Vending machines in Las Vegas NV

Here is a report on the few machines I tried:

Monorail out of service - so I could not try the fare machines...

Pepsi machines in the Palace Station accepted Golden Dollars without a problem. ($1.50 for
20 oz.).

Coke machines in the Sands Expo Center (at the Venetian) accepted $2 bills and Golden
Dollars and would give change for either in quarters. ($2.50 for 20 oz.).

Rio seafood buffet: You pay a machine like you self-checkout at Wal-Mart. One human stands
guard over 4 machines. I dined with 2 other people and we fed in around $115 in Apollo XI
and Golden Dollar coins. Did not accept $2s and I told the manager. He said he would talk
to the technician. Tons of crab legs. Yum....

Big Kitchen Buffet at Bally's: Paid human cashier in Twos and GDs. Folks behind us in line
bought some from register and chatted about them. They dug them and did not know you could
get them at a bank (by asking/insisting). Crab legs were even better than Rio.

Somehow I did not gain weight. Could be the hours at the craps table. I won a little and
played a long time at various places. Sprinkled some Twos on the tables. Again, favorable
comments.

None of the slots accepted the new $50s. I had to throw those around on the tables. They
were stamped with the Golden Dollar promotional message.

-Fred Shecter

--
"""Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply.

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 20:58:01 GMT, "Fred Shecter" wrote:

Here is a report on the few machines I tried:

Monorail out of service - so I could not try the fare machines...

Pepsi machines in the Palace Station accepted Golden Dollars without a problem. ($1.50 for
20 oz.).

Coke machines in the Sands Expo Center (at the Venetian) accepted $2 bills and Golden
Dollars and would give change for either in quarters. ($2.50 for 20 oz.).

Rio seafood buffet: You pay a machine like you self-checkout at Wal-Mart. One human stands
guard over 4 machines. I dined with 2 other people and we fed in around $115 in Apollo XI
and Golden Dollar coins. Did not accept $2s and I told the manager. He said he would talk
to the technician. Tons of crab legs. Yum....


And you walked around with 2 pounds of coins and then spent an unbelievable amount of time feeding
those stupid coins into a machine: thus holding up the line for other customers who may have need to
use said machines. And what does this prove? That stupid people will do stupid things and brag about
it.

snip

Don

Brainstorm: when you have an inspiration that's all wet.

On 13-Oct-2004, Donald F. Boudreau wrote:

And you walked around with 2 pounds of coins and then spent an
unbelievable amount of time feeding
those stupid coins into a machine: thus holding up the line for other
customers who may have need to
use said machines. And what does this prove? That stupid people will do
stupid things and brag about
it.

Am I the only one who found this unnecessarily rude to the point of being
comical?

While it is true that the exercize in question was excentric, I have found
that in the few countries in the world where golden dollars and halves
circulate, it is unquestionably a boon, because change becomes something
other than a nuissance, so it doesn't simply collect in the pockets
throughout the day. Getting rid of the cent and nickel and possibly dime
would help as well because there wouldn't be so much junk to sort through
when spending the coins.

Thanks for the comment on the rudeness.

I did not hold up the line. Once you finished paying, there was a wait for a table. The
backlog of people waiting never reached 'zero'. As I stated, there were 4 machines and we
used only one. We did not have to delay anyone to get our wrinkly rag dollars replaced
with flat crisp rag dollars. We simply popped in our coins.

Las Vegas. Who would expect anyone to walk around with a bunch of coins?

;-)

R.C.C. Who would expect posters here to hate coins to the point they attack other posters
who *like* coins?

At least most folks here don't have "hate filled days". Those that do, end up with heart
disease or a stroke.

-Fred Shecter

--
"""Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply.
"Papito" wrote in message ...

On 13-Oct-2004, Donald F. Boudreau wrote:

And you walked around with 2 pounds of coins and then spent an
unbelievable amount of time feeding
those stupid coins into a machine: thus holding up the line for other
customers who may have need to
use said machines. And what does this prove? That stupid people will do
stupid things and brag about
it.

Am I the only one who found this unnecessarily rude to the point of being
comical?

