Jump to content

contact information on vending machines


tkaman2

Recommended Posts

Hi, I am fairly new to the vending business and I was wondering if people put a label with their business name and their phone number on it, like "for service or problems contact Joe at 123-123-1234" or something like that... or, do you just talk to your business contact at each location on your route each time you service it?

I don't want to receive a hundred phone calls a month from employees telling me my machine took their quarter or they want some other product in my machines, but some comments or contacts might be needed, say if I need to remove my machine or it broke or what not.

How does everyone else do it? I could easily print out a label with my website and/or my phone number on it.

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I put my name and number on the back.  Last week I had a location call me because my lock broke and kids where taking candy out of the top.  I was able to get there 20 minutes later and fix the problem.  Just make sure you put at least your number on the machine in case of something like that.  It saved ma a big headache.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always have my service number on every machine.  Contact information you hand out on a flyer or business card can get lost over time.  I never got a call at 3am, but did get one once at 11pm from an upset hotel owner - the skittles (his daughter's favorite) was sold out! Other than that one, I only get calls during business hours.  I'll leave the 3am calls for the next president!

I actually welcome the call when there is a problem. One of the most frustrating things is that the locations do NOT call 50% of the time, but instead waits for you to show up to tell you about a problem or worse, to evict you.

Some vendors don't place contact info on machines in hopes of avoiding evictions over the phone. Others do it, I believe, to avoid getting identified (and a phone call) when slamming equipment.

Jax

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is a good idea. Even cheaper than vonage is the Magic Jack (www.magicjack.com) It costs $20 to buy the hardware (a usb device that you plug your phone cord into) and $19.95 per YEAR of phone service including nationwide long distance. I already own one that I don't use much. I think I will use it for my vending service number. It also emails you voicemails.

 

Dave

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have my company name and number on every machine. You can do it yourself to start and as you get larger you could have them made. Either way, the account owners and customers like to know they can contact you if needed and you will come.

I service most of my account every 30 days. On the 15th day I call every account to check to see if their machines are low on product or if any of the mech's are jammed. Be happy if they call you if one of your machines is down or empty.

Don't worry, if your machines are working correctly you won't get hundreds of phone calls.

Gary

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These are all good points that I was wondering about. I've been checking machines since last week when I started looking into this venture. I was out letting my wife part my hard earned cash last Friday and I looked at these 2 huge 9 machine racks in Hannaford's and not one label on any machine on the back or the sides. It must not be a big issue in Ulster County. As a matter of fact I looked at some single locations near my house and they didn't even have labels. I'm going to put contact info on mine, I don't want someone rolling my stuff out the door!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

That is a good idea. Even cheaper than vonage is the Magic Jack (http://www.magicjack.com) It costs $20 to buy the hardware (a usb device that you plug your phone cord into) and $19.95 per YEAR of phone service including nationwide long distance. I already own one that I don't use much. I think I will use it for my vending service number. It also emails you voicemails.

 

Dave

 

Dave.........this magic jack thang?  It will send voice mail messages that are left to your cell phone?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

For some that asked I make my own lables using a free download from Avery called Design Pro. http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Templates-%26-Software/Software/Avery-DesignPro-for-PC.htm I use it for my business cards and charity sticker. You can use any clip art you can find or design plus many other design tools are included. Here is my charity label I designed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No problem and thanks for the vote from whoever voted for my post. I use the 2X4 size lables with two on each sheet. I also use the clean cut doublesided business cards to print my own too. Here is a scan of the front and back of those if it shows up big enough so we can see it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

I tape a business card to the back or side of the machine. I actually had a location request that I do this because the last vendor in their resturant was hard to get a hold of and hardly maintenanced the machine. I was able to give them a little "peace of mind" by having my contact info in the event the machine breaks, is out of candy, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a seprate cell phone that I just tagged onto my account and share the minutes, I also got what ever free phone they was offering. I leave the phone off and put it in my drawer and only check the voicemails on the phone. So it cost me I think $9.00 a month. Plus I have a extra phone if something happens to mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...