Snack shop 4000 model 4600

[Daaavid32]

I recently bought a old vending machine, being the snack shop 4000. This is my first machine, wondering if anyone has any opinions on this machine, if it’s any good. Because I have been having lots of problems with it. Thanks in advance 

Edited March 29, 2022 by Daaavid32

[allen watson]

It’s old but reliable. What problems are you having with it. At one time I had 40 of these on a route.

[Daaavid32]

I’ve only had it up for a week, but it’s been dispensing 2 snacks even though I put them the snacks in the correct row and everything. Also, the machine seems to eat a dollar every now and then. Sometimes even just stops working in general. So I replug it and restart everything and it starts working again. Since it’s my first machine, I’m sure I still have lots to learn 

[AZVendor]

Honestly, junk it.  Allen is probably remembering when he ran 40 of them YEARS ago, right Allen?  The issues you are having will continue and probably get worse.  You may have bad motor switches which require a replacement motor, you could have a bad bill acceptor or, more likely, a bad bill acceptor interface kit since the machine never came from the factory with a bill acceptor.

Upon further review, you have most of the products loaded wrong and spirals not in normal home positions.  Someone has effed up the spirals and you don't know how to load the machine.  All your spiral ends need to be at the 7 o'clock position.  You'll have to pull the spirals off the motors and reposition them.  Then your products need to be tucked in behind the front loop of the spiral and lean back against the second loop in the spiral.   Tuck all products so they are sitting on the shelf itself.  And the shelves must be clean and not sticky.

Edited March 29, 2022 by AZVendor

[allen watson]

Definitely along time ago. I have since scrapped every one of them. 

[Daaavid32]

So not worth trying to fix up and trying to use it as my first machine?

[Daaavid32]

Also, is there a way to add a credit card reader to it?

[AZVendor]

OMG!  No.  It's from 1980.  What do you expect it will do?  But with high scrap prices now the heavy cabinet will bring you some return on your investment.

Edited March 29, 2022 by AZVendor

[allen watson]

1 minute ago, Daaavid32 said:

Also, is there a way to add a credit card reader to it?

Yes but you have to replace the board, coin mech and bill validator. About and $800 upgrade. 

[AZVendor]

I could think of a few better things to invest my $800 into.

[Daaavid32]

How much you think it would be for it? And dang that’s a good couple of change to upgrade it. Still would need someone to try to fix all the things that aren’t working before I could do that. Who would I contact to service a machine that old 

[AZVendor]

Any good tech with 20 years of experience or more like Allen and I.  We've seen it all though not as much as Roger Morris had before his passing.

[allen watson]

2 minutes ago, Daaavid32 said:

How much you think it would be for it? And dang that’s a good couple of change to upgrade it. Still would need someone to try to fix all the things that aren’t working before I could do that. Who would I contact to service a machine that old 

The last time I paid a tech to fix a machine cost $185 to show up and $185 and hour with a one hour minimum. You are going to end up with $500 in repairs and in the end you will still have an old relic that’s worth $12 at the scrap yard. Take Randy’s advice, scrap it and move on. 

[Daaavid32]

I would scrap it but I already invested 750 with the machine and another 400$ on snacks 

[Snickers]

Order a new board kit from InOne technologies. Buy a Mars MDB bill acceptor and coin mech. Yeah probably $650-$750 in parts but not hard to upgrade. You can do it all on location with basic hand tools. At the end of the day you will have more money tied up in this machine than its worth but your lesson will be learned.