jerrybrooksvendall Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Hello Mr Flint flash. I have a question for you sir (or Brian). With 8 bags of chips in my Cameron boxes. Oil from the chips leaks out somehow, causing a stain on the bottom of the box. Do you know how to prevent this? I take the divider in the box and just flatten it out for an extra support, instead of forming it into columns. So I was just curious to know if you guys have this problem or not? Thanks Jerry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintflash Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 On 2/5/2019 at 2:55 PM, jerrybrooksvendall said: Hello Mr Flint flash. I have a question for you sir (or Brian). With 8 bags of chips in my Cameron boxes. Oil from the chips leaks out somehow, causing a stain on the bottom of the box. Do you know how to prevent this? I take the divider in the box and just flatten it out for an extra support, instead of forming it into columns. So I was just curious to know if you guys have this problem or not? Thanks Jerry. Hey Jerry! That is a very common and normal problem. Some chips tend to have more of an issue than others. There really is nothing that you can do about it. Try to avoid the cheaper brand chips, but really all chips will have the oil problem a bit. I replace my boxes on a regular basis to discard any that are extremely bad, but unfortunately it's going to be a continuous problem because cardboard will suck up the oil and show the stains. Most customers either understand this or don't notice (or care). Very rarely do I ever get a customer that has an issue with this. And the few that I do (we're talking a small handful), my drivers just make sure they give that customer a newer snack tray. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintflash Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 On 2/2/2019 at 2:48 PM, FlyGuy said: I have the same business model: small and a few medium snack boxes.... all snacks, no chips. I have a good day job, but the boxes are my part time side hustle: approx 3 dozen locations and only roughly 6 hr/wk (4 hrs route placing/exchanging boxes and 2 hrs re-stocking, purchasing, accounting, etc). The part time status limits the biz types where I can place boxes and the type of product I can sell. Just in case it gives you any ideas, though, I do basically the following... -nearly all small Cameron boxes with approx 65-70 snacks (yes, you can fit that many, see below), a few Sheridan big plain white boxes with approx. 120-140 snacks at my longstanding places with low theft after they prove themselves as a weekly exchange Cameron box for awhile -no chips at all due to too much space taken in small box, grease marks on box, short exp dates, unhealthy... I use a few Veg Straws and Cracker Jack with mixed success -snacks mostly from Sams, some grocery store, some dollar store -punched reinforced holes with zip tie on the box right side flap to discourage theft -most items $1.00 (full size candy, cookies, crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc) ... some 50c items (fun size candy, peanuts, Slim Jim, 5pk gum... and any $1.00 items I need to "clearance") -dot price labels on each item... costs less than 1c per, makes for no question of price, and may help discourage theft -Vistaprint color labels ("rack cards") for box top (over cut-out cash drop slot) stating business name and email, "thank you" and "enjoy your snack"... biz cards with biz name and email to pass out and to tape to box front, t-shirt for doing my route -Tri-fold brochures brochure (email, pic of boxes, "healthy snacks," "no contract," "no obligation," "pay only for what you take," etc) that I designed and print myself and leave for the potential new accounts if mgr in charge isn't available when I stop in. I want to get these professionally done in color, but it is not worth it unless I was full time. -No charity affiliation... I don't want that recurring expense and I find charity affiliation phony. I realize hyping the charity connection puts pressure on the location to accept the box, but pressure is the enemy of pleasure. I want people who are receptive and genuinely interested in my product (good snacks, healthy options, good service), since that means they'll help promote and take care of the box. -sales pitch and people skill is key, so perhaps I over-invest in marketing and slick appearance, but it works for me... usually can place a box for every 4-5 businesses approached. My pitch is under one minute (basically just recite my brochure), and Q&A conversation with manager is 2-3min tops. They either want it or they don't. You have to read that and respect their time. -exchange most boxes every 2 weeks (new accounts checked on in 1 week to build rapport and learn volume, slower boxes every 3-4 weeks). Boxes that are routinely more than half empty in 2 weeks and have low theft can become a weekly exchange or even a large size box -new box goes in, grab old box and drop labeled card in cash slot so I will know where box was, say hi to manager, and on to next spot... back home, cut zip ties to count money and re-stock boxes -drop any account with "3 strikes" (25% or more shortage) in 3 months; I don't give any notice or warnings before dropping (I think they'd just steal more), and besides, manager has my card so they can email me if they really want box back (none have) -pretty minimal accounting... I just try to weed out very slow volume or very high theft locations and pinpoint any very poor seller or frequently expiring snacks, but I don't change snack assortments too much. Variety and speed is key. -current box arrange is 70 snacks: one column has 1 cracker jack, 15 full size candy bars, 6 cookie (oreo/nutter), 6 crackers, 8 fun size candy, 4 slim jim... other column gets 2 veg straws, 2 david seed, 4 trail mix, 3 fruit snack, 6 oat honey gran, 3 raisin gran, 4 nutria grain, 6 peanuts, 2 gum. Yes, you can really fit all that comfortably in a Cameron box. I make a few notes and adjust the boxes a bit if something is selling very well at one place or based on what my stock levels are, but I keep them with 70 items (50 dollar and 20 that are 50c) to make the accounting of my gross and theft % quick and easy. ...I enjoy the snack boxes. I think the cheap charity boxes or gumball/mech machines are too much hustle and driving and too high initial investment for me, and I really feel people buy those suckers/mints more from pity for a (basically false) charity affiliation or buy a gumball to quiet a whining kid. I prefer the snacks that people actually want and some healthy options. Full machine vending obviously can't be part time (unless it is a pop and snack machine inside an office you own). I'm sure glad vending offers something for everyone, though. I don't make nearly the per hour from snack boxes that I do at my day job, but the snack box route is fun for me. It also lets me have treats to give out at office, basketball league, etf. It would definitely be the ideal part time retirement job in my opinion... esp if you go to a new area and want to meet some people around town. Keep up the good