We previously covered an umbrella vending venture, British Umbrolly, which is going strong in the UK and is focusing on rolling out its new battery-powered mini-machines.
Still, we're surprised umbrella vending isn't yet a universal feature at shopping malls and other high foot-traffic areas around the world. Which is why we were happy to spot Uport in Singapore. Uport currently operates six vending machines in Singapore, with more on the way. For SGD 6 (USD 3.90 / EUR 3), customers get a good quality umbrella dispensed in a can.
Uport, which launched in December 2006, is seeking investors and franchisees for expansion to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China.
Website: www.uport.com.sg
Contact: contact@uport.com.sg / investors@uport.com.sg
Dear Sirs,
We are manufacture of umbrella vending machine, our factory located in Shanghai, China.
pls contact with us for more details.
our web site
http://www.bizoriental.com.cn
http://www.shanghai-beyond.com
phone: +86 21 68645927
mobile: +86 13801936000
Best reards
Franklin yang
To Whom It May Concern
Purchase of Umbrella Vending Machines
My company is looking at purchasing a number of vending machines that are designed to dispense umbrellas during our New Zealand wet weather seasons from approximatly June to November.
Having visited your website we are very interested in your'e vending machines, therefore could you please answer the following questions?
Voltage - NZ power is 220/240 vaults - are your machines compatible?
What type of battery is used to operate you're battery operated vending machines?
The size/dimeansions and weight of each unit?
Are the units 'free standing' or do they need to be 'mounted'?
How many umbrellas does each unit hold?
Can you supply the umbrellas and at what cost each in $us dollars?
Can you supply the umbrellas with a chosen colour and logo and at what cost each in $us dollars?
Can you supply a coin mechanism that is compatible with NZ curreny?
We currently have five major NZ companys interested in advertising on the umbrella vending units, and have ten confirmed sites.
We will require the opportunity to purchase one unit for marketing purposes, can you advise cost to include shipping costs please and approximate delivery time from placement of order.
Yours Sincerely - Adrian Cooper
BUYERS BEWARE
i purchased five machines from franklin yang's company in china earlier this year, and 4 months later, 3 are broken and the other 2 are rusting inside so jam regularly.
DO NO TRUST THIS GUY.
i call every day but his cell phone is off, and it turns out the pictures of his factory do not correspond with the address given on the website.
I am now $4,000 out of pocket, and disapointed, as the machines are a great idea.
If my post saves someone else the same problems then it will have been worth it.
MR YANG, I WILL NOT GIVE UP AND WILL GET MY MONEY BACK SOMEHOW. YOU ARE A THIEF AND YOUR COMPANY A SHAM. YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO CHINESE MANUFACTURING.
Jeff, thanks for posting the above, I am still waiting for 3 machines I bought from Shanghai Beyond almost 6 months ago now. After paying my deposit, I have never got another call from Yang, and his cell is now dead.
I am a little less out of pocket than you, but am also not happy at beinbg ripped off. I would love to speak to you personally if you are interested in pooling resources to get our money back?
To anyone reading this post. I have known Franklin Yang and Shanghai Beyond for going on 10 years. I personally call Mr. Yang 2 or 3 time per week on his cell. I have never known him to be anything other than perfectly honest. I do business with him regularly and trust him implicitly. Why don't you just e-mail him asking what parts you need and I'm sure he will send them.
Sorry for all your troubles.
I'm curious if anyone has found a worthwhile umbrella vending machine that is worth investing in.
there are a number of companies in the marketplace with these products now. my research has shown that only 2 are worth considering
1. umbrolly, they are from england, but have been operating for 2 years. the machines are quite expensive compared to the chinese copies available but the advantage of this company is that they are uk-based where the law is on the side of the consumer, second they offer a solid guarante, and third they have a large number of good qualiy customers already in the marketplace, which gives credibility.
my second reccomendation is u-port. their machines are a lot bigger than the umbrolly machine so will not suit all applications or sites where space is tight, however they appear honest like umbrolly, and though the warranty is not available they too are alredy operating machines, so i would assume they too are solid and stable.
I also found a number of companies in China offering copies of the umbrolly machine, but all do not seem financially solid or stable, and the machines themselves are made of poor quality components, in an attempt to capitalise on the idea.
i hope that this can help you.