We have a broken soda machine at work and it's a pain to keep opening it when we want a soda. Please help!

Question

We have a soda machine in our office building at work. It's broken. We are out of contract with the distributor and we cannot get it fixed without paying A LOT of money. Our company's maintenance men do not work on our appliances. So, whenever anyone wants a soda, we have to use the key to open the door. We drop our money in the coin box on the inside of the door. Take our soda and lock-up the machine again until someone else wants a soda. This is such a pain.
Does anyone have any suggestions for my boss and I on what we can do about our situation. Are there any easier ways to sell sodas rather than using this machine? We use this soda money to by coffee for the office. Thanks guys. All serious ideas are appreciated.

Answer 1

That reminds me of a funny situation...years ago I worked at a company and people started complaining about the cost of the soda in the machines. After a while, it was learned that the vending company was giving a kick back to our company that was used to pay for the annual "Employee Appreciation Day" party! LOL I thought that was a riot.

I'm not sure I understand your situation. It sounds like you own the machine and stock it yourself. There is no vending company involved, right? In that case, you are pretty much hosed. Either pay to get it fixed, live with it as is, or scrap it completely and let the employees fend for themselves.

But if a vending company owns it, surely they will come and fix it. Particularly if you STOP using it! Once they stop making money, you will get their attention.

Answer 2

You might consider pooling your cash to buy cases of soda and keeping them in coolers or, like the other answerer suggested, a small fridge. Does your office have a fridge?

Of course, this would require either an honor system or one honest person doling out the cans.

Answer 3

I have some ideas but I need to know what's wrong with the machine I have some experience in fixing them not expert knowledge though so I may be able to help if you can let me know what the problem is. [e-mail]

Answer 4

You could buy a dorm-sized refridgerator and keep your soda in that. That, of course, would cost money also.

Answer 5

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M9MXCC/ref=nosim?s=merchant&m=A1MGLAH4FJRY2P&v=glance&tag=nextag-ce-mp-20&creative=380341&linkCode=asn&creativeASIN=B000M9MXCC get a few of these.