Well the candyman blog is moving to http://www.kickstartvending.com/forum/
I have created my own section over there and all my future posts are going to be on the new forum. I am however going to copy and paste my posts to this blog since there are a lot of readers! I salute all of my loyal readers!
PRIZE CONTEST ON THE FORUM!
There is a contest for a brand new double head machine from Gumball Machine Warehouse on the Kick-Start forum now! It's not too late to try and win! Everyone is eligible. The contest rules are up and everyone has an equal chance at winning! Good luck!
Cranes, Cranes, Cranes -
Somehow in the midst of doing bulk vending I have gotten sucked into plush skill cranes. These are the cranes that pickup stuffed animals out of the machine.
Well today I talked to this guy about cranes for about 30 minutes. He had one listed on eBay but it was a little bit too big for me so I inquired about other cranes he had to offer. Turns out he has a nice crane for me at $550 but I might go ahead and get two cranes from him since the shipping is the same for one crane or two cranes. Shipping is $350 to get them here to South Florida so you can see how it would be advantageous to get two cranes instead of one.
Anyway, I'm excited to start my crane route! I will keep everyone posted on how it goes! I'm sure there will be much more to come!
Rob
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
46/55 Pizza and a Bank
Well my locator found me a pizza joint. They had a gumball machine in there already but it looked nasty so I'm sure I will get all the business. I put gumballs and Mike & Ikes in that machine.
I also had a bunch of quarters to bring to the bank so I went. After I deposited my $96 worth of quarters I asked to talk to the bank manager. She said someone had a machine there before but it didn't do well so they took it out. I said I would like to try anyway and she said Ok. I guess the ladies there are on a diet but oh well. I put in M&M Peanuts and Runts. I opened them up so they will give bountiful handfuls of candy.
Does anyone have an idea of what to put in when people are on a diet? Anyway, I placed two machines today, not bad. Also Alan Sampson is getting ready to purchase 15 machines and start his own route. He already has around 10 locations primed that just need a machine. He is going to start blogging on the Kick-Start Vending forum hopefully this week!
Good luck.
Rob
I also had a bunch of quarters to bring to the bank so I went. After I deposited my $96 worth of quarters I asked to talk to the bank manager. She said someone had a machine there before but it didn't do well so they took it out. I said I would like to try anyway and she said Ok. I guess the ladies there are on a diet but oh well. I put in M&M Peanuts and Runts. I opened them up so they will give bountiful handfuls of candy.
Does anyone have an idea of what to put in when people are on a diet? Anyway, I placed two machines today, not bad. Also Alan Sampson is getting ready to purchase 15 machines and start his own route. He already has around 10 locations primed that just need a machine. He is going to start blogging on the Kick-Start Vending forum hopefully this week!
Good luck.
Rob
Monday, August 13, 2007
Rules for purchasing an existing route. - Baxson
1. Never trust a word the seller says, and I don't care if he/she seems like the most honest person in the world.
2. Require to see some form of books whether an Excel spreadsheet, account program, etc.
3. Require that they back up those numbers with either an income tax return or bank statements. They can blank out everything except the numbers, but require you see what they are bringing in monthly or yearly.
4. Make them take you on the route to service the machines, and have them pull out the money to show again what these locations are pulling each month.
5. Speak with every owner/manager in person to ensure that they would like to keep the machine. Have some type of clause with the existing owner that until you speak with every owner/manager and get the ok you will not give them any funds.
6. Don't spend more on an existing route then you would purchase for the machine used and a locating fee. Remember this is all you are really doing basically, so why throw your money away on something that you could get for less yourself. However, if they can prove that they are making decent money yearly and you are purchasing the route for less then 70% gross then consider that a decent route to purchase.
7. Take your time with this purchase, if anything doesn't sit well with you don't be afraid to walk away. Sometimes that is our greatest power the ability to say NO!
Buying an existing route can be a quick way to jump start your current route, or even add more locations if you are looking to build. Sometimes in over-saturated markets this is the best way to make a niche and not find your machine among the dozens in multiple locations. Don't be afraid to purchase an existing route, just make sure they have some type of evidence to back it up. If they don't, then make sure you are getting it for far less then you would if you purchased the machine used and got a professional locator. Check out ebay, craigslist, etc for prices on the existing machine and routes. Shop around, there are always tons of people getting rid of their routes because they don't have the time anymore.
And last but not least, call the numbers on machines that you wanted to place your machine but found someone already there. You would be surprised at how many people would love to sell their route and just didn't get around to posting it, or didn't know how to. Don't turn your back to purchasing existing routes, always look at it as a viable option. Look at companies that base their existence on purchasing up smaller corporations, it can be the same concept.
Happy vending! - This was written by a writer on my forum, Baxson Vending.
Rob
2. Require to see some form of books whether an Excel spreadsheet, account program, etc.
3. Require that they back up those numbers with either an income tax return or bank statements. They can blank out everything except the numbers, but require you see what they are bringing in monthly or yearly.
4. Make them take you on the route to service the machines, and have them pull out the money to show again what these locations are pulling each month.
5. Speak with every owner/manager in person to ensure that they would like to keep the machine. Have some type of clause with the existing owner that until you speak with every owner/manager and get the ok you will not give them any funds.
6. Don't spend more on an existing route then you would purchase for the machine used and a locating fee. Remember this is all you are really doing basically, so why throw your money away on something that you could get for less yourself. However, if they can prove that they are making decent money yearly and you are purchasing the route for less then 70% gross then consider that a decent route to purchase.
7. Take your time with this purchase, if anything doesn't sit well with you don't be afraid to walk away. Sometimes that is our greatest power the ability to say NO!
