What would you do? Help!

[WHARTY]

Hi

I run a small vending business (Ghd Vending Machines) and have been approached by a national company with over 100 offices asking if we could meet up and discuss using my vending business in there locations!
I can't believe my luck!
Anyhow they want Coffee and snack vending which i don't do yet
So what would you do? What i did was tell them not to count me out and i would see what i could do!
Was this the right thing to do, or did it make me look desperate?
I kind of hoped they would look at me and think "this guy would do anything to help"
Anyhow i am now waiting for a response and may find myself doing a lot of research. My view is these chances come up once in a blue moon and i shouldn't pass it up.
Any advice would be great so thanks in advance.

Lee

 

[Tej]

Hi

I run a small vending business (Ghd Vending Machines) and have been approached by a national company with over 100 offices asking if we could meet up and discuss using my vending business in there locations!
I can't believe my luck!
Anyhow they want Coffee and snack vending which i don't do yet
So what would you do? What i did was tell them not to count me out and i would see what i could do!
Was this the right thing to do, or did it make me look desperate?
I kind of hoped they would look at me and think "this guy would do anything to help"
Anyhow i am now waiting for a response and may find myself doing a lot of research. My view is these chances come up once in a blue moon and i shouldn't pass it up.
Any advice would be great so thanks in advance.

Lee

You did absoluetely the right thing IMO

Best to see them, find out what they want... and if you can do it.. depends on your resources ( funds) etc.. go for it.

These opportunities ( gift horses as it were) don't come around every day.

Wish you all the best.. in what could be a terrific thing for your business.

Good Luck!

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

Go for it - meet with them and discuss what they want. Get a letter on intention and see the bank manager!

Could be the best thing for you! I remember having a one man (me) band years ago, and one contract I had no hope of acheiving turned it into an overnight success, and became the main player in the county!

Good luck....be confident, think big! If you want an idea, see what you current suppliers would do for you, either sale or lease. Check out some bankruptcy auction for used machines - you never know!

 

[Atilla]

Take the opportunities that come your way.
However, i'm puzzled as to why the Nationals have not picked this one up.

 

[cjd]

By all means test it out but don't go spending money before you have a formal commitment from them. Big companies can abuse small ones and they will have contacted several others too so don't get too excited about it and don't do anything without a proper contract.

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

You could always discuss a trial period with the customer....ten offices over one or two months to make surte they are happy before signing a full contract.

Then you could see a supplier of machines, dangling a 200 machine contract, and state you want 20 on a one or two month free trial, or lease to try out their machines!!

 

[WHARTY]

By all means test it out but don't go spending money before you have a formal commitment from them. Big companies can abuse small ones and they will have contacted several others too so don't get too excited about it and don't do anything without a proper contract.

I got the the potential customer through a group i am a member of. I think maybe they are trying to help me a bit to be honest and give the small fry a go.

 

[Vending Siting Services]

This could be a gift horse or a situation not to get involved with. Just hear me out.

If they are wanting you to place vendors (that you don't currently have) into 100 of their sites you have to look at the potential investment, what would the usages for those vendors be in those locations, ROI (return on investment).

A contract will need to be drawn up to ensure security of site for several years - minimum would be to ensure your investment is clawed back.

Also, where are these sites? Is it regional or national?

Will the vendors actually work on their sites?

What happens after a year if they want the vendors all removed . This will leave you with a lot of your capital invested into vendors which are off site and locked up in a storage depot not earning you any money.

I once got 102 sites in one phonecall - very excited then the nightmare began of the placement - all over home counties, north London and Middx!! We lived in Bedfordshire at the time. The costs involved in servicing the vendors were high due to travel time/cost of service calls between visits.

Hope this helps.

Barbara Fellowes

 

[saxondale]

I recieved a big enquiry this week, similar thing (product in our area but not one we currently stock)


genuine name

genuine company

genuine person on the end of the email


genuine order





except the person asking wasnt, tread carefully.

 

[vendingexpert]

Approach regional independant operators. They have the kit and experience in terms of sourcing, merchandising, pricing servicing and the key VIABILITY you do not want to site kit that generate profit!

Accept you recieve a smaller royalty without any investment and the income is continued rather than a one off payment for selling the lead.

You may also look at partnering with the same operators, unsure your product range but as it excludes snack and beverage but I would certainly be prepared to share traffic. Happy to share ideas and offer support

 

[nethen]

Hi, Where could i buy GHD vending machines or rent space for the summer?
cheers
dave