13 replies to this topic

[Dennis-23]

The company I work for has several 24/7 accounts. I would like to here how others handle this type of an account.

[RJT]

No different than any other account other than usually more machines, more product, more days serviced. Fix machines when the break in a timely manner, usually within the hour or so.....

[Dennis-23]

Maybe I should say how do other companies handle the weekends to keep employees from getting burnt out.

[RJT]

Dennis,

Not to be ugly but your question makes little sense. You work all accounts like they should be worked if you intend to keep them long term. If that consisit of moving peoples schedule around that work for you or rotate people then you do it. 99% of people that participate on this forum are "mom and pop" and most likley a one man band. You do what you have to do to service the accounts, burn out or not........

[Dennis-23]

Thenks RJT

I think your'e right.

[H4UV]

Dennis, I agree with RJT. Most of the vendors on this forum probably do not have 900 person accounts, and are the sole owner, operator, and employee of their business. I am, to some extent, one of those.

I service my accounts to the best of my ability, and if an account needed a machine repaired the day it went down, even if that was at 7:00 p.m., then I would do it. Its just part of good service. With the exception of large companies, maybe such as yours, most vendors don't have an option of 24/7 service when the setup an account, but would probably do it anyway if it was required and it was in their power to do so.

Let's just be carefull and not waste time debating virtually irrelovent subjects. As vendors, we serve our customers to the best of our ability. It would be most efficient as far as posting time is concered, to keep it at that.

[RJT]

Thanks RJT but this is very little help. It's not even constructive criticism. I think it is a bit out of your league. These are accounts with 550 to 900 employees. Readers beware of people that are selling vending information.

Dennis

Dennis,

I find it comical you say this question is “out of my league”. I can assure you, this topic nor any other you can bring up about vending is out of my league. I gave you an answer to the question you asked. I am sorry if you didn’t like it or that to me your question seemed pretty useless to this forum for the most part.

I have “earned” my reputation on here as well as in the vending community so if I were you I would tread lightly how you “warn” people. I am not sure if you have ever heard of contractual interference, defamation, etc but you may want to familiarize yourself with it or contact your attorney to explain it to you. I suggest you alter your post…

I am sorry if you thought my answer was harsh towards you but I give candid answers and make sure that info given here and other forums is beneficial to the readers,. That is the entire reason I participate on here for free to assist people. If I get a consulting job out of it then great, if not I am fine with that, I stay plenty busy with my services, book, and business. I don’t work for “the man” I make it happen on my own.

If you notice I HAVE NO ADVERTISMENTS on my websites. I do this for a reason so I can give an unbiased opinion on all aspects of vending. You stop taking any and all advertisements and then you can talk to me about people that “charge” for services in vending. I have close to 1000 post on the web on forums offering free advice about vending. All of which is solid information and has proven my knowledge in the vending industry.

I am sure you have knowledge to contribute to this and other forums but don’t come in here peddling your wears (website) and post on topics and expect everyone to agree with you or all of the sudden people think you are some big guru. Respect is earned and not given based on what some one says they have done on the web. Have a little thicker skin post what you want and don’t take it personal if people don’t fall all over you like you are the “vending man” of the year

[RJT]

Dennis, I agree with RJT. Most of the vendors on this forum probably do not have 900 person accounts, and are the sole owner, operator, and employee of their business. I am, to some extent, one of those.

I service my accounts to the best of my ability, and if an account needed a machine repaired the day it went down, even if that was at 7:00 p.m., then I would do it. Its just part of good service. With the exception of large companies, maybe such as yours, most vendors don't have an option of 24/7 service when the setup an account, but would probably do it anyway if it was required and it was in their power to do so.

Let's just be carefull and not waste time debating virtually irrelovent subjects. As vendors, we serve our customers to the best of our ability. It would be most efficient as far as posting time is concered, to keep it at that.

Thanks, I know where you are coming from. Nothing wrong with talking about and having strategy for the large account. Dennis NEVER said anything about "550 to 900" people in his original post. He just mentioned 27/7 accounts. Guess what? I have plenty of 24/7 accounts that are not "550 to 900" people. 24/7 accounts and how you service them has NOTHING to do with "550 to 900" people. Like I said in my original post you have to service ALL accounts to the demands of the account itself. You can adjust service times, number of machines, etc but in the end the account will determin how much and often it will need servicing.

