One Cent Gumball Machine

[LKLive13]

So my dad and i were talking and i told him about my new Lincoln cent addiction. He told me that what i should do it get a couple one cent gumball machines and put them in some of the small business' around town like barber shops and such. Im kicking around the idea and the only downside i can see is that someone may steal the machine or break into it and steal the money and candy. Just figured i would throw the idea out there and get some other opinions...

[coppercoins]

Or that your gumballs would cost more than one cent.

[willbrooks]

So, you are proposing that you do extra work, and lose money, in order get cents that you can get for face value at the bank?

[LKLive13]

Or that your gumballs would cost more than one cent.

you can get 8500ct gumballs for about $50

So, you are proposing that you do extra work, and lose money, in order get cents that you can get for face value at the bank?

Sure... the work would be a loss but you would only have to make the initial investment back before you would be getting "free money"

[simonm]

I don't see how this would get you "better cents" so to speak compared to picking them up at face value at the bank in bulk...

[LKLive13]

I don't see how this would get you "better cents" so to speak compared to picking them up at face value at the bank in bulk...

I dont guess it would... im not looking for "better cents"... just more i guess...lol

[coppercoins]

I would imagine it would take a long time to make the money back. Secondly, I'm not sure what kind of route you're talking about, but it could well burn more in gasoline to do it than you could ever make on it.

There's a reason you don't see 1 cent vending machines any more. The time and trouble to keep up with them isn't worth the measly profit.

I agree with the others...get your coins from the bank.

Other ideas that could work...

Put flyers in the grocery store offering to buy people's pennies at above face value. Offer a 10% bonus. You never know what kind of stuff people have in their closets.

Put a small ad in the local paper. Usually the small ads only cost $10 or so.

These are 'better' ideas if you're looking to get stuff that has been sitting in people's coin jars for years. You're more likely to get 'current change' with a gumball machine.

[Antiquity]

...or break into it and steal the money and candy.

I would have to be pretty desperate to break into a penny machine. I would rather take my chances on the clerk and the cash register.

[LKLive13]

I would have to be pretty desperate to break into a penny machine. I would rather take my chances on the clerk and the cash register.

well you know how kids are now days... they will tear something up just to see it break i think

[Maineman750]

You could always add a placard that says it only accepts wheat cents

[cimperialis]

I don't see this having huge benefits, but only wasted time and frustration. How are you going to get the store owners to let you put the machine in there anyway? They'll want a cut at the very least, and they could lead to lost money.

[LKLive13]

Yeah... It was just a thought

[simonm]

You could always add a placard that says it only accepts wheat cents

I'd design a gumball machine that only takes Large Cents. Sure, I'd grt very few customers, but I would kow that I'd keep every single cent they gave me.