The fact that you've signed up with a charity is a smart move on your part. Gabe.Z. gives you a great way of starting out. You might want to consider adding in how much charity vendor programs contribute to the overall finances of your charity just after the sentence "I'm working w/ the ____________ to get candy and gumball machines placed throughout my town..." For example, "Currently _________ recieves X dollars from vendors like myself to help fund their work." (Just recently I read a long article about vendors and charities in one of the national newspapers and I was really impressed by just how much charities take in from vendors. It's not pocket change!) Be sure to mention that the business has no responsiblities or obligations for the machine on site. Also, consider what benefits the business will get from having the machine on site. For example, convenience to employees and customers. Finally, mention who will be servicing the machines, how often and how you can be contacted in the event of problems. So, here's Gabe.Z. script with some modifications:

"Hello, my name is _______. I'm working w/ the ____________ to get candy and gumball machines placed throughout my town. Currently __________ receives X dollars yearly from vendors like myself. As a sponsoring business, there are no obligations or responsibilities to you for the machine which is a convenience for your employees and customers. I will be the one servicing the machine on a regular basis. I'll have my contact information on the machine if you should need me for anything. Would you would like to donate some space for this worthy cause?"

Cold calling is a tough way to go and you might want to consider personal visits to potential sites. I can gurantee you that your success rate will go up if you do but you really should have what you want to say planned out. So cold calling will give you plenty of practice with getting your script tightened so that you feel comfortable with your delivery.

Dan

I was doing door to door but with gas going up,up,up,up and up. I'm think about cold calling or a service to placing machines for me. Later WJT

Go online, and google that drink, sometimes you can trace a local drisburtor of that drink, and get it wholesale.

What drink? WJT

Anybody in Ice vending? Machines have huge startup costs including territories/rights, but there are multiple different types of units and hotter regions or more popular machines are boasting 2-3 year payback. Curious...

Maybe, anything aval. in Florida? WJT

I have bought one snackshop 5000 and one Pepsi machine for the shop I work at that employees 17 people. It was more for the heck of it more than anything else. Sense January when I bought them the candy Machine has brought in $325.00 and the Pepsi brought in $135.00. I know this is not much. I don't expect to break even till august, but what I did see is that there is a source of income from these machines somewhere down the line.

What I want to do is expand this idea to a small business. What have found is that there is a mass quantity of people selling vending machines of all types. As I see it getting the machines is the easy part, but here is my idea for starting out and I would like your opinion or commits, so here is the plan.

I have made a flyer that has several pitchers on it from different types of bulk machines, counter top and combo machine, all the way up to Pepsi and snack machines. I have made a small description of what size and places they would be good for and offer a machine that is right for them.

The second part of this is go door to door soliciting for people that would like to have a vending machine at there service or business. Show them what I can offer them then order the machine that may fit there business then order the machine. This way I will not be buying machines that I don't have a place for.

The third part is providing customer service, making customers happy, Developing a route and learn what this vending is all about. This is the short version of course. I know there is lots to learn and it is not this simple. I value your input. thank you Todd

Sure, get your feet wet and when you get that check you can get more locations. Any start is a good start. Your first one being where you work is cool. You go there anyway, so I will be easy to watch and fill. WJT Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi WJT.

I'm in the Keys. Is that close enough?

Sure, your still in Florida. I just started in the bulk candy vending bussiness. I have placed only 4 machines so far. Taking it slow, I'm tring to learn as I locate to learn about the whole business. The thing I'm having trouble with is the legal side. I'm using a charity and was told I didn't have to pay sales tax. Then someone said that I would have to fill every quarter, even if I was exempt. I just need help in the whole legal side of the business. WJT