wbuffett Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi everyone. I get very intimidated when it comes to repairs. I've been able to handle many problems on my own but I worry if I place more machines from different manufacturers (I stick to usi now) I'll be getting in over my head. I read many posts on here and wonder how you guys possibly know so much. I pay $100 a service call right now if I have to farm out the repair. Any ideas on how to partner with a repairman in a way that could reduce service cost per call? I'd really like to just focus on placement and running the business. Can this be done and still be growing and profitable? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 You will learn many repairs yourself just from the experience of owning your own machines. If you do intend to grow, especially if it will be quick growth, then you are better off relying on someone to perform the service calls for you so you can focus on the things that make you money like new accounts and route management. If you are mechanically inclined then some of the repairs will be common sense things to you. For technical issues that you don't understand then you should be able to call your repair tech for help over the phone and then if you can't fix it have him do the repair. That's how I run my service business. If a customer calls I will help them as much as I reasonably can with the hope that if they can't fix it themselves they will have me do the call. Focusing on one primary manufacturer will make it easier to understand your machines but you will gradually gather more models that you aren't familiar with. When I was an operator I had an advantage because I could do most of my own repairs because I read the manuals and I understand how all types of equipment works - I'm just that mechanically inclined. I also learned who the vending techs in our area were and would call them for help. In return they would get a service call occasionally and I would buy parts from them. As I grew I was able to keep up with the majority of my repairs with the exception of refrigeration work. I had a good relationship with my machine distributor for machine tech help and then had a good refrigeration tech for the cooling system work. When I added employees I trained them extensively on the small issues they would come across and how to take care of them. I got my first cell phone because my drivers were required to call me when they encountered a problem so I could walk them through the troubleshooting and hopefully the repair. If they couldn't fix it then I would go out and do it, but at least I knew before I got there what the problem was. This taught my drivers even more about repairs. Surprisingly none of them ever staying in vending or became service techs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I am not sure if I totally understand what you are saying... the only way to save on repair cost is to fix them yourself. If you are mainly using USI equipment they offer a 2 day service school in Des Moines, Iowa. Here is the link... http://www.vendnetusa.com/Technical_Support/Service_School/ The other option would be to use 3rd party equipment which would mean major repairs would fall back onto your 3rd party supplier but this would only apply to drink machines. You could also shop around to see if you could find a cheaper tech... $100 sounds a little steep to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wbuffett Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Thx for the advice. I plan on attending the school in October. I was really wondering aloud if it's doable to grow a decent business w/o being an expert regarding repairs. I was also wondering if anyone was successful using a model where they didn't do most of their own repairs. Sorry if I was unclear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Most techs I know are not experts. They just know how to get it done or they know who to call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 You will learn many repairs yourself just from the experience of owning your own machines. If you do intend to grow, especially if it will be quick growth, then you are better off relying on someone to perform the service calls for you so you can focus on the things that make you money like new accounts and route management. If you are mechanically inclined then some of the repairs will be common sense things to you. For technical issues that you don't understand then you should be able to call your repair tech for help over the phone and then if you can't fix it have him do the repair. That's how I run my service business. If a customer calls I will help them as much as I reasonably can with the hope that if they can't fix it themselves they will have me do the call. Focusing on one primary manufacturer will make it easier to understand your machines but you will gradually gather more models that you aren't familiar with. When I was an operator I had an advantage because I could do most of my own repairs because I read the manuals and I understand how all types of equipment works - I'm just that mechanically inclined. I also learned who the vending techs in our area were and would call them for help. In return they would get a service call occasionally and I would buy parts from them. As I grew I was able to keep up with the majority of my repairs with the exception of refrigeration work. I had a good relationship with my machine distributor for machine tech help and then had a good refrigeration tech for the cooling system work. When I added employees I trained them extensively on the small issues they would come across and how to take care of them. I got my first cell phone because my drivers were required to call me when they encountered a problem so I could walk them through the troubleshooting and hopefully the repair. If they couldn't fix it then I would go out and do it, but at least I knew before I got there what the problem was. This taught my drivers even more about repairs. Surprisingly none of them ever staying in vending or became service techs. Or you can just pester AZ when ever something's over your head - he's pretty good about spelling it out in detail here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walta Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Is not the real question, how can I grow my business if I stop making sales calls to go repair machines? You need to decide how big a business you want. Get big and sit in the office managing people and dealing with the big picture. If you are good and like being a manager then get big. If like spending your day rooting out thieves and making sure no one