Vending Machines For Dogs!

[MarkPearson]

As you know I am currently looking at starting a new business and have many business ideas.

What do you all think of Vending Machines for dogs?

Could be set up at vets, pet shop, boarding kennels, holiday park or dog re-homing establishment.

Filled with doggy treats or larger machines with dog toys?

What do you all think?

[Jayne]

My Dog would love that, but i'm not sure he'd be able to put the money in the slots :lol:

It's an unusual idea, as long as the treats were not too expensive, cannot see why it wouldn't work. But then again I am a big dog lover, so I love anything to do with dogs.

Jayne

[10 Yetis]

what/how would they get the items out?
They don't have thumbs? I remember reading somewhere that thumbs are one of the reasons us humans do so well? :D

Seriously though,
I would test the idea first, maybe in prime dog walking areas. Don't forget, the machines would give you a good advertising sales opportunity as well (remember the umbrella idea from Dragon's Den?).

[MarkPearson]

I am thinking 50p for dog treats, like those candy machines, you get a handful of treats for the dog.

And a larger vending machine that has plastic capsuals with toys inside for around £2

What do you think?

Where is the best place for them, local shops? Parks?

[MarkPearson]

10 Yetis

what umberella idea?

[10 Yetis]

chap came up with an idea to sell umbrella's in tube stations. He had a contract agreed with TfL (transport for London) to put the machines in good locations in the stations.

His predicted revenue from umbrella's was miniscule compared to the predicted revenue from allowing people to advertise on the machines (he had a screen on the front of them for tv-style ads - and also had poster slots on the sides, if i remember rightly)

A actually saw one of these at Earls Court Tube station recently. Not sure if it was the same company?

[Jayne]

I am thinking 50p for dog treats, like those candy machines, you get a handful of treats for the dog.

And a larger vending machine that has plastic capsuals with toys inside for around £2

What do you think?

Where is the best place for them, local shops? Parks?

Tourist places would be good, we always forget things, like dog toys, when we go for a day out. We always take our dog. Sherwood Forest is like dog heaven :D Also why not sell water too and plastic dog bowls, for emergency dog drinks.

Jayne

[switch484]

I think it could be difficult there is not many places on a dog that they can keep their small change

sorry couldn't resist that!!!

[SillyJokes]

Have you posted this before?

I thought it was a good idea. I suppose parks are the obvious place, dog shows, local shops where people tie their dogs outside, country parks.

I don't have a dog and don't actually care for them much so why not ask 100 dog owners where they go with their dogs.

[MarkPearson]

lol, what do you feel about the idea?

How many of you are dog owners?

The main places I see the doggy vending machines being are vets, pet shop, boarding kennels, holiday park or dog re-homing establishment.

[MarkPearson]

The whole vending machine idea can be profitable.

I think umberella vending machines are great for this country!

Anything else you would like to see in a vending machine?

[SillyJokes]

mmm - chocolate of course, confetti, noodles, used pants, earwigs, puppies, evil sweets, packed lunches, hair scrunchies/accessories, mobile phone thingies, crazy frogs, whistles, drums, streamers, balloons, song birds, fresh fruit chilled,

[AHAEvents]

With regards to the umbrella vending machine company you can see it for yourself here www.umbrollys.com

I actually approached the owner with regards to having a machine at our air show some time ago. We never went through with the hiring of the machines as the cost for a single day hire was quite high, but he has since updated his website and now has a section on event hire!

[wilsonservices]

I might be interested, but I would need to know the machine type and what it sells. I imagine that they would fit well in a pet store like Pets at Home, however I am not sure if people would want to buy out of the machine, when there are lots of snacks for sale in store, let me know.

[Dawg]

Silly Jokes wins the April 1st prize:
mmm - chocolate of course, confetti, noodles, used pants, earwigs, puppies, evil sweets, packed lunches, hair scrunchies/accessories, mobile phone thingies, crazy frogs, whistles, drums, streamers, balloons, song birds, fresh fruit chilled,

(Unless of course she is thinking of the Japanese market, where this niche has been, ahem, filled).

[Morgan]

Hi, I run a dog walking and pet sitting business :)

I think it sounds great - especially in vets where you are often waiting for long periods with pets who do not want to be there in the first place. I can see people placating their pets by getting them a treat to distract them. Don't know where else you would get a good response from having machines - outside in the middle of the country would seem a shame! Maybe at visitor centres etc?

[wilsonservices]

I would imagine that small, tabel top vending machines would work well in small independent vets. The big 'chain' vet stores often have shops who would disapprove I think!

[HelenBuckley]

Mark, you place them at parks and have balls and dog-friendly frizbees and - most importantly of all - pooper scoopers.

You'd make a fortune :)

[leeq1984]

Dog Will Love That