Stringers successful with MEI

[Greg Pack]

Just a head's up: After many years of having no issues with stringers I've been hit. This is with the latest software (3.61) and the validator set to high security. These particular guys are also smart enough not to completely drain your changer. They came back two days ago and only got $145.00. We do have the guy identified, he's from a neighboring County, but he hasn't been caught yet. Anyway- if you become compalcent over the years it's time to be a little more careful.

 

[JGinther]

Did you get video? I wouldn't post it, but did you see how he did it?

 

[Greg Pack]

Yes, have quite a bit of video. Its similar to past methods.

 

[JGinther]

I was really hoping you would say it was elaborate.

 

[soapy]

What type of Bill validator are you using.

 

[Greg Pack]

What type of Bill validator are you using.

MEI 2605 U5 series,

 

[washnvac]

High security tokens make this issue go away.

 

[Greg Pack]

High security tokens make this issue go away.

Yeah I know. It just makes things a little more complicated. I already have a vacuum token on a couple of sites I have to sort out. What is everyone using for a $1 token?

 

[washnvac]

I use a 0.88 CTX high security token from Osborne Coins. They are 21 cents each when I order 10k. I get a 100 mile protected radius with this so that no other wash can get the same token. I use a Klopp manual coin sorter to separate the coins.

If you have a couple of sites, it is definitely worth going to the $1 tokens and getting a coin sorter (in my opinion) The extra money you get from "walk away" tokens will pay for the sorter.

 

[celica]

The MEI's have had stringing problems for several years now. I switched to the coin-co's here in Canada, Another operator near me got hit with his MEI's. This was almost 3 years ago. Mei must be a pretty crappy company if they can't prevent the # 1 thing we all fear as operator's. Since they don't bear the loss, they don't have the incentive to get serious about it. My advice; get rid of your MEI and get a coin-co.

 

[DavidM]

The MEI's have had stringing problems for several years now. I switched to the coin-co's here in Canada, Another operator near me got hit with his MEI's. This was almost 3 years ago. Mei must be a pretty crappy company if they can't prevent the # 1 thing we all fear as operator's. Since they don't bear the loss, they don't have the incentive to get serious about it. My advice; get rid of your MEI and get a coin-co.

If you went back about 10 years, you could write that exact comment but switch MEI and Coinco and it would be true. We swapped all our acceptors from Coinco to MEI because Coincos were getting strung like crazy. Are you referring to the Coinco Vantage? That came out after the stringing issues. Maybe that is the next step until the thieves figure out how to string it

David

 

[celica]

I've got the Vantage. I've caught people attempting to string it and tried various method's myself without being able to string it. Your right that it's an arms race to see how the thieves will figure out how to beat it. None of these acceptor makers has any real motivation to develop security measures. They don't bear the loss. It's us hard working operator's that have to eat it and grin.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I don't have to eat it. If my changer dispenses too much change in a short period of time, it shuts down and sounds an alarm. I've lost very little in the last 20 years. Celica, don't rest on your laurels. We all got bit in the a$$ pretty hard when Coinco was the answer to all of our problems back in the HV-7/HVX days. Over the years, Mars/MEI has had the best record by a mile.

 

[celica]

Sound's like the Ford vs. Chevy debate. Most of us have set up the fast vend to limit any extreme losses. If you haven't done that, then you should. The problem I found here in Canada was MEI's had terrible acceptance of our bills. Coinco has a OEM service centre here in Canada. MEI uses 3rd party repair outlets. I sent my MEI's in to fix acceptance problems repeatedly, only to get them back with the same poor acceptance. We here in Canada always have trouble with American manufactures adapting to our plastic money and Loonies and Toonies. But that's another discussion on it's own.

 

[OurTown]

Most of us have set up the fast vend to limit any extreme losses. If you haven't done that, then you should.

I'm not sure we have this set up. Is it done through the bill acceptor or the changer controller?

 

[Jeff_L]

I solved this problem a year ago....got rid of all cash at the wash. I only accept credit cards. Did I see a dip? Not in my automatics, but I did a little in my self serve business. I don't know if it was related to the payment method or the weather....either way, some of my headaches have gone away.

 

[Greg Pack]

Jeff L, Interesting, I'd like to hear more abut this if you don't mind sharing

 

[Axxlrod]

Cashless is the future. My next tunnel will be cashless.