New in Michigan - SRV

[SRV]

My wife & I are starting a bulk vending business in Michigan.  The past couple of weeks we've been picking up some machines we bought off ebay and have been getting some candy & stickers to get started.  We are starting out with 60 machines (6 vendstar & 54 triple vendesign)  My cost per machine was about $35 each with the majority of the machines in very good shape, is that a decent price for used machines?  We also bought 10 medical vending machines to look at placing in manufacturing companies.

 

We are starting the locating process & i was hoping for some tips.  Thanks in advance for everyone's feedback on my questions?

-We are thinking about using use local charities, what % or amount of contribution does everyone typically do?  Do you share this information with the locations?

-Is it better to try to place machines over the phone or in person?  If in person, should you call in advance or just stop in?

-Should you take a machine in with you as you try to place it in person?

-I've seen some mention of using gift cards, but any other ideas for locating other than using charities?

-Are there better times of the day to try to locate & how does locating on weekends work?

 

Again, thanks for the feedback.

 Sweet Relief Vending (SRV)

Tom

[Brando]

If you search through the back posts (especially the vending 101 section), you will find the answer to most of your questions.

[T BIRD]

Welcome aboard Tom.  Take the time to read alot of these threads for info.

[caserri]

Hey Tom,

Let me see if I can help you a bit with your ?'s

-We are thinking about using use local charities, what % or amount of contribution does everyone typically do?  Do you share this information with the locations?

Generally when you participate in a national vending outreach program your royalty to them is usually in the range of $1.00 to $1.50 per machine / per month. I only share the info with the locations if asked and there are preferred ways to share it.

Read here for a great tutorial on this ==>  http://www.vendiscuss.com/forums/forum1/48.html

-Is it better to try to place machines over the phone or in person?  If in person, should you call in advance or just stop in?

You will probably get a better response in person as it is much more difficult to say no to someone who is standing in front of you than it is to just hang up. The odds are still against you but you'll do better that way. Don't call in advance. You don't want to give them the opportunity to say no before you even get there.

 

-Should you take a machine in with you as you try to place it in person?

 

It wouldn't hurt to show them just what you are offering.

 

-I've seen some mention of using gift cards, but any other ideas for locating other than using charities?

 

Offer a placement fee. Cash is hard to turn down. Just make sure it isn't more than you would've paid a professional locator.

 

-Are there better times of the day to try to locate & how does locating on weekends work?

 

Morning is usually best for me as the decision makers are usually not rushed with items that have been building all day. Just like in retail, the associates are always cheerful at the start of their shift. Much less so in the middle.

Hope I was able to shed some light for you. Keep us updated on your progress.

Steve

[SRV]

Thanks for the info on placing.

SRV