Some success this week. I picked up my first full-line placement - and Electric company that wants a soda machine ~50 employees. I purchased a refurbished can machine and will be having it moved in sometime next week. Also placed an honor box there.
I'm working on replacing some of the older mechanical machines I've acquired - especially the ones still set at $0.50. The hotel account I gained at the end of last week has an ancient electrical machine (early 80s model). I purchased a refurbishe
I doubled the size of my business this week!
First - I was able to place 2 of the Buzz Bite machines sitting in my shed (got these with the route I purchased last week). I took them with me when servicing my two steel manufacturing accounts and both let me stick one in their break room beside my combo machine. I think they will do well there as there are a lot of guys moving through these breakrooms and no other coffee or energy products offered.
On Wednesday I purchased a strange biz-op e
Well as some of you might have noticed I have not been on for a while (except an occasional quick check not signed in.) Its been a little hectic lately we moved to a new house cause our last landlords were getting a divorce and not making mortgage payments, crazy drama. I have come to realize a few things about my small route in this time. Do not bother with triples, thought I was doing ok until I started having more and more problems with the .50 mechs I was using on the 1800's. I think I'
As of Friday my wife had surgery on her foot. This was actually the third one she has had, and this one resulted in her big toe being fused. But this also means that I am stuck at home taking care of her. She is not supposed to walk on her foot for 2 weeks, then only on her heel for a while after that. She is stuck on the couch for the time, and I am stuck at home taking care of her, and making sure she can get around without any issues. Pain meds and crutches don't always go together.
B
The biggest news this week is that I acquired another route. I purchased 1 U-Turn, 2 Single-Heads, and 8 Buzz Bite machines on location (plus 1 more U-Turn and 7 more Buzz Bites in storage) for $2,000. I payed more for this one than I wanted - but overall I think it makes a good addition to the business. I was a bit conflicted about the Buzz Bite machines but was given evidence by the former owner that at several of the locations are performing rather well with them ($50/month - though the other
My name is Roger Hicks - though I go by BobTHJ on the net. I have run my own technology company for the past few years - contracting to an aviation company which supplied 95% of my income. Though it suspected it was coming I found out two months ago that my billable hours were being cut by roughly 80%. I suddenly needed to find work! Though considering several options vending caught my eye when I saw a route for sale on Craigslist for $15,000. Upon calling the owner I learned she had 40 placed c
I was watching a cooking show the other night (well, mainly for some background noise) and they mentioned bok choy. I went to the web and looked it up. Sure enough it is something you eat. A type of cabbage that is from Chinese decent. With a name like that it couldn't possibly taste good. I tried to put 2 and 2 together to figure out why they are a toy and I am still clueless. Are they a superhero? Maybe a mutant form of a little boy who swallowed some cabbage and turned into a half boy
Well, It's been a month now since my wife and I separated. I have to say that it's not been that bad. I was worried about things that she always did like paying the bills, most of the cleaning, laundry, etc. I mean, I'm not a slob or anything but she did most of those things. My help was pretty much delegated to the manly tasks like fixing plumbing problems, cutting the grass, cleaning the siding, washing the vehicles, etc.
Here are some things that I have learned in the last month.
1
Got out in the shop this evening a starting breaking down some machines here are some pics to show you what I'm dealing with, on the upside I've profited $3.75 so far. I got alot of stuff to do the next couple of days but I gonna try and get the rest broke down by the end of this coming weekend.
I have been struggling lately to keep expanding but have come up with a little money and have decided to go ahead and refurb all my A&A PN95's. I bought 20 doubles and one single all with stands a while back for $300, I also have a few other from previous deals. The 41 heads I bought all have candy wheels and some still candy in them (yuk). So this blog will take you along my journey over the next month and a half getting these things refurbed and out on the street making money. Journey b
I don't know how many of you like technology like I do. New technology has been my favorite hobby for years. I love computers and now, all mobile devices. (iphone, android, ipad, etc.)
