Choc off
 

Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines on Tube
platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use. Anyone know why?
My best guess is that the company which services/restocks them has ceased
trading.

The problem with the present business model for vending machines, is that
the machines have become *too* reliable. Going back 20 years (remembering
childhood trips with grandparents who liked to spoil me), the machines were
programmed to 'eat the money but not dispense the product' for one in three
attempts. It was like a cruel lottery, but the profit margins must have been
good.

Chris

(ps on a choccy theme, Whistlestop, at various London terminals, are now the
only stockists I can find for the elusive plain chocolate Bounty bar.)

Choc off
 

"Chris Read" typed



Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines on Tube
platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use. Anyone know why?
My best guess is that the company which services/restocks them has ceased
trading.

The problem with the present business model for vending machines, is that
the machines have become *too* reliable. Going back 20 years (remembering
childhood trips with grandparents who liked to spoil me), the machines were
programmed to 'eat the money but not dispense the product' for one in three
attempts. It was like a cruel lottery, but the profit margins must have been
good.

Chris

(ps on a choccy theme, Whistlestop, at various London terminals, are now the
only stockists I can find for the elusive plain chocolate Bounty bar.)

I think many are operated by Cadbury who I believe have not ceased trading.

Theye are also good about sending refunds if you report having lost
money. 0800 223879 is the number to ring.

Maybe the machines are being replaced, maybe...

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.

Choc off
 

On Sat, 11 Feb 2006 21:09:42 +0000 (UTC), "Chris Read"
wrote:


Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines on Tube
platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use. Anyone know why?

I don't but I intend to ask at work on Monday. I haven't seen any
announcements.

My best guess is that the company which services/restocks them has ceased
trading.

As it is Cadburys that service and stock them I think we'd have heard if
they'd gone bust!

There could be a huge range of issues as to why every machine has had to
be switched off. I'm not aware that the drinks machines - part of the
same contract - have been switched off so perhaps there is a specific
issue with the chocolate machines themselves. I'll see if I can an
answer on Monday.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

Choc off
 

"Helen Deborah Vecht" wrote in message
...
"Chris Read" typed



Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines on Tube
platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use. Anyone know
why?
My best guess is that the company which services/restocks them has ceased
trading.

The problem with the present business model for vending machines, is that
the machines have become *too* reliable. Going back 20 years (remembering
childhood trips with grandparents who liked to spoil me), the machines
were
programmed to 'eat the money but not dispense the product' for one in
three
attempts. It was like a cruel lottery, but the profit margins must have
been
good.

Chris

(ps on a choccy theme, Whistlestop, at various London terminals, are now
the
only stockists I can find for the elusive plain chocolate Bounty bar.)

I think many are operated by Cadbury who I believe have not ceased
trading.

Theye are also good about sending refunds if you report having lost
money. 0800 223879 is the number to ring.

Maybe the machines are being replaced, maybe...

Perhaps they think that they are a terriorist risk!

tim

Choc off
 

"Chris Tolley" wrote in message
.. .
Chris Read wrote:
The problem with the present business model for vending machines, is
that the machines have become *too* reliable. Going back 20 years
(remembering childhood trips with grandparents who liked to spoil
me), the machines were programmed to 'eat the money but not dispense
the product' for one in three attempts. It was like a cruel lottery,
but the profit margins must have been good.

35 years ago, I knew of a vending machine that was rather generous from
time to time. It just dispensed ordinary chocolate bars. However, it was
stuck on a wall in such a position as to get the full afternoon sun in
midsummer. This, of course, meant that the chocolate melted. It also
meant that when your money had gone in the slot and you pulled the tray
out, two melted bars occupied the space of one solid bar.
--
http://gallery120232.fotopic.net/p12598512.html
(37 219 and 37 220 at Gloucester Central, 8 Jun 1985)

We had one about the same time that was very generous once and didnt ask for
any money. To a bunch of 13 yr olds this was a delight. A week later we all
had to receive a questioning and lecture from 2 detectives at our local
police station.

