12 replies to this topic

[s&s foods]

OK. So on Nov. 28th I am going to have 10 HR-32's and 2 frozen/cold satellites delivered to the paper mill I just got. At the same time, they are closing down the site cafeteria for renovation. So, i'm going to have to set up and fill all 12 machines in short order. And i've never done it before. I need hints, tips, step-by-step instructions, and anything else I can get from this wealth of knowledge on this board. They are sending a tech who is going to give me a full day of his time to help with setup and whatever else I need. By the way, I got the 32's with Ivend for 2925 apiece, and the satellites for 4075 apeice. They threw in the upgrades to the 2 snack machines that get the satellites for free and the price includes the white glove delivery to the exact spot I need them. Does this sound good to everyone? Thanks again in advance.

Special thanks to Jeremiah and Kevin for all the help they have already given me. It's been priceless.

strider

[coinvestor]

OK. So on Nov. 28th I am going to have 10 HR-32's and 2 frozen/cold satellites delivered to the paper mill I just got. At the same time, they are closing down the site cafeteria for renovation. So, i'm going to have to set up and fill all 12 machines in short order. And i've never done it before. I need hints, tips, step-by-step instructions, and anything else I can get from this wealth of knowledge on this board. They are sending a tech who is going to give me a full day of his time to help with setup and whatever else I need. By the way, I got the 32's with Ivend for 2925 apiece, and the satellites for 4075 apeice. They threw in the upgrades to the 2 snack machines that get the satellites for free and the price includes the white glove delivery to the exact spot I need them. Does this sound good to everyone? Thanks again in advance.

Special thanks to Jeremiah and Kevin for all the help they have already given me. It's been priceless.

strider

Here is Pepsico's planogram for your area:

http://vending.com/V...ogram/index.asp

They used to have the top sellers by region list, but I don't see it anymore (wish I had saved it).

I would have a sheet made with what goes in each selection and the price. I would set them all up exactly the same unless they are right next to each other. You can make selection changes for individual machines on day 2 or later. Make sure you know what price you are selling each item for because if you make it up as you go they are hard to change later. Don't forget to bring lots of change to fill all those changers. By the time you get to machine number 8 or 9 you will be a pro

JD

(You know my disclamer: I've never had a location that big before)

[jblvending]

OK. So on Nov. 28th I am going to have 10 HR-32's and 2 frozen/cold satellites delivered to the paper mill I just got. At the same time, they are closing down the site cafeteria for renovation. So, i'm going to have to set up and fill all 12 machines in short order. And i've never done it before. I need hints, tips, step-by-step instructions, and anything else I can get from this wealth of knowledge on this board. They are sending a tech who is going to give me a full day of his time to help with setup and whatever else I need. By the way, I got the 32's with Ivend for 2925 apiece, and the satellites for 4075 apeice. They threw in the upgrades to the 2 snack machines that get the satellites for free and the price includes the white glove delivery to the exact spot I need them. Does this sound good to everyone? Thanks again in advance.

Special thanks to Jeremiah and Kevin for all the help they have already given me. It's been priceless.

strider

Wow talk about putting the kart in front of the horse, man are you in for a treat.There is not enough forum to go over all the things that you will need to know, but I'll give you a few pointers, first off, did you enlist help to move these machines in each location, did you measure the door ways to make sure it will fit, do you have $384.00 in change to fill coin mech's, that's right you need 2 rolls of Quarters, 2 rolls of nickels, and 2 rolls of dimes for each coin mech, that comes to $384.00 total, need to buy all the chips, candy ,pastry, cookies, crackers, and gum and mints for each machine, do you have cargo van, or box truck to haul all your snacks,Does your Customer know that the machines will be delivered to them, not at your warehouse first, is the tech guy gonna help you , or show you how to load the machines, are is he just there to set prices and show you how to set the machines up.Do you have a pallet jack , or dolly to move the machines in place,bring some dollar bills to check each Validator on the machine,level each machine.Do not bring anything for you frozen food machines, give it a day to get the temps down, and service it the next day.I just have one question, did your customer know that this is your first try at full line vending?

[s&s foods]

Wow talk about putting the kart in front of the horse, man are you in for a treat.There is not enough forum to go over all the things that you will need to know, but I'll give you a few pointers, first off, did you enlist help to move these machines in each location, did you measure the door ways to make sure it will fit, do you have $384.00 in change to fill coin mech's, that's right you need 2 rolls of Quarters, 2 rolls of nickels, and 2 rolls of dimes for each coin mech, that comes to $384.00 total, need to buy all the chips, candy ,pastry, cookies, crackers, and gum and mints for each machine, do you have cargo van, or box truck to haul all your snacks,Does your Customer know that the machines will be delivered to them, not at your warehouse first, is the tech guy gonna help you , or show you how to load the machines, are is he just there to set prices and show you how to set the machines up.Do you have a pallet jack , or dolly to move the machines in place,bring some dollar bills to check each Validator on the machine,level each machine.Do not bring anything for you frozen food machines, give it a day to get the temps down, and service it the next day.I just have one question, did your customer know that this is your first try at full line vending?

