On April 25th I attended an opportunity meeting at a local hotel to learn about how to more effectively sell on E-Bay. The presenter was Tiger Birrell, who prepped the audience on the vending business as being one of the best businesses, with the fewest failure rates and lowest costs to get into. He then proceeded to sell attendees on his special training session in the afternoon.
In order to attend the insider information training session, where we would get more details we were required to register and pay $99.00. Some of the information on E-bay and on getting better placement in search engines was useful. Much of what he talked about was common knowledge.
After about 45 minutes he introduced Mr. Bob Nicol, successful multi-millionaire, king of bulk candy mackines from Gold Star Vending. We were given a colorful presentation on the great success of his "Top-Shot" candy/game machines which were taking the country by storm they were so popular. Because they came with salt and pepper shakers, they would be welcome on restaurant tables. Vendors could reasonably expect to make as much as $60.00 per month per machine! Why if you did the Vacation Prize deal where "winners" went on line and paid $4.95 (you would get $3.95 of that money if you paid for Hosting fee and Merchant account) Oh, it sounded so great! Why if you put the machines on your credit card you would easily make enough to cover payments and pay the machines of in just a few months.
Well, I got sucked in by the rosy prospect of getting these great machines that most restaurants would want, and each month collecting hundreds of dollars in quarters, and replacing necessary candy. (which BTW costs about $4.95. Per pound at good prices)
I could only "afford" 10 machines, at the price of $361.00 delivered. Charles Nicol, I assume son of Bob Nicole assured me that this special show price was a great deal and that if I did not move on it I would loose out. (thank God I had no more money) The machines took about 3 times as long as I was told for delivery and I did not receive the placards and other items promised.
I have been pretty successful in the past with sales. I'm not afraid to make cold calls when I feel I have got something good to sell. I have been a top salesman for several companies. Imagine my surprise when I made calls with these machines to local restaurants, bars and casinos and they showed no interest at all. Many would not even talk with me. I even had managers say "I'm not interested" before I could say hello and introduce myself.
After calling on at least 10 establishments that should have been qualified, I could get no interest at all. I don't expect much better reception at other establishments and living in a very rural area in Montana I don't have a lot of additional prospects without a great deal of travel which now a days is not cheap.
I decided to look on the internet to find out about the machines and the company. Not much turned up at first. The company name did not show up in Ripoff search. Later after much searching I finally fond another report on them. (too late to have avoided being suckered in to buying) I later found the Top-Shot machines on E-Bay, being sold by others who had bought them and were trying to unload for whatever they could get. I have contacted several and have heard their horror stories of how they got suckered in and are now despirate to get out.
Watch out for these folks, and if you think the idea is good and you want to do this. Go to E-bay and buy at pennies on the dollar. At least this way you won't be paying so much to be ripped off!
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