slushie

Hey all, Is there a rule of thumb for forecasting sales at an apartment complex? A friend secured a complex for me. I'm not sure how many units, but it is a middle-class area of town with not much in walking distance. What should a soda machine by the pool in the hot Vegas summer pull in per-unit?

I had a strong hammer claw and a rubber mallet.

I already talked to eddie and he said he'd call me back during the week, but didn't.

Went through this forum's list of "professional locators" and most have dead websites. Ethical's phone number is shut off. Eddie Bauer won't return phone calls. Kick Start ...out of 5 locations I've ordered, ONLY ONE has been a good location, timely, and in my zip code list. That's like ordering a pizza and getting a salad. I have 2 soda machines and about 10 vendstars left. I have the cash to pay someone, but not much time to locate myself. Soda machines are the priority. If ANYONE is willing to find me Las Vegas locations on a pay-after basis call me at 702-686-6694. Mark

Hey all, I randomly acquired 2 free buzz bites machines that have been sitting for a while with some product and some quarters in them. Problem is the local locksmith didn't have keys for them. Where can I get some?

Interesting. I'll get some pics today. thanks for that info.

That may be the case here. The Vendo has a serial number plate, but i don't know if that will help me.

One has the Dixie-Narco made in America sticker on the back, but I couldn't find any data plates, maybe I should look in the daylight.

Bought two used coke machines today, and trying to get them in service/learn them. one is a Vendo and one is a DN. Where would I find the model numbers in order to get replacement parts and manuals, etc.?

or she's a crappy wife!

haha nope. She actually started with "we're not going to do that..."

So let me say this: I AM NOT a natural sales person. I guess that's good because I've always had a negative connotation of "salesman." But part of the reason for doing bulk vending was to build my sales skills. I currently have two vendstars located - one at each of my pilot shops...those don't count. So I set out today to spend half an hour trying to place the rest of my 20 something machines in small strip malls near my house and came up empty. I felt like sharing my results, because they were kind of comical, and maybe I can get some feedback: -2 businesses already had machines. -1 auto shop with nobody up front. -1 dance school said "We don't allow candy." -1 minimalist salon/spa with a pretty receptionist who asked me for my card (don't have any for this biz yet). -1 nail salon with a fast talking Asian gentleman who I could barely understand "I'm not the owner, he's out for an emergency." -1 hair salon where the lady responded with "my husband's actually in the same business." A fun day, but with that kind of percentage, it may be worth time to pay a locator.

The plan is to get a contract signed with a March 1st start date. If I have that, I have people who can help me fund the machines. Thanks for all of your help, guys.

...but a place I used to work at gave me the tip that they are ready to ditch their current guy because outrageously high prices. I talked to them last week and all I need to do is write a letter to the guy in charge. This is a solid, around-the-clock blue-collar location with a large flow of customers as well. Current vendor has a generic 10-selection soda machine (which has been out of order), and a small snack machine. If you guys are willing I could use some help on a few things: -I considered buying a full-line route last month, and the seller said coke will do a $0 lease if you only stock their products. Is this true? Who do I call? and will they do that for just one machine? -Are the used Craigslist machines for $400-$600 ea. a time bomb or a good bargain? -How often would I service and are there any good methods (spreadsheets?) to keep track of each item sales/expirations? I know I'm asking a lot but I want to get this account badly..and get my vending company off the ground! Many thanks, Mark

You have inverted the definitions of "net" and "gross"