work! I think you are doing really well with this thread and enjoyed it; only read the first few and last few pages, but I will check back once in awhile. I responded to this on the Honor Box thread instead of on this one. This is Bryan's thread that he shares his progress on and didn't want to clog it up with my ramblings...LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 weekly update: 340 locations. Grossed $1,681.00 Avg. $17.00 per box. Theft ran 16% Serviced 99 locations, (ran 4 days) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrybrooksvendall Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 On 2/8/2019 at 10:27 AM, flintflash said: Hey Jerry! That is a very common and normal problem. Some chips tend to have more of an issue than others. There really is nothing that you can do about it. Try to avoid the cheaper brand chips, but really all chips will have the oil problem a bit. I replace my boxes on a regular basis to discard any that are extremely bad, but unfortunately it's going to be a continuous problem because cardboard will suck up the oil and show the stains. Most customers either understand this or don't notice (or care). Very rarely do I ever get a customer that has an issue with this. And the few that I do (we're talking a small handful), my drivers just make sure they give that customer a newer snack tray. Hope this helps. Thanks Flint flash. I kind of figured about nothing to do about that problem. It's just embarrassing when snacks are fine, and there's a greasy spot. Lol. Thanks anyways. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 Weekly update: 347 locations. Grossed $2,142.25 Avg. $21.40 theft ran 7% serviced 100 locations. (ran 4 days) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintflash Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 On 2/16/2019 at 8:26 PM, bhumphrey829 said: Weekly update: 347 locations. Grossed $2,142.25 Avg. $21.40 theft ran 7% serviced 100 locations. (ran 4 days) Numbers are still looking strong, Bryan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted February 18, 2019 Author Share Posted February 18, 2019 4 hours ago, flintflash said: Numbers are still looking strong, Bryan! Yeah I'm still working on improving my route numbers and adding locations without pulling as many as I was before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share Posted February 23, 2019 Weekly update: 341 locations. Grossed $2,341.75 Avg. $20.00 per box. Theft ran 19% Serviced 117 locations, (ran 5 days) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintflash Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 On 2/22/2019 at 8:15 PM, bhumphrey829 said: Weekly update: 341 locations. Grossed $2,341.75 Avg. $20.00 per box. Theft ran 19% Serviced 117 locations, (ran 5 days) Excellent weekly gross! I see you ran 5 days this week. Did you add a day, or just split up another day? You have been hovering strong at that 340 mark and your shortages have been GREAT! Keep up the FANTASTIC work, my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 Well I did have an extra route but I moved it over to a regular route, still trying to get 30 locations tues-fri. It's getting there lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 Weekly update: 341 locations. Grossed $1,875.50 Avg $17.50 per box. Theft ran 21% serviced 107 locations (ran 4 days) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyGuy Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 On 2/27/2019 at 7:05 PM, bhumphrey829 said: ...still trying to get 30 locations tues-fri. It's getting there lol Maybe I missed it in all the pages here, but what is a typical day/week schedule for you... Box swaps, locating, accounting, restocking, buying, etc? I'm sure you've dialed in what works for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 I do between 25 and 30 locations per day. I have someone that stocks my boxes for the next day route, so I go in, load them up and take off. When I get back from running the route, I count the money and figure out shortages, then head to the bank to make deposit. Hope this helps 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintflash Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 20 hours ago, bhumphrey829 said: I do between 25 and 30 locations per day. I have someone that stocks my boxes for the next day route, so I go in, load them up and take off. When I get back from running the route, I count the money and figure out shortages, then head to the bank to make deposit. Hope this helps You'll get to that 30 account mark soon, my friend! Hey, just curious, but how long are you out on the route each day? Keep up the AWESOME work buddy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 8 hours ago, flintflash said: You'll get to that 30 account mark soon, my friend! Hey, just curious, but how long are you out on the route each day? Keep up the AWESOME work buddy! Depending on how far I have to drive, I am usually out on the actual route about 3 to 4 hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintflash Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 12 hours ago, bhumphrey829 said: Depending on how far I have to drive, I am usually out on the actual route about 3 to 4 hours Perfect! That's about what I figured. I was hoping it wasn't an all day thing for you. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 No, sir, but then it does take about another hour and a half to count the money and input it into the computer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintflash Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 15 hours ago, bhumphrey829 said: No, sir, but then it does take about another hour and a half to count the money and input it into the computer Oh that's to be expected. You right on the mark with your process! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 8, 2019 Author Share Posted March 8, 2019 11 hours ago, flintflash said: Oh that's to be expected. You right on the mark with your process! Well I appreciate the kind words, sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 Weekly update: 343 locations. Grossed $2,164.75 Avg. $18.75 per box. Theft ran 16% serviced 111 locations (ran 4 days) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 Weekly update: 349 locations. Grossed $2,188.00 Avg. $21.45 per box. Theft ran 17% serviced 102 locations, (ran 4 days) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintflash Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 On 3/15/2019 at 7:04 PM, bhumphrey829 said: Weekly update: 349 locations. Grossed $2,188.00 Avg. $21.45 per box. Theft ran 17% serviced 102 locations, (ran 4 days) Nice solid week, my friend! Say, looks like you GREW a few accounts. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 Yes, sir, steady as she goes lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhumphrey829 Posted March 22, 2019 Author Share Posted March 22, 2019 Weekly update: 345 locations. Grossed $2,284.25 Avg. $20.75 Theft ran 13% serviced 109 locatons. (ran 4 days) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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