Stolen machine

[Coin Operated Group]

that's why I said best to put a unique number on not a phone numnber, something that is identifiable by the owner and acceptable as proof of ownership by authorites.

ie

evb61013

easy vend Birmingham machine number 6 bought 10/13 it would mean nothing to a thief but it is a traceable, your receipts/accounts have this numner on and there is a number to prove ownership etc. Something you can use when a machine is in dispute.

[Mark@YorVend]

I think I will definitely put something on my machines now. Just been looking at some letter and number stamps on the internet, think I might label all my machines with my company's name and number. If I ever get one stolen, and it then turns up on a site, I would hope one of you guys would let me know. It's one thing for mindless thugs to be stealing machines, and breaking them open for the cash, it's terrible to think that other operators are stealing machines and re-siting them!

[Coin Operated Group]

Stickers are a waste mate, your idea about a solder iron maybe a little crude yet very effective.

[Mark@YorVend]

I will let you know how I get on, hopefully i'm just wasting my time, and I never get one going missing.

I will definitely check all machines I buy on ebay, if I ever find any numbers or codes on there I will be sure to post it on here just incase

[Coin Operated Group]

do your thing with a solder iron, take a pic and put it on here. You will be surprised how many people remember it

[tubzsnackz]

I just use a UV pen and put postcode etc, one under lid and on base. Thing is though if an operator bought a machine and then found it, once money was spent would they actually do anything about it? You would hope so but in reality???? The only useful thing I have considered is fitting trackers as you can get them now quite cheaply. They can be set to text you if they move from a specified location. only problem at moment is battery life only lasts a couple of weeks and you would need removable batteries. putting a sticker maybe saying tracker fitted may be a deterrent?

[Snackmore]

Bit like having a sticker on your van saying no tools or valuables left in overnight. Yeah righto

[Coin Operated Group]

Most thieves are illiterate anyway

[tubzsnackz]

Bit like having a sticker on your van saying no tools or valuables left in overnight. Yeah righto

Yeh but when you do have the tracker, they will get a shock. a couple of years when batteries are better and we'll all have them and no more stolen machines!

[Mark@YorVend]

Having just had a look at the trackers online, most of them seem to have USB charging points. It should be possible to connect them to an external battery with the USB lead, a 5ah gel cell or lead acid should last a couple of months.