While it is true that the exercize in question was excentric, I have found
that in the few countries in the world where golden dollars and halves
circulate, it is unquestionably a boon, because change becomes something
other than a nuissance, so it doesn't simply collect in the pockets
throughout the day. Getting rid of the cent and nickel and possibly dime
would help as well because there wouldn't be so much junk to sort through
when spending the coins.

Papito wrote:
Donald F. Boudreau wrote:

And you walked around with 2 pounds of coins and then spent an
unbelievable amount of time feeding
those stupid coins into a machine: thus holding up the line for other
customers who may have need to
use said machines. And what does this prove? That stupid people will do
stupid things and brag about it.

Am I the only one who found this unnecessarily rude to the point of being
comical?

There's a club of folks who felt that way I suspect.

As to the stupid claim, it's hilarious. Let's try an actual timing
at an actual vending machine. Donald gets a stack of rag ones, I
get a handfull of coin ones. Each of us buy an item for $8. Now
time who spends how much time feeding the machine. Vending machines
are in no hurry processing paper bills, but they can take coins as
fast as I can feed them.

Heck, I'll even time putting 8 coin ones into a slot against a 5
and three 1s in paper. I'll still beat the time.

Coins *are* more convenient and faster when dealing with vending
machines. Claims that paper is faster is emotionally tempting but
factually incorrect.

"Doug Freyburger" wrote in message
om...
Papito wrote:
Donald F. Boudreau wrote:

And you walked around with 2 pounds of coins and then spent an
unbelievable amount of time feeding
those stupid coins into a machine: thus holding up the line for other
customers who may have need to
use said machines. And what does this prove? That stupid people will
do
stupid things and brag about it.

Am I the only one who found this unnecessarily rude to the point of
being
comical?

There's a club of folks who felt that way I suspect.

As to the stupid claim, it's hilarious. Let's try an actual timing
at an actual vending machine. Donald gets a stack of rag ones, I
get a handfull of coin ones. Each of us buy an item for $8. Now
time who spends how much time feeding the machine. Vending machines
are in no hurry processing paper bills, but they can take coins as
fast as I can feed them.

Heck, I'll even time putting 8 coin ones into a slot against a 5
and three 1s in paper. I'll still beat the time.

Coins *are* more convenient and faster when dealing with vending
machines. Claims that paper is faster is emotionally tempting but
factually incorrect.

Last time I ate at a restaurant where I had to insert coins somewhere to pay
for the meal was at a NY automat in the early 1950's. What's the deal with
the Las Vegas system? Seems like a credit card or $20 bill would be easier
and more customer-friendly. If people have to turn a $20 bill into dollar
coins before ordering a meal, this sounds like a waste of time. Obviously I
must be missing something here.

Bruce

Yes, you are missing something. Actually, rather than missing something you inserted
things never mentioned by me.

I *never* said that you had to convert to dollar coins.

Let's see what I said:

"
Here is a report on the few machines I tried:

Monorail out of service - so I could not try the fare machines...

Pepsi machines in the Palace Station accepted Golden Dollars without a problem. ($1.50 for
20 oz.).

Coke machines in the Sands Expo Center (at the Venetian) accepted $2 bills and Golden
Dollars and would give change for either in quarters. ($2.50 for 20 oz.).

Rio seafood buffet: You pay a machine like you self-checkout at Wal-Mart. One human stands
guard over 4 machines. I dined with 2 other people and we fed in around $115 in Apollo XI
and Golden Dollar coins. Did not accept $2s and I told the manager. He said he would talk
to the technician. Tons of crab legs. Yum....

Big Kitchen Buffet at Bally's: Paid human cashier in Twos and GDs. Folks behind us in line
bought some from register and chatted about them. They dug them and did not know you could
get them at a bank (by asking/insisting). Crab legs were even better than Rio.

Somehow I did not gain weight. Could be the hours at the craps table. I won a little and
played a long time at various places. Sprinkled some Twos on the tables. Again, favorable
comments.

None of the slots accepted the new $50s. I had to throw those around on the tables. They
were stamped with the Golden Dollar promotional message.
"

OK, so I said they were like the self-checkout at Wal-Mart. If you are not familiar with
those, let me explain. You can pay with cash, coin, debit or credit cards.

