Automatic Age

PERFECT WORKING ORDER
o f machines is industry's best a d v e rtis e m e n t— bulk m erchandise
vendors o p e ra tin g can be sim p lifie d by w atchin g im p o r ta n t
fa c to rs : mechanism con ditio n a n d q u a lity confections ------
ARDLY a week goes by
without a story appear­
ing in newspapers pok­
ing fun at the “gyp” vendor—
some one machine that accepts
patrons’ coins and then stub­
bornly refuses to deliver any
merchandise.
Manufacturers take all precau­
tions not to allow any of their
machines to pass inspection un­
less they operate perfectly to
give fair value for money in­
serted. The fault, whenever it
occurs, even though occasion­
ally, lies with the machine after
it gets out on location.
Blame for such a condition
should not always be placed on
the operator either, since he
makes an honest effort to satisfy
his customers. He knows that
his business will not last long if
his machines take a coin and
then fail to deliver merchandise.
H
A FEW IM P O R T A N T FAC TO R S
TO A V O ID V EN D O R FAILUR E
Vendor failure can be directly
traced to just a few important
factors, and these might be
briefly stated as follows:
“Clustered” confections
or imperfectly f o r m e d
pieces, which jam the vend­
ing mechanism.
Kusted mechanism due to
entry of moisture, sleet,
snow or rain.
Tight mechanism, espe­
cially after a hurried ser­
vicing.
M e c h a n ism th a t seldom
if ever sees a d ro p o f oil.
Dirty coin chute.
In c o rre c tly set slug ejec­
to r or coin chute th a t ac­
cepts coins b u t does n o t
tr ip release b ar.
Operators can doubtless add
other reasons to this list, but in
the main they appear to consti­
tute the majority of vendor
failures. Fortunately, each one
has its remedy. It is almost cer­
tain, moreover, that the really
successful operator may find one
or another of these troubles
along his route from time to
time, but he certainly corrects
it on the double quick.
SPE C IA L PR O C ESSIN G O F
C A N D Y NECESSARY FOR
V E N D IN G TRADE
To experienced bulk vending
machine operators, “Hard Shell”
or “Hard Pan” confections
stand as a symbol of quality
merchandise. These terms dis­
tinguish vending machine can­
dies made under that process
from other candies which, al­
though they may look the same,
are of a different consistency.
Actual tests show that ordinary
candies are more affected by
climatic changes than are the
“Hard Shell” or “Hard Pan”
candies.
The ordinary variety of candy
for bulk vending machine use is
unsatisfactory because it has
practically no resistance to hu­
midity and heat, while the
“Hard Shell” or “Hard Pan”
varieties resist heat and humid­
ity to such an extent as to
remain free flowing. The use of
quality, especially processed
candy actually saves the opera­
tor money, due to fewer service
calls to the machine and less
spoilage of merchandise.
There is nothing that irks a
person more than to put a coin
into a machine and receive noth­
ing in return. Usually vendors
are located in busy spots, and
May, i941
© International Arcade Museum
AUTOMATIC AGE
the customer does not want to
bang on the case to get his coin
back for fear he will look cheap.
PUBLIC C O N F ID E N C E
BUILDS BUSINESS
When one stops to examine
the workings of the vending
machine business, a wonderful
picture of public confidence pre­
sents itself. No one can deny
that it is the people who have
made the vending machine in­
dustry what it is, and they seek,
in return for their continued
patronage, only fair returns for
their money.
It is not enough merely to
open a vendor, grab a box of
gum or candy, shove it into
place, take out the money, and
be on the way. Frankly, such
practice is nothing short of busi­
ness suicide. In every case, a
vendor that is earning good
money should be looked upon as
an important link in the opera­
tor’s chain of making a living.
A faulty vendor or a location
lost because of a faulty vendor
is just like taking a pay cut, for
that is exactly what it amounts
to.
REPLACE F A U LT Y
PARTS,
ENTIRE M A C H IN E , OR
CLUSTERED C A N D Y
Vendors of every type should
be given careful attention at
each servicing. If coins are
stuck in the coin chute, they
should be dislodged and the
faulty coin track fixed or re­
placed if necessary. Low cost
of vendor parts is a big point
in favor of operators, for rarely
do parts involve more than a
few nickels.
This means that spare parts
can always be carried around so
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