all new livery!

This got me thinking, the current crop of Towers has now been around for some time - is it not about time the manufactures considered updating them so that they can compete with this new brand of machines that are starting to materialise?

Or is it a case of take it or leave it?

Pablo.

[Mark@YorVend]

What do these new machines look like Pablo?

[Coin Operated Group]

Was it a perform marketing one ?

[PabloV8]

Not Sure Matt!

They are very angular and look a little odd when compared with conventional large vending machines, had coin change capability and i guess on board battery.

What i will say is that they are very vibrant and have tons of information all over the machine - that is my point with the towers, in comparison they look a little bland [towers that is].

Sales in comparison to my tower was impressive, and products cheaper.

Pablo

[Siting Services]

Hi Pablo

Are they the slimline vending machines that Snack-in-the-Box use? I agree, they do look good but quite expensive by comparison.

http://www.sitb.co.uk/join-the-team/cus ... ng-machine

Barbara

[PabloV8]

Looks like they offer these machines free to customers:

http://www.sitb.co.uk/vending-solutions ... g-solution

they do look odd, but are colourful and vibrant - like i said my sales went down significantly whilst theirs sold well!

i guess like all vend machines, if my product costs £1 and same item a couple of feet aways costs 70p i guess:

'he who dares wins'

[Siting Services]

Hi Pablo

I am not surprised that your sales have gone down when you have competition right next to you 30% cheaper!

SITB Franchisees make very slim margins plus they have fees to pay. £1 for £1, you are better off with Towers for ROI and the Towers can be placed in many more places than the larger vendors, which although they look better, cannot be placed 'anywhere'.

Barbara

[PabloV8]

Hi Barbara,

Totally agree, it is just that they look pretty good and I wondered if the current towers could do with an over-haul to spruce them up etc.

Pablo

[Siting Services]

Hi Pablo

There is not a lot that can be done to the tower - IMHO. Finished in chrome with black stand is about as good as it gets and labels stuck all over is not the best image. The SITB vendors are purchased with the finished look which is done at the factory and I agree, they do look good.

Vending machines, due to their box shape, lends themselves to be branded up and it looks right. A small tower stand may look too 'busy'. But what do I know .....

Barbara