Bulk vending has been around for nearly two hundred years in one form or another. Most people in America have dropped a coin into a clear topped, bubble-like machine and enjoyed the sugary taste of a colored or multi-colored gumball. These timeless confections have been enjoyed by billions of people worldwide. Many may have wondered at one time or another who owned these mysterious machines and just how much money could be made. The term for the business of utilizing machines to sell products is known as vending. Bulk vending is the business in which large amounts of products such as gumballs are placed into a well-designed machine. Coins are deposited into a designated slot, a handle is turned and the consumer is provided with a tasty treat.

The history of bulk vending begins in 19th century Europe. In fact, vending machines became popular ways to sell products such as postcards as far back as the 1880s. Bulk vending in America was introduced by the Thomas Adams Gum Company. Utilizing the subway platforms of New York City, the company set up several machines that vended Tutti fruity gum. The gum was usually vended by a manual means. Consumers of the sweet confections would deposit their coin, then simply turn a crank or press a button. The product would drop or slide into a slot so that the customer could easily retrieve it.

The bulk vending machines of the early days were very innovative for their time. There would be animated figures within them to attract customers or fancy lettering advertising the irresistible treats. Much like the bulk vending machines of today, they were not powered by electric. This allowed for the placement of these machines just about anywhere. Smart venders took a page from the real estate world because they understood the concept of "location, location, location". They found that the best places for the sales of their products would be in more remote locations or actually in stores that did not sell their products.

However, bulk vending products and the machines used to distribute them have not changed all that much over the centuries, there has been some interesting innovations. The invention of electricity has given way to the creation of gargantuan sized machines. Machines that can vend anything from a candy bar to fresh fruit and entire meals. Toys, trinkets and even computer software or cellular telephones are vended from machines today. Some of these machines have gone beyond merely accepting coins or currency as payment. Many now accept credit or debit cards as payment too. This form of full line vending has become a lucrative business for many who understand the principals understood by the very first vendors.

Full line vending utilizes much larger machines that often rely on computer hardware and software for their operation. These machines are large and highly mechanized. They are very heavy and often require equipment to move them. They can prove to need more maintenance and they expensive to purchase. However, a full line vendor can make good profits with fewer machines compared to bulk vendors.

Bulk vending [http://articleaptitude.com/vending-an-introduction/] usually requires lighter equipment with much less maintenance. However, several vending machines [http://articleaptitude.com/vending-an-introduction/] are required in order for a decent profit to be made. Heavy labor and equipment is not usually needed to move these machines. Many bulk vendors can maintain their routes utilizing a car instead of a large truck. Whether bulk or full line, vending is huge and continually growing industry that is worldwide.