How do I access VendScout? Is there an app?
There's no separate app. Sign in at vendhubhq.com with your VendHub login, then use the dropdown at the top to switch to VendScout. It's a mobile-responsive website that works on any device.

Do I need to be technical to use it?
No. Everything is point-and-click. The website builder, contracts, flyers, and mockups all work without any design or coding skills.

Where do I start?
Set up your Brand Kit first (logo, colors, contact info), then run a Scout search to pull in leads. The onboarding wizard (Welcome → Company → Brand → Website → Done) walks you through it, and the full walkthrough video is linked in "What is VendScout?".

Is VendScout live yet?
Yes — it had been available for roughly a month as of June 2026. Everyone with access can reach it today via the dropdown at the top of vendhubhq.com.

Do I need a VendHub subscription to use it?
Yes. VendScout is a module inside VendHub, so an active VendHub subscription is required. Access and credit allotments depend on your plan/tier.

How do leads get into VendScout?
Four ways: the Scout map, the business card scanner, CSV import, and your website contact form / chat agent (which capture leads automatically).

What does "enrichment" do?
It automatically researches a lead and fills in verified emails, phone numbers, decision-makers, the management company, and company details — so you can reach the right person without manual Googling.

What is lead scoring?
Every lead gets an automatic 0–100 score based on property type, units, Google rating/reviews, revenue range, whether you have verified contact info, and recent engagement. Hover the score to see why, and it updates as enrichment adds data — so you know who to call first.

Does Scout use Clay.com?
Not anymore. The team used Clay early on but built a vending-specific enrichment engine in-house, combining AI research agents with data partners (ZoomInfo, Apollo, Prospeo) and tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.

How long does enrichment take?
Phone, email, and contacts typically appear within about 30–60 seconds of adding a location, along with employee/revenue estimates, founding date, Google rating, and social/website links.

Can I import leads from another CRM?
Yes. Go to Leads → Import, upload a CSV/Excel file, map the columns, and VendScout de-duplicates and imports. Importing your own list doesn't cost search credits.

Can I import my past email history with a lead?
Not automatically yet. For now, copy and paste prior emails into the lead's Activity/Notes. Auto-capturing forwarded emails is a requested roadmap item.

Can I send email from my own address?
Yes. Connect your Gmail or Outlook account and send from your real domain, with reputation-protecting send pacing built in. You can send one-offs, drip sequences, or branded newsletters.

Is the Voice AI agent available to me?
It rolled out starting as a closed waitlist, with broader availability following. Check your Voice page for current status on your plan.

Can I use my own contract?
Yes. Upload your existing PDF agreement and drop fields onto it, then generate filled copies from any lead — or use one of the five built-in contract types (Standard, Premium, Pilot, Flat Monthly, Multi-Unit).

How do prospects sign?
You send a secure link; they sign in their browser. You're notified instantly, the signed PDF is captured with a full audit trail, and the lead automatically moves to Won.

Can I rotate the machine in a mockup?
Not currently — mockups are 2D and straight-on, so take your photo straight on. A 3D / AR version with 360° rotation is in development.

Do I have to buy a website, or can I use my existing one?
You can publish on a free VendScout subdomain, connect your own custom domain, or keep your external site and embed the VendScout chat agent on it.

How do I add the chat agent to my existing website?
In your website/chat settings, choose the external-site option and copy the embed code, then paste it into your site's custom-code area (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, etc.). For external sites it's about $49.50/month.

If I connect a new domain, will my existing QR code stop working?
No. Your original QR code keeps working, and any new domain simply gets its own QR code.

Are there limits on SEO keywords?
No keyword limits. You control the meta title, meta description, and image attribution, and every site benefits from VendHub's shared domain authority.

What happens to my website if I cancel?
It's tied to your subscription rather than owned outright. Cancel and it goes offline; resubscribe with the domain connected and it can come back.

Will other operators see the locations I've won?
No. Territory Protection keeps your won locations private and hides other operators' protected locations from your Scout searches.

How do I report a problem?
Use "Report a bug" in Settings (or the in-app "Send Feedback" button) — one click captures the details and sends them to support.

Are VendScout credits the same as VendHub credits?
No — they're completely separate and don't transfer. VendHub credits buy products and equipment; VendScout credits pay for scouting actions (adding/enriching a location and generating mockups).

What are credits and will I run out?
Credits meter AI-powered actions. Each plan includes a monthly amount, there's a daily cap so you can't accidentally overspend, and you can buy more packs anytime.

How do I get more credits?
Credits come with your plan and roll over month to month without expiring. New accounts get 50 free credits; members with an active membership/coaching tier received a larger allotment (about 1,000 at the time). Pro and Scale plans can also buy additional credits from Settings → View Usage Limits.

If I buy an annual membership, do I still only get 50 credits?
No. The 50 credits are the free starter amount. With an active membership/coaching tier you get a substantially larger allotment (around 1,000 at the time of these sessions). The exact number depends on your tier — confirm in the app.

Do flyers, contracts, websites, or emails cost credits?
No. Credits are only spent on searching/enriching locations and generating mockups. The CRM, contracts, flyers, website, chat agent, routes, and tasks don't consume credits (some are governed by plan limits).

What does Pro cost, and does it include the website?
Pro was stated at $2,748/year and includes the website (a lifetime website on that plan), plus the chat agent, higher credits, team seats, and contracts. Confirm the live number at vendhubhq.com/plans.

Sometimes a lead won't load or the app feels slow — is that a bug?
There have been intermittent "lead not found" errors and some slowness during peak usage. Clicking Try Again or refreshing usually resolves it, and server capacity is being increased.

What features are coming next?
3D/AR mockups with full rotation; fuller email management inside VendScout; auto-capturing forwarded email history; broader Voice AI availability; marking locations as "claimed" on the map plus territory protection with a 60-day documentation grace period; adding photos to leads; and finer Scout filtering (minimum employee or unit counts).