The Seaga SM2300 is a tried and tested vending machine that we find ourselves recommending to new and experienced vending machine operators over and over again due to its reliability and versatility. It’s a machine that we ourselves have placed at multiple locations and have consistently gone back too if we are looking for a new vending machine.
For new vending machine operators, buying a first machine can be an ordeal to manage its delivery, its setup, and its installation, so before jumping head first into making a big purchase of a machine, it’s important to understand what it is that you are buying and get an idea on how it operates.
In this article we will be going over everything you need to know about the SM2300 before buying, from its packaging to its internals and final configuration.
Shipment
The Seaga SM2300 is shipped in two separate packages fastened to a pallet. The overall quality of the shipment is fantastic as it came to us extremely secure with no issues or defects. When purchasing this machine, it’s important to consider that you will need the appropriate equipment to unload this package, as well as an appropriate space capable of handling a shipment of this size, as it is a large freight shipment to navigate.
The SM2300 weighs 440 lbs and has dimensions of 69.5"H x 30"W x 29"D, not including shipping dimensions, so keep this in mind when selecting a location.
The snack machine will be housed in the smaller, lighter box on top. Be sure to move this carefully off the top of the machine when unpacking to avoid any accidental drops.
The drink and refrigeration unit will be housed in the larger, smaller box at the bottom. This box is rather heavy so you will want some assistance when moving and unpacking this.
All components within the machine are packaged very securely, so there is no worry about anything rattling loose during shipment.
Packaging
Within the snack machine, you will find the following accessories and materials, including pricing stickers, keys to the machine, an instructional guide, and other materials you may need to configure your vending machine as needed.
Be sure to place the keys to your machine in a safe and secure location, as these are unique to your machine.
Overview of the Machine
Once fully unpackaged, the snack machine will need to be securely placed on top of the drink machine, and then locked into place by two screw holes located at the front of the interior of the snack machine. Once fully assembled the machine will be 69.5 inches tall, 30 inches wide to note for locations.
The model displayed in our photos is the slate metallic model of the SM2300, with options for custom wraps for your own branding needs if you are looking to purchase multiple models (More than 5). The overall build quality of the SM2300 is extremely sturdy and strong, making it difficult to tamper with once installed at a location, and its surface makes it very easy to clean and design as you need.
The machine itself is very low profile when placed against a wall, as there is no additional cable management you would need to organize when placing at a location.
Capacity & Selection
The SM2300 has 16 total rows for snacks and 7 rows for cold drinks, for a total capacity of 168 snacks and 85 drinks. Loading this machine couldn't be easier; all trays within the SM2300 can be fully pulled out and tilted for loading.
For snack capacity, there are 8 wide rows for bagged items such as chips and 8 narrow rows for candy bars or other narrow snack items, and there are three columns for 12 oz cans (45 total) and four columns for 16 oz bottles (40 total).
Loading the SM2300 is an extremely easy and it's design is very user friendly for those new to working with vending machines.
Features:
The SM2300 vending machine includes a pre-installed
- Conlux Bill Validator that accepts $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills
- Conlux Coin Changer that accepts nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar coins.
- A Cantaloupe credit card payment system, with built in Wifi
Making them easy to get set up right away at a location. The SM2300 also has full sales reporting built in, alongside a wide range of pricing selection from $0 - $99.95 per item.
Working within the machine is very straight forward as all components are modular and can easily be swapped out as needed. Emptying the coin mechanism is as simple as unlatching the container form the body and can be done in a matter of seconds once accustomed to the machine.
Alongside this versatility, they include some helpful documentation within the machine itself for reference when restocking, making it much easier to work with the machine when restocking or performing maintenance.
When running, the SM2300 runs silent enough to place within an office or other quiet spot, making it suitable for a wide variety of locations as it’s barely noticeable in a quiet room.
Why Purchase The SM2300 Over A Used Machine?
When buying a vending machine, there are a lot of options on the market to go with if you are looking for either a used or cheap vending machine. While some of these options can be tantalizing due to their price point, they tend to be more work then they are worth long term. We recommend purchasing vending machines new due to this inconsistency, and the SM2300 fits perfectly within an affordable price for a premium machine that you will hardly ever have to perform work on as long as you follow proper usage.
What Locations Will The SM2300 Work Well In?
The SM2300 is a very versatile machine that can fit into a wide variety of locations.
- Office Locations: Offices are one of the best locations to place a Seaga SM2300 Combo vending machine as it's quiet, compact, and having both snack and drink options within one machine allows for a much wider variety of products to stock than a standard dedicated drink vending machine or snack vending machine. For restocking this machine, it's design also makes it very unobstructive to open up when needed if placed in a more crowded location.
- Apartment Buildings: Apartment buildings are great locations to land, and the SM2300 is sleek and minimal enough to be a comfortable fit in any type of entrance way or lobby area.
- Schools: School locations tend to have limited space for machine locations, and the SM2300 is a great choice for an all encompassing solution for a lunch or breakroom.
- Factories: Employee areas within a factory or industrial environment is a great location for the SM2300 as it has a minimal footstep for placing within hallway or break room locations. Having both snack and drink options within 1 single machine also tends to be popular for locations where a machine can serve multiple purposes, such as also providing safety equipment or other essentials alongside food and beverage options.
- Hotels: Hotel locations are great options for the SM2300 as these machines are affordable enough to place across multiple floors if needed.
These are only a handful of locations where the Seaga SM2300 is ideal, but most locations that have a limited amount of space and a variety of customer preferences is a great fit for placement.
What Items Can I Stock In The SM2300?
Being a combination vending machine, the Seaga SM2300 has a wide variety of options for both snack and drink items, holding 168 snacks and 85 drinks in total and have options for adjusting rows as needed. Space for stocking specific items is abundant so any standard sized snack bag or thin sized candy bar can be stocked as needed based upon demand. For drink options, the SM2300 can handle both bottles and cans so there is no limitation on variety for items and can easily adjust your product offerings as needed based on popularity.
In Conclusion:
The SM2300 is an excellent machine for both new and experienced vending operators. At its price point, as well as its versatility and longevity, the SM2300 is a machine that is simple to use and can work in almost any type of environment. While buying used machines on the open market may seem appealing at first, it can end up costing you more money and headaches in the long run than purchasing a new machine outright.
Servicing a machine on top of keeping it stocked can become a headache if you are new to the industry. If you want to get started in the vending machine space and do not want to become a support technician in the process, the SM2300 is the best choice on the market for its price, functionality, and build quality.
It's a clean-looking machine with customization options if you want to brand it for your business, and it's simple for customers to understand, and because it's a combination machine, you can provide a variety of options at a location. As long as you take good care of it, it will continue to work without your intervention, and replacement parts are easily obtained or purchased directly from the manufacturer at a reasonable price when needed, so having to scavenge for parts is not an issue with Seaga.
If you need a vending machine that will last as long as you need it too, the SM2300 is the best choice on the market.