Who are the United Vendors of Canada? Loonie Vend? Vendgourmet?
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Here is an interesting observation about United Vendors, and a number of companies it has used marketing it's vending business opportunity.
I purchased U-turn machines from United Vendors of Canada, that used to be located at www.loonievend.ca and www.loonievend.com.
Interestingly, both of these sites have been discontinued and forward to www.vendgourmet.com.
I think that perhaps this is suggestive of the marketting that they do - offering instant good returns.
What they fail to mention is the start up cost (of course, that's where they make their money!) of their overpriced machines, and then the $100/machine of vending product.
I were to do it again, I wouldn't have bought new from them - I am doing better purchasing used from those who buy new, and realize it isn't worth their time....
(Via Gourmet Candy Vending » Grow with us.)
Al Manning, the CEO of United Vendors Canada, disagrees with this assessment, and states:
"We sell at factory direct prices and our customers can buy as little as 'ONE' machine at a time."
But, there is another issue raised here: the difficulties that regulatory agencies have in trying to enforce their own business opportunity or franchise laws.
Since, United Vendors is a Florida company, the State of Florida, a fairly tough business opportunity regulator, advises:
Many Americans dream of owning their business.
Although many achieve this dream, others run into financial ruin by falling prey to scams devised by unscrupulous promoters of business opportunities.
A business opportunity is an offer to assist a person in starting his or her own business by providing - either through sales or lease - products, equipment, supplies or service needed to carry on the business.
Business opportunities range from addressing envelopes or assembling toys at home at a cost of a few dollars, to establishing vending machine routes or installing pay telephones for thousands of dollars.
Many times, these promoters imply that investors can see a substantial return with minimal effort.
Unfortunately, the Florida Business Opportunity Act only applies to companies doing business in the state of Florida.
Where is United Vendor's advertising its newest vending distributorship? That's right: only in Canada.
It is unfortunate because if United Vendors was selling its business opportunity in the State of Florida, then prior to advertising to the public, they would have to register:
" Every seller of a business opportunity shall annually file with the department a copy of the disclosure statement required by s. 559.803 prior to placing an advertisement or making any other representation designed to offer to, sell to, or solicit an offer to buy a business opportunity from a prospective purchaser in this state and shall update this filing by reporting any material change in the required information within 30 days after the material change occurs."
This is very important registration requirement is missing from the Ontario Arthur Wishart Franchise Disclosure Act. Such registration would have allowed the previous complainant a sneak peek at the disclosure document prior to doing business with United Vendors of Canada.
But, Al Manning, the President of United Vendors Canada, disagrees and says that his company does not fall under the Franchise Disclosure Act, because:
"Clearly it states on our website, that the U-Turn factory provides training, not United Vendors Group.
In addition, the training is not mandatory, it is voluntary. U-Turn povides this as a courtesy to U-Turn machine owners free of charge.
We have many satisfied U-Turn owners. These are hard working people that are bold and willing to step out of their comfort zone to give it all they have.
There is no easy way to be successful in business, but as you indicate, it is easy to blame others or anyone else for their own failures.
By suggesting we practice unscrupulous methods is defamatory to our company. U-Turn has been in business for 21 years. And the reason is that we are the leaders in bulk vending manufacturing.
We own 6 design patents. We do not adhere to get rich quick schemes or pie in the sky scams as you are inferring."
Another important development would be an online search of registered business opportunities, like the one the the State of Washington has.
Until these relatively simple and inexpensive steps are taken, unfortunately it will be easy for an unscrupulous business opportunity seller to pick one jurisdiction to locate in but advertise in a jurisdiction with fewer consumer protections.
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