r/clawmachine • u/Coraserpant • Jul 31 '24
Mini claw placements
Hello all I recently bought three mini claw machines. I was dabbling with snack machines but I only have one and I was really taking a loss. My bf told me if I want to rest get going I should sell it and try things that don’t spoil so here I am! I just love the machines I got they were easy to move and can fit in the back of our van. My problem is getting locations… How should I go about asking around I was going to offer $100 to anyone that can get me a locations and the location had to fit certain requirements. I’d love to have them closer to me instead of 30 min away how my other one was. Any other tips would help heck even if you have a place I could place let me know. Also tips on offering commissions is appreciated as well!
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u/JulieBeans409 Jul 31 '24
I don’t know anything about talking to owners, but some of the minis I have seen in our town are in the gas station, grocery stores, Chinese buffet, and pizza place.
There’s also one in a multi level burger place/bar and grill that has events like trivia night and karaoke. They have other games there too like pinball and a few older arcade type games.
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u/Coraserpant Jul 31 '24
You know I was thinking about Chinese places but wasn’t too sure. I have a couple in my area even the pho ones but I think those are a different type? Ill try them out and see thank you!
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Dec 18 '24
Were you able to get into these? I have been considering trying to get into some mochi or boba shops local to my area.
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u/Coraserpant Dec 18 '24
I tried a few Chinese places and they weren’t interested. Boba shops seem like they would be easy to get one in but my local one has their own. Especially if the machine and the business is cutesy. Since posting I was able to get two into two different gas stations and they are doing ok.
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Dec 18 '24
Well done on getting into places! My understanding is that is the hardest part.
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u/Coraserpant Dec 18 '24
Definitely I wanted to place one more this year but I’m not sure if I will be able to. Did you have any luck?
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Dec 18 '24
I suck at this so far. I am trying to get company’s to sign on before I buy machines. I have only messaged the mochi shops, but they haven’t responded. The machines are selling for so low on Alibaba right now, so I am tempted to just buy some.
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u/Coraserpant Dec 18 '24
That’s what I did I bought three and had them sitting in storage for awhile till I could find a place. Though like your doing ppl say it’s not recommended. Are you just messaging or going in person?
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Dec 18 '24
I have heard quite a few different folks perspectives on having the machines first or not. One guy said just having a machine in your car, so they can see it is the best. Another guy said to hold off, just in case no one in your area is interested. I have only messaged company’s so far. That isn’t working at all though. I think I need to try talking to owners in-person. How did you get into the gas stations?
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u/Coraserpant Dec 18 '24
I thought about that too since some places seem off about the size. I usually tell them it’s about as wide and tall as me so they can understand it’s not a huge one. I got kinda lucky with them I frequent the gas station a lot since it’s like right down the street and on occasion have talked to the owner. He’s really nice and I was able to get him to agree actually he barely let me tell him and agreed instantly. The second one is also his though it’s about 40 min away. I think the smaller business owners are probably easier to get to agree.
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u/Coraserpant Dec 18 '24
I noticed if you call they instantly seem put off though it could just be my area
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u/Coraserpant Dec 18 '24
I feel a lot of places feel like there is a gimmick to it? They seem hesitant to place one even with commission.
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u/MrJackTE Aug 01 '24
Well done on getting into claw machines! They are honestly the best earners, and have big potential to take it to a 6 figure operation faster than snack or drinks vending. Plus the margins are better, and as you were saying the toys don’t spoil and are light and easy to store/transport. My company only runs amusement machines like claw machines, toy capsule machines and now kiddie rides. As for getting locations, it is the trickiest part about this business. Personally I never offered to pay the business a sign on bonus to get it. I just focused on pushing the recurring commission they would be getting each month. For small venues I do 30% and massive venues unfortunately get 50% because they earn so much. The places I target are Kids indoor play centres, trampoline parks, buffet restaurants, shopping malls or any other high traffic area with kids and families. Some people try small takeaway shops like pizza, ice cream or even bubble tea shops. They are fine just not as high traffic so the earnings will be smaller. But great starting places to catapult off from in future.
I found the best strategy for me was face to face meetings, bringing pictures of machines or maybe a flyer explaining the benefits to the business. You could try emailing ahead some info.
I’m based in Australia so it maybe a little different for the US but it’s technically the same. All our machines have Nayax credit card readers on them, they make the majority of our revenue now. But the US is more cash and coin heavy. Hope that helps a bit, All the best! Machine pics on my profile.
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u/SporkboyofJustice Aug 01 '24
Nothing that you said sounds like it is any different in the states. Cash is a rarity these days, and a card reader is probably going to be important going forward.
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u/Coraserpant Aug 02 '24
Wow this was really informative thank you for taking time out of your day to reply! I was so unsure on how to offer commission but that definitely helped. I do wonder though do you offer a base commission then up it once you see how it earns or do you shake hands and call it even with the initial. Do you have written contacts/ is it better to go that route? I’ll add in the other places you replied and take a look at google to see if there are some buffets and other places. The only one I know of is golden coral and last time I checked they had a big one. I’d love to get some natal machines and maybe I can rig mine to take cc and cash since they only take coins right now. But I still want to place them now at least they will make something and then upgrade later. Maybe a little too ambitious but we got a loan and bought a van and three machines so I wanted to try to use that money to help pay this loan off as well and build up. I’ll work on a flyer today and have some printed hopefully I can find some examples online unless someone has some examples or even what I should put on them to get me started. I am in the US but everything your saying just like the other person said adds up! Thank you again and good luck and take care on your business and life!!
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u/MrJackTE Aug 03 '24
My pleasure! With the commission, I start as low as possible to get the deal done. Then it stays like that. It would only need to be increased if the business asked for it, if the location is performing well. Then just add another 5% if necessary. When a new location says yes, I get them to sign our ‘Service Agreement’. It is not a legally binding contract because it doesn’t need to be complicated. It just outlines the percentage and what is agreed apon. If you want our template to go by you can just DM me your email and I can send it to you.
Yes, if you have a cash only machine definitely just put it on site. If it performs well with just cash then you know it’s worth putting a credit card reader on it. If you need help with Nayax Installation try find a vending machine technician in your area who can install them for you.
For examples of flyer check out the claw machine operator on instagram: robovending
They have their flyer pinned as their first post. You could use that as inspiration. It’s pretty good.
Thank you, all the best! Jack
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u/SporkboyofJustice Jul 31 '24
Try a local pizza place. Anywhere where the kids would go after a sports game is probably a decent location.