Coin Co vs. Mars Validators

[BWJR]

I was told by an American Changer Service Tech that the Coin Co Validator can be strung and the Mars Validator can not. He went on to tell me that for the last two years they have switched to the Mars. I didn't think either one could be strung and I have seen Ads with American changer stating that their Changers have never been strung. In addition he told me that many mats in Flordia are being hit, because the laws are more lenient than in most parts of the country. Is this information factual or what parts are false if not all? Have any of you Flordia Owners experienced this with your changers?

BWJR

[Ken]

I will visit American Changer in Clean 03,I will talk to their tech.
I have Coinco in my changer,some Coinco,some Mars in my vending machines,they both work ok.I know a few vending operators only use Mars,if their machines don't come with Mars,they will buy a new Mars then sell the others.I bought a few new Coinco cheap that way.
If people try hard enough,almost every changers can be strung.
I even know a few way to do that ,I learn them from changer serviceman and my customers. Coinco have a little fingers to stop strung,so other company don't even have that.I won't warry too much.

[BWJR]

Ken,

Post your findings when you get back.

Thanks,

BWJR

[Anonymous]

check out the www.autocareforum.com their are numerous posts on coinco being strung.

[Ken]

I spoke to American changer's people today,yes,they have problems with Coinco because the strung,they use Mars now still offer Coinco too.If you want to change to Mars from Coinco,you will need a different harness and mars bill accepter.

[Ken]

I spoke to American Changer again next day because the first sales person didn't give me much info,I guess it was late he want to go.
Those are what I found out.
1,American offer a update kit for Coinco,it is a little cutter looking kit to cut out all string,cost $200.
2,American offer Mars kit with the harness too.
3,If your changer is under 2 years old,you should talk to them about exchange to Mars,not cost too much money.
If your changer is over 2 years old,you should buy the first kit.
I spoke to Standard changer too,Krist was there.He said the system 600 doesn't have strung problems.

[BWJR]

Ken,

I just bought a back up validator and they sent me a coin-co. I paid $200.00 for it about 2 months ago. I think I need to talk to these guys about an exchange.

Thanks Ken,

BWJR

[Ken]

American changer put Mars in as upgrade at this time since Coinco
is much cheaper accepter,it may cost a little money to exchange them.You need to call them to get more info ,I am going to try one of the untistring kit first.I feel $200 is very cheap if the kit really stop string.
This was the story I heard about those stringer from a changer company's emplyee,I don't know it is true or not:they had been around for 13 years,they were from TN,2 groups,they target carwash frist until carwash update all of their changer so they go to laundromat.Nobody know who are the masters,most people just take order from the people by phone,their cut is 75% and they "earn" about $350,000 a year.
If you want to put Mars in,you will need a new harness too, American changer had multi harness in the first few years then all of them only have Coinco harness.