Vending machine Co. rant...

[lowyder993s]

We have 3 machines at work. 60-80 guys use them. Constantly jamming and expired product. So, in the summer we call the co. and say we want the machines out. They tell us you signed a contract that expires in Sept. This company took over from the original company we signed on with. Contract states if not satisfied w/ service send a REGISTERED letter (no return receipt requested) to them. We do, they say they never got it. That starts the clock ticking for 30 days. Tell them to get the machines out, they say no, send a CERTIFIED letter, return receipt requested. OK...so we do that, get the receipt back...starts another 30 day clock. So at the end of 30 days, tell them to get the machines out, they say wait...we have 30 days to fix the problem...oh and by the way, you've gone over and your contract was renewed for 3 yrs. Tell them BS...they say we'll see you in court. Our lawyer said to send a certified letter stating they have 48 hrs to pull the machines or we will dispose of them. Ready to drive a forklift thru all the machines.

[lm6y]

We had the same problem with Pepsi. It's amazing how fast thay got there when the machine was put in the middle of the parking lot.

Our contract didn't specify WHERE the machine had to be on our property, or IF it even had to be plugged in.

[lowyder993s]

knowign these clowns...thet'd say we damaged their machines. I have some sanitainers outside, I'd love to put them on top of...then tell them they need to get a machinery moving Co. to get them out, as I'm not going to have them risking themselves on my property.

[rammstein]

Claim that the machines are molesting you.

[Gogar]

I think if one of your minority employees pays for a soda and it jams or doesn't come out, it technically qualifies as a HATE CRIME. Sue 'em.

[stomachmonkey]

a) No such thing as never having to send certified/return receipt. You do it regardless.

b) Someone else needs to do your contracts. What you have is an Evergreen. Fine if that's what you want but I never do them until year 2 when the vendor has shown me some of what I'm to expect.

[T77911S]

stop using it.
we bought a used machine and fill it ourselves. pays for itself and coffee. one of the guys just goes to sams to get the stuff. we also have a soda machine. not very many of us here that use it either. for that matter, take it over yourself, make some money on the side.

there may be something in the contract about you moving the machine. so send them another regisitered letter and state that if it is not removed you will consider it abandoned and will remove it yourself.

[dad911]

Don't use them. No income, and they will yank them.

[Super_Dave_D]

Exactly - Turn the machines around facing the wall- they will come.

[fastfredracing]

I am extra careful of "contracts" and h ow they are worded. The ones that automatically renew , unless you send them cancellation in writing within a 30 day window, really piss me off. I had my uniform company hold me to an automatic 5 year renewal. They would not budge on it. I will never sign any contract like that again.
On the plus side, we had a contract with a vending company. They came and left a Dale Earnhardt coke machine. And never came back to fill it, never answered any calls. After 5 years, I just sold the thing, I was sick of it being in the way.

[Oh Haha]

Hey, this is right up my alley. My job was managing a vending company branch until we closed in February.


I don't know the specifics of your contract but most of our standard versions allowed for 30 days notice of removal IF we recieved a registered letter of intent.

If your company sent this there has to be a record. That's BS that they say it didn't arrive. (I always dreaded when the postman brought one to me as I knew what it was.)

I would be careful of moving the vendors, though. You could be liable for any damage. If the get the Pepsi/Coke machines from those folks you may end up having to deal with them and thier attorneys.


Who is handling the contract with them? HR or purchasing? Have you informed the vending company about the expired product and crappy service?

I was in this position a couple of times in my career and both times I saved the account but it sure sounds like this company is being silly. I guess the vedning business is so good that they can afford to lose customers. idiots.


Screw it. Call another company in and let the lawyers duke it out.

[red-beard]

Sams club sells vending machines.

basic model: combo drink/snaks/change

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=418226

[Oh Haha]

You then have to pay someone to fill the machines and get the product from the store. This could be a huge PIA for a shop of 80 employees.

I would just call another vendor and be sure to tell them of the horrible experience you had with the former company.


There's just no excuse for this type of reaction/service.

[lowyder993s]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

Hey, this is right up my alley. My job was managing a vending company branch until we closed in February.


I don't know the specifics of your contract but most of our standard versions allowed for 30 days notice of removal IF we recieved a registered letter of intent.

If your company sent this there has to be a record. That's BS that they say it didn't arrive. (I always dreaded when the postman brought one to me as I knew what it was.)

I would be careful of moving the vendors, though. You could be liable for any damage. If the get the Pepsi/Coke machines from those folks you may end up having to deal with them and thier attorneys.


Who is handling the contract with them? HR or purchasing? Have you informed the vending company about the expired product and crappy service?

I was in this position a couple of times in my career and both times I saved the account but it sure sounds like this company is being silly. I guess the vedning business is so good that they can afford to lose customers. idiots.


Screw it. Call another company in and let the lawyers duke it out.

Thx...my brother and I are handling it. They have rec'd 2 certified letters and we have the return recepits...already called another guy and he knows what went on. Thinking of moving some machines in front of them and putting new ones where the machines were. Our lawyer sez it'll prolly cost 5k to know we're right.

[Oh Haha]

Doing business like this and they won't need to worry about taking care of the customers.....they won't have any left.

What a bunch of DB's.


We were not perfect but I would have never treated a customer, of any size, this way.

[lowyder993s]

My thoughts EXACTLY!!!

[GH85Carrera]

A friend got stuck with a bad vending machine deal. He wired a timer to the electrical circuit. He shut off the electricity for 58 minutes per hour. No sales, and they were yanked.