READ THIS - Important To Know - Disapproved Locations

[WesternVending]

Ok, I just want to clear up as a locater myself, that when dates are set, when you talk to some of these business owners, or managers, they WILL SAY YES over the phone.

NOW during the placement

The owner of the machine will go there, and then all of a sudden, they will deny it. Now these waste alot of time, because for all we know we got a yes, and an OK for the individual to come by and place that machine.

Why would the owner lie?

Well get this, all they know is they got a phone saying that they want to place this machine, because the proceeds go to charity to help people with blah, blah , blah. Now technically i personally describe the machine, so i don't want to surprise them, when i say over the phone its a small gumball machine, and then the machines owner brings in a Triple Head Candy Machine. BIG DIFFERENCE.

Now knowing that its for charity, and not some person wanting to make some money, They will tell you YES over the phone, JUST so they don't feel bad, and to get you off the phone with them.

Now you go place it, and they change their mind some kinda of way, OR they say they never spoke to anyone, making the locator look really bad, and unprofessional.

What could happen is also they see your machine, and decide it would be an eyesoar to the store, so they deny.

To be honest, there is nothing the locater can do about that.

Its Ashame this DOES happen, and there is no real away around it, OR IS THERE?

Here is my new solution to lower the rate at which this happens

I believe in the phrase, Trust But Verify.

So we call establishment "A", they say that you can gladly place the machine.

Good, now there is one problem Establishment A's Owner may have did that to just get you off the phone, or to not feel like a complete greedy jerk.

So guess what? We will make a follow up call, and instead of a salesman, I will personally make the call. To actually get a Set time on the day they want you to bring it in

Now During that call ill clarify that they are absolutely sure, and that they will be there expecting a volunteer to come in and place the machine.

Problem solved, Because you know what, they may be able to get out of a phone call to let someone come in an time frame to place the machine, BUT they definitely can't forget about setting an appointment

Now let me switch gears and talk about something else. Some people who go and place a machine mess it up for themselves.

For instance, the way you got in IS MOST of the time from a charity focused angle. What you need to do is act humble, and act like you ARE a volunteer. Now to be honest YOU ARE a voulenteer.

if you go place your machine and say " Im blah blah from blah vending" Then thats may be a reason why they say no. Because they talked to someone at so and so charity. We represent you, and you represent the charity when you go place this machine. So guess what? you messed it up, and it isn't The locator's Fault.

So here are some tips on what to do.

Steps to Drop Off:

Give every location a chance! The most ambiguous locations often turn

out to be the best. Employees are often the largest consumers and you

only need one hungry one!

Print the email we have provided you with the location name, address,

contact, and notes.

Load your vehicle with your machine, printed email, charity paperwork,

and fresh product.

Drive to the location.

Walk into the location with charity paperwork, printed email, and machine (probably after you got the ok).

Say "I'm here with (your charity) and we would like to drop off your

free (your machine type).

Present them with the printed email and ask for the contact provided

on the email print out.

Ask our contact where you may place the machine.

Setup the machine, thank them, and exit quietly!

Tips: We call these the Do's.

Do bring all the proper charity paperwork.

Do go to the location prior to the drop off deadline.

Do have a smile on your face.

Do print the email with the location name and information in it. Show

them this when you arrive as it adds a layer of credibility.

Do let them know you are there with the charity. That is how we

identify ourselves on the phone. Therefore you should identify

yourself by the charity name when you arrive.

Do wear a charity name badge, shirt, hat, or any other charity

paraphernalia you might have.

Do be very polite and passive.

Tips: These are the Do Not's.

Do not call first unless it is to inquire when the contact will be

available. This gives the business one last chance to say no to you

on the phone. We have already talked with the contact at a minimum of

two times. They are ready for the machine.

Do not leave messages on their answering machine. They will not call

you back.

Do not delay after you have received the location via email. Your

most important job is to deliver the machine in a timely manner!

Do not be overly aggressive. The business has been kind enough to

allow you to place a machine with them. Make sure they know you

appreciate it.

[texxann]

I think that this is a very helpful post. We have experienced on a number of occasions the contact indicating that he DID NOT approve a charitable candy machine. I think that what's key here is that the locator be willing to "re-locate" any machines wherein the owner or contact refuses the machine OR the machine performs poorly.

With the few exceptions, it has been my experience that the machines that perform poorly are ones where there are more than one charitable dispenser. In one particular instance, the other charitable dispenser had not been serviced in several months and was a definite eye sore. We had been told that it was ok to place a machine where there were multiples provided the product was different. I am not totally sold on that theory.

I appreciate the DO's from your perspective. Here's the list of locator DO's from mine:

DO be honest and up front about how much $$ any one machine can make.

DO communicate with the vendor.

DO offer a written contract. There's no guarantee for sure, but create a committment and honor it.

DO look for more than a location. After all we're both in this to make money. Look for a GOOD location.

DO relocate if the location is a dud within a reasonable time frame. If it take you three weeks to relocate a machine, then I've lost two months worth of potential revenue

Sounds a little bitter, I know. But the key to getting repeat business in any business is doing it right the first time. If you make a mistake, and we all do, fix it. And fast!

