Home › Forums › Heavens Best Forum › Vans › Fleet GMC Van Package – Buyer Beware
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September 19, 2006 at 2:23 pm #143393Tx46Participant
I am a new operator in south New Jersey who ordered a GMC van in mid-July. As of mid-Sept I have yet to receive the van. I was informed by our salesman, who is representing Heaven’s Best, of a 6-8 week lead time of receiving the van. So far GMC has pushed back the production dates by 2 MONTHS. The salesman has been mediocre at best towards updating me with the issues. The money I should have saved with the fleet discount I have lost because I can not do any business without a van. And I continue to lose money. If I’m not making money then I am losing money.
I purchased the Heavens Best Franchise in July and I will be fortunate to begin to do business by the end of October.
If anyone has words of encouragement – please send. This operator is very unhappy of the management of this entire issue with all parties involved.
September 19, 2006 at 5:15 pm #147582AnonymousInactiveRobert,
I feel for you.By now, you are probably close to receiving you van. If not, make use of your down time by preparing yourself. For example, read all the older posts on this bulleting board, decide on what types of correspondence you may send to your customers on a recurring basis and get it ready, practice cleaning your own carpets, etc. I know you are probably already doing these things.
Also, based on what you are hearing from the salesman, you may want to consider cutting your losses with him and backing out of the deal if that is possible. Have you already paid for the van?
You might consider a temporary van solution. If you could find an affordable rental van (white), you could get some magnetic signs made up with Heaven’s Best logos, your phone number, etc., place them on the rental van, and get by like that.
I hope this rough start doesn’t dampen your enthusiasism.
Good luck!
Mike
September 19, 2006 at 5:59 pm #147583AnonymousInactiveI was wrong
September 19, 2006 at 6:02 pm #147584AnonymousInactive😀 😀 😀 Hey budda belly don’t get discouraged this is a great franchisse!!!!
September 19, 2006 at 9:08 pm #147585FL18ParticipantKeep in mind all the things that this franchise does do for it’s operators, not to mention the low fees we pay. You should of had a back up van or already had a van when u bought this franchise. Or use a truck. Cody and the corporate office our learning just as much as we go through this transition.
Mike
September 19, 2006 at 10:45 pm #147586AnonymousInactiveWhith that big of a delay you should be able to cancel that van. Then go down to your local dealer and buy the van there. I wish you luck!!
September 20, 2006 at 4:57 pm #147587AnonymousGuestRobert:
I could only offer works of encouragement and my personal experience with HB for 7+yrs. We have all been experiencing growing pains these past few weeks. Getting the right logos, new uniforms, stationary, etc. I know you probably keep hearing this, but this is a great time to invest and continue to grow with HB. I have worked for great companies in the past and yet I would have a very difficult time leaving HB and the constant support I get from the corp. office.
I recently moved to UT and will continue running my HB in Long Beach CA from my new location. How great is that! This has been possible by having a solid customer base and the support of my technicians, my state owner and corporate.
Best wishes.
September 21, 2006 at 12:19 am #147588AnonymousInactivePeople respond best when their pocketbook is hit. Call the salesman (or their boss) EVERY DAY. Good friend of mine is in the car biz and I guarantee the salesman (or other parties involved) can get you a van if they try hard enough. The car market is tough right now in most places and I’d bet the threat of losing a sale (if you can get out of it) will get the ball rolling if they are hungry enough.
September 21, 2006 at 2:51 am #147589Ca22ParticipantRobert I feel for you in this long wait time. This should be the most exciting time for you in starting your adventure in Heavens Best. Unfortionatly it sounds like it has been nothing but heart ache. Cut your lossses in down time and drive down to the nearst dealership. There are always deals to be made and you should look for someone who wants, and appreciates your buissness. Two weeks ago ford was running a 0% financing upto 72 months on there fleet of cargo vans. I don’t know what they have going on today, but the HB GMC deal never sounded that great to me from the beggining.
September 21, 2006 at 3:03 am #147590AnonymousInactiveFirst, I would like to say welcome to a great opportunity. I have been with HB for 5 1/2 yrs. and consider it one of the best things I have ever done. You have all the tools to be very successful. That being said, and knowing that we all want you to succeed, it’s time that you ‘pull out the stops’! You have let some very valuable business time pass. If I were you, I would take some very positive action right now. You could cancel your order and find another van. You could purchase a covered trailer and tow it with your vehicle temporarily until your van comes in. Lease a cargo van. Buy a $5,000 used van and sell it when the other comes in. It’s time to put your investment into action and only you can do it! These months are still very good time to do carpet cleaning and I encourage you to not waste another day waiting for the uncertainty.
September 21, 2006 at 11:40 am #147591AnonymousInactiveWelcome to HB. I agree with Ferris. The original 6-8 weeks would have been way too long for me to sit and wait. You need to be pro-active. This is your business and your investment. Do what you can to make money.
September 22, 2006 at 6:38 pm #147592Bret WootonParticipantDump the sales rep and buy locally! Even 2-3 weeks is too long to wait. Just understand that this isn’t something that our franchise can control. You made a wise investment in this franchise, but realize that it is usually best to make things happen yourself and not rely on arrangements that you have very little control of.
Good luck and I hope to meet you in Vegas.
September 26, 2006 at 1:33 pm #147593Tx46ParticipantI would like to thank all the franchises for their support and advice. I have not lost hope or confidence in this franchise. As with most endeavors in life, we need the support of our family, friends, and our community. Thanks again HB community!
** What did the Buddhist say to the hotdog vendor? Make me ONE with everything.
October 6, 2006 at 1:39 pm #147594AnonymousInactiveOrdered my new van from Stephen out in Idaho yesterday, after much thought and research I could not find a more favorable deal than the one Cody set up for us. With the logo’s, shelves and cage being included my local dealer even said I was a fool not to take it. Being wrong did not hurt so much in this case!
Feel like a kid on his birthday waiting to see what mom and dad got for me!!
October 9, 2006 at 10:22 pm #147595chez6996Participant😆 Hi Den
Congradulations on your new van order but I’m worried that they may never find Gorham NH to deliver!!!!!!!!!!!! I lived in NH for more than 45 years and know where Gorham is, Only kidding, I have a summer home at Sunapee, NH which we go to every summer, maybe we can “hook” up next summer for a Maine lobster feed?????????? Again good luck with your new van and business.
Ron Smith
State Owner, Florida -
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