10 replies to this topic

[vend4u]

I want to try to prevent the money from going into the wrong persons pocket. I took over this location from a “friend” a few years ago. The deal was I had to carry out the current contract. The contract calls for the building director to have a key to get items unstuck. The key is kept in the bosses desk drawer. I recently found out that one of the employees has a key for the bosses office(they are in charge when the boss is out of town) I have seen them and their significant other in the office when the boss was not there. There is a person from the management company that also has a key for the office. I know them pretty well. (Had a problem when he went into the machine when there was a “problem” that he never told me about until I questioned him) and I recently was alerted that the machine was unlocked when one of the employees came in early in. I had not been there to service the machine for 36 hours. I make sure the machine is locked.
I know there is only one key in the office. I bought a medeco lock for the machine T-handle so they can’t make copies. I am the only one who services the machine, and have control the rest of the keys.
I just want to make sure I am doing what I can to prevent my money from walking. Any suggestions on how to handle this, again I am not sure if any money is walking or not I would rather prev

[validatorman]

It sounds to me that you don't have control. If you do not completly control the keys, then you never know what is going on. If this is a newer machine, there is probably some kind of counter built into the electronics to help track what you should be collecting. Getting the Medeco will help with no copies being made, but having a key in someone eles's control, you never know. Stuck product is very rare on a can machine and they should not need a key for that. What is the make and model?

[ghostrider]

Put a lock on the cashbox.

[miked]

I want to try to prevent the money from going into the wrong persons pocket. I took over this location from a “friend” a few years ago. The deal was I had to carry out the current contract. The contract calls for the building director to have a key to get items unstuck. The key is kept in the bosses desk drawer. I recently found out that one of the employees has a key for the bosses office(they are in charge when the boss is out of town) I have seen them and their significant other in the office when the boss was not there. There is a person from the management company that also has a key for the office. I know them pretty well. (Had a problem when he went into the machine when there was a “problem” that he never told me about until I questioned him) and I recently was alerted that the machine was unlocked when one of the employees came in early in. I had not been there to service the machine for 36 hours. I make sure the machine is locked.
I know there is only one key in the office. I bought a medeco lock for the machine T-handle so they can’t make copies. I am the only one who services the machine, and have control the rest of the keys.
I just want to make sure I am doing what I can to prevent my money from walking. Any suggestions on how to handle this, again I am not sure if any money is walking or not I would rather prev

If you've changed the locks you should be allright. The only way they can get in your machine now is to break into it, in which case you will be able to tell. I know you inherited this situation but FWIW NEVER give anyone unrestricted access to your machine, not even employees, make them turn in the keys everyday.

[vend4u]

Put a lock on the cashbox.

I have picked up some numbered breakaway locks to prevent someone from going into the cash box without me knowing we'll see how it works.

[colman vending]

I give my key to the office manager to open the front part in case something gets stuck
The cash key I keep myself, it's been over two years and I have never lost any products, the office manager is so polite that she keeps tabs in case a product does not fall or if the sold out signal does not work.
I also give away any out of date snacks to the workers for 1/2 price (they are more willing to do this).
I talk to everyone in the shop to see what they want and try to get the items on sale and put up a discount sign on Those items. It works wery well. the computer keeps tracks of all the money that is out in and how much has been sold
You have to trust the person you give a key to and build up a great frendship, so that every time I restock, they are so glad to see me and they also give my car a free oil change and rotate my tires for free. (can't bet that)

[bcron]

Just out of curiosity Colman Vending, do you think that the place(s) that you offer the expired items at half-price to might wait to purchase them until they are out of date to get a better deal? I had considered doing something like that at one point, but I thought they might catch on and not purchase them until they expired.

Also something that I considered, you and I know perfectly well that the snacks are just fine for quite a period after the date on the package, but do you think there may be some possible liability considerations in selling outdated foods even if they are good?

[eagle90301]

Just out of curiosity Colman Vending, do you think that the place(s) that you offer the expired items at half-price to might wait to purchase them until they are out of date to get a better deal? I had considered doing something like that at one point, but I thought they might catch on and not purchase them until they expired.

Also something that I considered, you and I know perfectly well that the snacks are just fine for quite a period after the date on the package, but do you think there may be some possible liability considerations in selling outdated foods even if they are good?

If I discount an item i do not tell the staff in advance and only discount items for a period of time. I decide when to discount and for how long. If I have too many of an item left i just don't buy it again. I do not make it a regular thing to discount items. I do not sell expired items period it only takes one person to clain it made them sick or that there is a problem with the item.

I will sometimes give items to some of the staff. I have found though that the staff starts to expect free stuff. I have even had staff take items out of my bin when I told them to pay for it or put it back they opened it up. she paid for the food and then she told the boss i was not being professional because I told her I would be filing a police report for the theft(I never filed it). I had a talk with one of the bosses. The next time the I saw her she wanted free candy She made a big deal about it. I told her if she touched any food from the machine without paying first I was calling the boss at home she did not touch another item i still called one of the bosses to tell them about the problem.

[bcron]

Wow, that's pretty bad. I have never experienced anything remotely like that. I have to agree with your "I do not sell expired items period it only takes one person to clain it made them sick or that there is a problem with the item." I can't take that chance.

[Steve Fischer]

Expired stuff goes right in the garbage. Stuff that's about to expire gets handed off anybody that can make my life easier (security guards, etc.).

[Coy]

Change your locks to just your key. if they dont like it. get rid of the location. contract or not. no one but you should have the key. unless you want to audit you machines all the time. and maybe bill them for any loss.