Well, howdy folks! Ben here, and let’s talk about something every new vendor deals with — overpaying for equipment.

Buy Smart, Not Fancy

Buying hot dog cart gear without getting ripped off.

In our Q&A, a vendor asked, “Where do you buy your condiment pans — brick and mortar or online?”

Here’s the deal: always price things out.

I love supporting local businesses, but I also believe in keeping your business healthy.

If the local guy’s pans are three times as much, don’t hurt yourself just to say you shopped local.

Like I told folks in the Q&A, “If your local store’s pans are triple the price, just buy them cheaper online and donate the difference — that way it’s truly an act of kindness, not a hit to your bottom line.”

Online or Local — What’s Best?

There’s no single answer here.

I’m lucky to have K-Tom nearby — a family-owned restaurant supply that ships nationwide.

That gives me the best of both worlds: supporting a local business while still getting fair prices.

But if you’re not near one of those, go online and compare.

Big restaurant suppliers often have deals that beat local shops by miles, especially if you’re ordering in bulk.

Don’t get trapped into loyalty pricing that eats into your profit.

This is your business — your dollars need to stretch.

Choosing the Right Hot Dog Cart Equipment

When it comes to pans, steamers, and accessories, quality matters.

Helpful: Best Pans And Covers For Your Cart

Jason and I talked about this during the show:

“Buy decent pans. Don’t buy the really cheap, thin crap — it doesn’t last, and it doesn’t heat evenly.”

He’s dead right.

Some pans are so thin they warp after one weekend.

Others are too thick — and that’s no good either.

As I explained, “Steel gauge works backward — lower number means thicker steel — but that doesn’t always mean better. Some thicker pans don’t stack well, or they get stuck together.”

You want pans that fit properly, heat evenly, and don’t make you fight with your gear every day.

The right balance of thickness and design makes your setup smooth and fast.

What’s Worth Paying Extra For

There are a few pieces of gear you should spend a little more on:

• Steam pans and lids — Cheap ones bend fast and leak heat.
• Tongs and utensils — Go commercial-grade stainless.
• Coolers and storage — Keeps food safe and saves ice money long-term.
• Thermometers and timers — Compliance and consistency matter.

The goal isn’t to have the fanciest setup — it’s to have a reliable, efficient one that makes you money every day.

Keep Your Money Working for You

I always tell vendors: think like a business, not a collector. There is no point on overpaying for equipment.

Helpful: Vendor Mistakes That Cost You Thousands (and How to Avoid Them)

You don’t need gold-plated pans or the newest gadget. You need tools that last, heat evenly, and keep you compliant with your health codes.

If you save $200 on gear and put that toward marketing or product stock, you’re already miles ahead.

At the end of the day, your setup doesn’t make your business — you do.

But having dependable, affordable, and smartly chosen equipment sure makes your life easier.

And if you want to take your vending business to the next level, go and get together with the best vendors on the planet inside the Vendors United community.

You can learn about it HERE (it is 100% free to try it out for 5 days!!)…

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