Locators r us screwed our business over

[onecent@atime]

Single Head Candy Machine

$25.00 USD

11

$275.00 USD

 

Total:

$275.00 USD

Sep 29, 2013 15:07:32 PDT

 

How can it take 8+ months to get  fill and order for 11 locations ?

 

They gave us locations we did not ask for, never fully filled the order, will not  return emails or phone calls since 4/3/14 .  We are going to be forced to file a dispute with our credit card company as a charge back to paypal.

 

Paid via paypal before the forum had its program, we ordered via the forum as well and had to be refunded because we placed and owner said they told lru no and they tried to keep our machine.

[GagesVending]

Yep, they never responded to me either.  Luckily, my money was wrapped up in the escrow service, so I got it back.  Dispute it!  They won't be able to fight it because they ignore everything!  Honestly, in my opinion it's time for LRU to be removed from the TVF store.

[casey259]

I think it's time to remove them as well, if they aren't communicating at all and aren't giving any locations then they are doing a disservice to our community here. 

[caserri]

Yes, let's remove them. And in doing so, let's also remove the only safety net that unsuspecting customers have.

[cashman]

Kind of what I was thinking, let's take out the safety net . NOT !!! Think people.

[GagesVending]

Kind of what I was thinking, let's take out the safety net . NOT !!! Think people.

 

I definitely do think...here's my reasoning:  LRU used to be somewhat prompt at minimum of communicating, they used to fulfill orders, the point is that they used to do their jobs!  My experience for more than a month is nothing.  They didn't even email me back, let alone fulfill my orders.  So...why would we support their quest to do nothing?  Why should someone put $25, $50 or any amount into escrow, only to get it back 30 days later, when they can simply hire another locator who will fulfill the order in the first place?  I am NOT saying to use LRU outside of TVF.  I am saying that it's smarter to pay someone else who'll actually do the job, like Kickstart or somewhere else that accepts Paypal.  Paypal secures your payment as well.  Not sure what's stupid about that. The escrow service was great when LRU did what they agreed to way back when.

[Lake Cities Vending]

I've never had a problem with them. I would hate to see them go.

[caserri]

I definitely do think...here's my reasoning: LRU used to be somewhat prompt at minimum of communicating, they used to fulfill orders, the point is that they used to do their jobs! My experience for more than a month is nothing. They didn't even email me back, let alone fulfill my orders. So...why would we support their quest to do nothing? Why should someone put $25, $50 or any amount into escrow, only to get it back 30 days later, when they can simply hire another locator who will fulfill the order in the first place? I am NOT saying to use LRU outside of TVF. I am saying that it's smarter to pay someone else who'll actually do the job, like Kickstart or somewhere else that accepts Paypal. Paypal secures your payment as well. Not sure what's stupid about that. The escrow service was great when LRU did what they agreed to way back when.

You're completely missing the point of the service. But, whatever, it doesn't matter because we can't have the service without participating locators.

[casey259]

Kind of what I was thinking, let's take out the safety net . NOT !!! Think people.

 

I agree with Gages on this. Think about someone new coming here and seeing LRU in the locations portion and places and order as they assume they're active. Well then 30 days goes by and they are extremely frustrated and have to get a refund. So for customers here essentially you have situation setup to where someone locks up their money for 30 days, gets a refund via PayPal and receives not their full amount back due to PayPal fees. I don't see how this is effective or passes the "does this make sense" test. I love the service here at TVF and hope that more locators would sign up as there's a huge base here for them to generate some revenue. 

 

LRU has been a great company in the past and I hope that something is just going on or it's a bump in the road and they come back strong, or this just means that I need to stop being lazy and find an alternative aka doing it myself  .

[GagesVending]

I've never had a problem with them. I would hate to see them go.

 

I almost wonder if they just pick and choose who they want to help and who they want to ignore.  I guess if they're still helping some customers, then keep them there, but I assumed since they ignored me and some other folks, that they just threw in the towel.  It's very unprofessional though that they'd ignore people; the least they could do is send us an email to let us know they don't want to work on our orders.

[caserri]

I agree with Gages on this. Think about someone new coming here and seeing LRU in the locations portion and places and order as they assume they're active. Well then 30 days goes by and they are extremely frustrated and have to get a refund.

And that's the point. If they are offered in our program, those extremely frustrated customers WILL get a refund. 30 days is better than never.

Whether LRU is in our program or not, members will still order from them. It doesn't matter what their reputation is. Being in the locator store at least allows members to purchase with the comfort of knowing they can get a refund. But you want to take that comfort away.

