PDQ Validator upgrades for the new $5 Bill

[ScottV]

I called Hamilton and purchased two EPROM upgrades for the new $5 bill that is being put into circulation this Thursday (March 13th). They cost $75 a piece for the XE validators on my dual changer and only took about 20 mins per unit to change out.

I still have not heard anything from PDQ on the Cash Code validators in my Access machines. I tried looking at Cash Code's website and couldnt find the actual validator that is used by PDQ. Maybe it's made and sold exclusively to PDQ for the access machines.

Have any of you received an upgrade for your Access machines yet? I'd like to get these taken care of as well, in case customers start trying to use the new bills next weekend. If so, can the operator do the upgrade or does it require a PDQ technician?

 

[Kevin James]

Too bad you don't read the Forum a little closer you could have saved some money. I got a couple of $5 upgrade chips from Randy here on the Forum for a lot less than $75 each. He's also been sending one of his Mars validator programmers around to upgrade the Mars validators for the new $5 bill, I'm in line to use it soon. If you want to know about validators or bill upgrades he's the guy you want talk to.

 

[ScottV]

Thanks for the info Kevin. Another lost opportunity.

However I would still like to hear from anyone with PDQ Access machines to see if you have received updates for your validators? My validators are Cash Code brand.

 

[newhampshiretech]

access units no word yet

Im awaiting the info for cash code validator updates as well . got 11 tellers here ill let ya know if I here anything.

 

[ScottV]

I just heard from my distributor. The stackerless Cash Code validators that I have (US4-CSO-BV05) arent upgradable. I have to order new ones (UV Series) at $588 a piece and PDQ will give us $50 rebate on the old ones.

My distributor is as surprised as I am and is pushing back to make sure this is true. Unfortunately I tried to be careful by having a spare validator on the shelf. It was never used and is now worthless!

Does PDQ use any validators except for Cash Code? I may switch to a different manufacturer if I have to replace these units entirely.

 

[ScottV]

My distributor came through and located a company that sells the cash code validators for $279 a piece, versus the $588 that PDQ wanted.

Here is the link: www.billacceptors.us/index.cfm

I ordered and installed them myself. While I wasnt real happy about not being able to upgrade the existing Cash Code validators with a $50 EPROM option, I was relieved that they located this web vendor that could provide them for 50% of the PDQ price.

 

[newhampshiretech]

My distributor came through and located a company that sells the cash code validators for $279 a piece, versus the $588 that PDQ wanted.

Here is the link: www.billacceptors.us/index.cfm

I ordered and installed them myself. While I wasnt real happy about not being able to upgrade the existing Cash Code validators with a $50 EPROM option, I was relieved that they located this web vendor that could provide them for 50% of the PDQ price.

Ive found this scenario alot. just like the credit card readers. outrageous markup.

 

[lag]

Ive found this scenario alot. just like the credit card readers. outrageous markup.

http://www.dovercorporation.com/operatingcompanies.asp

Last time I checked Dover was a for profit company

 

[newhampshiretech]

http://www.dovercorporation.com/operatingcompanies.asp

Last time I checked Dover was a for profit company

I realize they have to mark up to make a profit, but they usually go overboard.

lets take an example or 2.

3 com modem online 50.00 sometimes less. theirs 750.00

credit card readers distributor 180. thats with our discount we pay ahead and get a break. none-the less I found a company to sell them to me the newest model reader with a conformal coating that pdq does not have (helps to keep water out).for less than half the price.

so I understand they are for profit.but how long can you be outrageous and have people purchase from you??
just mho you can feel free to pay what you want I hunt for bargains.

 

[lag]

I was being sarcastic! We do not buy from them unless we absolutely have to.

I realize they have to mark up to make a profit, but they usually go overboard.

lets take an example or 2.

3 com modem online 50.00 sometimes less. theirs 750.00

credit card readers distributor 180. thats with our discount we pay ahead and get a break. none-the less I found a company to sell them to me the newest model reader with a conformal coating that pdq does not have (helps to keep water out).for less than half the price.

so I understand they are for profit.but how long can you be outrageous and have people purchase from you??
just mho you can feel free to pay what you want I hunt for bargains.

 

[newhampshiretech]

my bad I thought you were being literal. though I should have known better.

 

[bwilliams]

Lots of luck with that validator, its not the same. First time it gets wet your done. No warranty.

 

[ScottV]

Bwilliams, you know for a fact it isnt the same validator? What is different? There is nothing on the webpage about wet applications, so now you have me worried.

 

[newhampshiretech]

yea I'm curious to bwilliams, can you elaborate?

 

[bwilliams]

The $299 validator is designed for the indoor gaming and vending industry. internal components have no water or moisture protection, does that mean it will fail quickly? I dont know. I sure would want to know exactly what the warranty was if I sent one back to the factory with moisture damage (they can tell if it had been wet even if its dry when you sent it in). These distributors that are selling these to the car wash industry need to tell you "exactly" what you are buying.