There is a guy who comes to work every week, once a week, and we all look for him. He is the Vending Machine Guy. No one here knows his name but we all know him. He is a smart guy because he always has something to say about our work. We just wait patiently while he reloads the machines.
I used to say that if I ever got a job in a big company I would try to get the vending machine contract. But do you know how much crap those guys put up with? “Can you stock my favorite candy bars?” “I lost a dollar in this machine right after you left last week.” “Is it true that vending machines tip over too easily?”
If you’re into tipping over vending machines maybe you should buy your own. You can sometimes see them at the big warehouse stores. I don’t want to think about what it would take to tip over a full-stocked vending machine because I would get caught and have to clean up the mess! LOL!
Some companies do manage their own vending machines. Take the coffee machine in your office. Chances are pretty good it’s from a company that supplies the coffee, filters, and cream, etc. These companies like Coffee At Work, corporate supplier of premium vending solutions, have refined the art of outsourced vending machines. Think about it. Instead of going around to every office on a regular route, they just sell you the vending machines and let you stock them yourself.
The days when an entrepreneurial employee could pick up a few extra bucks by handling the office vending machines may soon be over. Companies realize they can control costs and maybe make a little extra money by owning the vending machines and supplies. You almost have to specialize in obscure vending solutions in order to compete against the self-owning companies in the vending market now.
Now you can even look for healthy vending machine options (down at the bottom). It’s not yet the biggest thing in office vending machines but healthy food choices are making inroads. So maybe the specialty vendors will have to compete against offices on that, too.
Meanwhile, I think the vending machine guy has about finished and writing this has made me hungry.
Until next time!