21 replies to this topic

[BVI]

Well, for those of you who vend full-time using cargo vans - successfully - and liking it - my hat's off to you. I've had to go back to using my cargo van for two weeks because my box truck engine completely died (head gasket was leaking antifreeze into my cylinders from the inside, I had no idea, engine would heat up, then cool down the sensor without cooling the engine, back two pistons finally welded themselves to their cylinder walls), and I will tell you straight-up that using my van to run my route now that it is twice as big as it was when I outgrew my van has really kicked my butt. Big time.

Finally found a new (remanufactured engine) that arrived today, and tomorrow my mechanic is switching them out and I should be back to normal by tomorrow night.

Of course, part of the reason I've had such a hard time with the van is because of having to stock both bottles and cans of both Coke and Pepsi products, snacks and cold food. And - trying to stock deep enough to make it through the day without having to reload and go back out after the first two stops.

[coinvestor]

Well, for those of you who vend full-time using cargo vans - successfully - and liking it - my hat's off to you. I've had to go back to using my cargo van for two weeks because my box truck engine completely died (head gasket was leaking antifreeze into my cylinders from the inside, I had no idea, engine would heat up, then cool down the sensor without cooling the engine, back two pistons finally welded themselves to their cylinder walls), and I will tell you straight-up that using my van to run my route now that it is twice as big as it was when I outgrew my van has really kicked my butt. Big time.

Finally found a new (remanufactured engine) that arrived today, and tomorrow my mechanic is switching them out and I should be back to normal by tomorrow night.

Of course, part of the reason I've had such a hard time with the van is because of having to stock both bottles and cans of both Coke and Pepsi products, snacks and cold food. And - trying to stock deep enough to make it through the day without having to reload and go back out after the first two stops.

But look at the gas money you saved

[tedk]

The more machines I get the more stock I have to carry. It is getting tougher and tougher in the van.
Ted

[BVI]

I honestly do not understand how anyone does full-line vending using a van with a full-time route. It can work if you have a part-time route, and if you're really good at packing and don't have to mess with cold food coolers, it can be done with larger routes, albeit very time consuming with all the restocking. But for me, with my route as it is right now, it could only suffice on a very short-term basis. There's too much guess-work involved when deciding what you will need for the next day. You can't take everything, or at least not very much if you do. I know there are some in this forum who use vans full-time, and I honestly don't know how they do it without going bonkers. They're better than I am.

[coinvestor]

I honestly do not understand how anyone does full-line vending using a van with a full-time route. It can work if you have a part-time route, and if you're really good at packing and don't have to mess with cold food coolers, it can be done with larger routes, albeit very time consuming with all the restocking. But for me, with my route as it is right now, it could only suffice on a very short-term basis. There's too much guess-work involved when deciding what you will need for the next day. You can't take everything, or at least not very much if you do. I know there are some in this forum who use vans full-time, and I honestly don't know how they do it without going bonkers. They're better than I am.

I have been trying to detemine when the time is to upgrade. Last week I did a test to see if my van would allow me to grow. I packed the van up and serviced as many of my locations as I could before I started to run out of product. It took about 9 hours and I did $700 in gross sales. So I should be able to do ~10k a month route from a van provided I don't do any cold food and not too many 20oz bottles. I think its possible, but not ideal.

The thing I hate about using a van is the fact that I buy my product, load it in my truck, drive it to my storage, unload and handtruck in to storage. The next morning I get up and drag half of the crap back out on a handtruck and put it in my van!

I know one day I will get an account that requires cold food, but I will see how long I go with out it.

JD

[BVI]

The thing I hate about using a van is the fact that I buy my product, load it in my truck, drive it to my storage, unload and handtruck in to storage. The next morning I get up and drag half of the crap back out on a handtruck and put it in my van!

Well said, Jeremiah. I've been accustomed to stocking my truck only once (on Saturday) with enough product to last me an entire week without having to reload very much of anything at all, except for mostly bottle soda. It really saves on time.

But if I use my van, I have to pack so much in it that I don't have any room to work or move around in, which makes the day especially long and hard. At each stop, I end up having to unload my hand truck first, then remove the cold food cooler so I can get to whatever is behind it on the floor. Since this is winter, I can keep my candy out in the open; but if it were summer, I'd really be in a world of hurt because I'd have to pack the candy cooler as well and have even less space. Then as you say, there is the daily reloading which I dread more than going to the dentist.

