It's been one of those weeks...

[AngryChris]

So things have been going very smooth for the past few months.  I always tell people that I get nervous when things are going too well for too long.  I hadn't had a real service call for a couple of months and sales had been decent.  I did lose an account (they were shutting their doors), but I installed two new accounts in the process.  The problem is that I PULLED two can machines and had to BUY a bottle machine.  Regardless, things have been smooth.

 

I decided to order some parts to upgrade 3 machines simply to bring 2 machines (on location) up-to-date AND the third upgrade was to prepare a snack machine for one of my new accounts.

 

This week:  One of my new locations calls and says their vendor pulled all of their product from their machines already and they would like me to install THIS WEEK instead of next week (I did say it would probably happen this week but I would have liked another week).  So I had to make a quick decision since my snack machine wasn't ready.  I pulled out of one of my slow accounts (They have gone down from about 30 employees on-site to about 10 employees on-site) and used the snack machine in order to install the new account, which left me with a spare can machine (which I don't like to have sitting idle).  I spend the whole day dealing with the moving/install and go home exhausted (mind you, I spent a bunch of money to upgrade some equipment and nothing went according to plan).  Another account calls because their machine isn't working.  I get there and find out that all kinds of problems are running rampant.  I spend most of the day taking care of that account but it looks like I am going to have to dish out ANOTHER few hundred dollars on an account.  I have probably spent close to $1,000 this week on repairs/upgrades (all things that don't really make much additional revenue).  I did install a new location but it probably cost me more than it should have.

 

This sucks.  I hope next week goes better.

[rmorris1953]

I feel your pain Angry cris.. Being in business for yourself is so much better than working for the big guy. This is just a down day! But you have made a smart decision.

 

I got into the repair business to help the little guy. There is not anyone within 200 miles of where I live that can do what I do. Not bragging just fact. I get so many calls from customers (many now are personal friends) who have nowhere to turn when equipment fail. Working in two states means they have to wait sometimes several days for me to get there. Be thankful you can do what you are doing yourself. Some can't.

 

I have one guy who I have done work for going on 15 years that can't change out a bill validator. Does not know what harness to use or what coin mech. He is a good vendor but has no mechanical ability. It really screws with my mind.. Retired air force and was a hydraulic mechanic on big jets.  

 

Hope it gets better and it will!    

[CajunCandy]

I feel your pain Angry cris.. Being in business for yourself is so much better than working for the big guy. This is just a down day! But you have made a smart decision.

 

I got into the repair business to help the little guy. There is not anyone within 200 miles of where I live that can do what I do. Not bragging just fact. I get so many calls from customers (many now are personal friends) who have nowhere to turn when equipment fail. Working in two states means they have to wait sometimes several days for me to get there. Be thankful you can do what you are doing yourself. Some can't.

 

I have one guy who I have done work for going on 15 years that can't change out a bill validator. Does not know what harness to use or what coin mech. He is a good vendor but has no mechanical ability. It really screws with my mind.. Retired air force and was a hydraulic mechanic on big jets.

 

Hope it gets better and it will!    

Wow!

Two states you service machines for other people, lot of driving rmorris1953. How many people work with you? If your by yourself I know it drives you crazy at times!  I do like your trailer you picked up. Nice! 

 

mike

[rmorris1953]

Wow!

Two states you service machines for other people, lot of driving rmorris1953. How many people work with you? If your by yourself I know it drives you crazy at times!  I do like your trailer you picked up. Nice! 

 

mike

I work by myself for now. Would like to train my son-in-law at some point and then just let him have it for a fixed amount someday. I go to Ok city 3 days a week and sub contract for a vending company and then back here in wichita and surrounding areas the rest of the week. I am also a service entity for USI and just signed up with Shasta also. Not sure about Shasta yet. Might be biting off more than I can chew....

 

Just bought a AirTow went to Cali and brought it back with 6 vendors. The messed up. It was suppose to be 12' long and it ended up 10'11". So I was only able to put 6 on instead of 8... Didn't know it until I was in Las Vegas. I ended up laying a National 168 down in the back of pickup. Pulled great. It has Air ride so it just floated back there for 1200 miles 

[AngryChris]

I feel your pain Angry cris.. Being in business for yourself is so much better than working for the big guy. This is just a down day! But you have made a smart decision.

 

I got into the repair business to help the little guy. There is not anyone within 200 miles of where I live that can do what I do. Not bragging just fact. I get so many calls from customers (many now are personal friends) who have nowhere to turn when equipment fail. Working in two states means they have to wait sometimes several days for me to get there. Be thankful you can do what you are doing yourself. Some can't.

 

I have one guy who I have done work for going on 15 years that can't change out a bill validator. Does not know what harness to use or what coin mech. He is a good vendor but has no mechanical ability. It really screws with my mind.. Retired air force and was a hydraulic mechanic on big jets.

 

Hope it gets better and it will!    

Thanks, my friend.  I have had enough of these days already to get over things like this without too much stress.  Things happen but sometimes it feels good to vent a little!  Plus, the other vendors need to know that virtually everyone goes through this.

 

When it rains, it pours.  Just make sure you have proper drainage.

[mission vending]

We all have had and will have again days/weeks and even months like this. Its these kinds of adversities that drive many small business owners out of business, and not just in vending. Either they can't afford the needed repairs or the brief period of negativity grows like a cancer until their defeatist attitude destroys their business. 

 

This was one of those gut check moments that you worked your way through, congrats and next time, yes there will be a next time, you will be even better prepared to handle the problems.

[AngryChris]

We all have had and will have again days/weeks and even months like this. Its these kinds of adversities that drive many small business owners out of business, and not just in vending. Either they can't afford the needed repairs or the brief period of negativity grows like a cancer until their defeatist attitude destroys their business. 

 

This was one of those gut check moments that you worked your way through, congrats and next time, yes there will be a next time, you will be even better prepared to handle the problems.

 

Well said, I totally agree! I even told a friend that I was surprised at how calm I managed to stay considering the chaos, but this wasn't the first time I have gone through this.  It just felt good to rant on here with people who understand my frustrations lol.