gogo Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 I have a location on the fourth floor of a bank building. 1 drink, 1 snack. It is back in a corner by the stairwell ... kinda hidden. No security cameras. Last week the $ from the snack machine seemed a little light ... after checking it with stocking numbers, it appeared to be about $20 short. I made a mental note to check out the machine next time and make sure it wasn't giving out free vends or making incorrect change, etc. I arrived yesterday for my weekly stop, and the snack machine was short about $30. AND ... The drink machine had absolutely no $ in it! The coin mech was completely empty, and there was nothing in the dbv. Half of the product was gone (about right for this location.) So then I knew something was up. I can find no mechanical issues with either machine (Rowe 7900, Vendo). I guess somebody is picking the lock or has a key of some sort. I use LAI locks on all of my machines. I immediately ordered some high-security locks for this location and notified every tennant on the third and fourth floors to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Any advice on how to handle this situation? I have been blessed with no thefts from my machines up to this point. -Gogo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 With both machines getting hit it seems pretty certain that the machines are actually being opened. Do you make a habit of double checking that your locks are latched properly after servicing the machine? If so, that would mean someone has a key or came up with a pick. I am not familiar with that brand of lock. I have always used Medeco and never had any problems like this. I would recommed high security registered locks. The registered part means that the internal tumblers are set in a unique pattern that is registered to you. That would eliminate someone finding a key and getting lucky. You might want to also consider a simple padlock and hasp addition. In this type of building installing it on the side of the machine would probably not be appreciated, so I would put it on the top side where it is less likely to be noticed. It does not need to real heavy duty it just prevents the door being opened if someone gets lucky with the lock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogo Posted November 5, 2010 Author Share Posted November 5, 2010 Thanks, Mission Hopefully the high-security locks will take care of the problem. Next move will be a padlocked hinge. I'll re-post with any news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mage Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Mention the problem to the location, and maybe they will keep an eye out. These companies would like to know if there is somebody they can't trust working for them. They might also keep an eye on your machines, at least temporarily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbuckler Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 They probably have an after hours cleaning service or a security guard who may be the culprit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snack dude Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 I had problems at two locations and it turned out to be the cleaning people both times. They know where the cameras are or are not located Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinnJinn Posted November 6, 2010 Share Posted November 6, 2010 Who knows how many keys there are for your unregistered lock. It is definitely worth the extra $ to get your own registered locks and keys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alboy88 Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 you could get a small camera and put in machine then you can see whos in it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrpick44 Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Wheres the best place to get these registered locks from? Whats the costs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coinvestor Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Here is the company I use: http://wixerind.com/ The cost is the same for generic codes as it is for a registered code. Mechanical security levels of the lock is what makes the cost vary. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 There are many different dealers out there for registered locks. I use http://www.lockingsystems.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogo Posted November 8, 2010 Author Share Posted November 8, 2010 Here's a quick update ... I posted a sign on both machines that reads like this: "To the thief who is stealing money and product from these machines: Building management and local police have been notified of your activites. This area will be under increased surveillance, including weekends." I know I took a risk here by letting everybody know that criminal activity was taking place in the building, but management neglects this building and basically told me that its not their problem, figure out my own solution. I have been checking the location every couple of days, at odd hours. So far there have been no more problems, and when the tenants hear me open the machine doors, a few of them come out to make sure everything is okay. Last time I went, the cleaning crew was there, and I looked everyone of them in the eye as I walked over to the machines. High security locks arrived Friday, so I'll put those in and hopefully that will be it. Thieves really p**s me off ... all this trouble because someone can't live honestly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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