[elvisfan]

I just found the thing that irritates me most in life: fraud. I was at the library studying with friends and decided to get a snack. A bag of chips cost $1.50 and I put 6 quarters into the machine. It claims I only deposited $1.25 so I added an extra quarter. It dispensed my overpaid food. Next, I thought that I would get a bottle of water from the machine next to it, at a cost of $1.50. This time I used a $1 bill and two quarters. The arm went up about halfway and stopped, went down and back up halfway and stopped. The display where it reads out the money displayed “Err.” I hit the hit button that is supposed to release my change and it did nothing, then the display read $0.00. I was a victim of fraud. After I was done getting screwed by this machine, my friend was using the machine that dispensed my chips and stole an extra $0.25 from me. She used her credit card and it said thank you for your payment, but did not dispense anything. I then witnessed a blond haired gentlemen go to the water machine that screwed me and it screwed him as well. He said a few nasty things to the machine. Funny that these machines had a 1-800 number to call if you experience problems. The library is a no cell phone location and this particular library uses a cell phone jammer to enforce that policy, it is also a no food and drink location. All in all, I supposed I was defrauded out of $1.75, and witnessed two people get defrauded out of their money as well. I bet these machines were intentionally programed to do this.

[PhoenixBSD]

Here's an idea. Video these machines not dispensing product or refunding properly then report the problem to the library staff. If no joy then report it to the authorities. Are these vending machines supplied/serviced by the same company? If so, that vendor may indeed need some 'motivation' to provide proper service.

Hope this helps... Good luck &

[klown07]

Great idea there phoenix, give it a shot elvisfan. Just try not to be too rude or angry when you bring this to the attention of the library staff, you don't want the situation to be reversed on you.

[dormin]

In some places it is against the law to use cell phone jammers. It prohibits the calling of 911. They could get into a lot of trouble if an emergency arose and help was late because you had to find a phone.

Sorry about your luck.

[PhoenixBSD]

Quote: Originally Posted by dormin

In some places it is against the law to use cell phone jammers. It prohibits the calling of 911. They could get into a lot of trouble if an emergency arose and help was late because you had to find a phone.

Because a growing number of people are so absolutely effing rude using their cell phones in public I'm a firm believer in jamming cell phones under circumstances where a quiet atmosphere is not only expected but demanded for the greater good/enjoyment of all concerned. Last time I checked use of a cell phone was a privilege, not a right. That said, an emergency SOS override to 911 should be incorporated for situations like the Aurora, Colorado movie massacre recently... but once again I'm...

/end of mini_rant

[Gandolph13]

I'd do what I always do, kick the absolute crap out of the machine.........
It would cost the owners more to repair it than I deposited!

I hate being ripped off!

[Johnpush]

Quote: Originally Posted by dormin

In some places it is against the law to use cell phone jammers. It prohibits the calling of 911. They could get into a lot of trouble if an emergency arose and help was late because you had to find a phone.

Sorry about your luck.

In some places it is against the law to use cell phone jammers. but in some places they use the cell phone jammer,like the meeting room,conference,classroom,cinema,library,theatres, hospitals. so if the library use a small cell phone jammer,it may be better like this Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWkxDsBzPv8&feature=fvwrel

[elvisfan]

I don't know if the device is called a jammer or not, but everytime I have taken out my cell phone and dialed something it always says "emergency calls only". It starts as soon as you enter the lobby. Furthermore, they have a sign which reads something along the lines of cell phone use prohibited. I just figured the two things were related.

[moofburger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gandolph13

kick the absolute crap out of the machine.........

Please use the correct terminology. it's impact re-calibration.

[Always.drunk]

don't get mad, get even.
go to youtube & search for vending machine hacks...
WARNING: i will not be responsible if you get arrested doing them!

[clenchdwarf]

Don't dip a small drill bit in superglue and break it off in a key slot.

Do something less destructive, like print up a bunch of "out of order" signs and put them on the machines so nobody uses them.

[Omega_Prime]

Yeah I assume it is them spiral based machines, unless they are done in a very precise fashion they tend to just finish before the actual item can fsll.

[robbo0000]

I wonder if the old string and coin still works these days

Or the zapper from the old lighters

[Johnpush]

Quote: Originally Posted by Always.drunk

don't get mad, get even.
go to youtube & search for vending machine hacks...
WARNING: i will not be responsible if you get arrested doing them!

hahah