First of all, yes. The company knows that our experience level is not what it would normally be to get this type of account. I gave a presentation to the Employee committee and addressed that fact. I also told them that unlike Diamond Foods and Canteen, this account would be our one and only focus. I told them that we could not afford to lose one customer from this account. I stressed that customer service would be our main goal. This was the deal breaker. They were worried about our size and experience, but more interested in a company that was dedicated to doing things right. As far as the machine placement, I paid extra to have the machines placed exactly where they will be operated. They will place them, and remove all packaging and dispose of it. The info. on levelling and the change I will need is very good stuff. Bill validator checking is good too. This contract is for vending and running the cafeteria, so I will have cold, frozen, and climate controlled storage for all product. I will have to get my initial loads of product in the minivan. Probably take a couple trips. Also was wondering where a good place to get cold/frozen products was. Sam's in my area does not have a selection to support this account. Also, with 10 machines was wondering how much of each product I should get initially...i.e. 20 Snickers for each machine? More or less? Finally, I am going Monday to measure all doorways, and check what current pricing is for all products. I am thinking that I will pretty much charge double my cost for everything. If that is not industry standard please let me know. Thanks again.
Strider

[jblvending]

First of all, yes. The company knows that our experience level is not what it would normally be to get this type of account. I gave a presentation to the Employee committee and addressed that fact. I also told them that unlike Diamond Foods and Canteen, this account would be our one and only focus. I told them that we could not afford to lose one customer from this account. I stressed that customer service would be our main goal. This was the deal breaker. They were worried about our size and experience, but more interested in a company that was dedicated to doing things right. As far as the machine placement, I paid extra to have the machines placed exactly where they will be operated. They will place them, and remove all packaging and dispose of it. The info. on levelling and the change I will need is very good stuff. Bill validator checking is good too. This contract is for vending and running the cafeteria, so I will have cold, frozen, and climate controlled storage for all product. I will have to get my initial loads of product in the minivan. Probably take a couple trips. Also was wondering where a good place to get cold/frozen products was. Sam's in my area does not have a selection to support this account. Also, with 10 machines was wondering how much of each product I should get initially...i.e. 20 Snickers for each machine? More or less? Finally, I am going Monday to measure all doorways, and check what current pricing is for all products. I am thinking that I will pretty much charge double my cost for everything. If that is not industry standard please let me know. Thanks again.
Strider

How did you go from 21 machines to 10, just wondering, did you talk them down to just 10? So let me understand this, your going to do the cafeteria as well, is this your area of expertise?At 8% on gross commission's, you need to double your prices and add 8% to get your retail price, this issure's your profitablity, due to your large layout for machine cost and placement.Is this all you will be doing ,are do you have a full time job as well?

[s&s foods]

How did you go from 21 machines to 10, just wondering, did you talk them down to just 10? So let me understand this, your going to do the cafeteria as well, is this your area of expertise?At 8% on gross commission's, you need to double your prices and add 8% to get your retail price, this issure's your profitablity, due to your large layout for machine cost and placement.Is this all you will be doing ,are do you have a full time job as well?

Told them I would start at 10 and add as necessary until we reach equilibrium. My mother-in-law has 15 yrs. food service exp. and 3 yrs in this particular cafeteria. She will be managing the cafeteria. I do have a full time job, my wife will be servicing the snack machines. I get the feeling you think I just willy nilly decided to do this. Not the case. It will be challenging and a huge learning curve, but I am sure that we will get it up and running. The mill does not expect a bumpless transfer. Would love some ideas on cold/frozen food distributors and how much product to buy initially. Not gonna add the gross comission into my sales price. With the volume I expect to have, and the cost savings on storage, and travel, I think I will be able to make up the comission. Let me know if that doesn't seem reasonable. This kind of opportunity is what makes America great, and free trade a wonderful economic principle. Thanks for the input.

Strider

[jblvending]

Told them I would start at 10 and add as necessary until we reach equilibrium. My mother-in-law has 15 yrs. food service exp. and 3 yrs in this particular cafeteria. She will be managing the cafeteria. I do have a full time job, my wife will be servicing the snack machines. I get the feeling you think I just willy nilly decided to do this. Not the case. It will be challenging and a huge learning curve, but I am sure that we will get it up and running. The mill does not expect a bumpless transfer. Would love some ideas on cold/frozen food distributors and how much product to buy initially. Not gonna add the gross comission into my sales price. With the volume I expect to have, and the cost savings on storage, and travel, I think I will be able to make up the comission. Let me know if that doesn't seem reasonable. This kind of opportunity is what makes America great, and free trade a wonderful economic principle. Thanks for the input.

