Help! I've got lawyers calling me!

[Jarola]

Help!

I was contacted by a law office that has about 25 employees in a downtown high rise building.  They are looking for a snack machine; is this account worth pursuing and if so, what would be the best type of machine setup that I could get the best bang for the buck? I would be looking for something smaller, and used, on Craigslist or eBay, although there is a local machine rebuilder I keep meaning to visit as well. It seems to me that just by servicing the machine in this skyscraper, I could potentially be picking up lots more clients, maybe bigger and more worthwhile. Am I wrong? Anyone have a similar experience? As always, your feedback is appreciated.

Thank you,

Jacob

[BudLeiser]

Will the machine be publicly visible like in a hall?

[Jarola]

Good question! I don't think so. I found a small desktop machine online but I'm not sure I trust the company or that particular product. I'm hoping there's something else out there, though, that is small and will be cost-effective.

I'm also concerned about the distance. How far is too far to go? I'm out in the suburbs and this is downtown Seattle. It doesn't seem like it would be too bad if I'm only going into town once a month, but if I'm spending all my profit on gas and parking, what's the point? On the other hand, if I can get other spots within the building...

Regards,

Jacob

[Quarter Master]

Jacob,

            It may be well worth your time to go to that building and look around to see what other offices have or if there is a common area on each floor for vending machines. Last year I had the same type of situation when I found out that their was an exclusive vending company used by the leasing company and all offices had to use that particular service. I just put this office in contact with the vendor and everybody was happy. I almost crossed the line but figured I better check to see what the other offices were doing. Might save you a big headache later on.

[BudLeiser]

Good question! I don't think so. I found a small desktop machine online but I'm not sure I trust the company or that particular product. I'm hoping there's something else out there, though, that is small and will be cost-effective.

I'm also concerned about the distance. How far is too far to go? I'm out in the suburbs and this is downtown Seattle. It doesn't seem like it would be too bad if I'm only going into town once a month, but if I'm spending all my profit on gas and parking, what's the point? On the other hand, if I can get other spots within the building...

Regards,

Jacob

I may be wrong and im too tired to check. But don't full line/snack/soda operates generally check their machines every couple of weeks for more locations to be "worthwhile"? Depending on how much room, price, and what you expect your vend volume to be you might want to consider a combo machine that does snacks and sodas.

[Jarola]

Jacob,

            It may be well worth your time to go to that building and look around to see what other offices have or if there is a common area on each floor for vending machines. Last year I had the same type of situation when I found out that their was an exclusive vending company used by the leasing company and all offices had to use that particular service. I just put this office in contact with the vendor and everybody was happy. I almost crossed the line but figured I better check to see what the other offices were doing. Might save you a big headache later on.

Hey Islander:

Thanks for the feedback! That's something I certainly hadn't considered and exactly why I asked for feedback. Kudos to you!!!

Regards,

Jacob

I may be wrong and im too tired to check. But don't full line/snack/soda operates generally check their machines every couple of weeks for more locations to be "worthwhile"? Depending on how much room, price, and what you expect your vend volume to be you might want to consider a combo machine that does snacks and sodas.

Hi BudLeiser:

Thanks, you bring up some good points. I hadn't really considered a combo machine, but provided the building isn't under an exclusive contract as Islander mentioned, that may be a better way to go.

Regards,

Jacob

[boldandmodern]

If space is an issue go with a used combo machine. Don't spend to much as there are only maybe 25 employees. Is there a deli in the building?

[mxer518]

I have a few accounts just like this one from the sounds of it, I have a small combo machine in there and it makes me some steady money. I change a lot more there than most of my other locations such as 1$ for soda, 1$ for candy bars but they buy them all the time. Parking is always my biggest issue, when I find a spot I always bring everything that I might possibly need to that I am only making one trip. If you can get a decent deal on a machine I would take the location, it would be easy to sell if it does not work out so well for you.

[Poplady1]

I would offer them a bulk candy machine for the breakroom.  I have experience with Attorney and Engineer accounts.  These are the slowest accounts in the office sector.  If this would be your only snack account you will have a lot of product waste. 

Just my two cents.

Blue Moose

[mxer518]

I agree, I can get away with having a few of these accounts because I can move product that is about to date quickly to another location that volume will sell through it before it dates out.

[Poplady1]

Once you get to the size of mxer, you can set one of these up and just stop by when necessary, move around slow sellers and make a little money.  But this isn't a good place to start full line vending.

Blue Moose