I like cash/coin. I specifically like Golden Dollars and Twos, but I still threw a few
colorful new $50s around the tables.

-Fred Shecter

--
"""Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply.


--
"""Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply.
"Bruce Remick" wrote in message news:Ytcbd.4018$EZ.683@okepread07...

"Doug Freyburger" wrote in message
om...
Papito wrote:
Donald F. Boudreau wrote:

And you walked around with 2 pounds of coins and then spent an
unbelievable amount of time feeding
those stupid coins into a machine: thus holding up the line for other
customers who may have need to
use said machines. And what does this prove? That stupid people will
do
stupid things and brag about it.

Am I the only one who found this unnecessarily rude to the point of
being
comical?

There's a club of folks who felt that way I suspect.

As to the stupid claim, it's hilarious. Let's try an actual timing
at an actual vending machine. Donald gets a stack of rag ones, I
get a handfull of coin ones. Each of us buy an item for $8. Now
time who spends how much time feeding the machine. Vending machines
are in no hurry processing paper bills, but they can take coins as
fast as I can feed them.

Heck, I'll even time putting 8 coin ones into a slot against a 5
and three 1s in paper. I'll still beat the time.

Coins *are* more convenient and faster when dealing with vending
machines. Claims that paper is faster is emotionally tempting but
factually incorrect.

Last time I ate at a restaurant where I had to insert coins somewhere to pay
for the meal was at a NY automat in the early 1950's. What's the deal with
the Las Vegas system? Seems like a credit card or $20 bill would be easier
and more customer-friendly. If people have to turn a $20 bill into dollar
coins before ordering a meal, this sounds like a waste of time. Obviously I
must be missing something here.

Bruce

"Fred Shecter" wrote in message
...
Yes, you are missing something. Actually, rather than missing something
you inserted
things never mentioned by me.

I *never* said that you had to convert to dollar coins.

Let's see what I said:

"
Here is a report on the few machines I tried:

Monorail out of service - so I could not try the fare machines...

Pepsi machines in the Palace Station accepted Golden Dollars without a
problem. ($1.50 for
20 oz.).

Coke machines in the Sands Expo Center (at the Venetian) accepted $2 bills
and Golden
Dollars and would give change for either in quarters. ($2.50 for 20 oz.).

Rio seafood buffet: You pay a machine like you self-checkout at Wal-Mart.
One human stands
guard over 4 machines. I dined with 2 other people and we fed in around
$115 in Apollo XI
and Golden Dollar coins. Did not accept $2s and I told the manager. He
said he would talk
to the technician. Tons of crab legs. Yum....

Big Kitchen Buffet at Bally's: Paid human cashier in Twos and GDs. Folks
behind us in line
bought some from register and chatted about them. They dug them and did
not know you could
get them at a bank (by asking/insisting). Crab legs were even better than
Rio.

Somehow I did not gain weight. Could be the hours at the craps table. I
won a little and
played a long time at various places. Sprinkled some Twos on the tables.
Again, favorable
comments.

None of the slots accepted the new $50s. I had to throw those around on
the tables. They
were stamped with the Golden Dollar promotional message.
"

OK, so I said they were like the self-checkout at Wal-Mart. If you are not
familiar with
those, let me explain. You can pay with cash, coin, debit or credit cards.

I like cash/coin. I specifically like Golden Dollars and Twos, but I still
threw a few
colorful new $50s around the tables.

-Fred Shecter

I was just curious what kind of restaurant had a machine you had to insert
coins and/or bills to pay for your meal, such as you described at the Rio
seafood buffet. I wondered if it was a Las Vegas thing. I don't use
self-checkouts so, no, I am not familiar with them. The only times I glance
at them, I see groups of people trying to figure out what to do. Never seen
one at a restaurant, though. Do the machines take twenties? Fifties? And
wouldn't most diners at a mid-price restaurant pay $115 tabs with credit
cards?

Bruce

"You can pay with cash, coin, debit or credit cards".

Yes, the machine would take $20s and $50s (but not the new $50s yet).

We arrived with dollar coins to pay, as we did at ALL the restaurants we visited (and the
gas stations). I spend them everywhere, so if it's a human or machine it's/they're getting
dollar coins.

