There are many reasons to have a business plan. There are even more reasons why you should write your business plan on paper. Probably so you don't get into situations like I am in..
I just don't know what to do right now. I am not content doing nothing but I'm not sure what I should be doing. I'm just waiting right now for my locator to call with more locations but that doesn't keep me content. Should I even stick with my locator now or should I get this guy to come locate in person?
I have no written business plan so I'm not sure what I should be doing. The only thing I can think to do today is build machines. But that will only keep me busy for so long.
Rob
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81 comments:
Rob, If you have the time, by all means go locate some yourself. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Good Luck
Todd
"Momma said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this my momma said!"
Rob, anyone who's been in this business has had times like this. I've been there many times! Do not give up. Get out there and locate those machines!
caserri agrees with me?? Imagine that! LOL!!
Hi Robert
How about something as simple as an ad in the newspaper. Professional locators already know what the job is all about. There are many reasons locators might reply to a simple ad. Extra money on the side may be one of them.
Something like this:
$ Top Dollar Paid $
Fast Growing Vending Business
Locators Needed Now: 555-5555
Consider having several locators working for you. Do you have any loyalties to your current locator? No contract....no workers comp...no hard feelings. If you place a machine from one of their " leads " they get $30. It seems so simple. What do you think?
You now have learned enough about the job and profession of a locator to talk with a degree of experience. What did you know about the profession just a few months ago? What if several locators wanted to work for you? Could you get the machines out fast enough? If someone thinks small... they will stay small. Charge the hill.
Alan
you started having several locators contacting you with locations from a series of small affordable ads? I really believe it to be possible. Almost every major vending web-site advertises to hire locators. You might find a few real good ones that really know the profession. I placed three machines yesterday and I just fell off the back of a potato truck as far as vending placement goes. I only made 10 phone calls.
My 18 year old son is off to college ( Harding ) in a few weeks. During the Summer he took a few day jobs at Able Body. The place hires out people for work. He went to some jobs that were nothing more than helping people move. The point being is that if you all of a sudden needed 20.....30....40 or more machines built you can quickly find the temporary " work force " at one of these employment agencies. Plan big....go big.
Do you want me to research the cost of an ad in your area? If it works in your area....it will work in mine. Even something as simple as:
Vending Route
Locators Needed
555-555-5555
Someone not knowing the vending industry would not even know what the ad means. The thousands of experienced locators do. They phone you and you give them the simple guidelines. You place a machine with one of their leads....they get $30. The only paperwork you care about is the check you have for your taxes.
Alan
1. Ask yourself why you are writing a business plan. Is it to raise capital or as a guide for running the business?
2. List your goals for starting the business and where you see the business in three to five years.
3. Clearly define your target audience.
4. Write a table of contents so you’ll know exactly which sections you will need to research and find data to support.
5. Make a list of the data you will need to research. For example, you will need statistics on your demographic audience, your competition, the market, and so on.
6. List research sources that will be most helpful, such as Hoovers, Dun & Bradstreet, or AllBusiness.com.
7. List your management team. If you are unsure of someone’s availability, this is the time to determine whether or not they are on board. Gather biographical data on each person.
8. Start compiling all of your key financial documents. You can determine later which ones you will use in the business plan.
Once you are ready, begin your business plan with the understanding that it is a work in progress and there will be several drafts to follow as well as ongoing changes as your business progresses.
The best way to locate is to do it yourself but a locator is still a good way to get things going at times.
Rob,
Can you not get on your cell and call some people yourself?
Kyle G.
Todd,
I'm sure that I would agree with alot of what you have to say. I don't let disagreements on one topic affect the way I feel about someones opinions on another. Ask Rob, or better yet, ask Kyle. Kyle and I are polar opposites when it comes to certian things however we are in agreement on others. I can be vehemently opposed to 99% of what someone says but at the same time, I will laud them when that 1% comes around that I do agree with. Is that wrong of me?