It must have been a socially well-connected machine.
Simon

Choc off
 

"tim (in Sweden)" wrote in message
...

"Helen Deborah Vecht" wrote in message
...
"Chris Read" typed



Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines on Tube
platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use. Anyone know
why?
My best guess is that the company which services/restocks them has
ceased
trading.

The problem with the present business model for vending machines, is
that
the machines have become *too* reliable. Going back 20 years
(remembering
childhood trips with grandparents who liked to spoil me), the machines
were
programmed to 'eat the money but not dispense the product' for one in
three
attempts. It was like a cruel lottery, but the profit margins must have
been
good.

Chris

(ps on a choccy theme, Whistlestop, at various London terminals, are now
the
only stockists I can find for the elusive plain chocolate Bounty bar.)

I think many are operated by Cadbury who I believe have not ceased
trading.

Theye are also good about sending refunds if you report having lost
money. 0800 223879 is the number to ring.

Maybe the machines are being replaced, maybe...

Perhaps they think that they are a terriorist risk!

tim


Funnily enough, I was looking forward to a choccy bar at Bristol late last
night ( delayed because the `Murco' split between Wickwar & Charfield ) and
strangely ALL the vending machines have been removed.

Choc off
 

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:
"Chris Read" typed



Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines on Tube
platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use. Anyone know why?
My best guess is that the company which services/restocks them has ceased
trading.

The problem with the present business model for vending machines, is that
the machines have become *too* reliable. Going back 20 years (remembering
childhood trips with grandparents who liked to spoil me), the machines were
programmed to 'eat the money but not dispense the product' for one in three
attempts. It was like a cruel lottery, but the profit margins must have been
good.

Chris

(ps on a choccy theme, Whistlestop, at various London terminals, are now the
only stockists I can find for the elusive plain chocolate Bounty bar.)

I think many are operated by Cadbury who I believe have not ceased trading.

Theye are also good about sending refunds if you report having lost
money. 0800 223879 is the number to ring.

Maybe the machines are being replaced, maybe...


My experience is that Cadburys deny any involvement with the machines,
it is just their products that are in them. Also, the phone number is
a paid one and charges you for waiting but isn't answered.

(The first in answer to a sarcastic letter from me about the legality
of placing such tempting gambling machines in places where young
children are allowed.)

Both these things may have changed, but the history of the machines is
so bad that I wouldn't dream of touching one.

Choc off
 

On Sat, 11 Feb 2006 21:09:42 +0000 (UTC), "Chris Read"
wrote:

The problem with the present business model for vending machines, is that
the machines have become *too* reliable.

Funny that. I gave up using them due to money just being swallowed. As
recently as a couple of weeks ago, I saw a couple of people having the
smae problem (at Oxford Circus I think) and I took to advising people
not to put their money in.

The occasional Coke machines are still working, though.

--
James Farrar
. @gmail.com

Choc off
 

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:

Theye are also good about sending refunds if you report having lost
money. 0800 223879 is the number to ring.

They've always been pretty good with me - I think my failure rate on
those chocolate machines is probably around 90%.

Taking the best part of 2-3 minutes to vend is a bit of an evil trick
though - you do have to hope the arrival times are reasonably accurate!

Does that *09# trick still work? I *think* it was that anyway, used to
come back with "EVERYTHING OK!" on the machines...


--
Joel Rowbottom, Chief Bespectacled Village Idiot @ Fotopic.Net
18M+ photos :: 215+ countries :: Free gallery at http://fotopic.net
Fotopic 5th Birthday Offer - get an upgrade to Fotopic Plus for
a fiver! See http://fotopic.net/about/birthday.php for more info!

Choc off
 

James Farrar wrote:

The occasional Coke machines are still working, though.

Never had any success from those either :(

Coke machine: http://nokia.fotopic.net/p8279388.html

Cadbury machine: http://nokia.fotopic.net/p7005745.html

--
Joel Rowbottom, Chief Bespectacled Village Idiot @ Fotopic.Net
18M+ photos :: 215+ countries :: Free gallery at http://fotopic.net
FotopicPlus for a fiver - upgrade before 16th Feb and get it cheap!
Special birthday offer: http://fotopic.net/about/birthday.php

Choc off
 

"Chris Read" wrote in message
...

Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines
on Tube platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use.

I don't get the gag in the subject line.... why isn't the thread called
"Chocs away"?

Choc off
 

"Joel Rowbottom" wrote in message

re chocolate machines

Does that *09# trick still work? I *think* it was that anyway, used to
come back with "EVERYTHING OK!" on the machines...

Don't know about *09#, but 110 got the same result. Always good for
reassurance at times of stress, that soothing little message.
M

Choc off
 

"Joel Rowbottom" wrote in message

re chocolate machines

Does that *09# trick still work? I *think* it was that anyway, used to
come back with "EVERYTHING OK!" on the machines...

Don't know about *09#, but 110 got the same result. Always good for
reassurance at times of stress, that soothing little message.
v.

Choc off
 

"John Rowland" wrote:

I don't get the gag in the subject line.... why isn't the thread called
"Chocs away"?

Because if I could come up with witty, relevant thread titles, I'd be
working for a tabloid newspaper and not posting to newsgroups.

Chris

Choc off
 

Joel Rowbottom wrote:
Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:

Theye are also good about sending refunds if you report having lost
money. 0800 223879 is the number to ring.


They've always been pretty good with me - I think my failure rate on
those chocolate machines is probably around 90%.

Taking the best part of 2-3 minutes to vend is a bit of an evil trick
though - you do have to hope the arrival times are reasonably accurate!

Does that *09# trick still work? I *think* it was that anyway, used to
come back with "EVERYTHING OK!" on the machines...


You now tap in 110 and that will bring up the status of the machine.

Choc off
 

"MIG" typed


My experience is that Cadburys deny any involvement with the machines,
it is just their products that are in them. Also, the phone number is
a paid one and charges you for waiting but isn't answered.

(The first in answer to a sarcastic letter from me about the legality
of placing such tempting gambling machines in places where young
children are allowed.)

Both these things may have changed, but the history of the machines is
so bad that I wouldn't dream of touching one.

0800 is usually free from a landline isn't it?

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.

Choc off
 

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:
"MIG" typed


My experience is that Cadburys deny any involvement with the machines,
it is just their products that are in them. Also, the phone number is
a paid one and charges you for waiting but isn't answered.

(The first in answer to a sarcastic letter from me about the legality
of placing such tempting gambling machines in places where young
children are allowed.)

Both these things may have changed, but the history of the machines is
so bad that I wouldn't dream of touching one.

0800 is usually free from a landline isn't it?


There wasn't an 0800 number last time I was scammed, nor was there an
email address.

This may all have changed, because it's been a very long time since I
would have dreamed of touching one.

Choc off
 

In message , Paul Corfield
writes
As it is Cadburys that service and stock them I think we'd have heard if
they'd gone bust!
We've just driven home past the works at Bournville. I'm happy to
report - in my capacity as West Midlands Correspondent for
uk.transport.london! - that they're still in business! :-)
--
Ian Jelf, MITG
Birmingham, UK

Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk

Choc off
 

Ian Jelf wrote:
In message .com, MIG
writes
(The first in answer to a sarcastic letter from me about the legality
of placing such tempting gambling machines in places where young
children are allowed.)

It may be irritating when you have children in tow but I suspect there's
nothing actually *illegal* about placing them where children might be.
:-)) If there was, then I can't see chocolate sales being allowed
anywhere except some pubs, betting shops, night clubs and casinos!



I think that my sarcastic analogy was that these machines made stations
into a gambling arcade, where there would normally be an age limit.
Also, that the use chocolate was particularly targeting children as
potential gamblers.

Choc off
 

James Farrar typed


On Sat, 11 Feb 2006 21:09:42 +0000 (UTC), "Chris Read"
wrote:


Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines on Tube
platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use. Anyone
know why?
My best guess is that the company which services/restocks them has ceased
trading.

The one at Northfields Eastbound platforms is still working. The phone
number on it is 0800.

