If you didn't catch it, http://vendiscuss.net/ is back up.

Hate to say it but caveat emptor. (Let the buyer beware.)

Did you check it out before putting it out? It is possible somebody simply damaged it on the property. I recently changed one of my machines to 50¢ for one of the heads, and somebody didn't see the new price, and broke the mech out of anger because it didn't take his quarter. Doesn't matter how well it's built, somebody can break it if their sufficiently angry.  It's generally a good idea to keep extra mechs on hand. I was able to get the machine back in service the next day.

I had a cheaper plastic machine out that somebody got angry, and hit the top of, and the whole thing just broke, spilling out candy and coins. At least the people working there picked up all the change for me, though they didn't call me, and waited till my next service, which really sucked considering I only lived a mile away from this location.

You could contact the seller. But make sure it was a faulty mech, not damage from an angry customer, or some jerk intentionally damaging the machine.

You can find them for about $30, more or less, used. (At least that's what I am seeing online right now with a simple search.) If your willing to put them together, there is an eBay "Buy it now" sale for 6 mechs for $52 plus $17 for shipping. (That's $11.50 each.) He does state that you will need a security screwdriver. It would probably help if you have taken a few apart before. Not a bad idea so you understand how they work, and can fix them, or rebuild one from two non-working mechs.

http://www.ebay.com/...sd=131565870560

And now Vendiscuss has the following messge: 

TVF is currently unavailable

The original TVF will be back online very soon. We are in the process of implementing some much needed security measures. We are also taking this opportunity to upgrade our software to the latest version. This will provide you with the best vending community ever!

 

There are 2 vendiscuss facebook pages now. One directs to vendingforums.com, and the other directs to  the real vendiscuss.net, though it is still listed as "unavailable", but with "We'll be right back!" on the page.

Finally did talk to Steve. He said that the security was way out of date, and is how the guy got in. But is working with his host to update the security.  Maybe I should have asked how long he thinks this will take, though I can imagine undoing all the damage that little.... did can be a lot of work.

Beaver is a good quality machine.

Usually their beaver logo is all over the machine, the lid, the flap, and the coin mech. Although that only proves those items are from a beaver, but they may be the most important parts.

Look at the ones at Beaver: http://beavervending.com

Unfortunately I only own one Beaver. It's one of those Shootin Hoops. The picture below isn't the one I own, but it looks almost exactly like it:

These don't have the Beaver vending on the coin mech, but they do on the flap, and the lid. I believe another company was making these out of Beaver machines, but went out of business.