Discuss the fun task of marketing a t-shirt shop. Where to advertise, local marketing tips, word of mouth, press releases, search engine marketing, keyword advertising, magazines, etc.
We do offer financing, however, with the economy the way it is right now, it is extremely difficult to get approvals. We are working on different methods for getting people machines (one of which may be half down w/ factory financing.) When you look at the overall picture, the machines are very reasonable and can be paid off fairly quickly dependent upon your profit margin/location/traffic/etc...
The machines are not and were never intended to replace retail stores or take jobs away from human beings. The machines simply offer another outlet/way for companies to get their product and their brand into the marketplace. There are many locations where a company's target market is located that a retail location would not be viable (i.e. bars/campuses/etc...) The machine allows a way for these companies to get their product and brand name in front of the consumer, and ultimately drive the consumer back to their retail or online location. Think of these as an interactive billboard.
If anyone has any questions for me, please feel free to PM me. Thank you!
When I think of a vending machine, I think of a cheap way to satisfy my hunger or thirst. If you have a t-shirt vending machine, does that mean people will start to think cheap t-shirts? So with all that thought process going for people, will it scare them away to see $15 dollar shirts (assuming that could be the price)?
When I think of a vending machine, I think of a cheap way to satisfy my hunger or thirst. If you have a t-shirt vending machine, does that mean people will start to think cheap t-shirts? So with all that thought process going for people, will it scare them away to see $15 dollar shirts (assuming that could be the price)?
Walsfer,
Surprisingly, it does not detract a lot of people from purchasing from the machine. What we also sometimes do is put two mannequin tops on top of the machine with shirt designs. This way, the consumer can see a full shirt of a design and actually feel the material. When you have your own company graphics on the machine and your own product inside, people tend to forget about snacks/sodas. As time goes on, people are going to not just think candy when they think of vending. Hope that helps. Thanks!
I had a friend who came up with this idea 2-3 years ago in college. She did it as her final major project in key spots in london and paris. I always thought it would catch on.
I've been reading along, and I think this T-shirt vending machine idea is awesome. Definitely lots of trade shows would be the perfect place to showcase your work.
Thanks for the reply! There have definitely been a lot of companies that are interested in the vending machine, mostly for marketing purposes. It seems to be a great way to get your brand in front of the consumer. A lot of times, the machines even end up in the local paper...which is a great way to get your name out there too.
Last edited by Rodney; September 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 PM.
Reason: removed self promotional info as per forum rules
I was in the vending business for a few years. One suggestion on selling those machines, Japan. Japanese culture is very supportive of vending in general. Everything depends on the locations you can secure for your machines. By the way, the common spiral vending machine can sell quite a selection of products, if as pointed out, they are properly packaged and the machine is properly set up.
Vending machines mean a lot of different things to different people. One thing I've noticed, fewer stores have drink machines out front, it seems they want customers to come inside to buy a drink. I once gave some thought to it being possible, through the use of spiral vending machines, to have a c-store lined with rows of them to sell everything except cigarettes and beer. The gas pumps could be set up to take cards or cash also, greatly reducing labor cost. Shrinkage (theft) could be reduced to near zero, in such a store.
Note Just finished visiting websites, it appears that both of the machines are spiral vending machines, with special graphics and cabinet work. Excellent job on th vending wall, by the way.
I have never owned equipment sold by this company, but in general I will offer this, from first hand experience. Vending machines with electronics are not as reliable as some people might lead you to believe. Some of this may have to do with design and some of it has to do with consumer abuse of vending equipment. In some cases, keeping an electronic vending machine in good working order, can cost more than the profits from sales. In most of the problems I had with machines, it had to do with the lack of durability of mother boards in the machines, with only a few years of use, they became unreliable. Manual and electro-mechanical machines offer a higher level of satifaction and reliability.
Some of the problems are such that when your called to a machine location, it works perfectly, it can get expensive trading out parts until the problem goes away, and sometimes the problem never goes away.
Last edited by Cam Lynch; September 3rd, 2009 at 05:23 PM.
An interesting thought, if the machine fails to sell t-shirts, you can always convert it into a chip and snack machine or even vice versa, if your looking for a DIY t-shirt vending machine. Hm, stay away from the snack machine in the breakroom!
Thanks for the reply NY... We are being contacted by many companies, even larger ones, that are looking to use these machines as straight up marketing tools, not even worrying about the sales. The good thing is, you can actually sell out of these as well. They are pretty much an interactive billboard for companies. It is a cheap alternative to placing ads in magazines, etc... with all of the foot traffic that will be exposed in certain locations.
Anybody know where Uniqlo is getting theirs? Their machines fit many more shirts, and the tubes are so attractive. They probably got it done someplace in Akihabara, but I figured if anybody had written an article citing the manufacturer, T-Shirt Forums readers would know.
Re: T-shirt vending machine 
