Pie in the Sky Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Today I got a call from one of locations that someone came into their shop today and tried to say that they had just purchased my machine from me and was there to remove the machine. I was lucky enough that this particular store owner is a friend of mine and he wouldn't let them touch it. My friend also said after leaving his store this same guy went into another store in the same strip mall and did the same thing only was successful and got the machine. I called around to my other locations in the area and gave the store owners a heads up and said that i would be making a visit to check on my machines tomorrow. I am also going to my friends store to look at his security cameras and see if this is someone I might know. Any advice as to what I should do in regards to this situation would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GagesVending Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Huh, sounds like a scammer! That's too bad, because buy-outs are a real thing, I've taken over numerous locations and they've never had a problem with it. I would imagine they couldn't let you see the cameras, but if they had stolen any of your machines, then you should contact the police and let them know the situation so that hopefully then can catch the guy! Kudos to your friend for saving your machine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherdsflock Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I once was asked by a member of this board to remove one of his machines from a location that I lived close to and nobody even looked twice at me as I picked it up, hoisted it up on my shoulder, and carried it out of the shopping mall that it was in. Even though he had asked me to remove it for him, it made me feel weird knowing that anybody could just walk up and take a machine and walk all the way through a shopping mall with no questions asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toad Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Somebody went into one of my spots, told the business the machine was broke and he was taking it to shop to fix it. the store knew it was a lie and called me. i went to my stops nearby and sure enough they stole a 7 way using the same approach. i contacted the rest of my stops in area. U did all u can do. They will move on to next town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiley Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 if it becomes a bigger problem, print out a flyer with a description of the guy. Hand them out at your locations. Offer a reward if someone gets him arrested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetstop Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 when I had 2 stolen last year in the same week, I posted an ad on craigslist asking for any info on someone stealing charity candy machines in that general area. dont know if it helped but didn't loose any more. never got a response but I hoped it sent a message. filed a police report but they dont care! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherlock Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Just letting your locations know what's going on should do a lot to prevent any further issues with this thief. This type of situation and a host of others is exactly why I cringe every time I read or hear about some vendor who likes to get-in service then get-out as quickly as possible and hoping to go unnoticed. This is especially true of charity vending. I do both charity and commission vending, but I try to develop a relationship with the staff at ALL my locations. Letting them get to know you personally probably goes a long way in making your experience with them a positive one in many different ways. If your stops don't know you personally and you don't make yourself known to them as you service your machines, you can't possibly expect them to recognize or care when some stranger goes in and grabs your equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newheart53 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 That is why I believe you need to have a close contact with the owner or manager of each of your loc. so they know you and would be less likely to allow someone to do this exact thing. Another idea would be a sticker stating [NO ONE AUTHORIZED TO REMOVE THIS MACHINE WITH OUT FIRST CONTACTING JOHN DOE AT --- --- -----]. Otherwise were just at the mercy of anybody out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherlock Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Another idea would be a sticker stating [NO ONE AUTHORIZED TO REMOVE THIS MACHINE WITH OUT FIRST CONTACTING JOHN DOE AT --- --- -----]. Otherwise were just at the mercy of anybody out there. Have you used this sticker idea successfully? It sounds like a good idea, I just wonder if folks would care enough to enforce the request on the sticker. I mean, so many times a place closes it's doors and the vendor doesn't get a call about picking up their machine even though there is clearly a sticker with the vendor's contact info on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newheart53 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 No, just had the idea and am going to impliment it as soon as I get the labels made. will order them today. This topic made me nervous and I can't have just any one walking in and taking my machines. Our line of bus. has a lot of weak spots in it and we sure need to cover every loophole unscrupulous people can find, but in the end we just have to hope we have done all we can to make us safe and secure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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