golpher Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 I have been beating the streets the past week trying to locate using the charity method and have not been getting the type of results that I want. It seems like I would have more success if I was concentrating more on the candy machine and what that can offer a location (candy readily available to employees and waiting customers, commission to owner). Just wondering what other peoples results have been as far as machines placed vs locations visited when comparing charity and commission. I hope that makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-man422 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Golpher, everyone and everyplace is different. If you are not getting the results one way, try another. Commission is also another approach if you want to go that route. Let us know what you decide to do and what kind of results you get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer980 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 How do you give your pitch. Run the deal by us as you would do it. We will look at the general scope of what and how you are doing it. Let's start from here. "Hello may I help you?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golpher Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 Hi is there a manager I can speak with? Hello my name is Andy and I am working with the National Childrens Cancer Society . I'm setting up small candy machines in local businesses and I was hoping you could help us out by letting me place a machine here. Wait for answer..... I have not been hard selling . I they say "no" I move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Snacks Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 My second sentence would be, "We are not asking for any money, but could you donate one square foot of floor space for a SMALL CANDY dispenser"? Note that I would emphasize SMALL! You need to reinforce the fact that this will not take up much space - maybe even have a photo and suggest a spot for it. I would also emphasize CANDY. There are many gumball vendors already out there and you may appeal to the decision maker's sweet tooth - especially if he likes MMP or MI. Do NOT say these two words (IMO). (1) GUMBALL - Some people can freak out over gum and the mess it creates on their floor and under their tables. They also may have one or two other gumball machines already there. (2) VENDING MACHINE - Many people will envision an intrusive larger snack or soda machine rather than a small candy dispenser. I know that is what I would think of when someone says vending machine. Personally, I still don't like charity vending since it's a bit of a spin game. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Hope that helps. Good luck. You are in an extremely competitive area! There also some very sleazy individuals (locators and vendors) in your neck of the woods. Jax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golpher Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 Thanks Jax, I have been working on my approach for commission locating. I think I will hit certain places for commission (family owned establishments) and certain places for charity (larger corporate type places). My charity locating needs some work as well. I seem to rush in and out if I try to hit too many locations in a row. Once I hear a few "no's" in a row I begin to assume every place is going to say no. I think if I concentrate on less locations and better presentation my success rate will improve. As for as my area, yes it it loaded with machines. Do you still pitch a place even if they have machines? Do you think it would be out of line to call the numbers on some of the machines and see if they are interested in selling off some of their equipment/locations? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Snacks Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I like the approach of being flexible with charity or commission. As more areas become saturated, you will need to tailor your pitch to the location and not use a one size fits all approach. IMO, all new vendors will eventually need to develop the skill to evaluate a location and determine which approach to use. As far as competing machines goes, if the decision maker let's me in, then I am going in no matter how many machines are in there. However, I would offer some different products that appeal to the decision maker at first or offer a larger quantity (like 10 MMP per quarter). Emphasize that you offer more than just gumballs and that you give a fair quantity of candy. Some locations complain to me about having too much gum and the MMP only gives 5 per quarter. You can make adjustments later on. Calling competitors could get you some more spots and equipment since you never know when one is ready to throw in the towel. Jax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer980 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Like Jax says pust the small part. If they have a tile floor then say it is about the size of one tile. If not maybe say it is about the size of a dinner plate. If they have a machine or two then they may be more open to yor machine if you can provide different selections. Like I said awhile back, set a positive mental picture in your mind before you go in. This business is full of no's and built on yeses. I have got good deals on neglected machines that I encounter in locations. It never hurts to try and call them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mansurp Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 try the donation kiosks that teleasy offers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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