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Machines Held Hostage


BaneTrain

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So I currently have machines that are being held "hostage". I have what was a single gumball now a double with skittles in a local restaurant. The gumball machine has been there since October, I added the other head at the beginning of June, There has been some drama there in recent months. I explained it an an earlier post where someone says they were owner, sold it while another person said they owned it the whole time. Well the restaurant unexpectedly shut down 2 weeks after I made it a double. I thought it was temporary, waited a week then contacted the owner who also owns another building in town. He assured me they were opening up within the next week. Well that came and went and no opening. I did see a food truck there but that was a week ago. So tonight out of frustration I messaged the restaurant page on Facebook and eventually got a reply from what I assumed was the last manager saying they plan on getting new people running it, new menu etc but had no idea when they'd open. I explained who I am and the person said "ohh you're the skittles guy lol". So I hope my machine is safe there. I guess I should wait a few weeks but I am getting very frustrated getting the run around.

 

 

Have you guys ever had a location that seemed to hold your equipment "hostage". Ok guess I might need to say uncle. 

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I would contact him and arrange a time to pick it up asap. Just tell him that when they open back up you'll be back. Anytime a place closes abruptly and then you get multiple (and different) stories about when it will reopen is never a good sign. The last guy told you he didn't know when they would open so it is time to get your machine back and try to place it somewhere else so you can make money. I know you hope that he will open back up and you will keep your spot but is it worth having your machine, filled with product that will stale out, sit there for weeks or months making you zero revenue? No. You have no control over who is in that closed location and many times third parties such as construction contractors will walk away with or damage vending machines. As you continue to grow your business you will run into these situations more frequently. It is frustrating but it is just part of the vending business.

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I agree. Best case scenario, it opens back up but not before you have to change all product because its stale and may even need to pull the machine to clean it back up. You would never want to have a machine sit in a heavy construction/remodel area either, particularly if any sheet rocking is happening. I clean windows for my main income. Its unbelievable how little they care about preventative measures to avoid damaging anything thats in their way. Better to protect your image and your customers.

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I would contact him and arrange a time to pick it up asap. Just tell him that when they open back up you'll be back. Anytime a place closes abruptly and then you get multiple (and different) stories about when it will reopen is never a good sign. The last guy told you he didn't know when they would open so it is time to get your machine back and try to place it somewhere else so you can make money. I know you hope that he will open back up and you will keep your spot but is it worth having your machine, filled with product that will stale out, sit there for weeks or months making you zero revenue? No. You have no control over who is in that closed location and many times third parties such as construction contractors will walk away with or damage vending machines. As you continue to grow your business you will run into these situations more frequently. It is frustrating but it is just part of the vending business.

I 100 percent agree. It's making me squat and kind of pissing me off at this point getting the run around. I'd rather have the machine sitting in my home than out somewhere and I have no idea what's happening to it. I think after the main manager/cook/owner or whatever he was made the place what it was. He left for personal reasons and now the place has gone to S%^t. I took a picture of it when I added the extra head and in the pic you can see the name of the restaurant. I don't know how well this would help me if it was stolen though. Luckily I don't have chocolate there just gum and skittles. 

 

I agree. Best case scenario, it opens back up but not before you have to change all product because its stale and may even need to pull the machine to clean it back up. You would never want to have a machine sit in a heavy construction/remodel area either, particularly if any sheet rocking is happening. I clean windows for my main income. Its unbelievable how little they care about preventative measures to avoid damaging anything thats in their way. Better to protect your image and your customers.

They haven't been doing any remodeling at least that I know of but d$%n idk why it's taking so long if they are opening back up and just changing the menu. I am being fed a load of crap I'm sure. 

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This is one of the many risks you run in the business I'm afraid. It's happened to me several times- sometimes it works out and you can get your gear back, other times not so much. I would do all in my power to get the machine out of there, and pull it. Restaurants that are constantly opening/closing like that aren't making you money- they're costing you money in time, logistics, and lost product- you owe it to yourself to get that gear into a spot that isn't closed most of the time.

 

Good luck!

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Yeah I need to get ahold of him and get it. The owner now claimed it was opening 4th of July week but it hasn't. I definitely don't want to lose these machines. 

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