havending Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 If you read through many of the post you will see statements like. How do you locate? I work too much to locate. Should I use a locator? They are all very valid. I would like to use my experience to shed some light on locating. Locating can be the most fun part of vending if you allow it to be. You get to get out and meet new people and see new cities and towns as you do it. First Should you use a locator? Well that really depends on you and your situation. The hardest part of this business for most people is getting up the nerve to go out and talk to locations about vending. If you are going to be in this business for any length of time you have to get over your locating fears and the best way to do that is with your very first machine. When I located my first machine my knees were shaking when I entered each location. And got about 4 no answers and then there was a yes. And that first yes was such a high, I walked out of the new location feeling like a million bucks and I still do with every yes I get. Over all you will get much better locations by doing your own locating and you will keep them longer. To the location owner the first person the talked to seems to them to be the one in charge of the vending operation. And they are less likely to boot you if they feel like your the boss and not the guy on the phone. You are also more likely to go after the locations that you really want by locating on your own. If you work a lot I can understand that but you still have to find some time some where to try and locate. The best time to locate is while you are servicing your machines. Now I am knocking all pro locating but the only time to use it is for locations that you have tried to get and could not but still want. Keep a list of turn down locations that you still really want to get and only let your locator work that list. If you give a locator a free pass to get well what ever they can, That's what you will get. You also need to dress the part when locating. My self and my route guy always wear a company polo and tan pants or shorts. We carry nice photos of our machines on locations. Not stock photos from the net. This shows the owner what you really want to do. if you have any large or chain accounts put those photos in the front. This will make the mom and pop feel as is "wow the same company who puts machines in Walmart wants to put some here" You also want to always locate only when you have a machine ready to go in. Have you ever been looking at a big ticket item and all of a sudden your sales guy has another customer or a phone call and he passes you off to his partner? That is a sales ploy known as a "take over" the fist guy thinks hes not getting anywhere with you so he gives the second guy a shot. If you cant get a location get your wife, husband,sister,brother or friend to give it a shot about a week later many times they will get it. When going for large accounts with more than one location you need a clear plan. You need to know what you want to do and what machines and product you want to use. And have a printed plan with photos because many times you will need to send it off. Start with the store manager and keep moving up the food chain until you reach the real choice maker. In most companies its the director of other income. And most of all do not give up. I keep pitching machines until the want to kick my out. Happy locating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enck's Vending Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 very very very well said now that is good useful information good post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorado Vending Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Sounds like trying to get a girl to go out with you persistance is key! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dperry Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 I like the idea of having pictures to show to prospective location owners. I think having pictures of the racks that are sitting out on a location is much more appealing than a stock photo. I've tried taking pix of my racks and they always turn out kinda crappy. It would help to have examples of other peoples machines. Can we post some here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enck's Vending Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 I like the idea of having pictures to show to prospective location owners. I think having pictures of the racks that are sitting out on a location is much more appealing than a stock photo. I've tried taking pix of my racks and they always turn out kinda crappy. It would help to have examples of other peoples machines. Can we post some here? i have found that if you have a picture book of your machines it greatly helps what i do is when talking to the owner or head manager as im speaking im turning pages in my photo book so he can see what kind of machines i have out and in my shop i also on some of the pictures have the dimensions of the machine this i have found also helps with the owners or management who dont think they have enough room . hope this info also helps some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLM Vending Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Well said. I don't really agree though that locations stay longer if you do your own locating. Based on my experience, I have found the opposite but it probably all averages out. If they don't want your machine, they will kick it out whether you located it or not. The reason is because they don't really care about who you are either way. They are doing it mainly for the charity or because they want the candy. Meeting them in person and letting them know you are in charge does not guarantee your machine stays there longer. The reason is because when you locate yourself it is a little bit harder for them to say no in person. and when that happens and they do say yes they have seemed to change their mind faster. And sometimes you can't tell what they are thinking when you first meet them. But I have not got any kickouts from the machines from locators. Most of the managers have forgot the phone call they got. Treating them good, being the friend of the people that work there is important though, because it's the overall service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havending Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 Thank You for all the great comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorado Vending Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Thank You for all the great comments No, thank you for such a GREAT POST! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpvnc Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I don't really agree though that locations stay longer if you do your own locating. Based on my experience, I have found the opposite but it probably all averages out. If they don't want your machine, they will kick it out whether you located it or not. The reason is because they don't really care about who you are either way. They are doing it mainly for the charity or because they want the candy. Meeting them in person and letting them know you are in charge does not guarantee your machine stays there longer. The reason is because when you locate yourself it is a little bit harder for them to say no in person. and when that happens and they do say yes they have seemed to change their mind faster. And sometimes you can't tell what they are thinking when you first meet them. But I have not got any kickouts from the machines from locators. Most of the managers have forgot the phone call they got. Treating them good, being the friend of the people that work there is important though, because it's the overall service. I have had way more kick outs using a locator. Also driving a long distance to place a machine and the people not accepting it. Most of the locations I got myself I still have and they have been collecting quarters over a year. I have lost a couple to businesses closing and gave one away but my friend is making quarters there still too. Self locating is the best way hands down Good post