BY: ELIZABETH CLEARY
Managing Editor
At Meramec, campus life comes with its own version of Las Vegas; just swap the slot machines for the snack machines.
The on-campus vending machines have become notorious for eating money and withholding food. STLCC student Kaitlyn Eckhard is well versed in vending machine roulette.
“[The vending machine] ate up my three dollars, which was very upsetting because I didn’t get that money back, and I didn’t get my Pepsi either,” Eckhard said.
Eckhard finds herself having to visit multiple vending machines across campus because, oftentimes, the card reader on a given machine won’t work. This makes it difficult for Eckhard and other students who don’t carry much cash on them to use the machines.
The vending machines are faulty in more than just these ways.
“A couple of weeks ago, I put my card into the vending machine to get some Sunchips, and it so graciously gave me two bags when I only paid for one,” Eckhard said.
While this may not seem like a bad deal, not everyone has been so lucky in getting double the food without the cost. Student Aaron Perez has also faced complications in using the machines.
“One time, I was using the card reader and I got double charged for a single item. It really made me mad, so now I carry quarters in case that happens,” Perez said.
In taking the gamble by using the vending machines, some students have discovered a way to receive back the money they’ve lost. Student Lilly Burrus, after paying for a bag of skittles that she did not receive, was able to get in contact with the company by texting the phone number listed on the vending machine.
“I texted the number and they asked me what the issue was. Then they Venmoed me for five dollars,” Burrus said.
Still, for students who haven’t discovered this trick, the vending machine struggle is discouraging.
“Sometimes I bring my own water or my own food, so I don’t have to rely on the vending machines,” Perez said.
For those beaten down by the machines, there are other options for food on campus. The cafeteria contains a wide variety of options, the SARC Archers Market offers grab and go meals and snacks for students at no cost and various events around campus frequently have food available.
This given, vending machines still hold the appeal of being convenient and relatively cheap. Whether finding another source of food or continuing to play vending machine roulette, STLCC students have strong feelings about the issue.
“At the end of the day, it’s just frustrating, and I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling that way,” Burrus said.
