$4,000 A WEEK!

I just received a call from a colleague telling me that a Mr. Don Alm was posting on this site about restaurant mug sales in Oregon. After reading these posts I found it very interesting that Mr. Alm "recreated the story of how he came up with the idea for advertising on restaurant coffee mugs"...when in fact we told him that exact story just a few weeks ago. In fact it was December 20th when we first spoke with Don. Kudos to Don for trying to get as much information out of us as possible but having been in this business for 26 years has made us wise to those who want to compete with us. In fact feel free to check us out (Mugs Across America) on the web

A couple of things those of you seriously considering this business should be aware of:
1.Mr. Alm is not using restaurant quality mugs. if he has produced any mugs yet at all. (Just selling the ads is the first part. He would also have had to have all the art work created, approved, mugs ordered and printed and delivered....all in the last couple of weeks?? (Highly doubtful)
The format that Mr. Alm has referred to (okjr) uses full color die sublimation printing on ceramic mugs....which are not restaurant quality and prone to serious breakage. All die sublimation processors use the type of mug you may find in a souvenir shop ...cheap ceramic ...but certainly not in a restaurant.
2. In the last several months we have been able to "steal" several of "OKJR's" restaurants for that very reason...restaurant owners are extremely upset about the high breakage rate and are extremely worried about such liability.
Over 23 years ago we realized that to be successful in this business you must use restaurant quality mugs or you won't be in business very long.
3. Mr. Alm may be thinking that he will have no problem selling ads for $495...just as Fitzi Cups claims you can get for an ad after you've shelled out $10,000 + for their "rights" to this idea. We love running into such competition as we keep our ad prices around the $200 price range for a years worth of advertising and we still pay our reps over 50% in commission! We continually run into restaurants where they claim that their salesman never returned after the first year.....most likely because they are no longer in the business. More often than not, they were selling the ads for $400 or more.... These are easy sales for Mugs Across America, Inc. to take over!
4. Mr. Alm claims that he gets 30+ cards in his boxes after a couple of weeks. Another round of applause. We have used this approach for years and while it certainly helps, you should assume that you will be lucky to get an average of 3 cards. The rest of the leads you get through other methods. If you are at all interested in getting into this business and learning these tried and true other methods, we would love to have you contact us at 1 800 949 cups. We will be happy to set you up with a protected territory and provide you with all the tools you need to succeed in this business.
5. If you are still interested in reading this, you should be aware of all that is involved. At Mugs Across America, we do it all for you...we provide restaurant quality vitrified mugs, we fire them at 1600 degrees so that the print will never come off (unlike the die sublimation mugs which fade very quickly with commercial dishwasher usage), we have a full graphics art department that creates the ads and send them out for approval...so that you are not spending time in the office.....you can focus on your sales and making the money. Our pricing even includes freight so that the mugs can be delivered right to your restaurants.
6. Again, check out our website to see all of our products. We not only provide a large selection of restaurant quality coffee mugs for restaurant owners to choose from, (another point that sets us apart from the competition) we also offer all American Made glassware (Beer Mugs, Pint glasses) and American Made polycarb tumblers that can also be utilized in restaurants...all with advertisements on them.
7. Though we are looking for reps throughout the country (call us!) we would love to compete head to head with Mr. Alm....so if you are in Oregon and interested, please give us a call or send us an email. (We'll even give you special pricing!)
8. Whether Mr. Alm is exaggerating or not is moot, but knowing this industry, a rep would have a very difficult time selling ads, especially in this economy at $495. (It's a whole lot easier to sell ads at our pricing ...around $198!)
Lots to consider here!
Don,We wish you luck in your endeavor ....of course we think it is a great concept, since we developed it,but please don't use our story of how we developed this business as your own.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Ragen
President
Mugs Across America
800 949-CUPS

Mark,

Great to see you post and bring this topic up to speed. Extremely enlightening.

Quality restaurant mugs! I never knew there was a difference. But then again I don't sell mugs at all.

I just went over to your site: http://www.mugsacrossamerica.com/ and looked around.

Hopefully those who want to approach this business will consider a sales career with your company.

Thank you L.B. What do you sell and where do you travel?

You are an "Owner" and a "Leader" of a business. You do NOT have to come so "Un-Glued"....over someone "researching"...what you are doing. Show some "Leadership" and "Maturity"! You should NOT show how "Tempermental" you are ....in, outwardly, showing your TEMPER in someone finding out what you are doing.

When you told me you wanted little ol' ME....who's been MY OWN BOSS my entire carreer, with the people I sold MY programs and products to, to "make their checks out to YOU"....and....out of the "goodness of your heart"...you would PAY ME 50%!

