I know machines get re-located for various reasons such as poor performance or the location requests removal, but my question is how often does this occur? I'm particularly interested in how often a location requests to have a machine removed, and what the common reasons are for the request.
I appreciate your feedback.
Machine Removal Requests
Started by Rhythmer, Jun 04 2007 09:35 AM
8 replies to this topic
#2
caserri
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Posted 04 June 2007 - 11:40 AM
Well for me I'm averaging about 1% of my fleet each month that needs to be relocated for one reason or another. Thats the lowest percentage since I started this business. Mostly for poor performance and that is obviously my decision. I guess my percentage is down due to finding profitable locations to replace the poor performers. Of the machines that need to be removed that are not my decision the number 1 reason for the removal is that they are going out of business.
The number 1 reason that I'm told others get kicked out is due to non service of the machine. I have had locations tell me "as long as you come to service it regularly, I'll keep it." You have to get in there and show your face regularly. Even if its just to clean the machine. You have to show the location owner that you have pride in your business and you take it, and his/her place of business serious. Location owners dont want to be bothered by your equipment. As soon as it becomes a bother to them, you are on your way out. Combat that by keeping a well stocked, CLEAN machine. Timely visits also ensure that your machine is operating properly and not taking peoples money. When it takes money and gives no product it quickly becomes the location owners problem and thats a quick ticket out the door.
The number 1 reason that I'm told others get kicked out is due to non service of the machine. I have had locations tell me "as long as you come to service it regularly, I'll keep it." You have to get in there and show your face regularly. Even if its just to clean the machine. You have to show the location owner that you have pride in your business and you take it, and his/her place of business serious. Location owners dont want to be bothered by your equipment. As soon as it becomes a bother to them, you are on your way out. Combat that by keeping a well stocked, CLEAN machine. Timely visits also ensure that your machine is operating properly and not taking peoples money. When it takes money and gives no product it quickly becomes the location owners problem and thats a quick ticket out the door.
#3
Joven76
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Posted 04 June 2007 - 12:49 PM
Now, I'm not big enough to be able to calculate my turnaround to be around 1% 
But just like Caserri, the 1 reason I have to relocate a machine is due to poor performance... And as long as you service your machine regularly, you usually won't have any problems...
I did have one location that threatened to throw my machine out into the middle of the street because he was sick of it... Come to find out he wasn't sick of the machine, he was sick of finding chewed gum on the bottom of his tables, and hated cleaning it... I told him I had a soloution, and if he thought it was good then could I keep the machine in the restaraunt... I told him I'd remove the gum from the machine (one of my better sellers, but the location was good and I wanted to keep it) and replace it with another kind of candy, then I would come in first thing the next Saturday morning and scrape all the gum off of the chairs, booths, bar, tables, and bathroom... So, bright and early one Saturday morning I showed up with a putty knife and trashbags in hand and got to work... 2 hours later his restaraunt was gum free and I got to keep my machine in his restaraunt... Ever since then our relationship has changed for the better because he sees that I take pride in what I do... He'll call me up when he wants another selection of candy, and if he's there when I'm servicing the machine, he'll always offer me an appitizer & drink and we'll just BS about sports or news... Not to mention that ever since I got rid of the gum, I take in about $10 more per month... That machine now averages about $50 per month... It's an 800 vending triple with M&M's, Skittles, and Reeses Pieces...
So believe me when I say there are times when a disgruntled location can turn into your best location...
Christopher
CA&T Vending
But just like Caserri, the 1 reason I have to relocate a machine is due to poor performance... And as long as you service your machine regularly, you usually won't have any problems... I did have one location that threatened to throw my machine out into the middle of the street because he was sick of it... Come to find out he wasn't sick of the machine, he was sick of finding chewed gum on the bottom of his tables, and hated cleaning it... I told him I had a soloution, and if he thought it was good then could I keep the machine in the restaraunt... I told him I'd remove the gum from the machine (one of my better sellers, but the location was good and I wanted to keep it) and replace it with another kind of candy, then I would come in first thing the next Saturday morning and scrape all the gum off of the chairs, booths, bar, tables, and bathroom... So, bright and early one Saturday morning I showed up with a putty knife and trashbags in hand and got to work... 2 hours later his restaraunt was gum free and I got to keep my machine in his restaraunt... Ever since then our relationship has changed for the better because he sees that I take pride in what I do... He'll call me up when he wants another selection of candy, and if he's there when I'm servicing the machine, he'll always offer me an appitizer & drink and we'll just BS about sports or news... Not to mention that ever since I got rid of the gum, I take in about $10 more per month... That machine now averages about $50 per month... It's an 800 vending triple with M&M's, Skittles, and Reeses Pieces...