0800 CADBURY (2232879) to be precise.

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.

Choc off
 

Chris Read wrote:
"John Rowland" wrote:

I don't get the gag in the subject line.... why isn't the thread
called "Chocs away"?

Because if I could come up with witty, relevant thread titles, I'd be
working for a tabloid newspaper and not posting to newsgroups.

If you look in the other thread on this topic, in u.t.l, originally titled
"Underground chocolate machines" , you'll see that I have already changed it
as John suggests ;-)

- Alan (in Brussels)

Choc off
 

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:
James Farrar typed



On Sat, 11 Feb 2006 21:09:42 +0000 (UTC), "Chris Read"
wrote:


Has anyone else noticed, *all* of the chocolate vending machines on Tube
platforms, certainly in zone 1, have been taken out of use. Anyone
know why?
My best guess is that the company which services/restocks them has ceased
trading.


The one at Northfields Eastbound platforms is still working. The phone
number on it is 0800.


0800 CADBURY (2232879) to be precise.

The chocolate machines have been turned off as one machine was not only
dispensing them, but cooking them at the same time, so LU decided to
reduce the risk of a fire and turn them off.

Choc off
 

RPM wrote:


Most are owned by Cadbury Schweppes. They tried to persuade me to
have Coke & chocolate machines on my stations when I was a Station
Manager. I turned them down because I thought the booking office
staff had enough to deal with without fending off endless complaints
from people who lost money in the machines. Call me a cynic if you
want.

I'm surprised that discretion to have vending machines installed or
operated at stations would be devolved down to Station Manager level. I
would have expected it to be taken higher up the chain - these days
with the ROC that manages the station, or with the station's catering
providers, previously on a Regional level or by Traveller's Fare.

Back in the 1980s, all of the chocolate vending machines on railway
stations seemed to be branded Nestle. Come to think of it, I have never
seen Nestle milk chocolate, plain chocolate or Feast bars on sale over
the counter. If I recall correctly, the milk chocolate was wrapped with
waxed paper rather than foil.

Richard Hunt

Choc off
 

Anyone remember Superfine? Sounds like another product commonly sold
via vending machines, but was in fact a slab of very dark, plain
chocolate (Nestlé IIRC). Mmmmmm...


Steve Adams

Choc off
 

Richard Hunt wrote:
RPM wrote:


Most are owned by Cadbury Schweppes. They tried to persuade me to
have Coke & chocolate machines on my stations when I was a Station
Manager. I turned them down because I thought the booking office
staff had enough to deal with without fending off endless complaints
from people who lost money in the machines. Call me a cynic if you
want.

I'm surprised that discretion to have vending machines installed or
operated at stations would be devolved down to Station Manager level. I
would have expected it to be taken higher up the chain - these days
with the ROC that manages the station, or with the station's catering
providers, previously on a Regional level or by Traveller's Fare.

Back in the 1980s, all of the chocolate vending machines on railway
stations seemed to be branded Nestle. Come to think of it, I have never
seen Nestle milk chocolate, plain chocolate or Feast bars on sale over
the counter. If I recall correctly, the milk chocolate was wrapped with
waxed paper rather than foil.


Underground were Cadburys and British Rail were Nestle in those days.
You could certainly get Nestle Dairy Crunch (or whatever it was called;
the rice crispy thing) over the counter.

That was when Nestle was down Bath way somewhere, before they took over
Rowntrees in York, and then closed that down.

Choc off
 

Chris Read wrote:
Going back 20 years (remembering
childhood trips with grandparents who liked to spoil me), the machines were
programmed to 'eat the money but not dispense the product' for one in three
attempts

Ah that explains it!

The last two times I tried to get a chocolate (having not used a
machine in years), I lost my money. I only complained once but they
gave me a £1 voucher for a 50p loss (as compensation).

The third time I tried to get a chocolate, the machine didn't accept my
coin. When it rejected it, I found a pound in the change tray! So, I
collected my prize, my original 50p and walked away.