That said, using a van is a necessary step in the evolution of a vending business. There is a stage that using a cargo van is just the right size. As you grow and start expanding your product offerings, you find that you need more room to store a broader selection with some depth. That's how it happened with me. I'm glad I kept my van instead of trading it for the box truck because had I not had it to use as a backup, I don't know what I would have done because the shelving system I have in it really helped a lot, which I could not have gotten in a rental vehicle!

[bobslimo]

At a certain point, you'll need drivers to grow, as well as the right size trucks.

You can't be half businessman & half deliveryman. That combo does'nt work folks. Besides, ise'nt it stressfull?

[coinvestor]

At a certain point, you'll need drivers to grow, as well as the right size trucks.

I agree, but timing is very important. You can't hire someone before your sales are great enough to cover it. The same applies to the truck. I can't afford 8 miles per gallon until I have enough locations that they are only a mile or two apart. Also, my closest Sams is a 75 mile round trip (~$35 in gas). I know where I want to be, I just have to watch operating cost to get there.

JD

[BVI]

You can't be half businessman & half deliveryman. That combo does'nt work folks. Besides, ise'nt it stressfull?

I can see your point here, but let me explain a bit more. Yes, it can be stressful when things don't go as planned because you can often find yourself being stretched very thin, but going it alone can and does work. Some things, though, need to be outsourced, like payroll (assuming you pay yourself)... it's worth $75 per month to let Paychex take care of all of it.

In some ways, going it alone works better than having service reps when you're small and relatively new. No one will care as much as I do about how well the job gets done, or work as hard or as long as I do, and that translates into extremely loyal customers and accounts. Having a happy, loyal core base of accounts that I can grow my company on is crucial. That would never happen if I had someone else out there running it at this stage.

However, where I do agree with you is that there will eventually come a point where I can't do it all. I am almost at that point. I am in the process of targeting a potential partner to recruit into my company. The way I see it, the only way I can clone myself (someone who will work as hard as I do) is to award some equity to someone I trust after a certain period of time. This will happen sometime later this year, but before then, I will have someone helping me part-time on my heaviest days.

As Jeremiah stated so elequently, this is an incremental business. It is built one account at a time. You can only do what your cash-flow or credit resources will allow you to do. Timing is indeed very important.

[coinvestor]

I am in the process of targeting a potential partner to recruit into my company. The way I see it, the only way I can clone myself (someone who will work as hard as I do) is to award some equity to someone I trust after a certain period of time.

Check your mailbox, I sent you a resume JK

[BVI]

Check your mailbox, I sent you a resume JK

That's a good one!

[msuvendor]

That's a good one!

Hello, I'm new to this forum and an owner in a full service company (albeit a small one). I look forward to discussing future vending ideas...thanks a

[bcron]

I have to agree to the hats-off to the van users. I have a small route that I bought a few months ago from a man who used a van. I did not take the van with the business because it was headed to the junk yard. I actually looked at buying a van, but decided to use an enclosed utility trailer instead. I think it's great. Everything is stocked in the open where I can easily get to it and replace it when empty. I can get in out of the rain to pull stock too. It does have its drawbacks though. I have one location which can be a tight fit to get into and out of, but otherwise, the rest are open locations where I don't encounter parking problems. When I get home, back it in the garage and unhook it until next time.

[coinvestor]

I have to agree to the hats-off to the van users. I have a small route that I bought a few months ago from a man who used a van. I did not take the van with the business because it was headed to the junk yard. I actually looked at buying a van, but decided to use an enclosed utility trailer instead. I think it's great. Everything is stocked in the open where I can easily get to it and replace it when empty. I can get in out of the rain to pull stock too. It does have its drawbacks though. I have one location which can be a tight fit to get into and out of, but otherwise, the rest are open locations where I don't encounter parking problems. When I get home, back it in the garage and unhook it until next time.

What size trailer do you use? I was thinking about this as an option instead of a box truck or step van. I like the fact that if you have motor problems you can pull it with anything. Also, I wouldn't need another vehicle. Do you have one with the small side door? Over all how does this workout for you?

JD

[bcron]

What size trailer do you use? I was thinking about this as an option instead of a box truck or step van. I like the fact that if you have motor problems you can pull it with anything. Also, I wouldn't need another vehicle. Do you have one with the small side door? Over all how does this workout for you?

