Why Can't I Find Locations for My Vending Machines!

     

A common question frustrated vendors ask: "Why on earth can't I find locations for my vending machines?" or, "Why are the locations I get not turning a profit"?

The main reason people can't find locations for their vending machines is that they don't really try. They have been told (probably by a biz op company trying to sell them a package) that locations are just begging for vendors to come in droves to install their vending machines.

Or, they have been told (biz ops use this line too) that locations are nearly impossible to get, that locations require some sort of magical treatment and that the only way you're going to find a place for your machines is by hiring a specialist, or "vending machine locator".

The truth is, as usual, somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. Decent vending locations are out there, and always will be there, even during downturns in the economy. But it's also true that these locations are not going to just drop into your lap with little or no effort on your part.

There are a few (and I mean very few) vending locators that live up to their promises and earn the money that you pay them. But you can't just sit there, either. So what's an enterprising vendor to do?

First of all, you need to get proactive and do your own locating. Finding locations, no matter what you've been told, does not require any special licensing, training, equipment, or secret info that only locators are privy to. All a locator does is flip open the business pages of your local phone directory (or it's online equivalent) and start blindly calling down the list, asking if 1) they can speak to the owner/manager and 2) would they like to have x kind of vending machine placed in their business for free? If they get so much as a "Umm, I guess so" then they call that a positive placement and send you out to meet with them, as if they had agreed wholeheartedly.

So best case scenario, you get there and meet with the person in authority, and they say sure, come on in, and you manage to make a profit. Annoying scenario: Worst case scenario: You actually take the time and spend the money to transport your machine to the location because the locator told you it was a sure thing- but as you wheel it through the door, you discover that the company decision-maker has never heard of you, because the locator that sent you there only spoke to some assistant manager; and they have no interest, or even have room, for a vending machine.

To avoid such awkward and costly situations, you need to do a few things: Get yourself some vending business cards, make some flyers that explain your service and show a photo example of the products and machine you're offering, check out some tips by pros,  then get in your car and go to businesses during non-busy hours to promote yourself. Don't ask for the manager, ask to speak to a person in charge of making business decisions.

To supplement your efforts, sign up for a FREE vending machine locating service that does NOT charge you a fee UNLESS you get to meet with the location yourself, and you actually take that location, and the location has agreed to take YOU on as their vendor. For instance, 4VendingTips.com is a company that has locations that actually come to them, looking for a vendor such as yourself- and if you are signed up on their list of available vendors, then you are notified by email, placed in touch with the locations, and if you decide to take it, then and only then are you obligated to pay a reasonable fee.