Listen, its frustrating for me as well. I've taken a ton of heat over the last few weeks. Most, not all, but most of the customers who buy through the store think that I am LRU and I'm bearing the brunt of the angry emails. I tried to provide a service that would keep our members from being ripped off and so far it has worked quite well for those who can actually FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

Unfortunately, the program will soon be coming to a close. Not because anyone here is asking for it but because this has exhausted my desire to try and provide unappreciated help.

As I said, LRU will continue to get orders from our members. Good luck to them because their safety net is now gone.

[GagesVending]

And that's the point. If they are offered in our program, those extremely frustrated customers WILL get a refund. 30 days is better than never.

Whether LRU is in our program or not, members will still order from them. It doesn't matter what their reputation is. Being in the locator store at least allows members to purchase with the comfort of knowing they can get a refund. But you want to take that comfort away.

Listen, its frustrating for me as well. I've taken a ton of heat over the last few weeks. Most, not all, but most of the customers who buy through the store think that I am LRU and I'm bearing the brunt of the angry emails. I tried to provide a service that would keep our members from being ripped off and so far it has worked quite well for those who can actually FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

Unfortunately, the program will soon be coming to a close. Not because anyone here is asking for it but because this has exhausted my desire to try and provide unappreciated help.

As I said, LRU will continue to get orders from our members. Good luck to them because their safety net is now gone.

 

Steve, I think you got the wrong idea from what I meant.  I honestly have the standpoint of that you're picking up the slack for the LRU.  I feel that it's unfair for you and TVF members to deal with their issues.  I apologize if I came off as unappreciative; because I realize that you do a TON for the forum and are not compensated for it.  I do appreciate what you do for the forum and I think a lot of other members do as well.  I'm on your side, I really am! 

[casey259]

Unfortunately, the program will soon be coming to a close. Not because anyone here is asking for it but because this has exhausted my desire to try and provide unappreciated help.

 

 

 

I'm very thankful not only for your help here spearheading a new service but for the advice both from you and other veteran members as I wouldn't have even started this business without this forum that you founded. If this place ever went away I would probably freak out.

[Jax Snacks]

I almost wonder if they just pick and choose who they want to help and who they want to ignore.  I guess if they're still helping some customers, then keep them there, but I assumed since they ignored me and some other folks, that they just threw in the towel.  It's very unprofessional though that they'd ignore people; the least they could do is send us an email to let us know they don't want to work on our orders.

 

Well it appears from what you said, "they just threw in the towel" may be applicable for your area now.  I call it "hitting the brick wall".  It seems that every area will eventually hit the brick wall with telemarketing locating.  Best of luck recovering your funds.

[Jax Snacks]

And that's the point. If they are offered in our program, those extremely frustrated customers WILL get a refund. 30 days is better than never.

Listen, its frustrating for me as well. I've taken a ton of heat over the last few weeks. Most, not all, but most of the customers who buy through the store think that I am LRU and I'm bearing the brunt of the angry emails. I tried to provide a service that would keep our members from being ripped off and so far it has worked quite well for those who can actually FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

Unfortunately, the program will soon be coming to a close. Not because anyone here is asking for it but because this has exhausted my desire to try and provide unappreciated help.

 

Sorry to hear that.  I guess this falls in that category of "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished".  Try to help and do something good, but then get smacked for doing it.

 

But I think this whole thing is a moot point.  IMHO, most tele-locators would not have signed up for the service in any event.  Why?  Because the vast majority of locators will not man-up when they hit the brick wall (see other thread).  They (the locator) would prefer to disappear rather than provide a refund when they hit a tough over saturated area.  Essentially passing their cost and risk onto the Vendor.  Now I am speaking in broad terms and I obviously don't know any one locator's situation.  Other factors can be involved for sure, but I have seen this brick wall phenomenon happen over and over with many tele-locators through the years.

 

Heck, I even had a locator deduct a large "processing fee" to get a refund after telling me they could not get any locations.  Back in 2002, a tele-locator told me it takes about 30 calls to get one "yes".  Today, I heard that it can sometimes take 100 calls to get one "yes".  There is no way to sustain that locating model.  And we see the results of that.  Locators biting the dust will become an even more common occurrence IMHO.  This service was the only one that would make locators man-up when things did not go right.  It's gone now.  And that is too bad.

[amc-vending]

And that's the point. If they are offered in our program, those extremely frustrated customers WILL get a refund. 30 days is better than never.

Whether LRU is in our program or not, members will still order from them. It doesn't matter what their reputation is. Being in the locator store at least allows members to purchase with the comfort of knowing they can get a refund. But you want to take that comfort away.

