Vending Machine or VLT Machine
During work a few days ago, I decided to grab a bag of chips from the workplace vending machine. I throw in my $1.35 and press A8 for the Fritos Corn Chips that I was craving. There was a beep and the machine display showed the price. Hmm. I tried again and the same thing happened; no chips, just a beep and price display. Fucking machine! I was still craving the chips and the piece of shit just ate the last of my change.
I looked up above the display and there was a sticker with a phone number. It read something to the degree of, “Call this number if you’re not satisfied with our service.” Fucking rights I’m not satisfied; your ’service’ just ate my fucking money. It went in and out like a goddamn VLT machine; at least when I play em. Did I call the number? Nope; the way I see it, it’s just not worth my time for $1.35.
I mean, what are they gonna do? They gonna send someone to deliver me a bag of Fritos Corn Chips within the rest of my 15 minute break? Nope. They’re probably gonna send me a check or coupon for $1.35 which will arrive 2 weeks later. What good is that gonna do me 2 weeks later? I want the fucking thing now.
Anyway, this afternoon a co-worker of mine was telling me how that same machine ate his money earlier in the day. I asked him if he called the number and he had the same response I did; not worth the hassle and time for the small change.
That brings me to the question; how many people call that number for a refund? I know of maybe 2 instances where somebody actually did that. Out of the hundred or so times that I’ve heard stories of vending machines eating money that’s a horrible percentage. Of course, not for the company that owns it; they got free money over 98% of the time. I, alone, have probably lost about $20 to those machines. And, I’m sure they won’t be devising a better way to fix this any time soon. Bastards.
Posted by Frank N. Stein
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5 Responses to “Vending Machine or VLT Machine”
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Frank. Slooow down there buddy. You’re right, the vending machine thing is a racket. They already make loads off of the mark-up. It’s like Vegas. They’re betting on the odds that most folks won’t make the call. KA-(MUTHA-FRIGGIN)-CHING!
But… there IS someone at your workplace that is responsible for, and interacts with, the vending company. That is the phone call that needs to be made. There is always another vendor vying for your company’s business. Someone at your work has the phone number to the vending Account Rep/Manager. The person who oversees the route.
The vendor should provide envelopes that you can fill out with the machine description, the item selection, your name and the amount of money lost. This envelope would be left on the machine so the route driver can refund your change and give it to the rep at your company for later delivery to you. No phone call on your part, you get your money back and everybody’s (semi) happy.
One last word. Pack your own friggin’ snacks, encourage others to do it and put the hurtin’ on the vendor. If you really want some impetus, do the math on what you spend when the snack + pop DO COME OUT. How much per day, week, month, year? It will easily be in the HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS.
Give yourself a raise starting on Monday. Take a bag o’ Frittos to work - keep the change in your pocket. Blog on.
Oh by the way. Dug the picture. It surely captures the frustrations of millions. I knew of a plant where the workers took a fork lift, raised up a machine and then dropped it until it coughed up the goods - which was most everything!
I tracked what i spent for food at work the last couple of months and it’s fucking ridiculous. I know I should be packing more food but I guess that’s the thing with being an ignorant moron.
That really pisses me off when that happens to me. And it’s always the last of my money. Blah!