I just bought out another local vendor that uses all coinco changers. When we completed the transaction he took about 80% of the change from the changers (by holding the coin dispense button). I came back and filled the changers back up, but the quarters stay at the same level since the deal was completed. The nickels and dimes stayed full, but the quarters will dump into the change bin until the changer is back to the same level (about 10-15 quarters). I thought about the HI/Low setting, but I know that they working right when I bought them. Any thoughts.

Thanks

JD

Where do you guys buy your bulbs for your drink machines. I am looking for 64T12's that have only the single termination on each end. The only places I can find them online you need to buy a case and I don't have a need for $200 worth of bulbs. I have tried the local electrical supplers and Lowes and HD. Any thoughts?

Thanks

JD

Does anyone know where to get the "Cold Drink" fronts for drink machines. I have ordered custom fronts from tuffronts before, but I just want cheap generic fronts.

Thanks

JD

I need to order a couple rebuilt changers and validators. I was using Warren Money Systems, but they went out of business. Can anyone suggest a good place to order rebuilt changers and validators that will also rebuild the ones I have? I have found lots of places that do it, but I know that some are better than others.

Thanks

JD

I bought a car dealership location back in January of this year. The vending operator was terrible. The machines were old and dirty, service was irregular, and a call for broken equipment or machines that were completely sold out took 3-4 days to be answered. I gave them great service for 6-7 months and paid back my purchase price for the account. Last month I gave them notice that there prices were going to increase, but I didn't feel right doing this and leaving them with the old equipment, so I told them I would upgrade them. My contact told me instead of posting my price increase letter to just bring in the new equipment with the new prices in it. I will not do this again in the future. This makes it appear that the higher prices are not because of the current economy, but just to pay for new machines.

I did catch some flack for the prices, but that’s normal. There candy was at .60, drinks at .65, and pastry at .70. I increased to: candy at .75, drinks at .70, and pastry at .85. This is still below where I need to be for a 50% gross profit, but for some reason I feel really bad about this account. I have raised prices at all my locations this year and it was just what I had to do. I keep thinking well other vendors in my area are cheaper. They are settling for less profit, why can't I? Am I ripping people off?

The answer I come back to is this. You can buy a used car from a new car dealer. You could buy the same car for thousands less at a "buy here pay here" type roadside dealer. If you took the price on the buy here pay here car to the new car dealer he would explain to you that although the cars are the same it is a different product.

People don't buy used cars from the new car dealer for the price. People buy these cars because they feel they know what stands behind them. They know the service that comes with the car. They know they have someone with reputation and if they call they will be helped. This is what I want to be selling from my vending machines! When you pear through the glass on my machines you should see the intrinsic value in the prices. You should know that you don't have to look at dates because it won't be expired. You should know that it might be 101 deg outside, but that chocolate has not been melted in transport, and if by some chance the machine takes my money I will get a prompt refund with out being made to feel like I'm lying, and the machine will be fixed with in hours of my service call.

So next week when I go back if I'm asked about my prices I will explain the economic pressures on my prices, but inside I will be thinking about the cheaper vendors in town and know that my customers will choose me again and again for a reason.

Sorry for the rant, but this has been bothering me for two days now and I just needed to vent. I don't really have any questions, but you may respond if you like.

JD