Many different vending machines have been offering different types of items to consumers for years. But it cannot be argued that the kind that most appeals to kids is the toy vending machine. The most common types include the type that sell small toys in plastic capsules. There is a wide range of attractive options available to vendors when it comes to this type of machine. After all, selling to children, though a competitive market, has always been profitable when they are sold the right toy. But what are the choices that are available to vendors today?

Toy vending machine design plays an important role in generating sales. Bright colors and shiny components always make for a winning combination, but the market has become so cluttered with these, especially when they are positioned alongside other machines meant to capture the attention of children in places designed for children (e.g., miniature golf course parks, pizza establishments with many entertaining distractions). Vending owners are frequently looking for ways to vye for a kid's attention and they are doing it in creative ways.

You can choose from a regular version which sells small toys in capsules or choose a toy crane vending machine enabling the user to select a toy of their on choosing. The types of items associated with regular machines are one- to two-inch capsules with stickers, costume jewelry, glow-in-the-dark plastic trinkets, etc. You can also select a novelty machine which will involve a video game, DVDs, and other higher priced items, but with these, not only is the cost higher, but the level of difficulty is greater, too.

A novelty toy vending machine requires a larger budget, but will no doubt pay for itself in the long run with the sales it will generate. The best places to buy these machines online are gumball.com, brandvendingproducts.com, and Novelties-a-GoGo.com. In addition to these sites having new and used machines for sale, they also sell the toys, capsules, and other items that are associated with them.

Naturally, one of the reasons why small novelty toy vending has been so successful is due to the relatively low cost associated with it, at least for the smaller variety. There are larger, more challenging machines that require the customer to perform some sort of act to win a prize, and usually means the prize being dispensed has greater value. For instance, a joystick used to control a crane in an enclosed plexiglas box to pick up a toy is a machine commonly seen at family entertainment establishments and arcades. Because the prize is greater in value, the challenge is little harder. The owner is at risk of investing in more expensive toys, but the consumer also puts up more money for the chance to win the prize. Some machines even feature light and sound displays that increase the chances of attracting a consumer who would normally just walk by.

The prizes offered by the novelty machines usually include small toy trucks, costume jewelry, candy, plush toys, and any number of other similar objects. To increase profits, vendors often coordinate the prizes being offered according to the establishment or its locale. There are several companies that provide toys for vending machines and you can find a good many of them listed on vendingconnections.com.

The price of a bottom-of-the-line novelty machine starts around $100, but can work its way up to $500. The next step up from that -- a moderate level -- will cost approximately $500 to $2,000. Financing options are available by many manufacturers while others will require an upfront investment. It is also recommended to check the terms and conditions of the warranty when you buy a novelty unit.