Why can’t they invent a vending machine that works?

[jz78817]

to put it into perspective, Japan doesn’t even issue bills smaller than 1000 yen (roughly 10 USD,) everything below that is coin.

[River_Hippie]

I used to work at a place that had a soda machine that would reject bills that were too crisp and smooth. Honest to God, after it rejected the bill 2 or 3 times you would wad it up, straighten it back out and the machine would take it. Never experienced that anywhere else.
The place I work now (a mid size factory) eliminated vending machines and replaced it with a mini convenience store type setup that relies on the honor system. You can’t pay with cash. Scan the items and then scan a company supplied card. You can add credit to your card with cash, however.

[pulykamell]

@River_Hippie

I used to work at a place that had a soda machine that would reject bills that were too crisp and smooth. Honest to God, after it rejected the bill 2 or 3 times you would wad it up, straighten it back out and the machine would take it. Never experienced that anywhere else.

Oh, I believe you. I’ve had the same issue with new bills in vending machines (as it appears pkbites has as well.)

[drachillix]

@MikeS

The two that stand out are South Korea, where the 1000-won note is worth substantially less than 1 USD; and Mexico, where the 20-peso note is worth a little less than 1 USD. (Note, though, that the Mexican peso fell in value after the US presidential election; before the election, 20 pesos were worth slightly more than a US dollar.) There are also a few others (Chile, Hungary, and Turkey) where the smallest bill is worth less than 2 US dollars.
</derail>

Philippines has a 20 peso note, worth about $0.60 US

[ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness]

@pulykamell

I wish the US would get with the times and completely phase out the dollar bill (I really do not understand why people like these things)

@LSLGuy

Or since it was mostly $1s and I was young, the titty bars.

Asked and answered

How would one tip in those establishments if the $1 bill were eliminated? Would $5 become the standard tip? (Maybe it already has - I haven’t been in one since the early 90s) Strap a NFC reader to the garter belt?

[gnoitall]

@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness

Asked and answered

How would one tip in those establishments if the $1 bill were eliminated? Would $5 become the standard tip? (Maybe it already has - I haven’t been in one since the early 90s) Strap a NFC reader to the garter belt?

Run a credit card through the slot.

NO, NOT THAT SLOT! :smack:

[pulykamell]

@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness

Asked and answered

How would one tip in those establishments if the $1 bill were eliminated? Would $5 become the standard tip? (Maybe it already has - I haven’t been in one since the early 90s) Strap a NFC reader to the garter belt?

I thought that’s what $2 bills were for.

[JpnDude]

@jz78817

to put it into perspective, Japan doesn’t even issue bills smaller than 1000 yen (roughly 10 USD,) everything below that is coin.

And in my personal experience, I’ve never had trouble inserting yen bills into various types of vending machines here.

[LSLGuy]

@gnoitall

Run a credit card through the slot.

NO, NOT THAT SLOT! :smack:

I recall getting an umpteen-generation forwarded email joke.

It started with a overwrought prose warning about a new credit card skimming device that will take all your money, ruin your credit, and cause just endless trouble. And which is everywhere, everywhere I tell you! BE CAREFUL!!!

The punch line being a pic of some guy sliding their credit card through a particularly nubile “that slot”.

[scr4]

@JpnDude

And in my personal experience, I’ve never had trouble inserting yen bills into various types of vending machines here.

From my experience living in both countries, US bills (especially $1 bills) in circulation tend to be in much worse condition than Japanese bills.

[skdo23]

@silenus

What yabob said. I franking hate coins and refuse to accept or use dollar coins in any fashion. Switch to polymer bills and make them down to $.25.

I’ll use a dollar coin when someone presses one into my cold dead hands.

[SCAdian]

@Clothahump

Easiest fix would be to make the damn things accept dollar coins. So much easier than bill readers.

That’s the main reason I carry dollar coins – the vending machines at work. (None of which accept cards, by the way.)