C. Vending,
What is your first name? I am getting tired of writeing "C. Vending"!
Now, I agree with some of what you say, others I do not. Everyone has there own oppion on things, and me and you think diffrent.
Kyle G.
Well, I replaced the machine at the pizza place that wasn't giving out enough M&M Peanuts. He's not going to take any percentage so that is great! He also referred me to a Chinese place next to him and I went in there and talked to the guy. They already have a machine but they are not getting a percentage. He wants that commission! So he said when the other guy returns he is going to have him remove his machine.
Hopefully the guy checks his machine soon, haha.
Rob
Rob,
That sounds like a Chinese restaurant! ha ha. Well you are getting on up there machine wise. I need to start placing more, or in a year you are going to catch up to me!
Kyle G.
Kyle,
See, you and I DO agree on some things! UTurns do STINK!
BTW, my name is Steve
Catch up with you in a year? You don't have that long buddy... Haha
Well, I was going to make a new post, but my blog was "locked down" because they think it may be a spam blog. Obviously it's not, and they say it will be checked by a real person within 2 business days.
Anyway..
I took out the old machine from the pizza place and cleaned it out. What hassle that is.
I can't believe how bad the M&M Peanuts were. I have never seen them like that in a location before.
Rob
Rob,
Ha ha. I have over 150, can you do that in under a year?
Steve C.,
Yep U-Turns are like Vendstar, way over priced, and cheap made!
Kyle G.
Rob,
What was wrong with them (p-M&M's)? I hope thay do not shut your blog down, if so, I will allow you to make posts on my blog!
Kyle G.
Kyle,
BTW I was reading your blog and noticed you are from my neck of the woods. I am originally from middle tennessee myself.
Steve C.,
Where are you now? In TENN?
Kyle G.
No, I moved from TN in 1998. I now reside in Massachusetts.
Steve C,
Well thats stinks. Do you have machines here still? I would say not!
Kyle G.
Hi Kyle
Visit WWW.caserrivending.com it is a great web-site.
Alan
Alan,
I have been there before. It is a great site!
Kyle G.
Kyle,
No I actually wasnt in vending when I lived there.
Alan,
Thank you for your kind words about my site. As Rob knows, I have just launched my own forum over there. Once I get a bunch of members I'm going move it to its own domain.
Steve W.,
Ha Ha. I just read your name is not Caserri. Where did you get that name?
Kyle G.
Kyle,
Caserri is a combination of my 2 daughters names.
Mr. Caserri
I was just visiting your forum.
Well I am going to start this forum off with a recommended locator.
First Choice Locators, http://www.firstchoicelocators.net
This locator is by far the best service I have used. They are a post pay service which means that you dont pay a dime until after your machines are placed. There is no way to get ripped off. They offer generous performance and kick out guarantees. Sonya at First Choice is a great locator to work with and I encourage you to visit her site and contact her to place your next machine.
All comments are welcome so if you have had a similar or different experience with First Choice, please post it here.
Steve W.,
That is cool, I just joined your chat room. i was there a few days ago, and there as 2 members, so i did not join.
Kyle G.
Alan,
His last name is Wedhoff. I thought it was Caserri too.
Kyle G.
Alan,
Thanks for visiting although Im not quite sure I understand your post.
Kyle,
Thanks for joining. If you noticed I had two members why wouldnt you join before? I could use all the members I can get. Just remember, it will take some time to draw in new members but the more posts I get over there the better my rankings will be in the search engines. So please post anything you can, even if you already know the answer! It all helps.
Steve W.,
Yea I am. I misspelled a word o a topic. Can I edit that? I tried but failed. Can you do it? I misspelled many. Ha ha.
Kyle G.
Kyle
you can edit your posts like you do over at VC. There should be an edit button next to your original post. I can do it for you too if you cant. Thanks for your post!
Steve W.,
I could not do it. It is in the topic. I can edit the POST, but not the headline on the topics page.