JD

I think it works out great. I was origionally looking for a 5x10, but ended up finding a good price on a used 6x12. I'm glad I ended up with the bigger one, because I think the smaller would have been too cramped. Yes, it has a side door which I use to access it 95% of the time. My first plan was to put racks across the back that I could open the back doors and have the pop stacked right there for access. I decided against that since I thought the heaviest stock (the pop) being all at the rear would cause too many problems. I have it on racks at the front now. The sides are set up with racks that holds the product. You do have to have a system to secure the stock on the shelves as it is a little bumpy back there and your product could get thrown off of the shelves.

I like it because I can use any vehicle available to me that can tow. For instance, I had some work done on my SUV that I usually use on Monday and when I hooked up the trailer to vend on Tuesday, I noticed a problem with the repairs. I drove to the shop to have it checked out, and had they not been able to repair it quickly, my next step was to have my wife bring the second vehicle which I could hook the trailer up to and continue on my way while the first was in for repairs. Couldn't have done that if I was using a box truck.

[BVI]

My box truck has been up and running for a week now with a new motor, and it was like being reunited with an old friend. Yeah, being dependent on a single source of engine power is a drawback when the truck motor breaks down, but I know I would not like having to hook-up / unhook a trailer everyday and back the thing into my garage. For me, that would be a royal pain. If you have the space in your garage and are good at backing up trailers, then it might not be a bad gig.

All of my competitors here either use cargo vans, minivans or box trucks. I'd like to see a trailer setup sometime.

[coinvestor]

My box truck has been up and running for a week now with a new motor, and it was like being reunited with an old friend. Yeah, being dependent on a single source of engine power is a drawback when the truck motor breaks down, but I know I would not like having to hook-up / unhook a trailer everyday and back the thing into my garage. For me, that would be a royal pain. If you have the space in your garage and are good at backing up trailers, then it might not be a bad gig.

All of my competitors here either use cargo vans, minivans or box trucks. I'd like to see a trailer setup sometime.

I am frustrated right now. I am trying to fight off the buy a box truck bug I feel like Im too big for the van, but too small for a box truck. Yesterday I packed the van tight for a big day. By about 2pm I was running out of stuff and couldn't find anything in my van anyway from all the trash. I just quit and now have to catchup on Monday.

BVI, once you go in and make a list of what you need to service a location don't you have to start the truck back up to operate the lift gate?

JD

[BVI]

I am frustrated right now. I am trying to fight off the buy a box truck bug I feel like Im too big for the van, but too small for a box truck. Yesterday I packed the van tight for a big day. By about 2pm I was running out of stuff and couldn't find anything in my van anyway from all the trash. I just quit and now have to catchup on Monday.

BVI, once you go in and make a list of what you need to service a location don't you have to start the truck back up to operate the lift gate?

JD

Jeremiah,

The lift-gate is wired directly to the battery and will operate no matter what (unless the battery is dead). So no, the truck can either be running or sitting idle, makes no difference to the lift-gate.

I was worried about being able to afford a box truck as well. My advice is that when you reach that growth-point where a van will not suffice no matter how you pack it, you won't be able to afford not to. Ask yourself this question: if I get one more account, can I service that account adequately with my other accounts using what I am using now for transportation? If the answer is "no", then you need to do something else or you will not be able to grow beyond your current state.

I know your plan is to go full-time in vending at some point this year... if you're still a ways off from that, you might want to consider another way to pack your van and save yourself from having to buy another vehicle until you can support it with gaining additional accounts.

However, if you're ready to make the full-time transition and have already outgrown your van, then I suggest making a vehicular change now. If a trailer is more feasible for you, then get one. If a box truck is better for you, then I'd start looking now.

In a box truck, I'd try to find a Japanese nameplate with a Japanese drivetrain. My truck has a Chevy 350 motor mated to a GM tranny, and this thing is nickel, dime dollaring me to death. Now the electrical system is going whacko. Try to avoid anything domestic.

Gas or diesel? Your choice.

It seems that most vendors prefer to build their own wooden shelves, but from what I've seen, they are highly inefficient. I suggest buying a good shelf kit from Lowes or Home Depot... they will look better and hold a lot more inventory and hold up better over time. When you get to that point, let me know, maybe I can help.