is padding there time sheet get big. If that stuff is a nightmare stay small concentrate on a few good stops and run the route yourself, hire out the moving and repairs. The guys in the middle are in a bad spot because the employees rob them blind since they don’t put the time and systems in place to monitor them. Walta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 A lot of people advised me to stay small. I do my own repairs. Yes, It's difficult sometimes, but I know what was done and I know what I had to do. A repair guy could mess up, not tell you, and charge you for their mistake. You need to know things so they don't change out a board "and a harness cause it was bad too" when all you needed was a new harness. I still have to hire out for a few things. Sometimes I pay to have a few machines refurbished and upgraded. I pay to have my coin mechs and validators refurbished. I simply switch out refrigeration decks for rebuilt units. It gets frustrating and sometimes I wish I had a part time helper. That's why I make sure to feed my daughter well. She needs to grow faster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris1953 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Being a repairman is what I enjoy. I provide tech support to my regular customers. I try to train those that use me on a regular basis because I know they will at some time need a vendor or need something moved. I am careful about who I help because some will then try to compete with me. I try hard to give good advice because lets face it when you have to call me out it comes from the bottom line. That is the grocery money you have to spend. It has been 30 years now that I have been in this profession. I have made a lot of mistakes but those mistakes just made me better. This forum is the best place to be. There is 100's of years of experience here. It even helps me at staying sharp. When I can't find the answer I tell my regulars to come here. I won't be around for ever and I want my friends to be taken care of. You will also find you will make friends here. I have made a few that I really like. In fact 1 am going to see in Oct and him and I are going to take a trip fishing. Won't mention his name because I am sure he doesn't want anyone to know he is just a regular guy or want anyone to know he is collaborating with the likes of me.... When you live with women or have raised women all your life, you just need to get away once in a while. In my family whenever there is a get together most likely the the men are working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vendors Tech Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I am not sure if I totally understand what you are saying... the only way to save on repair cost is to fix them yourself. If you are mainly using USI equipment they offer a 2 day service school in Des Moines, Iowa. Here is the link... http://www.vendnetusa.com/Technical_Support/Service_School/ The other option would be to use 3rd party equipment which would mean major repairs would fall back onto your 3rd party supplier but this would only apply to drink machines. You could also shop around to see if you could find a cheaper tech... $100 sounds a little steep to me. I've been told by people that attended that class that it is very basic. Make sure there are nickels in the changer type class. Its geared more towards the people that buy 10 machines from them and do not have a clue how a vending machine works. They show them how to fill them and service them regularly. No technical demonstrations on how to repair refrigeration systems or replace motors are included I do not believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunCandy Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 A lot of people advised me to stay small. I do my own repairs. Yes, It's difficult sometimes, but I know what was done and I know what I had to do. A repair guy could mess up, not tell you, and charge you for their mistake. You need to know things so they don't change out a board "and a harness cause it was bad too" when all you needed was a new harness. I still have to hire out for a few things. Sometimes I pay to have a few machines refurbished and upgraded. I pay to have my coin mechs and validators refurbished. I simply switch out refrigeration decks for rebuilt units. It gets frustrating and sometimes I wish I had a part time helper. That's why I make sure to feed my daughter well. She needs to grow faster! AngryChris We must be related, because everything you wrote about doing repairs, is what I do! I'm still small because I still have my job of 32 years. I changed enough decks this summer! I just picked up two Royals a 804 and a 650 with in a week. My first Royal 660 kicked my tail, but with the 804, I took some bugs out of it and it is going on location Sunday. I was amazed as how easy it was to take care of the little things and has it set up for the customer. Not looking to grow fast at all, just a couple a year is good for me. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchligVend Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Or grow really fast and hire a part-time guy that is handy and knows how to read manuals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 AngryChris We must be related, because everything you wrote about doing repairs, is what I do! I find this absolutely offensive! ... but I suppose if you hook me up with some fine cajun cuisine in the future, we can be friends again! I went full-time operator back in March. It's been difficult up to this point but things only seem to get "easier" from a numbers standpoint. My fuel usage has gone up significantly... from about $200/month to about $350/month. It's a lot more than I want to spend, but the additional revenue from all of my new accounts more than makes up for that difference. I have just had a difficult time making loan payments AND paying myself. On a positive note, even though I have full faith in my financial ability (ability to manage money), a fellow vendor that has been working with me for some time may want me to go into business with him in the future. I don't think it will happen in the next 3 years... but from what it sounded like, he would consider buying me out and hiring me as the manager of his business with about 9 routes. This has actually been my career goal (running a small business as an EMPLOYEE) for about 6+ years. I would love to have my vacations back! But at the same time, I am going to start making decent money as soon as next Summer. I will probably get rid of the honor box by then and focus solely on the vending machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.