SQ owners beware!

[pete f]

If you have unattended SQ mat you are at risk of getting popped.
Almost all owners of them around me, including me, have been popped. Also mine where crowbared from the top at another time. SQ washers are easy to pop the boxes out of. Protect yourself with flat high security type box. DO NOT USE the beveled edge style box. You may want to add locks on the lid for further protection against crowbar. This is not going to stop here in my area.

Also an owner got strung with a coin co validator last week. 3 am .

[laundryman79]

Isn't this a problem with the coin boxes and not the machines? If you use a high security Medico style lock box, this would probably solve a big part of it.

[pete f]

Isn't this a problem with the coin boxes and not the machines? If you use a high security Medico style lock box, this would probably solve a big part of it.


the lock is not any part of the solution or problem. the boxes are easy to pop out with a crowbar. Flat front with beveled edges can be popped within seconds. The flat front cone style high security are harder to pop out. Make sure it is a super tight fit. The problem is the design, the box is to close to front of the washer. Look at Dexter, Maytag, Wasco boxes.

[Kitty]

Pete I am not sure I understand. I would assume the same as Laundryman as well, with the isse being the coinbox and not with the actual equipment per se. Could you take a pic?

I know when we had an issue with a the key breaking and we had to pop the lock and try to break open the box, I have to tell you it took and act of Jesus and Moses...it was a queen however, but would you be so kind to post a pic?

Kitty

[Outlaw]

This one has me baffled, SQ does not make coin boxes so why are you hammering them? (no pun intended)

[pete f]

This one has me baffled, SQ does not make coin boxes so why are you hammering them? (no pun intended)

It is a SQ security problem. Maytag, Dexter have thier boxes further inside the machine, so harder to leverage a crowbar to pop them. SQ washers have the coin box within 1 1/4" of the face, so it is easy to pop them out if it is a flat face box wth beveled edges. SQ washers are easy to crowbar the lid, there is nothing holding it down but one lock. Dexter you have to unscrew the soap box and unlock 2 locks ont eh bigger machines, same with Maytag. These guys know their target.

[Outlaw]

The only t/l's I have are SQ and every one has the box about 2 inchs in.

[Kitty]

I think Pete is speaking about the area around the box itself being different and this is how there is an issue. I know in the Maytags, the edges of the box itself, when you take the box out to dump quarters and return the box into the compartment of the machine you must fit the box back into place by slightly crooking the box itself to fit around the beveled edges back into the compartment of the machine. Thus the crow bar effect was not an easy theivery for this type of compartment and not be an easy target. If the SpeedQueen compartment is flush to and the coin box fits in without any additional security other than the lock itself then I could see where a crow bar would POP it easily. As I said before, it took 2 hours one day for us to pop the coin box and lock out of one Maytag top one day when we broke the key and had no spares and we needed to replace t he lock/box itself. NOW, I am assuming what Pete is saying is that the edges around the box of the compartment of the coin box is not beveled and does not securely hold the box, thus his frustration on the security of these machines.

Have I got it Pete?

How old are these SQ?

[pete f]

The only t/l's I have are SQ and every one has the box about 2 inchs in.

I am refferring to FRONT LOAD SC models. sorry for the confusion!

picture of the better box, and scar marks from crowbars

[Kitty]

Well, what would be the solution on this one?

[Outlaw]

ok, I agree, that is a poor design.

[Kitty]

I realize you feel the issue lies with the coin box itself, however, shouldn't your cameras present a deterrent? If several of the mats in your area have been hit. Now I assume you have a video system, so you should be getting this on disk or tape, correct?

Have there been any good pictures taken of the criminal? Obviously most stores point camera's at the doors and changers, do you have any pointing at your machines ? How about alarming the washers and dryers
Will you add any additional cameras for added protection as well as new coin boxes?

Premium members please see my thread in the premium section in the round table.