Listen, its frustrating for me as well. I've taken a ton of heat over the last few weeks. Most, not all, but most of the customers who buy through the store think that I am LRU and I'm bearing the brunt of the angry emails. I tried to provide a service that would keep our members from being ripped off and so far it has worked quite well for those who can actually FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

Unfortunately, the program will soon be coming to a close. Not because anyone here is asking for it but because this has exhausted my desire to try and provide unappreciated help.

As I said, LRU will continue to get orders from our members. Good luck to them because their safety net is now gone.

 

Personally Caserri  I really appreciate all that you do on here( and the mods), most people wont see what all goes on behind the "scene".

 

I hope you dont do away with program, LRU has found me some good locations in the past and was fixing to order again before this happened.  Hopefully they get it all worked out in house and come back strong.

[caserri]

Don't let me give you the wrong impression. I plan on continuing the program "if" we can get new locators to sign on. We obviously can not continue it at this time if we have no locators to buy from.

I'm always sending invites to locators but so far, no one has even bothered to reply. I encourage everyone to send emails to various locators inviting them to join. I'm looking at adding some very nice incentives to anyone who gets a locator to participate.

[sherlock]

I'm always sending invites to locators but so far, no one has even bothered to reply. I encourage everyone to send emails to various locators inviting them to join.

 

If locators aren't willing to provide some goodwill by becoming part of a FREE program that will encourage new customers to give them a try, then they don't deserve our business.

I, for one, would prefer to do business with a locator who is willing to show he/she has faith in their own ability to serve their customers properly.

 

To anyone using a locator who has NOT been part of the escrow service program, it's time you ask them why they aren't willing to join.......and post their reply.

And if they don't even bother to give you a reply, maybe it's time to reconsider your business relationship with them.

[Grazing Hippo Vending]

I believe that there are ONLY 2 reasons why a locating company would not participate in the program.

1.They do not want to be held accountable to the standards of TVF forum members (most likely)

2. They actually are happy with the size of their business and do not want to grow.

I do not believe that these reasons need to be mutually exclusive either. Locators should be pounding on the door and begging Steve to let them in.

Yes, there is a small fee for the locating company but that should be viewed as a marketing expense. This forum is the most effective way to reach potential clients.

[Makes Cents]

I believe there is one reason. Locators don't sign up is because the last thing they want is accountability, especially by vendors.

[Jax Snacks]

IMHO, asking a bulk locator to join would be like asking a casino to give up their house advantage.  Why would they do that?  The bulk locator has had the advantage for years and most are not interested in having a level playing field.  Note that I am referring only to bulk as I have no experiences with full line, honor boxes or amusements.

[Makes Cents]

The reason they would do it is this:

If there existed a locator who was honest, reliable, and had the ability to deliver locations they would be viewed by vendors as a partner rather than a foe and would essentially corner the bulk vending locating market and make money.

Some companies have made it work for awhile, until the credit card companies and paypal realize all they have is a website with google phone and couple of ladyboys in an internet cafe overseas and alot of money going away.

Personally I view locators just above, but not far above, the 'Nigerian prince' I get emails from

Now that I think of it, that 'Nigerian prince' could have been my vending locator, ive never met either. Thats probably how he got my email!

[Rick]

If I was a locator, I mean a serious locator where this was my livelihood, I would not participate in the TVF program. I'd rely on word of mouth testimonials from my customers.   

 

I have personally witnessed what I'd describe as a wolfpack mentality against locators and hiring them for services on this forum.  

 

When TVF members mention a negative experience after turning down a location it is universally assumed that they even know what a good/bad location is.  And I would challenge the general premise of that anyway since I've had locations I was certain would be dogs and ended up being great (and vice versa).  

I've also witnessed people on here start to grumble after as little as four business days lack of response from a place they've ordered from. Also what a lot of us don't understand is when we put a feeler out there for 1-2 locations that requires the same amount of "intake" paperwork and processing on the locators part as an order of 50 does.  

 

It's generally assumed the TVF member is telling the truth and their feedback is valid but the locator is blowing smoke when it comes to "missed communications".  I also understand there have been a lot of us with locator horror stories.  I dare say if you contract for a lot of locating - it's when, not if you'll be burned.  But I'd ask at what point should you roll that into the cost of doing business?  Most bulk locators generally charge between $35-$50 per location and we have a poll on this very site that indicates a solid location nets approximately 50%-100% of that.  Not a shabby return on investment when locators hit a winner!

Just saying I can also see the side of it not being worth it from the locators POV.  You don't have to dive very deep into these locating threads to find examples of what I'm talking about.