How to catch a Joker...

[EJ333]

There is some mysterious Joker who is getting me irritated over the last two-three years. He /she will come into my Mat and take my out of order sign from a bad machine, then stick it on a good machine. Of course, this causes more hassle because then someone else will use the out of order machine. Then, more recently, I and my attendants wrote the machine number on the card, so I can see if someone switched it to another machine. So the Joker gets wise and instead of switching the card to another machine, he just tosses the card altogether. I have a camera system, but don't want to spend my free time wasted on this issue. Any suggestions ?

[Jefflange]

Put a 80lb washer out of order and then climb inside and wait for the joker.

[chad]

Originally Posted by EJ333

There is some mysterious Joker who is getting me irritated over the last two-three years. He /she will come into my Mat and take my out of order sign from a bad machine, then stick it on a good machine. Of course, this causes more hassle because then someone else will use the out of order machine. Then, more recently, I and my attendants wrote the machine number on the card, so I can see if someone switched it to another machine. So the Joker gets wise and instead of switching the card to another machine, he just tosses the card altogether. I have a camera system, but don't want to spend my free time wasted on this issue. Any suggestions ?

If you dont want to spend your free time on this issue, then I guess its going to continue.

[BMWHD3060]

Don't have any Out Of Order Machines, "Problem Solved"

[jh]

Very easy to catch him/her since you have a camera system. Put an "out of order" sticker on a machine closest to one of your camera. At the end of the day, browse through the video clips this camera records. Locate the last video clip when the sticker is still on this machine. That's all! Should take you less than 5 minutes.

[epic02]

Originally Posted by chad

If you dont want to spend your free time on this issue, then I guess its going to continue.

well put chad I guess he's spending his free time telling us about this problem and were spending our free time trying to help him.

[mellofelow]

Turn off the power to the machine that's out.

More importantly, no out of order signs. I have only 1 sign and it's rarely used.

[jh]

Originally Posted by mellofelow

Turn off the power to the machine that's out.

More importantly, no out of order signs. I have only 1 sign and it's rarely used.

This reminds me that sometimes it is very hard to convince a customer that a machine is out of service. I turned off the power. Put a "out of service" sticker. Taped up the coin slot. The customers still loaded their clothes in the pocket. So I added one more step...tape the door knob to stop them from opening the door.

[Duane]

I would spend the time and identify the joker. Perhaps it is a competitor where you would/could have a legal suit against him. I am sure any lawyer could come up with a few good reasons to sue.

[CanCanCase]

1) no OOO machines.
2) power off to OOO machines.
3) use cameras to find Joker.
4) use remote access to "be there" and still allow Joker to do his thing. If there's a coffee shop nearby, take up residence so you can catch him in the act.

- Case