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In case people aren't from Michigan and don't understand how this works... Many stores have automated scanning machines. You feel UNCRUSHED bottles and cans in

In case people aren't from Michigan and don't understand how this works... Many stores have automated scanning machines. You feel UNCRUSHED bottles and cans in, a worm drive spins them around while scanning for the barcode. If that can was sold in MI, you get a .10 credit. You just stand there feeding them in at bigger stores. Many of the grocery stores devoted a portion of their cart storage / entry to these machines. It's important to note that they are required to be uncrushed because it's a pain in the ass storing full size empties imo.

thoughtpalette 8y ago
Moved away from MI, but I was not a fan of getting gross old soda on my hands when feeding them into the machines. The .10c is something I'm missing though.
- penagwin 8y ago
  I've lived in MI since I was 7, I remember developing "strategies" for how I reach my hand in, the orientation of the grab, etc. to minimize "splash". Those with "real pop addictions" won't have any issues though ;)
- astura 8y ago
  That's why you buy a pack of latex gloves. I don't see anyone redeeming bottles/cans without wearing gloves.
  - thoughtpalette 8y ago
    My adolescent mind was not that sharp, but that's a great idea.
astura 8y ago
These are called "reverse vending machines." They are a pain in the ass though because they are always filling up and/or jamming and then you have to call and wait for staff to come fix it. If you are redeeming a whole cart of bottles you're going to have to call the staff over at least a couples times. They are always in use so you have to wait. The rooms they are in are nasty and sticky. The bar code reader doesn't always work the first time (and sometimes doesn't work at all for some bottles) so you're constantly refeeding them into the machine. They get a TON of use, so they go out of order frequently. My grocery store just got brand new ones and they are better than the last ones they had still have problems.

thoughtpalette 8y ago

Moved away from MI, but I was not a fan of getting gross old soda on my hands when feeding them into the machines. The .10c is something I'm missing though.

penagwin 8y ago
I've lived in MI since I was 7, I remember developing "strategies" for how I reach my hand in, the orientation of the grab, etc. to minimize "splash". Those with "real pop addictions" won't have any issues though ;)
astura 8y ago
That's why you buy a pack of latex gloves. I don't see anyone redeeming bottles/cans without wearing gloves.
- thoughtpalette 8y ago
  My adolescent mind was not that sharp, but that's a great idea.

astura 8y ago

These are called "reverse vending machines." They are a pain in the ass though because they are always filling up and/or jamming and then you have to call and wait for staff to come fix it. If you are redeeming a whole cart of bottles you're going to have to call the staff over at least a couples times. They are always in use so you have to wait. The rooms they are in are nasty and sticky. The bar code reader doesn't always work the first time (and sometimes doesn't work at all for some bottles) so you're constantly refeeding them into the machine. They get a TON of use, so they go out of order frequently. My grocery store just got brand new ones and they are better than the last ones they had still have problems.