WOW! I just couldn't wait to join your "team"! Yeah! Right!

Thanks...but NO thanks! I'll let the "neophytes" and "NON-Risk-Takers" go out and collect money for YOU!

Re: The Dye-Sub Coffee Cups; Sure....they're not as sturdy as yours HOWEVER....selling ads on ONE Color Coffee Cups, to me, is like selling Plain Text Business Cards...as compared to selling FULL COLOR PHOTO Business Cards (which came out in 1985)....NO Comparison! Sorry! When I did some initial Sales testing....holding up your 1-Color Cups alongside FULL Color Cups....even though the FULL Color Cups were THREE TIMES more.... guess which cup they chose?

And....when FULL Color Mugs are in a restaurant....with PHOTOS OF LOCAL BUSINESS PEOPLE.....guess WHICH cups MOST diners WILL LOOK AT....OVER AND OVER AGAIN? Yup! Sorry Mr Mugs Across guy....FULL COLOR PHOTOS
....GRAB PEOPLE BY THE "EYE-LOBES" ...REPEATEDLY!

COLOR SELLS!....Sir!

So....yes....there is breakage. However....we provide LOTS of Mugs so we tell our restaurants ....Any question about a mug being chipped or cracked or whatever.....don't hesitate....TOSS IT!....there's an AMPLE SUPPLY!

And....your "sales-comment" about "Diners chomping down on a chipped cup"....as another of your "reasons why" potential "50percenters" should NOT consider using the FULL Color Dye-Sub Mugs....is "weak"!

We instruct OUR restaurant owners AND managers AND wait-persons AND... even the person in charge of the dishwashing.....to check the RIMS of the mugs BEFORE....sending out to the front!

Ya sure! I kin hear you now....your retort is expected!

And.....your mention about your Reps taking over OKJR accounts....sure, that's happened.....HOWEVER....I also know that "Some of YOUR 1-Color Mug Accounts have ALSO been "Taken over by the FULL Color" mug guy....and, there are 3 other FULL Color mug people out there in this BIG country of ours...quietly selling FULL Color Mugs.....for 2 to 3 times what you are...and
having NO problemos! (That's my Arizona accent)

Thus...when Mr Jenkins told you you'd better Hop On Over here....you Hopped! Again....you're "defending" YOUR position....however, what makes you "small" in some of MY friend's estimation....is your coming UN-Glued and.....your "Attack" on me!

Hey man! You are supposed to be a "Leader" and the esteemed OWNER of an organization....why let someone "get under your skin"....just because YOU feel you've been "used"?

Take your "Attitude" AND....your ONE-Color coffee cups....and leave us "FULL Color" people alone.

Now....if YOU do NOT respond to these comments....the "thousands" who frequent THIS Forum may get the impression that YOU....are a "WUSS"!

Don't "WUSS-OUT"! Get back here and "Vent Your Spleen"! Let's hear some of your Vitriole! Let it out! Don't hold back! YOU were "taken advantage of". LET'S HEAR HOW YOU CAN DEFEND YOURSELF!

Don Alm...."putting the noodle in and, twisting it....and loving it"

Someone mentioned one of the programs on my "Midas Reports" (http://www.midasreports.com/) has to do with "ADS ON MUGS".....well..... continue on down a few rows to #13 and #14....where I show ACTUAL PHOTOS of MY "Restaurant Daily Special Boards".

These are Display Boards I place in restaurants.....so they can write in their Daily Specials....for their diners.

Diners looking at the Daily Specials ALSO SEE the ADS of local businesses.

Now....I place EIGHT (8) FULL Color ADS on MY Coffee Mugs in these restaurants.

Now.....if you will COUNT the Number of Ads on BOTH Styles of My "Daily Special Boards......you will see that they are the SAME NUMBER!

And.....I also place 16 FULL Color Ads on the Menus I provide these restaurants. So....before I start selling Ads on MY Coffee Mugs at these restaurants.....I have at least 16 Advertisers to contact for one of the 8 spots on my Coffee Mugs.

Do YOU.....who are reading this.....think I MIGHT....have a chance at getting some of the advertisers who are ALREADY ON my MENUS and DAILY SPECIAL BOARDS....to PAY for an Ad....on my Coffee Mugs?

Hey folks! You can attack me and my "stuff" all you want. I am STILL out there "doing it"....being MY OWN BOSS....HAVING MY ADVERTISERS WRITE CHECKs TO.....ME!.....NOT.....someone else....HOPING they will send me my "Commission"!

Don Alm....."Commission FREE" ALL MY LIFE!

Google "Don Alm" then click on "The Truth About Don Alm" and make your own determinations.