Kyle G.
There you go, I fixed it for you!
Steve,
Thanks Man!
Kyle G.
I'm starting a new vending site guys. 1800Vending is going to have competition!
I've been working on it this afternoon since I've had plenty of free time. I honestly think it's almost done. Just gotta throw it up on a site and add some graphics.
Rob
Caserri,
I added a link to your forum on the left side of my page.
Rob
Rob,
What is this site? Are you selling things? I am eager to find out!
Kyle G.
Why are these blogs not updating the comments. It is still at 38, and ther is now 41 comments!
Kyle G.
Rob,
I am about to die. I want to know what this site is!
Kyle G.
Rob, I agree with Alan to set business goals. Rob, whats your goal of how many machines you want to own and have placed. Make that your goal and stick to it.Have you really considered all of what its going to take to do this business I mean time and effort wise.I understand your going to school soon and that maybe a tempory set back but keep going. Just ask yourself how many machines you can have placed and refill during the school year including extra time for other non vending important stuff you have to do.Get those locations and service the machines and do no more untill your finish with school. Do you think you can handle serving 100 machines a month? You could service 5 machines a day Monday thur Friday, 25 machines in a week which makes 100 machines serviced with in a month.You would have off Saturday and Sunday. Also the thing about have machines placed in crappy locations well maybe you just might want to try vending bulk racks. I dont know much about them but they seem to make more money than just a plain 3 head vendstar or smiular machine. Kyle what do you think ?
Josh,
I agree 100%. Please do not mention Vendstar here my friend!
Kyle G.
Im sorry Kyle if that offened you about the vendstar machines I did see 2 located in the same office building here owned by the same person today. I have really thought about just calling the phone numbers listed on machines asking if they want to sell any of there route. It seems to me this is one of the best ways to get into bulk vending is to buy someones route. I found a gumball pinball machine located in a sports equipement store that was emptied talked to the owner of the store asked why the machine was emptied he said the guy who owned the machine had not filled it up. I asked if knew how to get in touch with vendor he said he did not know how.I told him I would like to take off of the vendors hands and give him some cash for it. I did not see a phone number on the machine. How do I go about getting this pinball bulk gumball machine. THESE things retail about 800 to 1000 each new.
Kyle what kind of machine would you suggest I use besides vendstar? Why is vendstar so bad?
Rob have you tried to locate at the airport yet?
Man I got the bulk vending machine blues. Someone talk to me?
I have actually been to our very small local airport. There is one in there but I may try and bring one, thanks for reminding me.
Josh, get in there and take that machine! Offer him $100 cash or whatever you want. What exactly does this machine look like? It sounds interesting.
Well Kyle,
My site is very cool. Yes, I am selling stuff. It's sort of a package deal, haha. It may be up tonight, I've been working hard.
As for college:
College has never been that hard for me so I'm not too worried. I'm one of those guys who can study the day before the test and do fine. Although these are masters classes. Who knows.. I don't think my machines will hinder me no matter how many I have! If I get a lot I will find a trustworthy friend to help out. I have one in mind.
Rob
I wish there was a how to bulk vend candy dvd. I can find plenty of other how to dvds around but nothing on bulk vending.
I wish I could discribe the machine better. It is smaller than a real pinball machine but has 2 machine heads on it and you can place bouncy balls or gumballs in the machine and play pinball with the bouncy ball or gumball untill you loose the gumball or bouncy ball. Also it uses no electricity. I would suggest do a google search for gumball and pinball for a pic. Also u may want to try gumballfuns.com They have interesting machines there.
Thanks, sounds interesting. Josh! You may be the first buyer on my new website. It will be up soon. I promise you that it is the best deal you will ever find. You can't even buy this deal cheaper on eBay. I don't mess around. I only give you guys the best!
Rob
ohh Im sorry it vending101.com The machine is close to the one on this website its called the sports zone. Also theres the one with the basketball hoop
Wow,
You guys are going to love this site I think. I hope. It's such a good deal. I think even Kyle might take the plunge!