HA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogcow Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 im trying to place some crane units, in the same type of locations u guys would put bulk racks (laundromat, c-store, pizza shop, mexican resturant etc..) so i figured i'd ask here. whats a good time to catch the managers in? i dont have a lot of time during the week do you guys find locating on weekends works? I havent had much luck catching anyone in i have tried sundays. do owners/managers usually open? when i pitch full line i usually call and try to make an appt but that doesnt sound like its as effective for this kinda thing. any help appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enck's Vending Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 im trying to place some crane units, in the same type of locations u guys would put bulk racks (laundromat, c-store, pizza shop, mexican resturant etc..) so i figured i'd ask here. whats a good time to catch the managers in? i dont have a lot of time during the week do you guys find locating on weekends works? I havent had much luck catching anyone in i have tried sundays. do owners/managers usually open? when i pitch full line i usually call and try to make an appt but that doesnt sound like its as effective for this kinda thing. any help appreciated. i have never had any luck on weekends the owners or management that make decisions like that are off only exception is pizza shops and Chinese restaurants most other places you have to hit um up mon threw friday most times between 8-4 good luck with the cranes hope this kind of answered your question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLM Vending Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I have had way more kick outs using a locator. Also driving a long distance to place a machine and the people not accepting it. Most of the locations I got myself I still have and they have been collecting quarters over a year. I have lost a couple to businesses closing and gave one away but my friend is making quarters there still too. Self locating is the best way hands down Good post HA It also depends on the locator you use and your area. Most locators are losers and put you in spots that didn't even want them. I believe 99 percent of them are not as good as the one i use. 95 percent of locations accept me, as when you locate yourself you will also still drive long distances and have more rejections. It's best to be able to self locate, but my guy does get me in spots that I wouldn't be able to get myself. That is mainly because certain spots you can't enter the premises into unless you call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havending Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 im trying to place some crane units, in the same type of locations u guys would put bulk racks (laundromat, c-store, pizza shop, mexican resturant etc..) so i figured i'd ask here. whats a good time to catch the managers in? i dont have a lot of time during the week do you guys find locating on weekends works? I havent had much luck catching anyone in i have tried sundays. do owners/managers usually open? when i pitch full line i usually call and try to make an appt but that doesnt sound like its as effective for this kinda thing. any help appreciated. How is the crane business? I am looking to buy some. I can get these fully refurbished for 600 with no dba. From Birmingham vending. Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogcow Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Havending ... wouldn't kknow mine are still in the garage I got them for around a hundred each and fixed them. I just got some validators for ten bucks. Make sure u can get parts and wiring schematics for whatever u buy. Talk to roostyr on here he runs cranes gave me a ton of good advice. With a warrantee 600 sounds like a decent price. Vals can be bought cheap if you look for the stackerless kind off 8-liner machines and just make a harness finding a coin door with a stacker hole is tricky tho Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havending Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 A few photos you can use for locating. Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dperry Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Sometimes I think I'm an idiot. Why don't we just take pics of racks that we like when we are out and about. Who says they have to be our own racks? I found this rack at a local Walmart grocery store, so I took a snap of it. I'm going to do that for all the racks I fond that I like, and keep a stock photo album of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havending Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Sometimes I think I'm an idiot. Why don't we just take pics of racks that we like when we are out and about. Who says they have to be our own racks? I found this rack at a local Walmart grocery store, so I took a snap of it. I'm going to do that for all the racks I fond that I like, and keep a stock photo album of them. Looks good I love pm elites. I use them in blue and white. Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I like the way that vendor prices his stuff. I mean the price stickers are placed where they look really professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caserri Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Sometimes I think I'm an idiot. Why don't we just take pics of racks that we like when we are out and about. Who says they have to be our own racks? I found this rack at a local Walmart grocery store, so I took a snap of it. I'm going to do that for all the racks I fond that I like, and keep a stock photo album of them. Great pic Darryl. I'd go back and take another before showing it to prospects. That piece of trash under the rack may make you look bad. The location might think that if you can't take the time to keep the area clean for a photo, why would you make an effort to ever keep it clean... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayhawk22 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 How is the crane business? I am looking to buy some. I can get these fully refurbished for 600 with no dba. From Birmingham vending. Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk Hav. You should definitely get into cranes! All my self redemption is killing. If you do get into cranes make sure you get machines with a DBA. It will increase your sales by approximately 30-40%. Also, you might as well start at $1.00 per play. Plush prices are like anything else in our business. They are going nowhere but up. Bulk vendors need to offer as much equipment possible to locations to keep other vendors out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will.vend Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 hey darryl if you take another pic get a closeup of those price stickers too! like hillbilly said they look good, Ive never seen any like that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dperry Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 hey darryl if you take another pic get a closeup of those price stickers too! like hillbilly said they look good, Ive never seen any like that! I got a close up of one of the stickers. You can't see the url, but it says nen-inc.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caserri Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Those are fantastic price labels. I'd be willing to bet that one of our resident label makers here on the forum could make those and offer them up. I'm looking at you Craig and Frank. Sent using Tapatalk for Android. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dperry Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 I got a close up of one of the stickers. You can't see the url, but it says nen-inc.com. Speaking of sales aids, I checked out the nen-inc.com site and found their flyer. Check it out. It makes a good reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will.vend Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 thanks darryl, I really like those! I noticed the sticker has the 2 quarters going on the right side, is that the way the nw 75 cent mechs are set up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.