[Monarch]

The old expression, "locking the barn door after the horses have escaped" apply. It does little good to have video record of damage being done, if the perp is already gone. Most video hardly let you tell if the perp is human, let alone offer enough to be able to identify them.

The problem is a combination of machine design, and coin box design. From the machines angle, most of the larger machines were originally designed as OPL machines and making them coin-op was an after thought. so the acceptor and the coin box get tucked away in some corner of the machine around the curve of the tub. Did you ever see the machines with the coin box down next to the floor and the acceptor in the upper right hand corner of the tub area?

Most machines were designed decades ago. Many laundromats were attended. So only minimal security considerations were applied. The problem being - once designed, it never changed. Design changes cost money, it is a competitive world out there, not just for you, but for those who want to see you buy their machines. Look at all the changes even in recent years. Flip the tub down 90 degrees, make it front load, computerized controls, sophisticated cycle adjustments, and the same old meter case on top!

From our view point. We make coin boxes, and coin acceptors. Again, since no one is willing to pay for higher quality, none of the three, ESD, Monarch or Greenwald, can afford to make a low end box for the cheap skates, and a high end box for the security minded. The market just won't support it.

Keep in mind, what a coin box is a coin box is a coin box. The addition of one lock over the other does not increase the security against prying. That remains a property of the box itself. The different locks are to address different security concerns, such a picking, drilling, and torquing. That same box has met a different fate in other places. (see pic below)

So even that is not a total answer. I actually have a route operator who takes a whole different view. One I Do not really agree with, but his point has some validity. He buys the cheapest box he can, with some consideration to pick resistance. But he WANTS his boxes to pop out easily. He thinks this is less expensive in the long run, rather than having lots of costly damage to his machines. He collects often, and change boxes as needed. He has operated this way for 15 years that I have worked with him, so he hasn't gone broke doing business this way.

One of you have a signature line, "If it was easy - everyone would be doing it" and that pretty well describes the situation. I wish I had an answer. but I don't. Just suggestions.

Ya'll be good.

[Aromaz]

An unattended mat during business hours or one without an alarm when closed is going to take a hit eventually. Even attended or alarmed mat will, though less often. One of these crowbar thieves could bash your attendants head with the crowbar, and then go about his business popping coin boxes. Or in areas like mine where the average police response time to an alarm is 17 minutes, the thief can still pop a few boxes. Given enough time, a thief can get whatever he wants. I remember reading about a mat in Ohio back in the 70's, where the thieves loaded 36 toploaders into a stolen Ryder truck on a Sunday night when they knew the coin boxes were full. They opened the boxes at their leisure and left the truck parked with the washers. They didn't even turn the water off, just cut the hoses and and took the machines.

[pete f]

I realize you feel the issue lies with the coin box itself, however, shouldn't your cameras present a deterrent? If several of the mats in your area have been hit. Now I assume you have a video system, so you should be getting this on disk or tape, correct?

Have there been any good pictures taken of the criminal? Obviously most stores point camera's at the doors and changers, do you have any pointing at your machines ? How about alarming the washers and dryers
Will you add any additional cameras for added protection as well as new coin boxes?

Premium members please see my thread in the premium section in the round table.

the theif is identified, and has left town, or is not where he was known to be. Cameras do not stop these guys, once a guy stole all my cams! Perfect pic of his face, and more important, his tatto as he ripped the cam out of the wall. A better box, and probably some security torx screws in the top are going to be the answer to make these guys go to the next place. I empty the few SQ's I have very often. I can relate to the cheap box/less damage.. If I was replacing all parts new this deal would have cost me thousands, as it is, I had to spend about a $600 fixing them up.

[pete f]

I have figured a better way to secure these SQ front loaders. You can see from the picture I posted earlier the right type of box to use, now I have a solution to the single lock, easy crow bar problem. It requires drilling a few holes and installing high security screws on the top to make it harder to get open, hopefully having the thief pass and look for an easier target. If anyone is interested email me, I will send a pic as to what to do. I do not want to post the details here.