I have been trying out the new beta version of googles new google+ social network. I have never been to big on Facebook but I do like some of the features of google+. One thing I like about it is a thing called circles. Its an easy way to put groups of contacts and interests together in "circles" so that you ca
As some of you know, I spent a week at Andy’s. We planned this trip over the winter. We spent 6 days servicing parts of his routes. We serviced approximately 70locations and drove over 2000 miles. I also drove 600 miles each way. He made sure I was well rested by giving me 7 hours of sleep between work days. We started about 7AM each morning and finished about 7PM. He is a great cook and we ate very well.
It is Sunday morning and I am so tired. We worked hard every day. It was als
A few months ago a saw a empty 2 bay garage for rent. I kept an eye on it and last night while passing by it I saw a sign that said comming soon and a guy outside. IT took 5 mins to land the deal.
3rd party coke machine 20 oz bottles at $1.50, 20% commisison
I went to a networking event like business after hours that the chamber does, but this was for the north east part of town. The mayor was there and everyone was introduced. We were at a new skilled nursing facility. When it was my turn the Staff were nodding as if they needed vending. I spoke to the administrator and landed the facility. They currently have 50 employees and will be increasing to 150 over the next 18 month. the vending machine will be in the dining hall and accessible to patients
I went to service my bulk route and I stopped by a mechanical shop. I have asked many times but never got a hlod of the decision maker. This time I did. He said that he needed to talk with his partners, 15 mins latter he called and approved a coke machine. 12 oz can for $.75 no commission
I have been daydreaming about this for quite some time. It came to me the other day while I was counting quarters. I had just had my largest pull yet. The quantity of quarters made me think of pirate treasure. A couple of days later I drove past a location of an early Civil War battle and reminisced about my metal detecting days. I always used to get excited any time I found coins. The thought of the pirate loot and treasure re-entered my mind and here we are......
This has been about 2
Ok so the last few weeks have been crazy. I had to turn down 2 fullline locations. It killed me to do so, but I just couldn't lock myself into them. The were combo machines in service shops averaging $35-40 per week each. Unfortunately, they had to be service every week, and they were 15 miles farther than my current stops.
However, this week, I landed a new 5 way rack location in a dollar store at 25% commission, I had a barber shop call that just opened, and wants the world, but I'm go
I'm terrified of mice and their bigger cousins, rats. They are right up there with snakes and spiders. I've had run ins with them my whole life. Had one rat that even tried to attack me. Of course he was high on Eagle 7 at the time.
I had some acorn capsules siting on my work bench due to capping some product. Had them all together in a neat little pile. Had a 1/2 full box of capped stuff sitting next to them. I kept noticing one capsule would be out of place when I would come in and turn
As many people who've read my past posts know, I advocate using locators, and use them frequently. I work full time, and more, and I like to spend time with my family as well. This leaves little time to locate. I have used 6 locators in the past year, and have had varying levels of success. I am down to 2 now, and I use them for finding leads on different types of equipment. Both use vastly different means to get the job done for me, but both have come through many, many times.
I foun
I was running the bulk part of my route and A Lumber warehouse I have had for years approved location #5 with 0 Commissions.
I attended a trade show for the El Paso Apartment Association on Tuesday. I got contact from 15 Apartment Managers who what to talk about putting in drink machines. I hope to be posting more locs soon!
Today I landed THe Used Car Lot/Used Tire Shop/Mechinic Shop where my wife's uncle started working about 2 weeks ago. I will be putting in cans at $1.00 ea.
We have a charity spot the is doing $250 a month from a triple and a double with candy and toys. Normally when we service it, I have been giving the director $20 in change to hand out to the kids every month. I felt it in my heart that we needed to do more, since this spot is in a very low income area. I talked to the director, and found out that for roughly 20% of our monthly gross annually, I can sponsor 24 kids for a yearly membership. So starting this month that is what we are going to be
