Automated wine kiosks shut down or failed to dispense bottles of wine hundreds of times since they opened in June, according to records obtained by The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa. More than 700 kiosk problems were reported to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board between June 24 and Dec. 20, according to a review of the board's call center log obtained through a Right to Know request.
Five or six kiosks will be reopened on a trial basis for a week. If they are working properly, the rest of the kiosks will be reopened, said Jim Lesser, CEO of Simple Brands, the developer of the Pronto wine kiosks.
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Editor's Insight: VendingMarketWatch noted that the wine vending machines would expand if the Pennsylvania rollout proved successful. Apparently the machine manufacturer did not perform due diligence before placing the machines in the field, which could significantly impact the future for these machines.
Early reports indicated the machines exceeded expectations. But for the machine to succeed in the field, the manufacturer must perform due diligence. 01-17-11 by Elliot Maras
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