Buying an existing route can be a quick way to jump start your current route, or even add more locations if you are looking to build. Sometimes in over-saturated markets this is the best way to make a niche and not find your machine among the dozens in multiple locations. Don't be afraid to purchase an existing route, just make sure they have some type of evidence to back it up. If they don't, then make sure you are getting it for far less then you would if you purchased the machine used and got a professional locator. Check out ebay, craigslist, etc for prices on the existing machine and routes. Shop around, there are always tons of people getting rid of their routes because they don't have the time anymore.
And last but not least, call the numbers on machines that you wanted to place your machine but found someone already there. You would be surprised at how many people would love to sell their route and just didn't get around to posting it, or didn't know how to. Don't turn your back to purchasing existing routes, always look at it as a viable option. Look at companies that base their existence on purchasing up smaller corporations, it can be the same concept.
Happy vending! - This was written by a writer on my forum, Baxson Vending.
Rob
Friday, August 10, 2007
the real numbers
I stopped at 5 places today to check money. So here are my numbers:
Pizza: $27 (20 days)
China $5 (10 days)
Computer store $3.50 (30 days)
Chicken Lunch Place $6.25 (30 days)
Auto place $21 (50 days)
If someone has the time to figure out what I average every 30 days I will post it here. I'm about to run out the door or I would do it. Anyway.. Bottom line is this. You can't tell how much a location will make just by first looks. The chicken place I thought would make a ton of money. The auto place I thought would make nothing. It's in a dim area, they smoke inside, and it didn't look like they had many customers. The point is, you just never know.
You learn, I learn, Kyle Guth teaches, Listen. GIVE AMPLE AMOUNTS OF M&M Peanuts!
The auto place asked me to take it out because the machine was only giving like 4 M&M Peanuts and the customers were getting mad. I apologized profusely and asked her if I could bring in a new machine this week. She said yes and I am going to bring one there right now. LISTEN TO KYLE. Give out lots of candy.
Rob
UPDATE: I get an average of about $13.50 per location per month. Can anyone concur?
Pizza: $27 (20 days)
China $5 (10 days)
Computer store $3.50 (30 days)
Chicken Lunch Place $6.25 (30 days)
Auto place $21 (50 days)
If someone has the time to figure out what I average every 30 days I will post it here. I'm about to run out the door or I would do it. Anyway.. Bottom line is this. You can't tell how much a location will make just by first looks. The chicken place I thought would make a ton of money. The auto place I thought would make nothing. It's in a dim area, they smoke inside, and it didn't look like they had many customers. The point is, you just never know.
You learn, I learn, Kyle Guth teaches, Listen. GIVE AMPLE AMOUNTS OF M&M Peanuts!
The auto place asked me to take it out because the machine was only giving like 4 M&M Peanuts and the customers were getting mad. I apologized profusely and asked her if I could bring in a new machine this week. She said yes and I am going to bring one there right now. LISTEN TO KYLE. Give out lots of candy.
Rob
UPDATE: I get an average of about $13.50 per location per month. Can anyone concur?
Thursday, August 9, 2007
tilt pan scan
Today was a slow day but I did get something done. I went to Wal-Mart and got a dummy camera and batteries for $10. Now, I didn't realize it at the time but this camera is crazy.
#1 It has a motion detector built in.
#2 It blinks.
#3 You can tilt it to point in any direction.
#4 It scans the room back and fourth when the motion detector is tripped.
It's ridiculous. When you walk into the laundry room this thing starts panning back and fourth across the room. I also put up a sign that says "Beware of 24 hour video surveillance. You are being video taped." haha. I doubt anyone is going to mess with my candy machine now!
I'm still looking for an inexpensive crane machine to put in this Chinese joint. Is there a second hand plush crane website? I couldn't really find anything.
Rob
#1 It has a motion detector built in.
#2 It blinks.
#3 You can tilt it to point in any direction.
#4 It scans the room back and fourth when the motion detector is tripped.
It's ridiculous. When you walk into the laundry room this thing starts panning back and fourth across the room. I also put up a sign that says "Beware of 24 hour video surveillance. You are being video taped." haha. I doubt anyone is going to mess with my candy machine now!
I'm still looking for an inexpensive crane machine to put in this Chinese joint. Is there a second hand plush crane website? I couldn't really find anything.
Rob
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
oh dear
Well, My locator gave me three locations today but only two were open. The last one is a Karate place, does anyone have experience with these?
I also picked up a machine today at a local restaurant and it had $30 in it. Too bad I had to take it out.
I also checked the Chinese place, it has been there for about a week, not too much money in there. I didn't count but I'd say less than $5. I switched out Runts for Skittles. We will see.
Also, the Chinese guy wants a Crane. He told me today to get him one. I have looked on eBay and they want $1795 + Shipping for a crane with bill acceptor. I am not willing to pay that. I want one cheaper. Do you guys think a crane would do well in a Chinese place?
Help me find good crane deals in South Florida!
Rob
I also picked up a machine today at a local restaurant and it had $30 in it. Too bad I had to take it out.
I also checked the Chinese place, it has been there for about a week, not too much money in there. I didn't count but I'd say less than $5. I switched out Runts for Skittles. We will see.
Also, the Chinese guy wants a Crane. He told me today to get him one. I have looked on eBay and they want $1795 + Shipping for a crane with bill acceptor. I am not willing to pay that. I want one cheaper. Do you guys think a crane would do well in a Chinese place?
Help me find good crane deals in South Florida!
Rob
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
bad news tonight
The guy that owns the restaurant in my neighborhood called and said he wants me to pickup the machine. He said he isn't selling any of his own candy anymore. I couldn't really understand him but maybe he said something about another guy putting a machine in. I'll have to inquire more tomorrow. DAMN. I tried to offer commission on the phone and I'll offer it again tomorrow.
Rob
Rob
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