Strider

No, I don't think you willy nilly'd, I think you saw dollars signs and jumped at it.What you have done is forced your hand , and have no choice but to learn all that there is about vending, something you should have done beforehand.When sizing any location, you want to go in, see what the last vendor has, determine the amount the people before hand, size up each spot to be sure the equipment will suffice, and the machine will fit thru the door first before ordering any machine.I think you will have major problems, I hope not.I see that you don't have enough machines, and see your going to be there more times during the week than nessary,also if a turnaround comes(with all those extra people) you need extra machines, more service days, it's going to happen.What I'm telling you is for your own good, not to degrade you, this is hard work, and demanding, it's amazing what happens to adults when they lose .50 out of a machine, if something breaks are stops working, who you going to call to fix it, you have a more than a learning curve.Again, I wish you well, and let us know in few weeks your progress.

[s&s foods]

No, I don't think you willy nilly'd, I think you saw dollars signs and jumped at it.What you have done is forced your hand , and have no choice but to learn all that there is about vending, something you should have done beforehand.When sizing any location, you want to go in, see what the last vendor has, determine the amount the people before hand, size up each spot to be sure the equipment will suffice, and the machine will fit thru the door first before ordering any machine.I think you will have major problems, I hope not.I see that you don't have enough machines, and see your going to be there more times during the week than nessary,also if a turnaround comes(with all those extra people) you need extra machines, more service days, it's going to happen.What I'm telling you is for your own good, not to degrade you, this is hard work, and demanding, it's amazing what happens to adults when they lose .50 out of a machine, if something breaks are stops working, who you going to call to fix it, you have a more than a learning curve.Again, I wish you well, and let us know in few weeks your progress.

I will certainly let you all know how everything is going on an ongoing basis. Thanks again for the input. Was wondering if anyone had any good idea of how much product to buy for initial fill of these machines, and where is a good distributor of cold/frozen foods since our Sam's doesn't have much in the way of selection.
Thanks again
Strider

[jblvending]

I will certainly let you all know how everything is going on an ongoing basis. Thanks again for the input. Was wondering if anyone had any good idea of how much product to buy for initial fill of these machines, and where is a good distributor of cold/frozen foods since our Sam's doesn't have much in the way of selection.
Thanks again
Strider

Call the folks that you bought the machines from, and ask them your spiral count on the chips, and candy tray's, For example, if you have a 18 spiral, and 20 selections on your candy tray's, you will need 360 candy bars to fill that machines, very simple, same goes for chips, and pastry.Now on your frozen good, if you have a multi-food distributor that you are using for your cafeteria, they should be able to get you some variety on frozen foods.

[ronnie]

wishing you well strider, let us know what problems you've had, and how you overcome it.

regards,
ron

[scottgtt]

DO you have an update for us? I read all of this and while I question this a little, I also think that sometimes people who take risks and are willing to put the extra work in come out ahead. But one thing I can't help but wonder about is what happens if the mill closes up or a new HR person comes in and wants their "old" vending company from wherever they came. I would strongly recommend that you get more accounts so that you spread your risk. Good luck

[VendingGuyNYC]

DO you have an update for us? I read all of this and while I question this a little, I also think that sometimes people who take risks and are willing to put the extra work in come out ahead. But one thing I can't help but wonder about is what happens if the mill closes up or a new HR person comes in and wants their "old" vending company from wherever they came. I would strongly recommend that you get more accounts so that you spread your risk. Good luck

I'm amazed how a person with zero vending experience lands an account like this. Good for you though. You should write a book
But seriously, I totally agree with the above post. What also happens when one of the big boys comes in with an envelope stacked with cash for one of the higher ups? And/or offers a larger commission. I've seen it happen. Do you have a contract in place? If so, how long is it for? I'd get an extra bill unit and coin mech so that when one of them fails you can replace it promptly. Who did you purchase your equipment from and what made you purchase USI machines?

R-

[snack dude]

OK. So on Nov. 28th I am going to have 10 HR-32's and 2 frozen/cold satellites delivered to the paper mill I just got. At the same time, they are closing down the site cafeteria for renovation. So, i'm going to have to set up and fill all 12 machines in short order. And i've never done it before. I need hints, tips, step-by-step instructions, and anything else I can get from this wealth of knowledge on this board. They are sending a tech who is going to give me a full day of his time to help with setup and whatever else I need. By the way, I got the 32's with Ivend for 2925 apiece, and the satellites for 4075 apeice. They threw in the upgrades to the 2 snack machines that get the satellites for free and the price includes the white glove delivery to the exact spot I need them. Does this sound good to everyone? Thanks again in advance.

Special thanks to Jeremiah and Kevin for all the help they have already given me. It's been priceless.

strider

Okay I gots to know. Did this guy live though this or what. it scares me and Im fearless