For many businesses in the Greater Montreal area, installing a vending machine seems like an easy win. The idea is simple: buy a machine, fill it with snacks and drinks, and generate passive income while offering a convenient service to employees, tenants, or customers.

However, the reality of managing a vending machine is often more complex than expected. What appears to be a low-maintenance solution can quickly turn into an ongoing responsibility involving inventory management, technical maintenance, payment systems, and customer satisfaction.

If you are currently weighing buying a vending machine vs using a vending service, it’s important to understand the challenges businesses often face when they decide to manage machines themselves. Below are five of the most common mistakes.