How Budget Petrol Eastlakes Took Control of Tobacco Sales with VDMS

Running an independent service station comes with constant challenges. From managing staff and reducing theft to staying compliant with tobacco legislation, there is little room for error. For Micki Hansimikali, manager of Budget Petrol Eastlakes and Sanctuary Point, tackling the tobacco category meant finding a secure, reliable solution that would protect stock and simplify operations.

That solution came in the form of smart vending technology from VDMS.

“We had a break-in last year,” Micki says. “They couldn’t get into the VDMS cabinet. It stopped them completely.”

More Than a Cabinet — A Secure System

The VDMS tobacco dispensing unit does more than store stock. It prevents both external and internal theft, integrates with the point-of-sale system, and provides a digital platform for in-store advertising.

“The design alone is a deterrent. It is flush against the wall, with locking mechanisms that are hard to spot if you don’t know what you’re looking at,” Micki explains. “They tried to get in, couldn’t work it out, and gave up.”

“In the past we have caught a staff member stealing cigarettes. That would not have happened with VDMS. The machine only dispenses product once it has been paid for at the register.”

Simplifying Stock Control and Staff Training

Before installing VDMS, Micki stored stock in a back-room safe and regularly ran stocktakes to track losses. The vending system removed much of that burden.

“You just load your top sellers into the unit and go. There’s less topping up, fewer stocktakes, and better control overall.”

New staff also benefit from the simplicity of the system. With so many brands and plain packaging, managing tobacco used to be a time-consuming task. VDMS eliminates the guesswork.

“They press a button and it dispenses the right product. No need to memorise every brand or fumble through drawers.”

Smooth Integration and User-Friendly Features

The system links directly with Micki’s POS provider, QuickFuel. Price updates and product changes are handled in hours, not days.

“Support has been excellent. I send through changes, and they are actioned quickly. They even helped solve a small issue with lighter tobacco pouches not dispensing properly. They created a custom insert, and that fixed it.”

Micki also uses VDMS Vision, a screen-based digital media platform that sits above the vending unit.

“I can upload images and run ads easily. It is straightforward, fast, and it looks professional.”

Battling the Rise of Illicit Tobacco

While the VDMS system has helped Micki streamline operations and secure her stock, one challenge remains difficult to address — the growing presence of illegal tobacco.

“After our store reopened last year, a tobacconist opened across the road. Since then, we’ve seen a drop in sales and even found coloured cigarette packets on our forecourt.”

Micki believes government policy has pushed customers towards the black market. High prices have made legal tobacco unaffordable for many, and enforcement is inconsistent at best.

“They shut the store down once and it reopened the next day. Meanwhile, we are doing everything by the book.”

Despite this frustration, she sees the investment in VDMS as a way to take control of the things she can.

“We can’t control what others do, but we can make sure we are protected and compliant. That matters.”

Long-Term Value for Independent Operators

Installation of the VDMS units was simple. The machines came with their own router, and training was minimal.

“It just worked. They showed us how to manage the back end, and even that was easy. It is not just a vending machine — it is a safe, a stock control system, and a security upgrade all in one.”

Although the upfront cost seemed high at first, Micki says the long-term savings and peace of mind make it worthwhile.

“We used to lose stock all the time. Now, I know exactly what is happening. I wouldn’t run a store without it.”

A Better Way to Manage a Tough Category

For independent service station owners dealing with theft, compliance, and rising operating pressures, Micki’s experience provides a strong case for modernising how tobacco is managed.

With VDMS, she has reduced risk, simplified day-to-day operations, and gained more control over a challenging product category.

“The support is solid. The system is reliable. And it makes our business more efficient and secure.”

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