Swiper no swiping? Wrong, there is a new addition to the vending machines in the commons which allows you to swipe a debit or credit card to pay for your snack. This new phenomenon is rapidly growing throughout the U.S and Sheboygan South High School is lucky to be apart of this movement. Only 25% (VendingHow.com) of vending machines throughout the U.S have credit card readers on them. Now when you are hungry and don’t have any cash, this new piece of technology still allows you to you use cash or coins though. Business Development Manager Jamie Tenpas at Watson’s Vending explains why they decided to add credit card readers. “Changing times, more people have credit/debit cards and wanted to give them the opportunity to purchase an item if they don’t have smaller bills.” Over 75% (ABC News) of people in the U.S.A have at least one credit card. This is helpful to the consumer because it allows them to decide how they would like to pay for the product. Tenpas also explained how technology is changing, which means payment methods are changing and how Watson’s wants to be ahead of the time. When asked how it will benefit the customer Tenpas replied with, “If they don’t have any cash or don’t have small bills, it helps give them another option to purchase a product.” With times changing, people tend to use cash less and less. People have gone to either credit/debit cards for safety concerns, you often need a PIN number to use a credit card. If your card gets stolen someone cannot use your card, but on the other hand while if they steal cash, it’s gone. Tenpas also stated that, “There is a $.10 fee on a product when you purchase an item. And no I do not think this fee will drive away customers because they can still pay with coins or bills but gives the consumer an option to pay with their cards.” He said the fee was to help offset the cost charged to Watson’s from the credit/debit card company. He feels there are no negatives for either side when it comes to the new addition, he thinks it will benefit both sides, the consumer and the company. He stated in the two weeks the card readers have been there, Watson’s have seen a 15% sale rise. If you are hungry and don’t have cash but have a credit/debit card, head on down to the commons and try it out!
Story & Photo By: Blake Posewitz