Frequently Asked Questions

Our vending machines are equipped with an AI camera module that automatically detects every item taken. As soon as a product is grabbed, the AI identifies it, removes it from inventory, and triggers payment — no barcode scanner, no button press, no waiting time.

There are three common ways to detect what was taken:

• RFID: Every single product needs a radio tag, which means ongoing costs and labelling effort.
• Weight sensors: Scales in the shelves detect removals by weight. Products of the same weight are hard to tell apart.
• AI camera (Greifbar): Products are recognised by their appearance. You need no tags or barcodes and can change your range at any time.

Recognition accuracy is up to 99%. In the Plus and Sorgenfrei service packages, recognition quality is monitored as well. In the Sorgenfrei package, incorrect charges are also checked and corrected.

The machine accepts all common contactless payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Cash is not accepted — this significantly reduces maintenance effort and vandalism risk.

All payment transactions run through certified payment providers (PCI-DSS compliant). Greifbar does not store any payment data. The camera AI for product recognition does not process any personal data — it identifies products, not people.

Yes, for payment, recognition and the dashboard. The machine connects via 4G (mobile network) or Wi-Fi and uses around 3 GB of data per month.

According to the data sheet, around 2.3 kWh per day (S400 Arber), 3 kWh (S600 Zugspitze) and 6 kWh (CS500 Blaueis, freezer). At €0.22/kWh that is roughly €15, €20 and €40 per month.

The dashboard shows you in real time:

• Current stock level per product
• Revenue and sales figures (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Best-selling products (planogram analysis)
• Fault reports and device status
• Recommendations for optimal restocking based on sales data

Per machine and month:

• SaaS fee: €30
• Terminal base fee: €14
• Transaction fee: 2.5% of revenue at an average product price below €3, 2.4% at €3 to €10, 2.3% above €10
• Electricity: approx. €15 (Arber), €20 (Zugspitze) or €40 (Blaueis)

Optionally, a service package (€240 to €990 per year) and, if agreed, a location rent. Goods and restocking are your own costs. All prices excl. VAT.

The SaaS subscription gives you access to the dashboard with real-time monitoring, inventory management, revenue reports, and remote support. The minimum term is 12 months, after which it can be cancelled monthly. Details on the included services can be found in our service packages.

Machine, installation and twelve months of SaaS, terminal base fee and electricity:

• S400 Arber: €3,990 + €370 + 12 × €59 = €5,068
• S600 Zugspitze: €4,890 + €370 + 12 × €64 = €6,028
• CS500 Blaueis: €5,390 + €370 + 12 × €84 = €6,768

Not included: the revenue-based transaction fee, an optional service package and any location rent. All prices excl. VAT.

What matters are sales per day, the average product price and your margin. As a rule of thumb, with the S400 Arber around 4 sales per day already cover the running costs, and every additional sale contributes to payback (at an average price of €2.50, 50% gross margin, €80 restocking effort per month and no location rent). For your own location, the ROI calculator gives you the exact figures.

Example 1: calculator default values (S600 Zugspitze, 30 sales per day, average price €3.00, 55% gross margin, €100 location rent and €80 restocking effort per month)

• Revenue: €2,700 per month
• Gross profit: €1,485 per month
• Running costs: €308.80 per month
• Result: approx. €1,176 per month before tax and depreciation
• Investment €5,260, paid back after approx. 5 months

Example 2: small location (S400 Arber, 10 sales per day, average price €2.50, 50% gross margin, no location rent, €80 restocking effort per month)

• Revenue: €750 per month
• Gross profit: €375 per month
• Running costs: €157.75 per month
• Result: approx. €217 per month before tax and depreciation
• Investment €4,360, paid back after approx. 21 months

These examples are for illustration only. Your actual results depend on location, product range and prices. Greifbar does not guarantee any revenue.

There is no fixed number; what counts is sales per day. With the S400 Arber, around 4 sales per day cover the running costs. How many employees that takes depends on how many of them buy something each day: with shift work, no canteen or no shop nearby, that share is much higher than in an office with a canteen next door.

Service packages are 5% off from 2 machines and 10% off from 5 machines. From 50 units, brand logo display, domain configuration and stickers in your own design are free of charge.

For many companies, yes — especially with shift work, smaller teams or several sites. The machine is available around the clock, needs no kitchen staff and less than 1 m² of space. You decide on the range yourself, for example sandwiches, salads, bowls and drinks.

Yes, completely. You determine the assortment, the prices, and the placement of products. We are happy to advise you based on sales data on which products perform best at your location — but you always have the final say. You restock the machine yourself; Greifbar does not offer a restocking service.

In the chilled models (0 to 25 °C), for example drinks including alcoholic beverages, snacks, sweets, sandwiches, salads, dairy products and ready meals. In the CS500 Blaueis freezer (down to −26 °C), for example ice cream, frozen meals, frozen pizza and frozen baked goods. The usual labelling and hygiene rules for food apply.

No. The SaaS dashboard updates inventory in real time as soon as a product is taken. You can see from anywhere at any time what's still in the machine — and when it needs restocking. Optionally, you can set notifications when certain products reach a minimum stock level.

Very little: restock, clean occasionally and keep an eye on the figures in the dashboard. Inventory, billing and the temperature log run automatically, and there is no cash to empty.

In Germany, selling goods commercially through a vending machine usually has to be registered with the local trade office. If you sell food, you also register as a food business with the food safety authority. On private property, the owner's consent is usually enough; in public spaces a special-use permit may be required. Requirements vary by municipality and country. This is not legal advice; your local trade office, chamber of commerce and food safety authority have the final say.

The monitoring system automatically detects malfunctions and reports them to your dashboard. Most issues can be resolved remotely, usually within minutes. If there is a hardware defect, we send you the right replacement part by express delivery — no technician visit required. How fast we respond depends on your service package.

Across the DACH region: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We are happy to receive enquiries from other countries.

Usually 2 to 4 weeks after the contract is concluded and the site requirements are clarified. Only explicitly confirmed dates are binding.

The installation fee of €370 net covers setting up, connecting and configuring the machine on site. You provide the floor space, a 230 V socket and network access (mobile or Wi-Fi).

1-year warranty on the hardware. Spare parts without a value limit, on-site visits or a replacement machine are available through the service packages.

• Basic, €240 per year: remote diagnosis, spare parts up to €150 per case, response within 2 working days
• Plus, €490 per year: guaranteed repair times, spare parts without a value limit, express shipping, annual operating report
• Sorgenfrei, €990 per year: all on-site visits included, replacement machine for outages over 48 hours at revenue-critical locations, dedicated contact person

The packages are optional; all prices per machine and excl. VAT. Full details are in the product overview.

Yes. From 50 units, brand logo display, domain configuration and stickers in your own design are free of charge. For smaller quantities, just ask us for an individual offer.