Are you starting the new year?

[lacanteen]

I was reading through some old threads (actually in the political forum) looking for some material for another topic when I ran into this gem I quote below. Have each of you committed to to better for your business?

Quote

  On 12/8/2017 at 9:57 PM, AngryChris said:

lacanteen, do you have knowledge of the revenue figures with your company year-to-date?  I had a few businesses that closed down after getting bought-out and relocated elsewhere, but my overall sales have seemed to go up at least 5% with existing accounts.  Some have gone up almost 100%.

We have had a lot of small locations close as well, but our over all revenues are OK. Increases (or lack of decreases) in this economy will vary, but the proliferation of cashless/telemetry technology is contributing. Every month cashless sales, as a percentage of total sales increases a little bit. Precision use of telemetry will allow you to work the machines more efficiently and at the right time. Workers are electing to not go out to lunch to save money and gas will increase vending sales. Changing from cans to bottles or adding bottles increases sales. Adding premium items to snack machines will increase sales, especially machines with card readers.  Watching sold outs in machines and doubling up on items that sell out will increase sales. Eliminating items that do not sell well will increase sales. Having a few selections that feature a new item every 6 weeks will increase sales and interest. Keeping the machine clean, full, and working will increase sales.

Doing any of the above will show positive growth. Doing all of the above keeps you in the game. The biggest mistake most vending operators is doing the same thing every day, week, month and year. I have gone into new locations and seen very old equipment. The comments are: "I've worked here for 25 years and that machine was here when I was hired". When walking through a new location, I hear "can we get a machine with a bill acceptor?" We laugh and watch them freak out when they see a card reader and Apple Pay decals. 

Right now the political climate is harsh to say the least. The economy in general is positive. GDP growth since the last election has been bullish, as has the stock market. We must continue forward or get run over (again). Our economy is fueled by confidence in the future. Confidence to make a profit, and to keep profits for reinvestment. 

{We should probably start a thread on the snack & beverage forum about how to increase same store sales}

 

[CajunCandy]

Seems nobody want to answer you lacanteen!

[lacanteen]

11 hours ago, CajunCandy said:

Seems nobody want to answer you lacanteen!

With this virus scare going around, are you ready? Your customers are probably avoiding public places. What new offerings have you given them? Do your machines still have hand written flavor strips? A cracked medallion? Light burned out in your snack machine? 

IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS, SOMEONE ELSE WILL!

[SCOTT1963]

Might be time to make a show of washing down the front of machines with antibacterial products

And make sure they know you are doing it

Had 2 vendors ask me what they should use to disinfect the front

 

here is a list for those interested

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/coronavirus-checklist-more-than-150-disinfectants-that-may-kill-coronavirus-surfaces/D5J5ZJ7QK5B4DDP4ZZ7GQGWQVA/

 

 

[AZVendor]

Sheese!  Washing down machines.... If they're too afraid to use a machine then they must be too scared to use cash and coins.  Poor babys.

[SCOTT1963]

Just throwing it out there, it was vendors asking, not end users

[lacanteen]

15 hours ago, SCOTT1963 said:

Might be time to make a show of washing down the front of machines with antibacterial products

And make sure they know you are doing it

Had 2 vendors ask me what they should use to disinfect the front

 

here is a list for those interested

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/coronavirus-checklist-more-than-150-disinfectants-that-may-kill-coronavirus-surfaces/D5J5ZJ7QK5B4DDP4ZZ7GQGWQVA/

 

 

A good point. Clean, full, and working should be everyone's mantra. 

[CajunCandy]

12 hours ago, lacanteen said:

A good point. Clean, full, and working should be everyone's mantra. 

Today I was in Baton Rouge working on three machines, not working! No names said! I've never seen a dirty and nothing but full of dust break-room as I saw today! Replaced two Coinco DBA's in a Vendo and a Royal drink machine. In the Vendo every column was saying sold-out! First thing I notice was back-spacers too far back allowing sold-out flaps to rest on switch! Took care of that, cleared all errors. No more sold out! Replaced DBA with a Mars and correct harness, machine works now! Vendor had his own Mars and harness for a Royal 2000 board. As for snack machine the TRC 6000 quarter sensor was set on low allowing it to empty of quarters. It had a Mars 300 DBA box that was full. I put him a $500 bill box in it's place. I had a fun filled day!

[SCOTT1963]

On 3/2/2020 at 4:56 PM, SCOTT1963 said:

Might be time to make a show of washing down the front of machines with antibacterial products

And make sure they know you are doing it

Had 2 vendors ask me what they should use to disinfect the front

 

here is a list for those interested

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/coronavirus-checklist-more-than-150-disinfectants-that-may-kill-coronavirus-surfaces/D5J5ZJ7QK5B4DDP4ZZ7GQGWQVA/

 

 

When we get on the other side of this, spraying down the keypads, coin returns, val bezels and such may be a good idea, for business and public health going forward

[Southeast Treats]

For a long time I kept a cleaning bag on the back of my hand truck, but when the straps broke I just threw it in the van and only grab it when I know I need to clean.  I think it's time to replace it and get one for my other driver as well.  It's a lot easier when everything is right at hand and ready to use.  The problem with him will be getting him to slow down long enough to clean anything!