The investment cost of a self-service mobile phone case vending machine mainly consists of three core components: equipment purchase, location rental, and initial inventory. The specific breakdown of the comprehensive search results is as follows:

📦 ‌1. Equipment purchase cost (per unit)‌

‌Basic entry-level model‌: Traditional spring-loaded chute model, meets basic vending functions, price approximately ‌3,000–5,000 RMB‌

‌Smart Upgrade Model:
Touchscreen interaction + mobile payment model: ‌5,000–8,000 RMB‌

Models with refrigeration/customization features: ‌10,000–20,000 RMB‌ (e.g., supporting on-site photo customization)

 

📍 ‌2. Location Rental Fees

‌Commercial core areas‌ (shopping malls/office buildings): Monthly rent ‌1,000–3,000 RMB‌, some require an entry fee (approximately 1–2 times the monthly rent)

‌Premium semi-enclosed locations‌ (schools/hospitals/factories): Monthly rent ‌500–1,500 RMB‌, or 5%–15% sales revenue share

‌Community/lower-tier markets: Monthly rent as low as ‌200–500 RMB‌

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📱 ‌3. Initial inventory and operational costs‌

‌Inventory investment‌:
Basic phone cases (3–5 RMB per unit): Initial inventory of 200–300 units, costing approximately 1,000–1,500 RMB

High-profit models (IP collaborations/customized models): Unit price 8–15 RMB, mixed at a 20% ratio, adding ‌500–1,000 RMB‌

‌Hidden expenses‌:
Electricity: Average monthly ‌50–150 RMB‌ (smartphone models have higher power consumption)

Maintenance: Average annual ‌500–1,000 RMB‌ (repairs + regular maintenance)

Restocking transportation: Average monthly cost of 200–400 yuan (calculated based on twice weekly trips)

💰 ‌4. Total Investment Range and Payback Period

Configuration Type Equipment Cost First-Year Total Cost (including 6 months of rent) Payback Period (based on average daily sales of 30 units)
Basic Model + Standard Location 5,000 yuan ‌12,000–18,000 yuan‌ 2–3 months

Smart model + prime location 15,000 yuan ‌30,000–40,000 yuan‌ 3–5 months

‌Note‌: Based on an average transaction value of 20 yuan and a gross margin of 60%, the monthly revenue from a single machine selling 30 units per day is approximately 18,000 yuan. After deducting costs, the net profit is approximately 6,000 yuan

 

⚠️ ‌5. Cost Optimization Recommendations‌

‌Equipment Selection‌: Prioritize models that support remote monitoring to reduce manual inspection costs

‌Location Negotiation‌: Try the “low fixed rent + sales revenue sharing” model to alleviate initial pressure

‌Inventory Management‌:
Basic models account for 60% to ensure cash flow, while high-margin models account for 40% to boost profits

Update 15% of SKUs weekly to stay current with trends and reduce the risk of unsold inventory

‌Summary: The startup capital for a single smartphone case vending machine is approximately ‌10,000–40,000 yuan‌, with core costs under control. The ability to achieve quick profitability‌ depends on the quality of the location and the agility of product selection‌

It is recommended to first test the waters in semi-enclosed scenarios with stable foot traffic (such as factories and universities), then gradually expand into commercial areas