Smart vending machine questions, answered straight
Everything property managers, office teams, strata councils and gym owners ask before hosting a smart store — costs, service, security and the BC-specific details. Missing something? Ask us directly via the request form.
How is a smart store different from a vending machine?
A vending machine drops one item down a coil after you pay blind. A smart store is a locked retail cooler: tap any card to open the glass door, handle the products, take what you want, and AI cameras charge you for exactly what left the shelf. More selection, no jams, no eaten loonies — and it looks like furniture you'd choose, not equipment you tolerate.
What does it cost our building to host one?
Zero. Tidewater owns the equipment and pays for stocking, servicing, insurance and connectivity. Your building provides a standard 110V outlet and about one to two fridge-widths of floor space. There are no fees at any point.
Can our building earn revenue from it?
Optionally, yes — we can structure a modest commission on sales or a monthly product credit for your team. Many hosts simply take the free-amenity route because it keeps accounting simple.
Who stocks and services the machines?
We do, on a schedule driven by each cabinet's live inventory data. The machines report stock levels, temperature and any faults around the clock, so we usually fix issues before anyone on-site notices them.
What payment methods work?
Every tap method Canadians actually use: Interac Flash debit, contactless credit, Apple Pay and Google Pay. No cash, no coins, no app downloads, no account creation.
Is it secure enough for a residential lobby?
Yes — the door only unlocks for a verified payment card, there's no cash inside, and every transaction is camera-verified. There is simply nothing to break into it for.
What about PST on drinks in BC?
BC applies 7% PST to all beverages sold from a machine that dispenses any soda — including water and juice in that same machine. We price transparently and can configure soda-free coolers where hosts prefer that most drinks stay tax-exempt. Details are in the BC government's PST notice on vending machines.
Do you stock fresh food?
Our launch assortment is packaged drinks and snacks, which keeps every item well within food-safety rules. Fresh food (sandwiches, salads) requires health-authority approval, and we add it only at proven high-volume locations, done properly.
What does our building need to provide?
A standard power outlet, the floor space, and door access for restocking visits. The machines carry their own cellular connection — we never touch your building's network.
How long does installation take, and what if we change our minds?
Two to four weeks from signed agreement to opening day. Placement agreements include a simple exit clause — if the store isn't loved, we remove it free. So far, that clause exists mostly on paper.
Sources worth reading: the BC government’s PST guidance covers the beverage rules, and Payments Canada’s research tracks Canada’s shift to contactless payment. For the shopper experience itself, see how it works.