Editing Vending machine (section)

====Bulk candy and gumball vending====
{{Main|Bulk vending|Gumball machine}}
[[File:Vendstar3000.JPG|thumb|[[Bulk vending]]: a bulk candy machine containing [[M&M's]], [[Skittles (confectionery)|Skittles]], and [[Runts]]]]
The [[profit margin]]s in the bulk candy business can be quite high – [[Chewing gum|gumballs]], for instance, can be purchased in bulk for around 2 cents per piece and sold for 25 cents in [[gumball machine]]s in the U.S., and other countries. Gumballs and candy have a relatively long shelf life, enabling vending machine operators to manage many machines without too much time or cost involved. In addition, the machines are typically inexpensive compared to soft drink or snack machines, which often require power and sometimes refrigeration to work. Many operators donate a percentage of the profits to charity so that locations will allow them to place the machines for free.

[[Bulk vending]] may be a more practical choice than soft drink/snack vending for an individual who also works a full-time job, since the restaurants, retail stores, and other locations suitable for bulk vending may be more likely to be open during the evening and on weekends than venues such as offices that host soft drink and snack machines.

The [[Bulk vending]] machines of today provide many different vending choices with the use of adjustable gumball and candy wheels. Adjustable gumball wheels allow an operator to not only offer the traditional 1-inch gumball, but they can also vend larger gumballs, and non-edible items such as toy capsules and bouncy balls. Adjustable candy wheels allow an operator to offer a variety of pressed candies, jelly candy, chocolates and even nuts.