So believe me when I say there are times when a disgruntled location can turn into your best location...
Christopher
CA&T Vending
#4
Rhythmer
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Posted 04 June 2007 - 02:07 PM
Thanks for the information. It's very helpful and I appreciate your input.
#5
caserri
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Posted 04 June 2007 - 02:08 PM
Great story Joven! Its always refreshing to hear about someone who takes pride in what they do. Thats the key to this business. Anyone can buy a machine and place it somewhere and they will make some money but its people like you who will succeed in the long run because you take the time to cultivate relationships. Kudos to you!
#6
wjt
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Posted 07 March 2008 - 07:52 PM
A++++++ service goes along way. People have told me about the other machines that they had in their shop that would be empty for months!!!!!!!!! I told them that would happen with me, I need the money!!!!!!!!!!!! NO candy = NO quarter!!!!!!!!! WJTNow, I'm not big enough to be able to calculate my turnaround to be around 1%
I did have one location that threatened to throw my machine out into the middle of the street because he was sick of it... Come to find out he wasn't sick of the machine, he was sick of finding chewed gum on the bottom of his tables, and hated cleaning it... I told him I had a soloution, and if he thought it was good then could I keep the machine in the restaraunt... I told him I'd remove the gum from the machine (one of my better sellers, but the location was good and I wanted to keep it) and replace it with another kind of candy, then I would come in first thing the next Saturday morning and scrape all the gum off of the chairs, booths, bar, tables, and bathroom... So, bright and early one Saturday morning I showed up with a putty knife and trashbags in hand and got to work... 2 hours later his restaraunt was gum free and I got to keep my machine in his restaraunt... Ever since then our relationship has changed for the better because he sees that I take pride in what I do... He'll call me up when he wants another selection of candy, and if he's there when I'm servicing the machine, he'll always offer me an appitizer & drink and we'll just BS about sports or news... Not to mention that ever since I got rid of the gum, I take in about $10 more per month... That machine now averages about $50 per month... It's an 800 vending triple with M&M's, Skittles, and Reeses Pieces...
So believe me when I say there are times when a disgruntled location can turn into your best location...
Christopher
CA&T Vending
#7
Qmancandy
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Posted 15 June 2008 - 04:40 PM
I have had the experience where a new manager comes in and wants to "do away with the old and in with the new", to make their presence felt they start making decisions for issues that aren't very impactful to their business. They talk as if my machine is a big hassle. If it's a good location I'll just tell him/her that the machine has been their a long while and the people love it, by pulling out the machine it would cause disappoinment. I find out what the real issue is, if there is one, and try to handle it. If it's a bad location I'll take it out without much push. I have lost good locations do to this even though I serviced the location quite frequently. New managers come in so I need to go back to the good locations.
Bad service is usually the reason machines are pulled, though. Sometimes it may be a little harder to get into a location if the owner/management has had bad experience with vendors before. You just want to give reassurance that your business is very important to you and that you won't let them down.
Bad service is usually the reason machines are pulled, though. Sometimes it may be a little harder to get into a location if the owner/management has had bad experience with vendors before. You just want to give reassurance that your business is very important to you and that you won't let them down.
#8
Vendgirl
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Posted 16 June 2008 - 07:29 PM
I really think in a business like this, service is key. I have seen vendors in highly populated locations (like large office buildings) who just come in, do there job, and leave. It's suprising the kind of difference it makes in your business just to stop in and say a quick hi to the location owner on a bi-monthly basis or so. Just something to let them know you are concerned with the performance of your machine in their location. A little really does go a long way and building some type of trust with the location owner is invaluable in this business, in my opinion at least.
#9
markvend
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Posted 18 October 2008 - 10:27 AM
Great post Christopher!!! This is a great idea.
Mark
Mark
Well for me I'm averaging about 1% of my fleet each month that needs to be relocated for one reason or another. Thats the lowest percentage since I started this business. Mostly for poor performance and that is obviously my decision. I guess my percentage is down due to finding profitable locations to replace the poor performers. Of the machines that need to be removed that are not my decision the number 1 reason for the removal is that they are going out of business.
The number 1 reason that I'm told others get kicked out is due to non service of the machine. I have had locations tell me "as long as you come to service it regularly, I'll keep it." You have to get in there and show your face regularly. Even if its just to clean the machine. You have to show the location owner that you have pride in your business and you take it, and his/her place of business serious. Location owners dont want to be bothered by your equipment. As soon as it becomes a bother to them, you are on your way out. Combat that by keeping a well stocked, CLEAN machine. Timely visits also ensure that your machine is operating properly and not taking peoples money. When it takes money and gives no product it quickly becomes the location owners problem and thats a quick ticket out the door.
