Why Cheap Vending Machines Aren’t Worth It (And What You Should Actually Look For)

Look, we get it. When you’re buying a vending machine for the first time, those bargain prices can seem really tempting. You’re probably thinking why spend thousands when you can grab a cheap snack vending machine for a fraction of the cost.

Here’s the thing, at Connect Vending we’ve seen this play out enough times to tell you: cheap vending machines almost always end up costing you more in the long run. This blog dives into why.

When you’re looking at vending machines for sale, the price sticker is just the start of your journey. That bargain machine might look identical to its more expensive cousin on paper, but the reality is that the machines are quite different.

Cheap vending machines are typically cheap because they skimp on build quality. We’re talking about flimsy components, unreliable payment systems, and they almost always feel like their motor is about to take off like a rocket going to space. According to research from the Vending Times, equipment failures are one of the leading causes of lost revenue in the vending industry… and guess which machines fail the most often? Payment systems.

Here’s where things start to get really frustrating. That cheap vending machine probably doesn’t come with a proper cashless vending set up. In 2025, contactless payments account for over 60% of all transactions in the UK, and these numbers keep climbing. It makes sense that you’d want your snack vending machine to be compatible with contactless payments. So, add the price of a contactless payment device on top of the price you paid for the cheap vending machine. See, it’s already starting to add up. Then you need to take into account the lost revenue that inevitable happens when your machine only accepts cash in a world where people barely carry cash anymore, or at a push has a dodgy card reader that rejects half the payments. People will just walk away if they can’t pay for what they want or even find ways to knock your vending machine to get the product for free which is easier than you think when the machine is poorly built and weak.

When you buy a vending machine on the cheap, you’re also buying into a relationship with constant vending machine repair calls. Quality machines from reputable manufacturers are built to run 24/7 with minimal intervention. Cheap ones? Not so much.

We’ve heard horror stories from operators who thought they could save a few pounds upfront only to then have to spend it (and then some) on emergency callouts. Industry data suggests that poorly built vending machines can require service visits up to three or four times more frequently than quality equipment. Things are starting to look real expensive, right?

At Connect Vending, we respond to 85% of service calls within 4 working hours… but this is only possible because we work with quality manufacturers whose machines don’t break down every other week.

Here’s something people don’t think about: what happens when that budget snack vending machine breaks down and you need parts? With established brands like Crane and Evoca that we work with, you’ve got reliable supply chains and readily available components. With no-name cheap machines? Good luck, you’ll probably have to source the parts yourself online. Even if you’re lucky enough to find the parts you need you might be waiting weeks for the parts to arrive, meanwhile your machine sits there empty, losing money, and your customers who are getting more and more frustrated start to realise how unreliable the machine is and take their business elsewhere. That’s lost revenue you’re not getting back.

In recent years the vending industry has come a long way from mechanical coin operated boxes. Today’s smart vending machines offer features that transform how you run your business:

• Real time inventory tracking so you know what’s selling and what isn’t
• Telemetry systems that alert you when something needs attention
• Remote monitoring that saves you unnecessary trips
• Data analytics to optimise your product mix
• Predictive maintenance alerts before things break

According to Vending Market Watch, operators using modern vending management systems report up to 30% improvement in operational efficiency. Cheap vending machines rarely offer these systems. The likelihood is with cheap vending machines you’re flying blind, making unnecessary restocking trips, and most of all you’re missing opportunities to maximise your revenue.

Running costs are often overlooked. Cheap machines are typically energy hogs with poor installation and inefficient cooling systems. Energy efficient vending machines can save operators hundreds of pounds annually on their electricity bills. However, that cheap vending machine could be costing you £20-£30 a month more to run than its higher quality cousin that was built to be a lot more energy efficient. Over a five-year period, that’s potentially £1,800 in unnecessary costs. There goes your upfront “savings” when you brought the cheap vending machine.

Let’s think about it from the customers perspective for a second. They approach your snack vending machine, try to make a purchase, and:

• The payment system doesn’t work
• The machine jams and keeps their money
• The product doesn’t dispense properly
• Your monitoring system is rubbish so your machine is always out of stock

What does the customer think? They don’t blame the machine, I mean it’s just a piece of metal right, so they blame you. Whether you’re providing office vending machines for employees or food vending machines in public spaces, your reputation depends on your reliability.

If you’ve been convinced that cheap vending machines aren’t worth it, you’re probably wondering what you should be looking for instead. Here are the essentials:

1. Reputable Brands and Suppliers

Stick with established vending machine suppliers who’ve been in the industry for years. Yes, you’ll pay a little more upfront, but the reliability, peace of mind, and support you’ll get out of it makes up for it. Companies like Crane, Evoca, and others have reputations to maintain after all. At Connect Vending, we’ve been in the industry since 1996, working exclusively with manufacturers who meet our exacting standards. That kind of track record matters.

2. Modern Payment Systems

In 2025, cashless vending isn’t optional it’s essential. Make sure your machine has reliable contactless payment systems that supports cards, mobile payments, and even QR codes. Think of it like this: the easier it is for people to pay the more they’ll spend.

3. Remote Monitoring Capabilities

Smart vending technology equipped with real-time data and vending telemetry is a game changer. These systems alone will save you countless unnecessary trips and help you to optimise your inventory by letting you see your stock levels, dales data, and maintenance alerts all from one place. Modern machines like the Evoca Swing or Crane Merchant Media 2 come with this capabilities built in.

Here’s something worth considering: instead of buying a vending machine outright, look into fully managed vending services or rental agreements. With a vending machine rental agreement you get:

• Modern, well maintained equipment
• All servicing and repairs included in the cost
• Regular stock delivery and management
• No large upfront investment
• Easy upgrades when better technology becomes available

Many operators find this model works brilliantly, especially when they’re starting out or want to minimise risk. You’re essentially paying someone else, like Connect Vending, to worry about all the above headaches we’ve discussed.

At Connect Vending, our fully managed service means we’ll handle everything for you, from installation to maintenance to restocking. You get all the benefits of a modern vending machine and the technology that comes with it without any of the operational hassle.

When you buy a cheap vending machine, it may feel like you’ve found a good deal and you’re saving a lot of money. However, those savings evaporate quickly when you factor in the costs of repairs, lost sales, higher energy costs, and all the aggravation.

Instead, think of your vending machine as a long-term investment. Spend a little more upfront for quality equipment with modern features, and you’ll be thanking yourself for years to come. Your vending machine business will run smoother, your customers will be happier, and you’ll make more money. Trust us. Like most things in life, in vending you really do get what you paid for.