Snacking becomes easier
By: Amir Kurtovic
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
Cash-strapped Webster students now have another option to satisfy their snack needs.
Webster University vending machines are being equipped with credit card scanners, which will stop the discrimination cash-less students have endured since forever.
"I had no idea you guys are running around with nothing in your pockets other than plastic," said Doug Stuhlmann, owner of St. Louis Vendors Inc., the company that owns all of the vending machines on WU's St. Louis campuses.
So far, 10 vending machines have been equipped with the credit card scanners. Stuhlmann said that his company has a total of 40 vending machines on WU's Webster Groves, downtown and West Port Plaza campuses. Ten more vending machines will be upgraded to accept credit card payments in the near future, Stuhlmann said. But the cost of the scanners and their associated processing costs will limit the option to only those machines that see the most sales.
"They get used a lot at night in Sverdrup," Stuhlmann said. "And the third floor of Webster Hall has also seen a large increase."
Those who frequently check their bank accounts online frequently may notice that they are charged more when using a credit card to pay at the vending machines. But Stuhlmann explained that because of the way the payment system works, as soon as a card is swiped, it is pre-authorized for the most expensive item in the vending machine. So, if there is a $3 energy drink in the vending machine, the card is authorized for that amount. Once a selection is made, the card is only charged for the price of the selected item.
"I think the turnaround for that adjustment is less than 48 hours, but it should be 24," Stuhlmann said.
Mitch Lewis, a junior media communications major, said he has used credit cards to pay at vending machines before but had not tried them at WU yet.
"It's convenient if you don't have cash," Lewis said.
While the vending machine owner admitted he is old-school and still uses cash to pay for just about everything, he is aware younger people have no qualms about swiping their plastic.
Lewis agreed, saying that he had no worries about being overcharged or having his credit card information stolen.
Webster University vending machines are being equipped with credit card scanners, which will stop the discrimination cash-less students have endured since forever.
"I had no idea you guys are running around with nothing in your pockets other than plastic," said Doug Stuhlmann, owner of St. Louis Vendors Inc., the company that owns all of the vending machines on WU's St. Louis campuses.
So far, 10 vending machines have been equipped with the credit card scanners. Stuhlmann said that his company has a total of 40 vending machines on WU's Webster Groves, downtown and West Port Plaza campuses. Ten more vending machines will be upgraded to accept credit card payments in the near future, Stuhlmann said. But the cost of the scanners and their associated processing costs will limit the option to only those machines that see the most sales.
"They get used a lot at night in Sverdrup," Stuhlmann said. "And the third floor of Webster Hall has also seen a large increase."
Those who frequently check their bank accounts online frequently may notice that they are charged more when using a credit card to pay at the vending machines. But Stuhlmann explained that because of the way the payment system works, as soon as a card is swiped, it is pre-authorized for the most expensive item in the vending machine. So, if there is a $3 energy drink in the vending machine, the card is authorized for that amount. Once a selection is made, the card is only charged for the price of the selected item.
"I think the turnaround for that adjustment is less than 48 hours, but it should be 24," Stuhlmann said.
Mitch Lewis, a junior media communications major, said he has used credit cards to pay at vending machines before but had not tried them at WU yet.
"It's convenient if you don't have cash," Lewis said.
While the vending machine owner admitted he is old-school and still uses cash to pay for just about everything, he is aware younger people have no qualms about swiping their plastic.
Lewis agreed, saying that he had no worries about being overcharged or having his credit card information stolen.
Be the first to comment on this story