Locating Horror Story

Rob,
you can add my name to those who have been ripped off by a locating company. (Company name and owner withheld) saw me coming, and the locators themselves got me too. The bulk machines were placed after WEEKS of no shows and lame excuses, (withheld) was the locator, and with his van load of characters did the project which was 100 Altoids and 1-800 bulk machines. I was initially pleased with the progress they made and the speed at which the project was completed. One week after the machines went in, the calls started. They had slammed a bunch of the machines into places that said no, no, no machines. They were put in anyway. I lost 3 machines immediately, had 30% of the machines removed after 1 month. No support at all from (withheld), which wouldn't even pick up the registered list of locations that I sent them. Long story short - I have, out of 100 original machines, 25 on locations now. I have 150 more machines available to put on locations. I need a good, reliable locator!
HELP!!!

Jim O.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi,
I have 6 snack/chocolate bars. and soft drink machines that I have not been able to locate and am on the verge of getting rid of them. That's how desperate I am!!!! I have a locator who says he’s been trying to find locations for me, but he's produced NIL after 6 weeks.
Help!
Robert H.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hello
I'm shy and was not able to locate a machine for my self, so I hire a company to do it for me and I lost my time, effort and money. This company only gives false hopes, so far my vending machines are collecting tons of dust in my garage. Please give me your most sincere opinion.
Thank you, very much.
Enrique B.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi,
We have machines to be placed that we have done nothing with. We have talked with locating firms, however we have not gone with them because it seems we needed to do all the work. Find locations we would like our machines in, stores, restaurants, etc. and then they meet us (the locater) and then they take us out with the machine(s) and talk to businesses. Also very concerned because it didn't seem like these people were even local and knew the businesses. There is nothing I would like more than to know who to trust or how to place our machines ourselves.
Thank you for your help.
Tammy   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

I purchased 5 new combo machines in 8/06 in order to see if I liked the business. I'm retired, and was looking for some supplemental income as well as something to keep me out of trouble. The seller put me in touch with a locator. I spent six frustrating months chasing him to fulfill his commitment. I'm not eager to repeat my earlier experience, Perhaps there is some wisdom I’m missing that would allow me to reconsider using a locator again?
Thanks
Bill H.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Uncle Rob
Help! Hi, I live in Canada more precisely in Montreal. I have started a new venture with a company that was selling me a bunch of vending machines (28 to be precise) and they got me telling me that they were selling them with locations. After 2 months of doing the run around I realize that they only sell for about $600 gross for the entire fleet and my bank is charging me $2,000 a month for capital and interest. You can imagine my headaches right now....
I have to relocate almost all of the 28 machines and just can't seem to get through to anyone...no one will help me. Note: The vending machines are selling Pringles chips, nuts (cashews, pistachios etc...) and candies (different kinds).
Thanks for any help in advance