Customers could pay with those "oh so useful" one cent coins (aka, Lintcents, Zincolns,
etc.).

Halves won't fit the slot.

-Fred Shecter

--
"""Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply.
"Bruce Remick" wrote in message news:O7kbd.30658$cJ3.27817@fed1read06...

"Fred Shecter" wrote in message
...
Yes, you are missing something. Actually, rather than missing something
you inserted
things never mentioned by me.

I *never* said that you had to convert to dollar coins.

Let's see what I said:

"
Here is a report on the few machines I tried:

Monorail out of service - so I could not try the fare machines...

Pepsi machines in the Palace Station accepted Golden Dollars without a
problem. ($1.50 for
20 oz.).

Coke machines in the Sands Expo Center (at the Venetian) accepted $2 bills
and Golden
Dollars and would give change for either in quarters. ($2.50 for 20 oz.).

Rio seafood buffet: You pay a machine like you self-checkout at Wal-Mart.
One human stands
guard over 4 machines. I dined with 2 other people and we fed in around
$115 in Apollo XI
and Golden Dollar coins. Did not accept $2s and I told the manager. He
said he would talk
to the technician. Tons of crab legs. Yum....

Big Kitchen Buffet at Bally's: Paid human cashier in Twos and GDs. Folks
behind us in line
bought some from register and chatted about them. They dug them and did
not know you could
get them at a bank (by asking/insisting). Crab legs were even better than
Rio.

Somehow I did not gain weight. Could be the hours at the craps table. I
won a little and
played a long time at various places. Sprinkled some Twos on the tables.
Again, favorable
comments.

None of the slots accepted the new $50s. I had to throw those around on
the tables. They
were stamped with the Golden Dollar promotional message.
"

OK, so I said they were like the self-checkout at Wal-Mart. If you are not
familiar with
those, let me explain. You can pay with cash, coin, debit or credit cards.

I like cash/coin. I specifically like Golden Dollars and Twos, but I still
threw a few
colorful new $50s around the tables.

-Fred Shecter

I was just curious what kind of restaurant had a machine you had to insert
coins and/or bills to pay for your meal, such as you described at the Rio
seafood buffet. I wondered if it was a Las Vegas thing. I don't use
self-checkouts so, no, I am not familiar with them. The only times I glance
at them, I see groups of people trying to figure out what to do. Never seen
one at a restaurant, though. Do the machines take twenties? Fifties? And
wouldn't most diners at a mid-price restaurant pay $115 tabs with credit
cards?

Bruce

Here is a report on the few machines I tried:

Monorail out of service - so I could not try the fare machines...

Pepsi machines in the Palace Station accepted Golden Dollars without a
problem. ($1.50 for
20 oz.).

Coke machines in the Sands Expo Center (at the Venetian) accepted $2 bills
and Golden
Dollars and would give change for either in quarters. ($2.50 for 20 oz.).

Rio seafood buffet: You pay a machine like you self-checkout at Wal-Mart. One
human stands
guard over 4 machines. I dined with 2 other people and we fed in around $115
in Apollo XI
and Golden Dollar coins. Did not accept $2s and I told the manager. He said
he would talk
to the technician. Tons of crab legs. Yum....

Big Kitchen Buffet at Bally's: Paid human cashier in Twos and GDs. Folks
behind us in line
bought some from register and chatted about them. They dug them and did not
know you could
get them at a bank (by asking/insisting). Crab legs were even better than
Rio.

Somehow I did not gain weight. Could be the hours at the craps table. I won a
little and
played a long time at various places. Sprinkled some Twos on the tables.
Again, favorable
comments.

None of the slots accepted the new $50s. I had to throw those around on the
tables. They
were stamped with the Golden Dollar promotional message.

-Fred Shecter

--

I found out just last week that Atlanta, GA's transit system does not take
dollar coins. I take the subway train into downtown... I usually buy a monthly
card, but after a vacation, I had forgot to get one at the end of the previous
month. I had bought stamps the previous day, so had a pocket full of gold
dollars. When I got to the station, I had no dollar bills, so decided to try
the coins. The coin slot on the turnstiles were too small for the dollars. I
ended up having to ask a station employee to exchange for a rag dollar so I
could get on the train. :-(

Robert Shaw