Don't Skimp on Quality; Always Use Authorized Repair Centers

Did you know Victor Francis Hess won the Nobel Prize in physics for discovering cosmic rays, Elvis Aron Presley celebrated his first birthday, Jesse Owens won Olympic Gold, and the vending industry as we know it today, was born, all in 1936?

While many things have changed in our industry since that time, the basic premise remains the same … vending delivers a high quality product to the consumer for a fair price.

The Oxford Dictionary defines vending, or more specifically a vending machine, as “a machine that dispenses small articles for sale when a token or a coin is inserted.” We have come a long way since that description was coined (pardon the pun). Today, we are seeing changes like never before.

Now, payments are made not only by coin but by paper money and credit/debit cards and the future is right around the corner with cell phones and RF soon to join the mix. As technology becomes more complex and sophisticated, the need for competent and reliable service becomes increasingly more important.

Stability amidst change

The basic vending segments remain the same: beverage and snack, full line, specialty, coffee service, bulk, music and gaming. The primary manufacturers of vending equipment are Crane, USI, Vendo, Dixie-Narco, Royal, and AMS.

There are others, but these six represent the majority of the business.

The primary suppliers of currency devices are MEI, Conlux, Pyramid Technologies, Coin Acceptors, ICT, Cashcode and JCM. Typical problems with currency devices are coin jams, salting of equipment, bill jams, outdated software revisions, broken parts, corrosion, and miscellaneous shorted electronic parts.

Benefits of authorized servicers

A simple and effective way for an operator to increase his or her bottom line is to be sure to use a factory authorized service center for currency device repair work. Authorized centers have the recommended tools, are able to calibrate test and tune the equipment and have access to the latest software revisions to ensure performance.

An authorized service center also has all the latest service bulletins and schematics and is able to purchase OEM parts. Authorized repair centers employ certified technicians to do the work, meaning the repairs are done right the first time, all the time.

Out-of-service equipment costs a vending operator product sales and potential repeat customers. Thus, an operator should always be looking for ways to improve the product delivery systems.

By not using a factory authorized center, an operator runs the risk of not having the work done properly.

Some repair centers try to cut corners to keep their costs down and minimize their customers' invoices. What this actually does is increase costs for the vending company.

There are certain things to look for to ensure the company is getting the type of service and support needed to run a profitable business.

Points to consider

Here are some ways for you to determine if a service partner is doing the best possible job: