securing accounts

[bhumphrey829]

Okay this is a chicken before the egg question.  Should I try to and secure locations and then buy machines or should I buy machines and then try and secure locations?

 

That is my first question.  My next question is how to go about getting accounts.  I have secured several accounts with my bulk machines but that in my opinion is a whole new ball game.  If I go into an account they already have a bulk machines, the odds of them letting you put another machines is pretty good.  However, if I go into an account that already has vending machines, there is no way they will let me put in machines with other existing machines.  And the thing is it seems that just about every place that has a good number of employees already have vending machines.  Is this the case or am I missing something.  Any advice would be appreciated

[moondog]

Okay this is a chicken before the egg question.  Should I try to and secure locations and then buy machines or should I buy machines and then try and secure locations?

 

That is my first question.  My next question is how to go about getting accounts.  I have secured several accounts with my bulk machines but that in my opinion is a whole new ball game.  If I go into an account they already have a bulk machines, the odds of them letting you put another machines is pretty good.  However, if I go into an account that already has vending machines, there is no way they will let me put in machines with other existing machines.  And the thing is it seems that just about every place that has a good number of employees already have vending machines.  Is this the case or am I missing something.  Any advice would be appreciated

The first question is easy - always have a pair of machines on hand that you know are location ready and that you're familiar with.

 

The second part is the "sixty four thousand dollar" question - if you figure out a sure fire method, let us know.  I look for accounts for sale and I pursue very few of them.  I'm growing  slowly - one good account at a time.

[Vending How Chris]

The best method for getting new accounts is to grow by word of mouth. This way you don't have to spend money on advertising. How do you do that? The most simple way is to provide great service and increase your sales ability such that your accounts start referring you to people they know. Note that I said it's the most simple, but not necessarily the easiest. The company I worked for tripled it's size in 6 years with no advertising at all, so it can be done.

[spdydre]

Yes always have a few machines one hand I learned the hard way by losing a potential good account that needed them that day because they booted their vendor out.  2 or 3 days would not work!  Right now Im working on trying to have at least 3 to 4 snack machines and soda machines on hand at all times.

[Poplady1]

Most 50 plus employee accounts do have machines in place but many of them are very unhappy with the current service.  Just ask them "Are you happy with your vending service"  if you get a NO, then just talk to them.  Ask them why they are unhappy then tell them how you could improve it.  Full Line is really not that hard but it does take work.  If you don't know who to call go to your Chamber of Commerce.  They have great lists for free.

 

Take a moment to make up a flyer.  We do them for our clients.  If you want one I can send you over one we use.  You can just change the stuff for your company.  Or we can do it but we have to charge $25.  So its cheaper if you just change it.

 

If they decide to go with you be sure to ask them to let you get your machines ready before they ask the current vendor to take out their equipment.  Try to also get a installation agreement signed which says they will accept the machines you have ordered.  That prevents you from having to buy machines and then they have changed their mind on you.  

[Vending How Chris]

Great advice Poplady!

I especially like how you talk about tailoring what you offer a prospective client based on whether or not hey like their existing vending service. More and more it seems that vending is about who can give the customer better service, since we all have access to the same products. It's the intangibles that really give you the edge.

[mission vending]

Okay this is a chicken before the egg question.  Should I try to and secure locations and then buy machines or should I buy machines and then try and secure locations?

 

That is my first question.  My next question is how to go about getting accounts.  I have secured several accounts with my bulk machines but that in my opinion is a whole new ball game.  If I go into an account they already have a bulk machines, the odds of them letting you put another machines is pretty good.  However, if I go into an account that already has vending machines, there is no way they will let me put in machines with other existing machines.  And the thing is it seems that just about every place that has a good number of employees already have vending machines.  Is this the case or am I missing something.  Any advice would be appreciated

 

I try to always have a few soda and snack pretty much ready to go on short notice because sometimes that window of opportunity opens and closes quickly. If its not the right equipment you can always switch out later when you get the appropriate machines just explain that to them ahead of time.

 

Great advice Poplady!

I especially like how you talk about tailoring what you offer a prospective client based on whether or not hey like their existing vending service. More and more it seems that vending is about who can give the customer better service, since we all have access to the same products. It's the intangibles that really give you the edge.

 

The ability to provide a superior level of service and customization of products is our greatest competitive advantage as a small vendor and you really need to emphasize this in your marketing efforts.

The best method for getting new accounts is to grow by word of mouth. This way you don't have to spend money on advertising. How do you do that? The most simple way is to provide great service and increase your sales ability such that your accounts start referring you to people they know. Note that I said it's the most simple, but not necessarily the easiest. The company I worked for tripled it's size in 6 years with no advertising at all, so it can be done.

 

7 of my best 10 accounts came through referrals and/or networking at Chamber of Commerce functions or other avenues of civic involvement.

[Feral Vending Mechanic]

 

The ability to provide a superior level of service and customization of products is our greatest competitive advantage as a small vendor and you really need to emphasize this in your marketing efforts.

 

Quoted for truth. The big vending companies CANNOT offer the individualized level of service that you can. You can't always compete with them on price, but you can always offer better customer service.

[Vending How Chris]

"Quoted for truth" might become my new catch phrase. For the record, I totally agree with this sentiment.

[ANDERSONVENDING]

Take a moment to make up a flyer.  We do them for our clients.  If you want one I can send you over one we use.  You can just change the stuff for your company.  Or we can do it but we have to charge $25.  So its cheaper if you just change it.

 

 

Bev, could you send me one of your flyers?

it would be nice to have for getting my own accounts.

Thanks,

John

[o2btanner]

Hi Guys  and Gals

 

Could either Andersonvending or Poplady1 send me a copy of thier flyer.

 

Thanks, O2btanner@verizon.net

 

 

[ANDERSONVENDING]

Most 50 plus employee accounts do have machines in place but many of them are very unhappy with the current service.  Just ask them "Are you happy with your vending service"  if you get a NO, then just talk to them.  Ask them why they are unhappy then tell them how you could improve it.  Full Line is really not that hard but it does take work.  If you don't know who to call go to your Chamber of Commerce.  They have great lists for free.

 

Take a moment to make up a flyer.  We do them for our clients.  If you want one I can send you over one we use.  You can just change the stuff for your company.  Or we can do it but we have to charge $25.  So its cheaper if you just change it.

 

If they decide to go with you be sure to ask them to let you get your machines ready before they ask the current vendor to take out their equipment.  Try to also get a installation agreement signed which says they will accept the machines you have ordered.  That prevents you from having to buy machines and then they have changed their mind on you.  

Bev, could you send me one of your flyers,I need to get set up to solicit accounts.

Thanks,

John

[Poplady1]

Sure, if you would like a flyer please email me at bluemooseloc@yahoo.com.  I will send it as a word doc. so you should be able to change it easily and adapt it.  

 

I respectfully disagree with having machines ready to go if you are a new vendor.  My advice on the first few locations would be find the spot first then buy equipment to fit the spot.  So so so much easier this way for a new operation.  If its an outside location then you need a different type of machine.  Breakroom area then you may need something more compact with a nice clean look to it.  Sometimes the machine size is a factor, actually there are so many things that may come up for a new vendor it is best in my view to find first/buy later.

 

And I never recommend buying a machine taller then 72 inches unless it is outside or in a warehouse standing by itself.  Nothing looks worse then two different size machines standing together. Those tall boys can be very loud and they don't easily fit through many interior doors.  There is a reason those machines are cheaper then the others.

 

Many of you give the advice to buy multi-price machines.  I agree.