Lisette B   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi Rob,
My wife and I haven't had much success locating and we are getting little to no help from the Biz Op that we purchased the machines from (wish I'd read your ebook on Biz Ops BEFORE purchasing my machines).
I am hoping that you can help me in finding a way to locate my 6 machines. They’ve been sitting in my garage for the last 3 months but my wife and I don't want to give up on it...especially since we invested almost $40,000 in this business!
Please help!
Regards,
Henry   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Uncle Rob, I have been in the vending business for going on two years. I have about 4 machines in my garage that were put out to locations that seemed like winners, but just did not work. I could use your help in placing these machines and many more....(my wife said I cannot buy anymore until these are out of the garage) so please help me!
Thank you
Mick   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi, I hired a locator. One machine I have never been able to get placed, because the people moved and when they reopened they haven't been interested in me putting it in. Last week I got a call from a vendor to come get my machine because they needed the room for other things. Yesterday I went to some of my machines to collect the quarters and one place ask me to remove it because they would be tearing down the building in the next 30 days and didn't want to move it to the building that they would be working out of temporary. Maybe I can bring it back in the spring.
I need to learn how to talk to locators and the business owners so that I may place my machines. I am figuring there are some things I need to know about that I don't. But I need to learn how to make this work and be profitable for me.
Thank you,
Renita F   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Rob
I was really ripped off previously by a locating team. I am trying to find locations myself and however there is a lack of information in this area of the business. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Christopher G.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi
I purchased 10 gum machines about two years ago and they've been sitting in storage because I have not been able to find a good locating company that I was comfortable with and my wife and I have tried walking around town looking for locations. No luck and we've pretty much lost interest and drive. Please help!
I would like to make this work.
Jiro   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Uncle Rob
I've been vending for a short while now and yes I've been burned by locators. Hopefully, you have a solution to these flight by nite people that promise locations and don't deliver.
Thanks for any help   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi Rob,
I purchased 6 machines and locations from a turnkey business opportunity. I lost a lot of money and had the machines repossessed
Help
Jeff   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Rob
I bought 5 combo machines in May. Well, I paid for them in May but they weren't shipped until July. Anyway, I have 3 underperforming locations and don't know how to move them. The first 5 came with locations and it was all very exciting and the new customers were all excited. They still seem happy to have the machines there. They just don't buy much stuff. I really need some input and I value your ideas. Sincerely,
Tom B   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi Rob,
I have five machines. They are Snack and Drink master slave combination machines which I purchased before getting your ebook "Small Change: Vending Insider Secrets Revealed". After reading your book which basically confirmed what I was already pretty sure to be true, I have not purchased any new machines.
During the summer months was doing well enough to pay for the machines and the snacks and drinks and my gas. Once the cooler winter months began, roughly in about late September until May, the business slowed down so much that I was operating in the red. In January, my best profit location was robbed and vandalized. I pulled the machines (snack and drink) and have not yet completed repairs on them. In February on of my locations told me they were getting full sized machines from another vendor and asked me to remove my machines. My locating company was supposed to provide me with more locations but they were either too far away. or had few employees and/or little or no outside client base that would use the machines.

I am now gun shy and not sure what I want to do. I have a $600.00 per month payment as well as GAS and restocking costs and occasional repairs (not to mention the cost of repairing the vandalized machine.
I could use your help.
Thanks,
John M   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Rob,
My main stumbling block to developing my vending business has been locating, and finding quality locations. I suspect this is why I have a garage with unused equipment in it right now! I would like to get it out there making me money though!
thanks for any help!
Bruce N.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi
When the guys from the placement company "set up" my locations everything looked ok, but when I called to confirm the delivery of the machines three of the locations didn't want the machines no more, since I had a signed contract and a placement guarantee for six months I called the company and they stop calling back as soon as they found out what the call was about so I still have three brand new machines in, yes, you guessed it, "my garage". I have also talked to several placing companies and I’m in the process of placing the machines so any ideas would really help!
thanks!
Javier D.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Rob,
My wife and I have started a vending machine business a couple of years ago. We are having a hard time finding locations for our machines. We currently have two of the five machines in our garage. We would like to get them placed. We initially started in the vending business for my wife to be able to work on a schedule that would allow her to be there for the children when needed. So far it isn't working out the way we would like it too.
Any help you be much appreciated
Jim W.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hi,
I got into vending last April. I bought 24 new bulk candy machines from a supposedly highly reputable independent dealer in early April, and paid for the locating (telemarketing) all of them at that time. He has only located 5 so far--and that was only a couple of weeks ago, after months of dancing around and handing me one excuse right after the other, after of course first taking a lovely vacation right after I paid him.

I don't know how to do locating, and apparently/obviously need to prepare to do the rest myself. $700-800 worth of candy bought in the spring on his continuous promises that he was going to get this done the very next day over and over and over but just keeps having tragedies that prevent his doing it, is sitting here getting old as well. The candy and nuts are unopened, but after some point--I'm not sure when it is--- that won't help much, will it?

Why is the locating area of vending at best so incredibly unprofessional and unbusinesslike or at worst so shady or an opportunity to steal? Doesn't anyone take a modicum of pride in their work and just do everything they can to do what they say they will, like things are normally done in reputable businesses? This behavior certainly gives vending more than a black eye.

I need to know how to do the locating, and I don't want to hear that one should contact all their friends and relatives to get locations. If I wanted to do that, I would have signed on with Amway or a similar outfit!

Thanks

Maria M.   (all emails on file)

Locating Horror Story

Hello Rob,
I purchased five machines from a supplier that promised to support my business. At the rate my machines are producing it will be several years before I have paid for the original investment and start seeing a profit. Three are moving very little product. I am hoping to find better locations for them but simply don't know how, and don't know who to trust!
Thanks
Mark N.   (all emails on file)