MidStateVending Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Anyone know of any vending repair schools or train in the Tennessee area, or surrounding states? I would like to get into the repairing side of the business as there is a shortage in this area. Also to be certified in adding coolant to drink machines. Any suggestions welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrCorey Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I don't think there are any anymore. you would have to go to regular ac school then learn the vending part working for a vender in their shop. plus call some vender manufactors and get all the manuals you can get. most vend techs learnt from working in a vending shop. that's how I learned pinball in the 80's and then video games. then I learned slots. but the industry was changing so fast, I just had to always be in school to keep up with new equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I believe there is still a high school in the northeast that teaches vending to their students as a vocation. The program is sponsored by NAMA but there isn't anything for adults unless you pay USI for one of the training classes they offer on their equipment. The drawback is that you will only learn about USI stuff from snacks to coffee and including cold drinks, but no refrigeration. You do have to learn this on your own. I have always been mechanically inclined so repairing machines comes naturally to me. I also have two electronics degrees that have come in handy. I always repaired my own machines as a large operator with the exception of refrigeration. When I sold my vending company I went to work for a repair and used sales company as a tech where I learned about machines I had never operated myself and learned the basics of refrigeration. When they went out of business I began collecting all the manuals I could find and began my own service business. I got my own refrigeration certification so I can purchase all the parts I need. As I grew I expanded into USI machines which I learned as I went though it wasn't difficult to do. USI is the only manufacturer that I had not been exposed to by that time. I have been introduced to many newer machines from newer manufacturers as my customers have purchased them and I have learned them as I worked on them. Most machines are very similar in operating principles from other machines and especially from equipment made by the same companies. The learning curve is very short in those instances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris1953 Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Being mechanically inclined is the best asset you can have. Like AZ I have a electronic degree. Somehow that is what got me into vending. A large vendor wanted to do board repairs and convinced me to go to work for him. After doing that he decided it was going to be to expensive to buy the equipment to do it. But I did like it so I stayed. A few years later I had an opportunity to go and work for Pepsi. There I took night classes to advance myself in refrigeration. After about 21 years changes came and I decided to leave and do something different. I was hired as a lead slot tech (Knew nothing about slots) at a new casino. Was not what I thought it would be. Their idea of fixing things were turn it off and back on. Didn't have time for repairs unless it was really down. Didn't like the customers for several reason. Got fired.... Reason was I took home the keys.. oops Didn't loose them tho. At that time I was tired of working for the man.. I already had people I did work for some I had worked for 20 years. They convinced me I could do it. So going on 2 years I haven't been happier. I make more money now I pick my own hours and don't have the man telling how to do things they don't know how themselves. Rule #1 you will never know it all. Rule #2 Don't think you do ...... I have a customer who will ask me things I have no clue and I will tell him to come here for answers. It is the best place for answers... And sometimes humor . Which we all need at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc vending Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 My parts supplier the vending center in Nashville runs some classes once a month don't know about get my parts from their Birmingham, Al location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchligVend Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 I was sent an email on July 18th from Crane which they are running a training seminar at their Dixie Narco Facility here is part of the email they send me inviting me to go. Dear Valued Customers, For more information on the Crane Customer Training School see announcement below and the attached documents: “To Our Valued Customers, Crane Merchandising Systems is scheduling a service training school for your technicians. The school will be held at our Dixie Narco facility in Williston, South Carolina. The class has been scheduled for September 16th through September 18th, 2014. We will begin each day at 8:30 and conclude at 4:30. Please be aware it is on a first come basis. Please return the registration form as soon as possible to secure your spot in the class. The school will include technical training on our 187 Media, 673, 5800, and 432 models. In addition we will provide training on volt/ohm meter, wiring diagrams, wireless, and our Navigator cashless systems. Technicians should bring their volt meters with them as they will be used daily. A block of rooms has been reserved at the TownPlace Suites in Aiken, South Carolina. The address and phone number is 1008 Monterey Drive Aiken, SC 803-641-7373. They provide a continental breakfast. The quoted rate is 84.00 per night for single or double occupancy. Please contact the motel directly to make your reservation prior by Friday August 28th, 2014. All rooms are non-smoking rooms. Please mention the Crane Merchandising Systems training school to ensure your special rate. Attendance is on a first come, first serve basis, and so make your reservations early, as the sessions have filled up quickly in the past. Space is limited. The registration fee is $150.00, per student for the complete training. Lunch will be provided each day. No fee will be returned if cancellation is not received before September5th, 2014. To register, simply fill out the attached registration form and e-mail to the address listed on the registration form. Please provide your CMS account number for direct billing or to use a credit card please attach information to the registration form. You will need to provide Cardholder name, address of card holder, card number, security number, and expiration date. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you. Sincerely, Kevin H. Caid, NCE Vice President Southeast & Western, US Crane Merchandising Systems” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 The price is very good for that training, but unfortunately being factory training, they are going to focus on the new equipment they are selling so it's really geared toward vending operators who are buying newer machines for their routes. For the price it would be worthwhile but not all the learn will be applicable to anything older than those models listed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchligVend Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Yeah, I was thinking about going for the experience and networking. One day in a few years those machines will be older and cheap even I could afford them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.