First Self Locating Experience

[vendman0729]

Hey everybody.  I just joined the forum as I am new to the vending business.  I have bought 5 1 800 vending machines, 2 vendstars, a 4 foot seaga spiral gumball and a Dixie Narco 276 pepsi machine.  I am now trying to place these machines.  I started locating my self Wednesday but so far haven’t had any luck really.  It’s possible I might get 2 locations so far but that’s only because I am familiar with the owners.  A middle eastern restraunt and a grocery store and if not a Chineeese restraunt. 

I was happy at first when I was locating the first day.  The next day though I got discouraged fast cause I got some flat out no’s.  Today I didn’t have as much luck either but I am now getting a little better at selling.  I am getting the hang of it and starting to like it a bit.  Anyways incase anyones interested I am going to post what happened at each location.  Around 25 locations with a real maybe chance of 2 or 3.

I have learned a lot these past few days just from self locating.  It is fairly hard but I think I will work at it before I have to hire kickstart.  Comments are appreciated.

My saying for the most part went like this

"Hi,  I wanted to provide a free servce for you guys by basically having a machine such as this ( I show them a picture) placed here and as an added bonus, the owner will get a 20% commision as well." 

I have started to fine tune it a little and is a bit different now.

Wednesday Feb 10-First day locating

Grocery store - I might be able to get this location but that’s only cause I am familiar with the owner.  Kind of cheating but I’m happy.

Travel store- Probably not as the worker said the owner already has a triple head, even though her machine is completely empty .  I might go back to talk to the owner and give a fairly high commission.  Maybe 30%.  Seems like low traffic though.

Beauty Salon-  More then likely not as theres literally no space in there.

Thursday Feb 11 2nd day

Cleaners - The lady flat out said no.

Shipping store- The guy was the owner and flat out said no I’m not interested in candy machines. 

Eastern China- Cashier seemed a little interested but I’ll go back to talk to owner.  Might actually be interested as well as they don’t have one at all and the commission will sound good to him.

Pizza- Can’t do it cause kids will mess with it and actually broke one in the past.  I told him my gumball machine can not break as it is made of hard plastic but still wasn’t interested.  He was actually really nice though.

Barbque- Owner not there so will have to come back.  No vending machines  there so owner hopefully might be interested.

Bear Rock Café- No due to corporate

Nail place- Dum guy said not enough room although I thought there was plenty of room haha.

Friday Feb 12 (3rd day locatng)

Cleaners- Said to come back and talk to owner.  No vending machines there so maybe

Thai Cuisine- Owner not there but to come back on April 15th since that’s when she comes back from vacation

Enterprise rent a car- Said talk to corporate

Pizza place- Said ther machines are corporate owned.  Had a nice spiral gumball which made me jelous haha.

Middle Eastern Restraunt- I know the owners so maybe as long as corporate will approve it.  I will be so happy if I get this location for my gumball.

Sport Grille- Had a triple head.  Wanted to place a gumball but wont let me cause guy said the gum is messy.  Man would have I loved to get this location.  Lots of vending stuff there in game area.  What a bunch of crap from the guy haha.

Pizza place- Said to call the owner and gave me his number so ill do that.

Catering place- Going out of business

Different plaza

Ice cream- owner not there but will go back during evening

Bakery place- Said talk to corporate.  Nice location.

[Hillbilly]

Hi,

Welcome to the board.  Lots of good stuff here.  A lot of nice people too.  Came to the right place for help.  Sounds to me like your on the right track.  Just keep doing it and you'll get some yes answers.  We all get frustrated from time to time.

At the place where there was an empty machine I would go back and ask about it.  You may be able to buy it and keep that location as well.  Read some of the scripts in here.  They will give you some good pointers.  Good luck

Hillbilly

[sterling]

The mechanics seem sound. The majority of it is just getting out there and asking. So the hard part is over for you. It is a numbers game, like fishing I don't count the casts, just the catches. The more you do it the more comfortable you'll be. Here is a fine tuning tip. Put your salesmens voice away. Meaning just talk to them like your just having a casual coversation with a friend. The more relaxed you are the more relaxed the location decision maker is. This will help your percentage.

[lurtsman]

Locating gets easier as you go. The closer to getting all my machines out I get the easier it is. I've hired several locators, however I also go out myself and do some locating. Charity is usually better for selling candy.

[Faith Vending]

There are so many pieces to locating; being in the right place at the right time is big. If you stay at it someone will say yes and you'll be on your way. Be careful not to take any location, be somewhat selective based on what you are trying to accomplish. Read this forum on locating there are some great ideas.

[vendman0729]

Thanks for all the comments.  Good point Hillbilly, I will go back to that one store and ask her if I can buy her candy machine.  I can just give her 20% commision.  Also I think Sterling you make a good point too.  I should approach more friendly and just be cool about it then just a salesman guy.  Problem is right now I don't have as much time either to locate because I'm in the process for looking for a good job as well.  I am still confused If I should just hire a locator or continue to try to locate them my self.  Time is not on my side right now. 

Another thing is I feel like I should be doing both commision and charity depending on the business I go to.  I feel like offering commision to small business owners like chineese restraunts is a good idea where as some places like big stores and corporate places, it would be better to offer a charity.  I was thinking about getting with a charity that has to do with the blind as I feel really bad for anyone whos blind and I would feel happy helping them.

Another thing that I have noticed is that locators charge like double to locate spiral gumball machines although I feel like when I self locate my machines, this isn't an issue.  Locating a candy machine or a gumball machine are both the same difficulty I think.

One question I do have that doesn't have to do with bulk vending though is I have a 1989 dixie Narco with a pepsi logo, do you guys think that business would mind having an older machine.  Its not in bad shape or anything and it works fine, just looks a little older compared to the newer machines like Dixie 501.  Do you think that locators would care in locating an older machine like this?