V-Bog #20-- BE PREPARED?Back-Ups For Changers and Validators

[Uncle Sam]

Thousands of coins are deposited in the ShurVend vending machines over the years of service and, since money is very dirty, the changer becomes balky and begins to miss coins or misread them. Even though operators can clean the coin path in the changer with cue-tips and some alcohol, eventually the changer needs to be professionally cleaned, up dated with new software, and the worn parts replaced. The vending machine requires that a changer be installed and working or it will be defaulted to “Out of Service”. It has to be removed for servicing and, if the operator does not have a backup, the vendor will be “Out of Service” for the duration of the servicing. The bill validator operates much the same way; the bill path gets dirty and the belts do wear out, so it has to be sent in for servicing. Unlike the changer though, the bill validator can be removed from the ShurVend machine and it will continue to accept coins for vending.

Another problem that arises all too often is the vandalizing of the changer or bill validator that will shut the vendor down instantly. No matter how secure we try to make the changer and/or validator, some one will always surprise us with a new way to vandalize this equipment. The people who do vandalize the equipment usually get very little money, but they do make a mess of the plastic changers and/or bill validators.

CONT'D

 

[Uncle Sam]

So we recommend that everyone with a vendor, at a minimum, purchase a back-up changer. Many operators do not want to tie up the cost of a new changer or validator as a standby for the few times these units require cleaning and servicing. They don?t want the vendor to be ?Out of Business? for the servicing period either, so as part of our ?after the sale? service, we used to loan our customers used or refurbished units while the servicing was done. Some recent serious vandalism on these ?loaner units? has prompted us to stop this practice.

All is not lost!! We have found a source for used or refurbished units that we can sell as back-ups at about half the cost of a new unit; $150 versus $300-$400 for new. We guarantee them to work, so they will keep your vendor running while your primary changers/validators are serviced. Give us a call or email us so we can help you keep your vendor producing income.

Uncle Sam