With that said, you schedule yourself or your employees accordingly to make that service level possible. ....

[Dennis-23]

Trying to help the little guy with free information is a good idea and I just didn't realize that since I worked for a larger company I would be attacked for posting here. I posted the same question to a different group and got some good advice.

I care about the drivers that work for me and will continue seeking advice to make their life a little easier.

What I don't and probably never will understand is why some people continually say you don't belong because your'e too big or your'e too small. As a little guy selling out to the large company they welcomed me into their company. Now by working for the larger company I seem to be shunned by some smaller companies.

Some will say because I showed up with a picture in a suit. Some may say because I'm too old. Some may say because I'm posting questions that are not suited for the forum. I will probably never conform to everyones liking and never intend to try. My answers are from my experiences and were successful as I never lost an account. It is what has worked for me.

To the little guy I salute you. I once read an article about who is creating the American jobs in large numbers. It is the small company not the corporations. I will continue to give away advice. I plan to continue to ask for help when I need it. My advice will be free and many thanks to those who have offered good solid advice.

I am who I am and thats all that I am i'm Dennis the vendor guy.

[jblvending]

Dennis , I have no problems with your questions, the best way that i have found to service a 24/7 account is to service it on Monday's, and Thursday's, if the accounts warrants it twice a week, but I try to set each account up as a once a week, to do this it may need more machines, and that's fine because in the long run that extra machine you put there will save you a ton in expenses, and pay for itself.

[Dennis-23]

Dennis , I have no problems with your questions, the best way that i have found to service a 24/7 account is to service it on Monday's, and Thursday's, if the accounts warrants it twice a week, but I try to set each account up as a once a week, to do this it may need more machines, and that's fine because in the long run that extra machine you put there will save you a ton in expenses, and pay for itself.

Thanks JBL

All help is appreciated.

[RJT]

Dennis,

I don’t even know where to begin but let me say this. I dont care if you work for Canteen, Aramark, Sudexo, or the largest independent in America. I have worked for "the big boys" so to me I could care less. Most times the small to medium vending companies get it right far more often than the "big boys". Accounts are much harder to take from the small to medium companies than it is from the big companies. I have handled multi million dollar accounts wrote proposals (and won proposals) with some of the largest fortune 500 companies in the world. I have just recently taken two accounts from the "world’s largest vending company". I have taken many accounts from "the big boys". I have and had many of the LARGE accounts.

I don’t care if you wear a suit, I wear many. I don’t care how old you are, I am not young. If you are going to ask questions make sure they are clear to understand. You come on here like a bull in a China shop posting in three year old threads, asking random and not very clear questions.

You have a website that is driven by advertisements and some I have already said are NOT in then best interest of people wanting to do vending. One of which you have taken down after I questioned it. If you are comfortable taking advertisments from companies that have been known to charge people way to much for vending machines then thats on you. If you are comfortable advertising machines that none of the BIG boys in vending use for a good reason then thats on you.

I am not against honor boxes, matter of fact I have an entire chapter in my book about it and its benefits. If you want to know the truth if you go search on this or the other forum (not sure which) a person was asking where to buy honor boxes and I sent them to your and (and other) site. So I am not against you if I am sending people your way when they ask where to buy honor boxes. So it is not personal its just a fact that anytime I answer a question it is going to be no BS straight shooting. If that offends you then sorry.

I just wonder if your company you work for knows that you have your site and that you participate on this forum. I can tell you if it were my company I wouldn’t like it but they may not care. Most companies are against their employees doing such activity and having websites that give "trade secrets" for all to see. Did you sign a non compete if so this activity probably would be considered in violation.

Like I said I am all for helping people in vending or I wouldn’t have close to 1000 post all over the web doing so. In then end I still get clients and save them thousands when they hire me. I just saved a guy the other day a few thousand dollars in our first hour conversation. So what he paid in consulting was a bargain to him. He found me on here a liked my post and knew I could help him.

I am not sure why, if honor boxes are your "thing" then why you don’t post about that. There are plenty of people interested in that on here and other forums. I am sure you could contribute greatly to that.

[vend_dr]

Dennis - I for one applaud you for thinking of your employees.

[Dennis-23]

Hi Vend_dr,

We are nothing without the employee. Thank you for understanding.

Dennis