Priority #1 ---Multi-Vendor Window Security Our Way

[Uncle Sam]

With reference to V-Blog #43 and the Vending Formula posted below, the #1 priority for most operators is the security of the multi-vendor from vandalism or theft. The word “window” almost always gives operators (and vandals) the perception (as any window would) that this part of the multi-vendor is vulnerable, so the multi-vendor is usually positioned on the wash site in a “very public place” to minimize exposure to theft and vandalism. Real world experiences verify that this “perception becomes reality” because the first thing attacked by vandals on a multi-vendor is the window. Whether it is throwing concrete blocks, bricks, large rocks, or trying to kick the window loose, we have seen it all. On the ShurVend machine vandals attacking the window doesn’t work other than the breaking the 1/8” acrylic in the window while the 3/8-inch polycarbonate maintains the security. The outside acrylic lens is cheap and easy to replace; its function is to protect the polycarbonate window. The polycarbonate, the coin slot and the bill slot are built too strong for the vandal to spend much energy trying to breech them.

In past years the usual way to add “security” to the window was to install the vendor in a wall or to install it where it is in the public view. All too often vendors that are installed in the wall can not be easily seen by customers using the vacuum island area or they are 50-100 feet away from the vacuums. In many cases the multi-vendor is installed near the bill changer for “public exposure” even though these machines do not need to be supplied with coin since they usually have bill validators installed. In either case the vendor is “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” from the customer’s viewpoint. Impulse sales are very hard to produce when the vendor is out of sight. Vending sales are not what they should be for the operator to make a good Return On the vendor Investment.

Cont'd

 

[Uncle Sam]

Building the security for the window of the multi-vendor has always been difficult to acheive without making the vendor unattractive or looking as if it was in “jail”. One method some people have tried is the use of expanded metal over the window for additional security, but this is not only unattractive, it makes it very difficult for the customer to see the products inside the vendor. One of our customers did this and lost 50% of his vending sales. Another recent method we have done is vertical metal bars over the window at a six (6)-inch spacing which makes the vendor look as if it was in “jail”.

ShurVend has refocused on the perception of window security in our new VendPro-iG4 multi-vendor by adding security bars and making this addition look pleasing to the eye of the car wash owner and customer while intimidating the would-be vandal or thief. A recent insight for us was realizing that people READ left to right and not up and down. Therefore we added horizontal bars over the window area of the multi-vendor that are five (5)-inches apart and allow a whole tray of products to be seen at a glance. That should make the window more secure without making the vendor look like it’s in “jail”. We also beefed up the window retainers on each side of the window.

These changes should give the ShurVend VendPro-iG4 the perception and actuality of increased security to survive in the culture we now live in. No car wash operator should feel any hesitation about installing the VendPro-iG4 multi-vendor in or near the vacuum island area of the wash site with these new security features.

Uncle Sam