West Coast Vend LLC Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 We really need to address gas prices and how they are effecting our bottom line profits. Our biggest expenses right now are escalating fuel prices. We should review some of the ways we can all save a few dollars on gas by starting a post listing some fuel saving ideas. Just remember service is the most important part of a successful vending business so lets come up with ways to save fuel dollars without compromising good service levels. Lets work together to save fuel and grow profits. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpy Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Gary How to do one with the other! The easiest way to save fuel at least for the part timers is to do your service with other family duties. Grocery shopping, kids to games etc... For busy part timers and full timers, look at your route and service it accordingly to it's need. That means get off of the monthly service for some locations and service it bi-monthly or even every 90 days. But don't drive by it just because its slow. I pay $1.35 a litre cannot remember if 4 litres is slightly larger or less than a gallon but it means > $5.00 a gallon. My route is greater than 600 miles. I still make money but I also got to look at how I service the route and what products I put in each location to extend certain areas services. Of course Owen probably pays more for 'petrol'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T BIRD Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Gary How to do one with the other! The easiest way to save fuel at least for the part timers is to do your service with other family duties. Grocery shopping, kids to games etc... For busy part timers and full timers, look at your route and service it accordingly to it's need. That means get off of the monthly service for some locations and service it bi-monthly or even every 90 days. But don't drive by it just because its slow. I pay $1.35 a litre cannot remember if 4 litres is slightly larger or less than a gallon but it means > $5.00 a gallon. My route is greater than 600 miles. I still make money but I also got to look at how I service the route and what products I put in each location to extend certain areas services. Of course Owen probably pays more for 'petrol'. 600 miles Grumps? Wow! How many locations do you service all together? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deldal Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 You're so right. The expense of fuel is beginning to take a huge chunk out of our bottome lines. Now, I find myself overbuying inventory each time I make purchases and storing more in my garage to cut down on the number of trips I make to the store. I've also adjusted service dates on my accounts to reflect more accurately when I need to stock. At one time, at least on the bulk candy side of my route, I'd collect money from my machines, note what products needed to be replenished then go buy what I needed and return a few days later to the locations to restock. I know that was a little crazy and you'd think I enjoyed risking my life in Dallas traffic. I definitely don't do that any more. When I collect money from my candy machines, I have product with me. I've always done it that way for my soda and snack route and can't imagine why I was so (fill in the blank) with my candy route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer980 Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Proper tire inflation is one way to add a few MPG they say. Look and see if you can set your route up to make as many right turns as possible. Would extending a pick up schedule from every four weeks to every five weeks compromise service. That would reduce your route pulls by two per year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurker Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Good posts so far! Here's a few more ideas. Maintain you're vehicle properly, a tune-up can almost pay for itself in gas savings. Replace your air filter with a clean free-flowing filter. Cover pick-up truck beds with a cover, or "sport lid" to help eliminate drag. Use the recommended grade of motor oil for your engine. (Around here this is ignored alot. My Equinox calls for 5W-30, but they will always put ther "house brand" 10W-30 in it unless I tell them I only want what the engine calls for.) Drive sensibly. Seems easy enough, but is often overlooked. Avoid excess idling, watch the speed limit, and slow down. Believe it or not a GPS Navigator can help some, by finding the shortest distances for certain routes. Make a note of where the cheapest gas is along you're route and fill up there. Happy driving! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Vend LLC Posted May 18, 2008 Author Share Posted May 18, 2008 These are some great ideas guys. Keep them coming... Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billygoat1234 Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 fuel is horrible now.. I think we should service machines less often ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearcutvending12 Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 WEll i dont know if its cause im young but i love to bike ride. i bought myself a 55 dollar mountain bike, and i can do mike 60 mile radius route on my bike (20 locations) in 1 or 2 days, PROS- MAkes me healthy i get 100000 miles to the gallon(its free!!!!) lol fun to me........ Locationgs respect you cons- cant carry much candy ( besides with a backpark) not as secure........who cares lol idk i think biking is the way to go with this business, the day i sepnd 4.00 to service each machine like u guys, is the day i quit this BIKE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caserri Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Scooter! Investment - $1,995 Registration - zero dollars (In Mass if under 50cc) Storage - trunk and saddle bags hold enough for more than a few locations. 100 MPG - PRICELESS! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearcutvending12 Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 yup , thats gonna be me once i can drive : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidsurvz Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 My simplest solution has been to go from a 4 week to a 5 or 6 week service rotation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Vend LLC Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 Steve. That's great! I think Benjie and Steve are on to something. I think we will all be doing more bikes and motorcycles as the price on fuel climbs higher. I sat down and went through my accounts and there are a handful that I can start doing every other month without loosing anything except gas money out of my bank account. They have enough product to last and I may start calling them in between service visits to check on product levels. I think if I explain to them that the cost of fuel is making it tougher to come ever month they will work with me. In the end I will collect the same amount of money and use 1/2 the gas and time. I wouldn't do this with the real busy accounts but we all have accounts that can last without us losing a single quarter of business. I am thinking of giving them a letter like this. Dear Valued Customer, In an effort to save the environment and reduce our dependence on oil West Coast Vend will be testing an alternative service system in the next few months. We believe that if we all work together we can make a difference. Starting July 1, 2008 we will collect and refill your vending machines every 60 days. We will be calling you on the 30th day to check on product levels. With your cooperation we may be able to extend your service for 60 days. Please remember that we would never jeopardize our level of service so again this is only a test and can be readjusted at any time if necessary. The alternative service system could save us all up to 960 gallons of fuel per year. Thank you for your continued support. Gary West Coast Vend, LLC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearcutvending12 Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 thats a good i dea for u , or you could skip that all and buy a nice mountain bike like i did u no gary? : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmuseStar Vending Co Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Ha, Ha. I could see Gary on a mountain bike pulling into a BBV to fill up machines.... Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Vend LLC Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 Your a funny guy, kyle. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candyman007 Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Oh Man, this is a funny post. I ride my bike about 15 miles a day but I've never thought of servicing my route that way! That's a pretty decent idea! I also like the scooter idea. I wonder if you can ride those on the sidewalks. My guess is it would have to be electric powered to be on the sidewalk. What a shame! Don't everyone use your candy route as an excuse to go buy a $2000 scooter though! Regards, Robert Patterson, President http://www.kickstartlocations.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antoniocinisi Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 I`ve always wanted to buy a scooter for deliveries in the summer.I cant find the proper carrying box for the pizzas though.I need one that would keep the pizzas level at all times. if anyone owns a truck,a cheaper alternative to buying a cover for the back is opening the tailgate.kinda hickish but works!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpy Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Antonio If you look hard enough you will find a self leveling rack for a scotter, I had looked sometime ago (years) and found them. I believe they would be more popular in Europe with dense population and high fuel prices. And whats wrong with being a hick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-man422 Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 I have been looking at scooters for about a year now. You can pick them up pretty cheap, and if you get a decent one (honda), it will last for ever. Benjie and Steve are right, maybe two wheels are better than 4. I've got it! Check this out. Just put this on the back of your scooter, and your golden! http://www.scootertrailer.net/ I may be crazy, but it would be cool if you could attach an air conditioning unit to it and keep your candy from melting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antoniocinisi Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 grumpy:I have tried to look for a self levelking rack but found nothing,do you remember the manufacturer you were going to buy from?? aint nothing wrong with being a hick!!just make sure the confederate flag doesnt impede you from grabin your shotgun real quick in case u need to pull over to shot a deer or a possum!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Vend LLC Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 Man Gabe, you are killing this topic. Hey what the hack. We all should have some fun after all this hard work we are doing. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philo Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I want to get a scooter with a side car! Philo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Vend LLC Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 If we could track each vend electronically, via the internet. (I know that can be done), we could give the store the keys and they could send the money to us and take their cut. We could supple the envelops and stamps. When we need product we could send it UPS. We could just stay in our house and not spend any money on gas. Maybe just to drive to the bank. Oh wait, I have on-line banking too. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antoniocinisi Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 If we could track each vend electronically, via the internet. (I know that can be done), we could give the store the keys and they could send the money to us and take their cut. We could supple the envelops and stamps. When we need product we could send it UPS. We could just stay in our house and not spend any money on gas. Maybe just to drive to the bank. Oh wait, I have on-line banking too. Gary I don`t know if you are being serious or not,but by doing this how long till the location decides they can get thier own machine make all the money and cut out the middle man? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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