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LRU? Anybody out there...?


ajdistro

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Ok, I placed an order with LRU this evening for one U-Turn location. I paid by PayPal incase there has to be a dispute.

I'm confident they will produce a good location in record time and I can continue to use them when necessary...

 

I will also place an order with Rodney Angerbauer and test his locating skills....

 

I'll keep you guys posted...

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here's a status update on my progress...

I ordered 3 locations, 1 from LRU and 2 from Rodney Angerbauer:

LRU sent me a dud- the contact person was at first nonexistent, then the story was that he'd been fired. But the bottom line was that I couldn't get them to take the machine. Maybe not entirely the fault of LRU but a waste of my gas nonetheless. Still waiting for a replacement, or even a reply would be nice.

 

Rodney Angerbauer at Family Vending sent me 2 strong looking locations. Both in break rooms in a large, local mall. One already had a bulk candy machine but also had plenty of employees (a large 'anchor' department store). The second was a smaller in line clothing store in the same mall. Both expected the machines and accepted them gladly. There was no run around or 're-selling' them on the machine required on my part. Thank you. The prices were a bit higher than most other locators but so far I have to say the performance is solid and no payment required up front. The warranty is also top notch. I paid after machines were delivered.

 

I will follow up after the first servicing. So far I cannot verify that LRU is still a viable option, but Rodney seems to be a strong contender for the locating crown.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I paid for a single bulk location (U-turn 4 select) from LRU on 6/22.

They provided me one dud, the machine was refused upon delivery.

I emailed them explaining the situation and asked for a replacement. I got no response.

I emailed them again after a couple weeks asking for a refund, still no response.

Today I filed a dispute with PayPal in attempt to recoup my 36 beans.

 

Sad because I need more locations and they seem to be the lowest cost locator.

I've used them before with mixed results-

I have to say I'm disappointed with LRU and would not recommend anyone use their service....

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I have to say I'm disappointed with LRU and would not recommend anyone use their service....

 

I wouldn't either after I waited over a month for them to get a location for me. They kept making all kinds of excuses, but in the end they finally told me that their internet phone system can't call my area (I don't know why, and don't care anymore). I won't use them again. I've okay results with Kickstart, haven't had nearly the amount of headaches I did on the one order with LRU.

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Kickstart and Prime have been mentioned a couple times as possible competition...

Anybody know the details like pricing, warranty, and such...?

 

If you were disappointed with the service from LRU, you will become downright suicidal with the service from Kickstart.

 

Don't be fooled by first impressions. Things go downhill quick with many locators.

They promise you the world on Monday, apologize for ignoring you on Wednesday, ignore you altogether on Friday, then blame you for the whole catastrophe on Sunday.

 

Don't use ANY locator without doing A LOT of research on the pages of this forum.

You will realize VERY quickly that there are only 1 or 2 you can use without expecting to be burned.

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If you were disappointed with the service from LRU, you will become downright suicidal with the service from Kickstart.

Don't be fooled by first impressions. Things go downhill quick with many locators.

They promise you the world on Monday, apologize for ignoring you on Wednesday, ignore you altogether on Friday, then blame you for the whole catastrophe on Sunday.

Don't use ANY locator without doing A LOT of research on the pages of this forum.

You will realize VERY quickly that there are only 1 or 2 you can use without expecting to be burned.

There's a few of us Sherlock, but we don't advertise much do to the fact we're to busy and want to continue quality. Or we specialize and don't expand for the same, reason.

I don't locate racks because in my opinion it's an in person job and we're to busy. I don't like having a leaf time of mine than 2 days on accounts.

But for the most part it's tough to find honest locators. I think a big part of a lot of them just use a call center and have to pay for their calls no matter what.

We don't get paid until your machine ifs installed. I think out motivates my staff more and that way there is less relocates to. That's where I lose!

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There's a few of us Sherlock, but we don't advertise much do to the fact we're to busy and want to continue quality. Or we specialize and don't expand for the same, reason.

 

There's a "few"? Really?

If by "few" you mean more than 2, that might be a stretch.

But, I'd love to know who they are.

Can you name two besides yourself?

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Ok, well.... First choice is honest, and I HEARD that ska had a good one. I don't know his name but, your right I guess. I know that I've never burned anyone, I've had the same business name since 2002 (family vending in Salem, Rickreall, and Albany, Oregon. We tried to expand once into toys, but that's it.

