How to handle a very exciting location

[lurtsman]

I received my locations from KS on sunday morning. Among them is one location I am very intrigued by. It is my favorite place to eat, and it is in the food court in a mall. They serve directly into the food court, so I'm not sure how they could accommodate a triple. There is enough space there though for a single capsule machine to sit on the table. I've met the assistant manager there, though she probably won't remember me. What is the best way to approach the location, given the lack of space. I would hate to be turned away, and I think even if they approved for me to place a triple, mall management (which at this mall is kind of pushy) would be breathing down their necks to get rid of it. Should I go with a triple and a counter top single both in the car, then walk in empty handed to talk to them? Ask them where they want me to put it, and select the machine based on the indications they give? If I go with one of my NW super60s for a counter top, what is the best way to secure it? I don't want someone walking off with it, though I think the cost of replacing it would be covered in the first 1-2 months...

[zanygames]

Hum,

Let me know how that one works out. 

I can not see the mall allowing you to place a stand if it is not within the businesses area.  And I can't see the business wanting it with such limited space.  You could do a counter top NW 60 but even that takes up space and every food court I have seen they have pretty much zero space. 

You are also right, someone will knock it off the counter when cleaning or something or just take it home with them. 

Steve

[lurtsman]

If I do a super60, I'd like to find a way to attach it.  The holes in the bottom would allow me space for a very thin chain. I'll have to talk to them and examine the area today. For all I know I might get rejected when I go in and all the strategy will be have been for nothing. If it places though, it will have been worth far more than what I paid for it, so it is worth the risk.

[BluePlate]

I have the base of a A&A machine screwed to a counter in a pizza place. 

Anyways, some malls have rules the merchants can't put anything out side of their area, sometimes it is enforced, sometimes not.  Dollar stores within malls are notorious for this.  Honestly, I'm not sure the location knows what they agreed to.  If you do get in, I would pull out anything you got or could buy.  How about a nice Beaver 2-way. 

A nice kiosk in a good mall can do $1000-$1500 a month.

[lurtsman]

The assistant manager who approved it was not there. I gave them the placement letter she had requested (kickstart comments might have this as a default, since most of my locations apparently wanted the letter), and asked the employee where to put it. He motioned for me to place it at the end of the serving area, by the drinks. It is very crowded, but I went with the table top because it seemed like the easiest option given the location. Sandra should be in tomorrow, so I may take my wife in for dinner then, and see if she likes the location or if she would prefer the free standing triple. Right now it has a NW super60 (couldn't find a good way to attach it) with 250 super balls. I figured with the volume and potential for theft I'd want the cheapest product I could use, without doing gumballs since we have a vendor who pays the mall for that opportunity.

[T BIRD]

The assistant manager who approved it was not there. I gave them the placement letter she had requested (kickstart comments might have this as a default, since most of my locations apparently wanted the letter), and asked the employee where to put it. He motioned for me to place it at the end of the serving area, by the drinks. It is very crowded, but I went with the table top because it seemed like the easiest option given the location. Sandra should be in tomorrow, so I may take my wife in for dinner then, and see if she likes the location or if she would prefer the free standing triple. Right now it has a NW super60 (couldn't find a good way to attach it) with 250 super balls. I figured with the volume and potential for theft I'd want the cheapest product I could use, without doing gumballs since we have a vendor who pays the mall for that opportunity.

A&A sell rubber suction feet for the bottom of the NW 60s.  Good luck with the location. 

[havending]

The only way you can place in this location is if the machine is in side the store.  Malls wont allow machines around the door of the store.

[lurtsman]

The only way you can place in this location is if the machine is in side the store.  Malls wont allow machines around the door of the store.

I have it literally sitting on the counter (next to the drink machine). Suction cup feet sound like a smart idea. I may order a box or two of product to handle the shipping and get some suction feet thrown in.

[timberframe50]

lurtsman how about an update on this location.

[lurtsman]

I went in today and the machine had disappeared.

I spoke to three employees, the final one I believe was a manager. He pulled the machine out from behind their desk and said it could not be infront of the drinks because it was blocking them. I asked if we could keep it up on the rise between the two businesses. He said that was okay as long as the manager did not complain. I thanked him and placed it up there. The machine was up for more than a day, but less than a week. My initial estimate is 15$ in sales. I filled it to the brim with super balls. I'll be checking again in about a week.