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CoinopTODAY.com
FIRESTONE FINANCIAL WINES AND DINES THE WINNERS OF ITS “KNOCK YOUR SOX OFF” PROMOTION By Stanley HurwitzThe Boston Red Sox weren’t the only winners at one mid-July game at historic
Over the past year, Firestone, one of the country’s leading equipment financing companies, sponsored their first “Knock Your Sox Off” promotion. Under the program, customers who financed $10,000 or more in coin-op equipmentthrough a qualified promotionduring the last half of 2006 were entered to win a trip for two to Boston along with hard-to-get Red Sox tickets. The prize included roundtrip airfare and two nights at a premier hotel. Firestone President David Cohen, along with Larry Yaffe, Firestone’s Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Sales VP Jim Hines, Sales Executive Sal Cifala, and the entire Firestone Sales & Marketing team welcomed the guests – most of whom had never been to Boston before -- with a Friday afternoon cocktail party where they met the entire staff. That evening included a memorable dinner at one of the country’s oldest restaurants, the Union Oyster House*. Before the Red Sox game on Saturday, the guests visited Boston’s Science Museum, enjoyed an amphibious Duck Tour or shopped on Newbury Street. WINNERS FROM ACROSS THE U.S. Winner Roy Fankauser said, “To finally put a face to the Firestone names we have dealt with for over 20 years was priceless. Keep up the good work and thanks for helping me grow my business to be a leader in our industry as well as our state.” Reflecting on the Boston trip, Bonnie Von Rueden, who runs Jukebox Larry’s Vending in Hartland, Wisconsin, with husband'Jukebox Larry' said, “The entire Firestone staff were wonderful.It was awesome for both of us! Our highlight was meeting the people responsible for our company growth and to find out how nice they all are in person.Larry played catcher until the age of 41 so he especially loved the baseball game at Fenway Park between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Red Sox. It was so nice of Firestone to arrange those 6 homeruns the night we came to watch. I still can't figure out how Dave Cohen arranged that!” Another Sox promo winner was Phil McBride who has 42 years of coin-op industry experience including 26 years running T & G Music of Titusville, Florida. Phil said, “Firestone helped us take advantage of a recent TouchTunes jukebox promotion. Firestone is always easy to deal with. They’re personable and knowledgeable.” Phil says Firestone fills an important niche. “I have a credit line with a bank, too, but when it comes to this kind of equipment, banks don’t understand the industry and won’t allow equipment as collateral. I replace one-third of the 400 machines on my route each year to keep up with technology and keep the customers happy. Thanks to flexible programs like Firestone’s promotions, I can reinvest 35% of my gross into new machines and grow the business. And with a $200,000 credit line, if a deal comes my way today, I can make a decision today.”
Asked about his Boston trip, Phil smiles, “My wife and I visited a jewelry store on Newbury Street and she fell in love with a beautiful necklace. I wonder if Firestone can loan me a few bucks for that.” Winner Wayne Craun, whose Showalter Amusement Co. is halfway between Washington, D.C., and Roanoke, VA, and covers much of the Shenandoah Valley, has been dealing with Firestone since 1991. The company was founded in 1930. Wayne’s family worked in it since 1948 and bought it in 1966. Wayne likes doing business with Firestone: “In this business often you don’t have the luxury of advance planning. A new restaurant opens, a chain moves into a region, someone recommends you – and you need equipment in a hurry. Since we don’t keep much inventory, Firestone helps me get machines on short notice, sometimes with special manufacturer promotions where we get free units, or zero percent financing.” There are 300 machines on Showalter’s routes, in such well-known chains as Pizza Hut, Chili’s, Applebee’s, Waffle House and CiCi’s Pizza. “It’s nice to be able to provide the latest equipment.” How was the Boston trip? “It was our first time in the city, and the first time meeting the Firestone staff in person. They made me and my wife feel at home,” says Wayne. “I could tell by their camaraderie that they’re family-oriented and like their work. Best of all, dealing with the company, what they say is what you get. I know what to expect. No surprises.” Firestone’s unique promotion was launched a year ago with the issuance of a set of novelty baseball cards featuring coin op equipment manufacturers, Firestone Financial employees, and promotional details. Larry Yaffe said the promotion achieved its goal: “We wanted to call attention to the fact that since 1965 Firestone has found creative and flexible ways to make deals work and help customers grow their business. We like to think we’re on their team, rather than a faceless creditor.” “Because of the success of this promotion and the excitement and feedback it generated,” says Larry Yaffe, “we’ll be offering exciting promotions and contests like it in the future. Everyone in the coin-op industry should watch for our announcements and newsletters, and visit our website regularly. The most important feature is that these programs help operators grow their businesses, while they increase manufacturer and distributor sales.” For more information on Firestone Financial, call the Firestone Inside Sales team at1.800.851.1001.For details on current finance programs and to view a promotion flyer, visit Firestone on the web at www.FirestoneFinancial.com/Programs. If you're interested in speaking with a Firestone representative in person regarding financing or promotions,visit Firestone Financial at the upcoming AMOA show in Booth # 2006. 
(from left) Tony Costanza, Sales Executive; Sal Cifala, Sales Executive; Samia & Roy Fankauser of Ohio Vending Machine; Robert Gregory & Mark Crnich of Central Oregon Amusement.
* During the Revolutionary War, the wives of Adams, Hancock, Quincy and others met in the original building, sewing and mending clothes for the colonists. In 1796, Louis Phillippe, future king of France, lived on the second floor. Exiled from his country, he earned a living teaching French. He returned to France and served as King from 1830 to 1848. |
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