[coinvestor]

Jeremiah,

The lift-gate is wired directly to the battery and will operate no matter what (unless the battery is dead). So no, the truck can either be running or sitting idle, makes no difference to the lift-gate.

I don't think that they are all like this are they? THe NPR that I rent sometimes to move machines has to be cranked to operate. It had a big red PTO button you had to pull out on the dashboard before the lift would work. That could be a real pain if it didn't work like yours.

I spent a couple of weekends and rebuilt the shelves and reorganized the van. I have been using it for about two weeks like this. It will fit more product then ever before but there is no space not used and the trash becomes a problem.

I did take your advice on the shelves from Lowes. I have been using two of them in my storage unit, so when I do get a bigger vehicle I can just move them in.

This morning I have to go finish a couple locations that I didn't finish Friday. I have a couple that just need MD and Pepsi since I ran out. I may be picking up two new locations today, so this would be my breaking point (if not phisically at least mentally

I'm making a gradual transition to fulltime. Starting this week I work my job only one day a week. I will continue this until the beggining of April. I have saved my vacation time for this and it will allow me to get a paycheck while I am out looking for new accounts. This week I will work more for myself than at my job. Its a good feeling!

JD

[jblvending]

I don't think that they are all like this are they? THe NPR that I rent sometimes to move machines has to be cranked to operate. It had a big red PTO button you had to pull out on the dashboard before the lift would work. That could be a real pain if it didn't work like yours.

I spent a couple of weekends and rebuilt the shelves and reorganized the van. I have been using it for about two weeks like this. It will fit more product then ever before but there is no space not used and the trash becomes a problem.

I did take your advice on the shelves from Lowes. I have been using two of them in my storage unit, so when I do get a bigger vehicle I can just move them in.

This morning I have to go finish a couple locations that I didn't finish Friday. I have a couple that just need MD and Pepsi since I ran out. I may be picking up two new locations today, so this would be my breaking point (if not phisically at least mentally

I'm making a gradual transition to fulltime. Starting this week I work my job only one day a week. I will continue this until the beggining of April. I have saved my vacation time for this and it will allow me to get a paycheck while I am out looking for new accounts. This week I will work more for myself than at my job. Its a good feeling!

JD

[jblvending]

I agree for the most part, a box van is the way to go, due in large part because of the 20oz drinks, but due to some tight area's we find ourselves in, I like my van.I have put some pictures togather, now if anyone can tell me how to transfer it to here, I'll download them for everyone too see.To give you an idea how much I can hold, I'll give you a preview on the amount of products it will hold .......115 cases of can drinks, 25 cases of 20oz's, 12 cases of chips(104 per case) box of cookies(120 count) 2 cases of crackers, 2 cases of poporn,12 cases of pastry( cloverhill 36 count per case) 2 ice chest full of candy(contains 8 cases of candy per icechest) and of course tools and cleaning supply, for a total retail of about $3000.00.I can go 2 days once I'm loaded.Now having sadi that we will purchase a Box truck next time, because of the 20oz drinks, if it wasnt for that, I'd stay in my one ton extented Savanna,because of the 12 miles to a gallon, and also the comfort part of that van.

[BVI]

I agree for the most part, a box van is the way to go, due in large part because of the 20oz drinks, but due to some tight area's we find ourselves in, I like my van.I have put some pictures togather, now if anyone can tell me how to transfer it to here, I'll download them for everyone too see.To give you an idea how much I can hold, I'll give you a preview on the amount of products it will hold .......115 cases of can drinks, 25 cases of 20oz's, 12 cases of chips(104 per case) box of cookies(120 count) 2 cases of crackers, 2 cases of poporn,12 cases of pastry( cloverhill 36 count per case) 2 ice chest full of candy(contains 8 cases of candy per icechest) and of course tools and cleaning supply, for a total retail of about $3000.00.I can go 2 days once I'm loaded.Now having sadi that we will purchase a Box truck next time, because of the 20oz drinks, if it wasnt for that, I'd stay in my one ton extented Savanna,because of the 12 miles to a gallon, and also the comfort part of that van.

JBL, you are the exception. I've seen how much soda you can squeeze in there (let alone all the chips and other snacks), and I don't know how you do it. You're one of the few who have mastered how to use a van and do this job without driving yourself nuts. I'd love to see what you could do with a box truck!