[the buzzing]

texxann,

This is by far one of the better post posted...It's raw, unbiased and honest! KS has giving me so much grief I will never use a locator again! These people get too swamped and money eyed and forget you...They're like wam, bam thanks man! They forget like the fellow mowing my lawn, if he does a good job I'll keep paying (hiring) him...If he sux I will toss him...Same theory here.

I like this part the best “If it takes you three weeks to relocate a machine, then I've lost two months worth of potential revenue". Couldn’t of said it better my friend! We need more folks like you to share these blessings.

[shvend]

Western,

I know you are a locator and I don't mean to step on your feet here but this proves my point. It is better for any venodor on this forum that wants to grow there own route, to get the locations there selfs. The vendor walks in secures the locaiton sets the machine and leaves.

There is no ok are you sure you understand mister business owner there will be a guy or gal coming in with a gumball machine. As you speak to them over the phone. Well like you said "gives you a yes to be nice to get you off the phone with him".

[WesternVending]

shvend wrote:

Western,

I know you are a locator and I don't mean to step on your feet here but this proves my point. It is better for any venodor on this forum that wants to grow there own route, to get the locations there selfs. The vendor walks in secures the locaiton sets the machine and leaves.

There is no ok are you sure you understand mister business owner there will be a guy or gal coming in with a gumball machine. As you speak to them over the phone. Well like you said "gives you a yes to be nice to get you off the phone with him".

Im not gonna argue with you on this. But i do agree, that for all the people in here who put so much pressure on the locator to find them GOOD LOCATIONS, it probably better they do it themselves.

Like i said using a locater doesn't guarantee success, its more of an convenience option, while you concentrate solely on how to use those locations to make money.

Some people don't want to take just a little time, and talk to business people. Many aren't that good at it.

[havending]

You are much better to place machines your self. In 14 years I have never used one NEVER.

Its statments like the following one that give chairty vending a bad name thus one of the reasons I DO NOT support cahirty vending.

"What you need to do is act humble, and act like you ARE a volunteer"

[havending]

You are much better to place machines your self. In 14 years I have never used one NEVER.

Its statments like the following one that give chairty vending a bad name thus one of the reasons I DO NOT support cahirty vending.

"What you need to do is act humble, and act like you ARE a volunteer"

[shvend]

Luke are you saying you are not going to persue locating yourself? Or am I reading too much into it.

No I have not fully decided yet Kelly, if I do decided to do some locating for other people I will be with that person and have machines under arm when the location is secured.  So that only leaves it to only local people.  But like I said I am not fully decided yet if I want to place for other folks yet.

I have done some soul searching and am leaning toward locating for myself, my thought is why put someone elses machines in locations I can get myself and make the profit off of.  Sounds selfish I know but hey thats the biz!!!

[shvend]

[nam]

Luke,

I've located machines for other people and for myself. I recommend doing it for yourself. You're right when you said why should you do it for someone else when you could do it for yourself. That isn't being selfish at all. It's just business and everyone else either needs to pay or do it themselves.

nam

[bacho]

You are much better to place machines your self. In 14 years I have never used one NEVER.

Its statments like the following one that give chairty vending a bad name thus one of the reasons I DO NOT support cahirty vending.

"What you need to do is act humble, and act like you ARE a volunteer"

I couldn't agree more. When you are going the charity route, do not deceive the potential client. Acting like you are working for the charity is a lie. You donate proceeds from the machine to the charity. That's not working for them. Be honest and up front with them and you'll be better off in the long run. All it takes is one phone call to the charity and you and your business will look like a shmuk.

[dperry]

Of the 81 total locations I ever had, I only used a locator for 7 of them and that was 2 years ago. Of those 7 locations, I only have 2 left. One of those 2 locations was the best I ever had for a single gumball location. It was a location that I tried to get myself but failed. That location has given me $1500 over the last 2 years and has paid for those other locations that were duds.

[antoniocinisi]

Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.

well,maybe

[nam]

Antonio,

Maybe you could get a new voice chip for your Oscar "Hi, my name is Oscar - can I rip you off for a quarter?" "In all honesty I pay 2 cents for a gumball but charge you 25 cents"  

nam

[WesternVending]

bacho wrote:

You are much better to place machines your self. In 14 years I have never used one NEVER.

Its statments like the following one that give chairty vending a bad name thus one of the reasons I DO NOT support cahirty vending.

"What you need to do is act humble, and act like you ARE a volunteer"

I couldn't agree more. When you are going the charity route, do not deceive the potential client. Acting like you are working for the charity is a lie. You donate proceeds from the machine to the charity. That's not working for them. Be honest and up front with them and you'll be better off in the long run. All it takes is one phone call to the charity and you and your business will look like a shmuk.

Right, what i mean by that is people tell me they are apart of a charity and don't act like it. If they are really apart of the charity, i tell them to bring paperwork to prove it. I've had instances where people go in there and talk up their business and the owner just kinda realizes he isn't what he says he is. I go off what the vendor tells me. If the vendors lie's its on them.

[antoniocinisi]

Antonio,

Maybe you could get a new voice chip for your Oscar "Hi, my name is Oscar - can I rip you off for a quarter?" "In all honesty I pay 2 cents for a gumball but charge you 25 cents"  

nam

lol I will consider it.

hey I got a new phone and don`t have your number anymore can you pm me it?