Rob
Did I mention that I've become addicted to Runts? I keep opening my 5lb bags and eating them. Hopefully I'm not 'eating' into my profits too much, haha.
Rob
Has anyone seen the chocolate hershey nugget machines. I really thought about buying these because they really seem like an alternative to bulk candy nuts and gumballs and toys. Most people like chocolate and you can use it as a good alternative to other vendors. The famous ronnie talent guide to vending locating guide says that peppermint pattie machines are not good because people dont like peppermint patties. However most people like chocolate. And woman get the urge for chocolate It sounds good to me.
Hey check this out go to amazon.com
Look under author Terry Stanley Vending locations The 31 secrets to securing great vending locations Audio CD I have not listened to it but sound like it might just be well worth it.
I am way to cheap for that! haha, let me know if you like it.
Working on my site! I'll let you know soon.
Rob
Rob,
You better not eat to many of thoes NASTY runts! Ha Ha.
What types of machines are you going to sell?
Josh,
I really do not want to talk about vendstar. There machines make me sick. Thay are over priced, short, gray and white (not attractive) and very ugly. There mechs break, and thay will not replace them withought a hassle. Thay make you use a locator, and will not let you buy a machine if you do not.
Thay are rude if you do not buy a machine, and will charge you out the roof for parts. There machines are made from crap "china" plastic. You can bust there one with a screwdriver. There candy heads are hard to take out, and easy to break.
Kyle G.
no more comment about vendstar thanks for the advice to stay away
Josh,
You are welcome my friend!
Kyle G.
God, I hate that cheap China plastic, haha.
Rob
My site is a secret until it comes online!
Rob,
When will it be on-line? I am eager to buy/help sell some of your stuff!
Kyle G.
Rob,
Thanks a bunch for the link! I will let you know when I move it to its own domain. You will have to update the target.
Hey guys, I am finally back in the States! However, I am going to be working on a project that will have me on the road until November, so I can't take the plunge into bulking vending just yet!
Rob, looking forward to the launch of your new site. By the way, aren't you going to b-school in Ohio starting in August? Is it a online MBA program, or will you be moving to Ohio? If so, how are you going to manage your vending business? Just fly down to Naples once a month or so?
Steve, nice to finally know your first name and see that you have started a discussion forum...I just signed up this morning.
Kyle, what's the latest on the crane machine?
Wow, it is really cool how the readership has grown over the past month or so!
Take care,
Ryan
Nice to hear from your Ryan. Busy till November! I think you are just scared to start, haha.
Well, I went and got some gift certificates for Carrabba's to give out as "promotional" items. $20 each. I think this may just work.
Anyway, I'm excited to get on the road today and place some machines.
Rob
Rob,
How is your "store" site going? Is it up yet?
Glad to see you are going locating!
Kyle G.
Hey kyle I see the dentist did not agree to the bulk machine. perhaps you should offer to place a sticker, tattoo machine or a rack with other toys. Keep trying. I just found out something. Placing bulk machines is almost the same as looking for a job and filling applications out and going for interviews except your looking to place your machine and have your machine do the work for you. Good luck.
Rob I just would have gotten a $10.00 walmart gift card. Not to much but just enough to get my machine placed. Plus they get a commison.
Buy other routes seems good. So I call this guy with some bulk vending machines with his number located on the machines. Yesterday no answer just answering service. Today talk to the guy says he is busy. Yeah right I think hes really busy. I hear this CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH! on the phone while hes talking. Sounded like while talking on the phone he was snacking on some of that candy. How FFFFING RUDE CAN YOU GET!!! Any how he says to call back and leave my phone number on his answering service and that hes interested in selling. I wonder if this how he does his locating over the phone.
Hi Josh,
Rob is not commenting anymore. He has not been on here in forever! A rack at a D. office? I do not think so!
Kyle G.
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