Hi, Everyone! This is my first instructible, cut me some slack if it's not too great...
Anyway, gumball machines are a very good source of income, even Dave Ramsey (millionaire real estate investor) promotes them. And also, gumballs aren't your only options. You can fill it with m&m's, Skittles, Runts, Peanut m&m's, nuts, Mike and Ike's, Hot Tamales... the list is endless. You also don't have to stop at small machines either. You can have sticker machines, snack machines, soda machines, toy machines, lolipop machines, superball machines... whatever you want.
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Step 1: Find the Right Machine at the Right Price

When I first started my business, I spent almost a month scouting around for the right machine. I recomend starting here. Also search Ebay and Craig's List.

While your'e searching, pay attention to specific details such as:
1. The stand is made of metal
2. The base is made of metal
3. The globe is made of plastic
4. what wheel does it come with (you need different wheels for gumballs, candy, toys, etc.)
5. Cost. you can get good machines from any where, but make sure that they are cheaper than these listed prices: single heads - less than $85; tripple heads - less than $140; Big spiral gumball dispenser (pictured below) - less than $250.

Now that you've found the right place to shop, It's time to go soliciting.

Step 2: Legal

Now, before we go any farther, I shall protect myself from lawsuit.

I am not responsible for:
Any injuries, phisical or mental, that you may recieve by: carrying the machine, being thrown out of a "no soliciting" building, or any other way that has anything to do with this business.
And anything else that might happen such as being fined for operating without a business liscense.

Step 3: Marketing

Before you go out to find a customer, you have to own a business. PLEASE purchase a business liscense. they are not that expensive.

Also, before you find a customer, you should have most of these things (starred ones are a must-have) :
business cards
flyers*(give some to each place you solicit to)
pictures of the machine
notebook*
memorized solicitation speech*
a basic knowledge of the machines*

Also, try to find a charity to donate to. If you donate 10% to charity, the location is less likely to charge you to place your machine there.

Step 4: Solicitation

Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location, Location. The most important part.

Walk into a business (restraunt, store, car wash, etc.) that does NOT have a "no soliciting" sign. Ask to see the general manager or the owner. Repeat from memory the solicitation speach.
It should be something like this:

Hi, My Name is ________, and I have a small business called ____________. It’s a candy machine business.

______________ gives 1/10 of all of the proceeds to many charities around Middle Tennessee. They include:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

I was wondering if you could set aside about a square foot of floor space for a candy machine. I won’t cost you anything, and someone will come by once or twice a month to service it.

Step 5: Profit

Once you have your first location, order your machine and put it in an accesible location in where ever you are allowed to put it. (Get your candy from Costco or Sam's) Check it once a month. If you are not getting at least $30 per month by the end of the second month, you should find a new location. Solicit to other businesses with a HIGH TRAFFIC AREA when you have found it, tell your current location that you are sorry, but the machine isn't making enough money to cover costs. then switch.

You have now started your very own candy machine business!
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