Maybe they're now programmed to be like fruit machines.. some people
lose money, others win it! Now if they could only make them pay out
fruit...

Jonathan

Choc off
 

Joel Rowbottom wrote:
Does that *09# trick still work? I *think* it was that anyway, used to
come back with "EVERYTHING OK!" on the machines...

DON'T TYPE THAT! If you do, the machine will take control of your
mobile via Bluetooth and start calling premium rate numbers at 1.50UKP
a minute!

This was told to me by a friend that was scammed in just this way, and
it's been confirmed by Cadbury's. Please pass this on to everyone you
know....... :D

Jonathan

Choc off
 

MIG wrote:


Richard Hunt wrote:
RPM wrote:


Most are owned by Cadbury Schweppes. They tried to persuade me to
have Coke & chocolate machines on my stations when I was a Station
Manager. I turned them down because I thought the booking office
staff had enough to deal with without fending off endless
complaints from people who lost money in the machines. Call me a
cynic if you want.

I'm surprised that discretion to have vending machines installed or
operated at stations would be devolved down to Station Manager
level. I would have expected it to be taken higher up the chain -
these days with the ROC that manages the station, or with the
station's catering providers, previously on a Regional level or by
Traveller's Fare.

Back in the 1980s, all of the chocolate vending machines on railway
stations seemed to be branded Nestle. Come to think of it, I have
never seen Nestle milk chocolate, plain chocolate or Feast bars on
sale over the counter. If I recall correctly, the milk chocolate
was wrapped with waxed paper rather than foil.


Underground were Cadburys and British Rail were Nestle in those days.
You could certainly get Nestle Dairy Crunch (or whatever it was
called; the rice crispy thing) over the counter.

Yes, but I wonder why there wasa a split like that, and why/when did it
change?

That was when Nestle was down Bath way somewhere, before they took
over Rowntrees in York, and then closed that down.

Nestle's UK head office used to be in Croydon.
Rowntree's works were rail-connected, and I think remained so until the
mid-late 1980s.
The trackbed is still intact I think.

I don't think that the other big York chocolate firm, Terry's, ever was
rail connected.

Richard Hunt

Choc off
 

jonmorris wrote:

DON'T TYPE THAT! If you do, the machine will take control of your
mobile via Bluetooth and start calling premium rate numbers at 1.50UKP
a minute!

This was told to me by a friend that was scammed in just this way, and
it's been confirmed by Cadbury's. Please pass this on to everyone you
know....... :D

I win! Don't have Bluetooth on my mobile...

--
\\\\\ Stevie D
\\\\\\\__. Bringing OLFs to the common hedgehog since 2001
___\\\\\\\'/__________________________________________________ _____

Choc off
 

Richard Hunt wrote:
MIG wrote:


Richard Hunt wrote:
RPM wrote:


Most are owned by Cadbury Schweppes. They tried to persuade me to
have Coke & chocolate machines on my stations when I was a Station
Manager. I turned them down because I thought the booking office
staff had enough to deal with without fending off endless
complaints from people who lost money in the machines. Call me a
cynic if you want.

I'm surprised that discretion to have vending machines installed or
operated at stations would be devolved down to Station Manager
level. I would have expected it to be taken higher up the chain -
these days with the ROC that manages the station, or with the
station's catering providers, previously on a Regional level or by
Traveller's Fare.

Back in the 1980s, all of the chocolate vending machines on railway
stations seemed to be branded Nestle. Come to think of it, I have
never seen Nestle milk chocolate, plain chocolate or Feast bars on
sale over the counter. If I recall correctly, the milk chocolate
was wrapped with waxed paper rather than foil.


Underground were Cadburys and British Rail were Nestle in those days.
You could certainly get Nestle Dairy Crunch (or whatever it was
called; the rice crispy thing) over the counter.

Yes, but I wonder why there wasa a split like that, and why/when did it
change?

That was when Nestle was down Bath way somewhere, before they took
over Rowntrees in York, and then closed that down.

Nestle's UK head office used to be in Croydon.


True, but there was (maybe still is) a factory down West.



