2008 Woodie Awards
Our vending machines in a sorry state
Josh Bays
Issue date: 5/19/08 Section: Opinion
In the coming months, the summer heat will have us all wanting cold and refreshing beverages to cool us down. What can beat the convenience of automated vending machines strategically placed about campus, drawing students in like moths to a flame with their promise of quick satisfaction?
The truth is that the vending machines at De Anza College are fickle mistresses; one day they will leave you happy and quenched, and the next day they will leave you thirsty and $1.50 poorer.
If you have used the vending machines more than a few times, you may have experienced the frustration of having your money taken only to find that your drink is out of stock.
You may try to get your money back only to be given the blank robotic stare of a machine that has triumphed over you. It has taken your money without giving you anything in return, and there is nothing you can do about it but walk away humiliated.
Many of the vending machines do not have phone numbers printed on them for you to call and complain. This gives vending machine owners impunity from any kind of accountability.
Using the machines is a gamble, as you never know if you will be getting what you paid for. Other machines are poorly stocked and maintained. Keys stick and do not function properly, change is not given for transactions, and who hasn't suffered having their candy fail to drop as it clings to the machine's metal coil, like a mountain climber clinging to a precipice before falling to his death.
In order to protest this rampant injustice, I implore all students and faculty at De Anza to boycott the vending machines. Get your snacks and beverages from the student store or bring them from home. We all need to stop rewarding poor customer service and ineptitude with our hard earned cash.
The truth is that the vending machines at De Anza College are fickle mistresses; one day they will leave you happy and quenched, and the next day they will leave you thirsty and $1.50 poorer.
If you have used the vending machines more than a few times, you may have experienced the frustration of having your money taken only to find that your drink is out of stock.
You may try to get your money back only to be given the blank robotic stare of a machine that has triumphed over you. It has taken your money without giving you anything in return, and there is nothing you can do about it but walk away humiliated.
Many of the vending machines do not have phone numbers printed on them for you to call and complain. This gives vending machine owners impunity from any kind of accountability.
Using the machines is a gamble, as you never know if you will be getting what you paid for. Other machines are poorly stocked and maintained. Keys stick and do not function properly, change is not given for transactions, and who hasn't suffered having their candy fail to drop as it clings to the machine's metal coil, like a mountain climber clinging to a precipice before falling to his death.
In order to protest this rampant injustice, I implore all students and faculty at De Anza to boycott the vending machines. Get your snacks and beverages from the student store or bring them from home. We all need to stop rewarding poor customer service and ineptitude with our hard earned cash.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Chuck Owen
posted 5/21/08 @ 2:45 PM PST
Wow what a mess. Some time ago I was asked to place a bid for this account. After reading De Anza Colleges requirements I passed. The college was asking for such large comissions that I found it hard to belive that any legimate vending company could profitably service this account. (Continued…)
Dennis Dionne
posted 5/21/08 @ 6:41 PM PST
Josh,
I work for a vending operator in Wisconsin. While we would love the chance to service the machines on campus and show you that not all operators are so insensitive to their customer's needs, our location does not allow us to perform our "service" for you. (Continued…)
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