Yup...I got a "piece-o-crap" on my tail. This "Coward" (notice how those who Sling Crapola"....HIDE)....has ACTUALLY....spent HIS "valuable time and money" to PHONE....MY Customers and HARASS them!

So....I prefer NOT to expose MY clients to "Slime-Bags"! Those who buy any of my programs.....get my ACTUAL Samples!

Don Alm....the REAL thing!

As long as someone was allowed to post up a "Slam" against ME....I think I ought to be allowed to post up a few of "MY KUDOS";

Hey Don,
Your help has been invaluable to me. I wanted to thank you so much, and, would love the opportunity to thank you with my voice, rather than my fingers. If you ever take a notion to, I'd love to chat with you.
My phone # is (not shown due to possibility of MY Antagonist Harassment)
Jeffrey ( )

Thanks for all this info Don.
You are a true "Giver". Thanks for all the business and family info. I did listen to your secret audio files while selling pizza ads. It was a huge motivator and confidence booster for me to actually get out there and pound the pavement.
Have a great day Don!
Your friend,
Bret (Omitted to keep from being Harassed)

Hey Don,
I bought your Midas program about a year ago and loved it!
I see you posting some million dollar nuggets on the Warrior Forum
and I'm just wondering if you've got anything new cooking?
Thanks,
Ken

Hello again Don. We've spoken on all the offline forums over a year or so now. I applaud your craft over and over and study your work. Its revolutionary. And thank you for your ideas have helped me tremendously. I study your work everyday
Debbie ((omitted)

Hey Don. I thought your idea was brilliant. Simple. Effective. Not many people post solid information anymore that can be actioned right away - which is (perhaps) why they jump all over someone who does. We're all too *#(@*$ righteous, IMO. <grin>

Anyway, this is just my vote of appreciation for all the info you've posted over the years. You've changed my life.
Ron B

Since posting on THIS and other Forums....over the last 10 years.......I've gotten HUNDREDS of "Kudos" and Congratulatory Messages from folks.

So....anyone who'd like to receive some of these messages with their REAL NAMES and Phone Nos....just send me a note requesting this....however....I will ONLY respond provided YOU give me your REAL NAME....ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER!....so I can VERIFY that YOU are a "REAL" person!

Don Alm.....the REAL THING!

Originally Posted by Adman

....to EASILY selling Ads for BIG BUX....on Coffee Mugs;

People who are FREQUENT customers of diners....those who stop in EVERY DAY....would LOVE to see THEIR MUG....on the Coffee Mugs they drink their coffee from.

So....what I do is;
Place a Card ON EVERY TABLE...announcing the coming change in Coffee Mugs...AND....if they'd like to have THEIR Ad ON the Mugs they drink from every day....to "DROP THEIR BUSINESS CARD IN THE BOX AT THE CASH REGISTER!" (where I have placed a box with a Sign announcing the coming "FULL Color PHOTO Mugs")

Then...when I go to the restaurant 2 weeks later....there are 25 to 30 business cards IN THE BOX! I give these people a call...setting up appts for the next 2 days (Tues & Wed)....and....I FILL the 8 spaces...for $550!

Works like a charm!

Restaurants LOVE the FREE Colorful Mugs....Advertisers LOVE having THEIR MUG ON THE MUGS.....and I love them....one of the EASIEST sales I've ever done.

Ohhh....on my Appt Setting phone calls.....prospects are TOLD the price will be $550....so I am going to meet them in person for 2 reasons;
1) Pick up their check
2) Get their choice of which spot they'd like to have

Works like a charm!

Now....that's ALL the details I'm giving out. Anyone interested in trying this...
find a mug supplier....
make up a Sample Mug....
get a restaurant to agree to use your mugs...
place Announcement Cards on the Tables (with Collection Box at cash register)
go back in 2 wks to collect the Biz Cards
call prospects on Monday for appts Tues & Weds
WHALA.....$4 GRAND IN YER POCKETS!

And....guess what happens at Renewal Time? Yup....the advertisers on the Mugs are NOT going to want to drink coffee out of a Mug that has a Photo of their Competitor! They either Renew or go to another restaurant or....let ther competition have the space! Yuck! The thought of the last 2 choices is NOT considered.

So....RESIDUALS FOR YEARS TO COME!

Don Alm....giving some "details" for the "Skepti-cocki"

How is it that you've done all this when you just found out about the whole advertising on mugs idea a few days ago when you called our company and got all this info from our office manager. You haven't produced a single mug. You asked me to send you samples a few days ago. You are now making up stories. We googled your name and found out that this seems to be a track record of yours.