I just used to locate for uturn customers, took a break for awhile, then started back up again a couple years ago. I've been vending since day one. Unfortunately, I invested in uturn originally and recently started breaking then down to 4's and investing in racks.

I've also helped out a few on here.

But your right, they're is only a few, or a couple that are honest.

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Don't be fooled by first impressions. Things go downhill quick with many locators.

They promise you the world on Monday, apologize for ignoring you on Wednesday, ignore you altogether on Friday, then blame you for the whole catastrophe on Sunday.

 

Yea, so true.  Each day of the week can be an adventure in this business.  Can make for a long long week.

Been there, done that.  Maybe the dog can be blamed too!  Makes one want to hum...

 

"Ain't got nothing but (fill in the blank) babe"

"Eight days a week"!

But your right, they're is only a few, or a couple that are honest.

 

Ned ain't bad.  Not 100% perfect of course (no locator is), but will fix and replace any problem locations.

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Honestly, there as vendors that are like locators too. Any business can be that way and especially in a cash based business. I'm not standing up for any locator. Don't get me wrong.

The problem is communication and admitting when your expertise is maxed out!

Goes for any business.

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Honestly, there as vendors that are like locators too. Any business can be that way and especially in a cash based business. I'm not standing up for any locator. Don't get me wrong.

The problem is communication and admitting when your expertise is maxed out!

Goes for any business.

 

Yes, this is certainly a two way street.  Have also heard many horror stories from locators about bad (or lying) vendors as well.  Unfortunately, the sleaze factor is alive and well in bulk vending - and will always be present.  All parties must proceed with caution!

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Yes, this is certainly a two way street.  Have also heard many horror stories from locators about bad (or lying) vendors as well.  Unfortunately, the sleaze factor is alive and well in bulk vending - and will always be present.  All parties must proceed with caution!

I have a customer right now that is trying to work me (not from here), it's actually only the second one that ever has. I will verify all of them soon. I won't say no till I know for a fact. I've gone a long time with out complaints and some times it's better to eat a few than have a bad name.

Same as vending.

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With the locator situation being what it is, I would suggest hiring your own telemarketer who works for you.

I have a girl that I pay based on the locations that she provides. She can work 5 days a week or 0 days a week, it doesnt matter to me because she is ONLY paid on what she provides. Some weeks I get 1 location, other weeks 3 locations. Once you do the work of finding someone like this, you can dictate the terms that are important to you. You can take more control.

I think the #1 way to fix this is to self-locate, but if you dont have the time or desire to do that, take control and figure out the best way to hire a telemarketer to work for you. Forget about LRU and Kickstarter. They will end up costing you WAY to much in the long run! Good luck!

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With the locator situation being what it is, I would suggest hiring your own telemarketer who works for you.

I have a girl that I pay based on the locations that she provides. She can work 5 days a week or 0 days a week, it doesnt matter to me because she is ONLY paid on what she provides. Some weeks I get 1 location, other weeks 3 locations. Once you do the work of finding someone like this, you can dictate the terms that are important to you. You can take more control.

I think the #1 way to fix this is to self-locate, but if you dont have the time or desire to do that, take control and figure out the best way to hire a telemarketer to work for you. Forget about LRU and Kickstarter. They will end up costing you WAY to much in the long run! Good luck!

 

Do you mind sharing what you pay her?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Do you mind sharing what you pay her?

Sorry for the late reply Sherlock! I meant to reply days ago when I saw this....

I pay her $20 per machine that I actually place. I also pay her phone bill ($20 month). Lastly, if the location is what I consider "good" ($25 or more per month) then I pay her an extra $10-$20.

I provide all of the call lists. I only have her call for bulk, never for honor boxes.

I am toying with getting a couple of can soda machines. If I do, she will try and get me warm leads and I will give her whatever the machine grosses the 1st month.

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Sorry for the late reply Sherlock! I meant to reply days ago when I saw this....

I pay her $20 per machine that I actually place. I also pay her phone bill ($20 month). Lastly, if the location is what I consider "good" ($25 or more per month) then I pay her an extra $10-$20.

I provide all of the call lists. I only have her call for bulk, never for honor boxes.

I am toying with getting a couple of can soda machines. If I do, she will try and get me warm leads and I will give her whatever the machine grosses the 1st month.

 

 

That's a great deal.

And a nice way to earn extra cash for her too.

Win-win.

 

Thanks for sharing.

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