Rowntree's works were rail-connected, and I think remained so until the
mid-late 1980s.
The trackbed is still intact I think.

I don't think that the other big York chocolate firm, Terry's, ever was
rail connected.

Richard Hunt

Choc off
 

"MIG" wrote in message
ps.com...


That was when Nestle was down Bath way somewhere, before they took over
Rowntrees in York, and then closed that down.

Fry's, part of Cadbury's were on the banks of the River Bristol Avon in
Keynsham spelled K-E-Y-N-S-H-A-M, Bristol.. Sorry to Horace Batchelor.. Got
carried away just then.

Paynes Popets.. Thats what I remember from Station Vending Machines and
Aluminium nameplates!

Ken Ward, Bolton.

Choc off
 

Joel Rowbottom wrote:


Does that *09# trick still work? I *think* it was that anyway, used to
come back with "EVERYTHING OK!" on the machines...

Is that similar to the 42314 trick on a coke machine? (press 4th
selection from the top, then second, etc.).

Choc off
 

"Richard Hunt" wrote

Rowntree's works were rail-connected, and I think remained so until the
mid-late 1980s.

It had its own station, with a train from/to York at the beginning/end of
the main daytime shift. This also, IIRC, lasted until the 1980s.

Peter

Choc off
 

MIG wrote:

That was when Nestle was down Bath way somewhere, before they took
over Rowntrees in York, and then closed that down.
Nestle's UK head office used to be in Croydon.
True, but there was (maybe still is) a factory down West.

You're probably thinking of Somerdale near Keynsham. It's Cadbury's
these days, but was originally Fry's.

Choc off
 

Matthew Sylvester wrote:
MIG wrote:

That was when Nestle was down Bath way somewhere, before they took
over Rowntrees in York, and then closed that down.
Nestle's UK head office used to be in Croydon.
True, but there was (maybe still is) a factory down West.

You're probably thinking of Somerdale near Keynsham. It's Cadbury's
these days, but was originally Fry's.


It would have been somewhere more northeast of Bath. I'm sure it was
Nestle. Not near any town. (I should try on uk.chocolate.factory.)

Choc off
 

MIG wrote:
Matthew Sylvester wrote:
MIG wrote:

That was when Nestle was down Bath way somewhere, before they took
over Rowntrees in York, and then closed that down.
Nestle's UK head office used to be in Croydon.
True, but there was (maybe still is) a factory down West.

You're probably thinking of Somerdale near Keynsham. It's Cadbury's
these days, but was originally Fry's.


It would have been somewhere more northeast of Bath. I'm sure it was
Nestle. Not near any town. (I should try on uk.chocolate.factory.)


Staverton. Seems I misremembered a bit. Anyway, there are a lot more
locations than I realised, but I don't think this one was ex-Rowntree.


http://www.nestle.co.uk/AboutNestle/NestleLocations/

But it's not quite as shown on their map. More east-south-east of
Bath, near Bradford on Avon.

Choc off
 

MIG wrote:

Staverton. Seems I misremembered a bit. Anyway, there are a lot more
locations than I realised, but I don't think this one was ex-Rowntree.

That was a chilled dessert plant, rather than a chocolate factory as
such. It's been under threat of closure recently, with production moving
to France.

Choc off
 

Choc off
 

In message , Epicentre
writes
Spelt K - E - Y - N - S - H - A - M (for anyone who remembers Radio
Luxembourg after lights out!!)
And Horace Bachelor with his amazing infrdraw method. Whatever type of
con that was.
--
Clive

Choc off
 

In article ,
Clive wrote:
Spelt K - E - Y - N - S - H - A - M (for anyone who remembers Radio
Luxembourg after lights out!!)
And Horace Bachelor with his amazing infrdraw method. Whatever type of
con that was.

I think that it was very simple. As I understand it he just sent out
sections from a complete "permutation" to individual customers - and some
of them came up well enough for him to boast.

Mathematically, of course, it's a **combination** rather than a
permutation; the order in which matches are picked doesn't count.

--
David Wild using RISC OS on broadband