What Do I Do If a Vending Machine Steals My Money?

It’s not common for a vending machine to take someone’s money without dispensing the purchased items, but it can happen. In these rare situations, it would likely be due to a mechanical defect in the machine or a jammed coin mechanism. It’s also possible that the customer might have inserted an invalid coin or bill into the slot.

If you are certain that you made the correct payment and yet the vending machine did not give you any items, don’t panic. There are a few things that you can do to get your money back.

Simple Steps to Get a Refund from a Stealing Vending Machine

First of all, the vending machine probably did not really steal your money, at least not on purpose. This means you shouldn’t have problems getting your money back. You do need to go through the right procedures so that the operator can process the refund properly. Here are the simple steps that you need to take.

1. Find contact details on the machine

Most vending machine operators have a large sign on their machines that displays a phone number that customers can call in case of problems. It could also be a website or an email address. Contact the operator and file a report of what happened.

2. Locate the vending machine operator

In case you can’t find any contact details on the machine, you will first have to find out who the operator is. It’s easy if the machine is in a private establishment, like a hotel, a gym, or a school. In this case, the owner should be able to provide you with the contact details of the vending operator.

3. Get the machine number

A lot of operators have several machines across multiple locations. To speed up the tracking and verification of the incident, they will need to know the number of the machine that took your money. So before you make a call, make sure you find the number first. You will typically see this along the front of the automat, or together with the contact details.

4. Take pictures or videos

These will serve as proof of the incident, which could make the refund process easier. Also, take note of the exact date and time of the incident. This might come in handy if there are CCTV cameras in the area that might have recorded everything that happened.

5. Make a refund request

It’s quite possible that the vending machine operator already has a process for granting refunds. After all, this issue is something that has been known to occur from time to time. Just follow the instructions that the operator will give you, and you will surely be able to get your money back in no time.

Keep Your Vending Machine from Stealing Money

If you are a vending machine operator, it would be quite a hassle if you always have to issue refunds due to your machine stealing all the time. You can minimize such occurrences by making sure your automats are all properly maintained. Make sure all parts are working perfectly and that the machine is not prone to overheating.

However, the best way to avoid vending problems is to work only with a reputable vending solutions company, like Vending-Machines.ie. Whether you just need a couple of vending machines or a fully managed vending solution, we are here for you. Call us at any time for a free consultation.