Unbelievable

[candygirl]

I was at my bank yesterday, opening up my business account with the financial specialist, a very pleasant lady. We were discussing my new business and I thought. "Here's an opportunity to practice my pitch." It was my first time.

I told her the bank could use one of my machines, that it would be a nice service for customers, at no cost to the bank. I mentioned the charity affiliation, small size of machine (the branch is tiny), where it might be placed. I also told her I service and stock the machine, my contact number is on the back of the machines if any problems, etc, and I can remove it at any time.

She smiled and said that sounded great but, "Let me tell you what happened at our XYZ branch."

A guy came to XYZ branch and asked to place a candy machine. The bank agreed, he placed the machine, left.

...and never came back.

After several months the bank decided to store the machine, quarters and all, in a storage room.

After a while another candy vendor came by and again the bank allowed him to place a machine, which he did.

...and never came back.

Several months later machine #2 went into storage, quarters and all.

Along came a full-line vendor, who offered a snack and soda machine for the employees, which everbody was happy about. The guy placed the machine in the employee break room.

And guess what happened--yup, he never came back.

Now the bank had four machines in storage--2 bulk, 2 full-line. And wouldn't you know it but a fourth vendor came by, a full-line guy, asking to place a machine. Instead of throwing him out the window the bank told him the whole previous saga and ASKED HIM IF HE'D LIKE TO TAKE ALL THE MACHINES, cash and all.

Of course, he said yes.

So here are the lessons I learned.

1. Go ahead and ask. You never know what the answer is going to be.

2. If you see beat-up and shabby-looking machines at a business, call the contact on the back of the machine, as many have suggested here. They just might let you take the machine off their hands, for a good deal.

3. Truly, it is all about service.

Sorry for the long post but I just had to share. Three deadbeats in a row, can you believe it?

Kudos to the bank for giving three people a chance, and one person a great score. No wonder some businesses are not happy to see us!

Barb

[candygirl]

Sorry, I meant the bank had three machines in a row--2 bulk, one full-line.

Barb

[lurker]

Yep, I know what ya mean candygirl.

Out of all the business owners I have talked to every single one of them either complained about past service, or complained about the current service they were getting.

You are absolutely right when you say, it's all about service.

Dave

[davidsurvz]

It amazes me how many people abandon machines at locations in this business.

WITH MONEY IN THEM!!

I guess people have their reasons but I just don't get it.

[The Master Key]

2. If you see beat-up and shabby-looking machines at a business, call the contact on the back of the machine, as many have suggested here. They just might let you take the machine off their hands, for a good deal.

I ended up buying a route by doing this.

Never coming back to service a full-line machine???  :shock:

Brian

[fastcat8]

I have to admit I've been guilty of crappy service. I've also put out about 250 locations in a 2 1/2 month period and lost track of some of them LOL --- I think most of the machines placed that are never serviced are from people thinking it was going to be easier than it is, and expected more money than what hey made.

 

[T BIRD]

Where do you live fastcat, I will find them for you.

[The Master Key]

Where do you live fastcat, I will find them for you.

[Beer980]

candygirl

At least that bank let them try. My bank is afraid a kid will choke on a piece and sue them.

fastcat8

You put out 250 machines and did not keep track of where you put them all??? You may want to start a notebook with all the locations you have. I keep one location per page with service dates, date placed, machine type, location hours of service, phone number, contact person and amount I have collected from each candy slot.

[G-man422]

I can't believe the person left a full line machine!  Those are pricey.  i would have snatched those up in a heartbeat too.  Intersting stuff candygirl.

[emcar vending]

I must admit I have left full line machines on site and never gone back. Only because the cost of collecting them was more than the machine was worth.

[West Coast Vend LLC]

Barb,

This is a great post. Sad but true. Now you know why we get so many "NOs". The best thing any of us can do is use what we have learned and be ready to answer those questions when they come up. Add these points to our presentations. They will help derail the negative remarks we will get when we ask for placements.

Just to add a story to this post: I went to a "no name" type rental place near the San Diego, CA airport. I walked in and there were no vending machines. I thought, Wow, here's my opportunity to get a placement. I asked for the manager and after asking him about placing a vending machine, he walked me over to a storage closet. He opening the door and there where a dozen vending machines, in a pile. Every brand you could think of. He said that all these machines have been left here and no one has come back to claim them. He said they are not taking vending machines anymore. I couldn't argue with that, so I left empty handed.

Gary

[fastcat8]

Well I was using an in person locator and two telemarketers at the same time, plus my wife and I were both putting out machines. I'd say about 5 fell through the cracks. All the locations called after a few months, we had a good laugh about it and we put the locations on the routes to be serviced. At least I hope all the forgotten locations called!

 

[AmuseStar Vending Co]

Gary you should have went home with 12 new machines.

I have to ran into this, but who has not? I am just now noticing a new vendstar vendor coming into a few of my locations. Most likley she will not make it, and I will ****** up her machines. I have ran into locations with vendstars completely empty, and when I shook the machine, you could hear the quarters piled up. Placed my machines, and almost 1/2 year later, there they sit, empty.

Kyle

[The Master Key]

I must admit I have left full line machines on site and never gone back. Only because the cost of collecting them was more than the machine was worth.

So, the location was a dud and the cost of moving the machine was more expensive than buying a new one?

Brian

[emcar vending]

I must admit I have left full line machines on site and never gone back. Only because the cost of collecting them was more than the machine was worth.

So, the location was a dud and the cost of moving the machine was more expensive than buying a new one?

Brian

That's about it.

In 24 years I've only ever bought 3 new machines. My business was built on using cheap second hand that I refurbished myself.

One machine had been on site for about 5 years and we had moved on from that type of machine. It wasn't worth much when I bought it and it had more than earned its keep so when the site closed down I pulled out the machines I could use again and 'forgot' about one.

The second time it happened I was really stuck for space, so I emptied the machine but didn't go back for it.