Who Will Refill It? The Daily Work Behind a Prize Arcade Machine
Assign the daily work before ordering.
Name who refills approved stock, handles interrupted play and carries work into the next shift. Review those jobs against the machine's access instructions and the venue's staffing arrangements.
- Keep the approved stock reference with each refill container.
- Record stock, collections, faults and authorised setting changes by shift.
- Assign key access, support requests and follow-up checks.
A prize arcade machine needs someone to load approved stock, respond when play is interrupted, and leave a usable record for the next shift. Before ordering, work through those jobs with the person who will operate the machine and the person who will cover their absence. The cabinet's service routine needs to fit the staff and access arrangements at the venue.
Organise the refill routine
Set a refill trigger that staff can observe, such as a marked stock level or a particular approved item running low. Keep the stock reference with the refill container so the attendant can identify the correct replacement. The YX prize and capsule sample approval guide explains how to connect the machine, sample and approved specification.
Ask for a demonstration of loading the intended prizes into the quoted configuration. Watch where the attendant stands, which access area is opened, and how the machine returns to its operating state. Use that demonstration and the supplied instructions to separate attendant tasks from work requiring a technician.
Prize changes also deserve a settings review by the person authorised to make it. The two claw models below have adjustable claw controls, but a new prize is not a reason for every attendant to change the settings. Follow the selected model's instructions, keep the approved setting on record, and record any authorised change.
Log cash collection alongside the relevant meter readings and stock records. Include the collection period and the amount removed so another person can follow what was counted. If the records do not reconcile, retain the observations for review instead of assigning a cause from the totals alone.
Check access before planning service visits
YX publishes the following cabinet dimensions and features for two claw machines:
| Machine | Published cabinet dimensions | Listed construction and access features |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Stainless Steel Mini Arcade Claw Machine | 30 × 45 × 165 cm | Reinforced stainless steel and hardware housing; anti-theft rotary lock |
| Commercial Stainless Steel Plush Claw Machine | 80 × 87 × 210 cm | Reinforced ABS and stainless steel frame; detachable metal panels; anti-theft rotary lock |
These are cabinet dimensions. Plan the working space from the selected model's door movement, service instructions and the attendant's loading position. A larger outer cabinet does not establish usable stock capacity or the time between refills.
An attended arcade can assign someone already working nearby. A separately managed location needs an agreed arrangement for entry, keys and service visits. Set the visit schedule using the machine's loading instructions and observed stock movement, then review it as those records accumulate.
Give the next shift a usable record
A handover note should identify the machine and give the next attendant enough information to continue the work. Adapt these fields to the equipment and the venue's procedures:
- Prize counts at opening and closing, using the stock references staff actually handle.
- Prizes added during the shift, with quantities and item references.
- Cash collected and the relevant meter readings, with the collection period.
- Any authorised setting change, including who made it and the recorded value.
- Reported faults or interrupted play, the stage observed, and action already taken.
- Key handover and the person responsible for any unfinished work.
Describe what happened before diagnosing it. For a machine with a Start button, a useful note might read: "Credit appeared, but pressing Start produced no response. Machine removed from customer use. Video sent to support. Supervisor to review the reply before reopening."
Handle the player's immediate concern under the venue's policy. Keep any refund or other customer remedy connected to the incident record, and leave technical investigation to the appropriate operator or technician.
Assign keys and support requests
Name the staff who can open the cabinet, collect cash, approve stock substitutions and authorise settings changes. Record key transfers and assign someone to review collection and stock discrepancies. A lock is one part of that arrangement; the record still needs to show who carried out the work.
Keep the order reference and support contact available to the responsible staff member. YX's service and support page asks buyers to provide the machine model, order information and a clear issue description, with photos or video where useful. After corrective work, record who checked the affected function and what they observed before returning the machine to customer use.
Keep warranty terms with the machine record
The published purchasing instructions for the mini claw machine and plush claw machine describe a one-year warranty on core components and a three-month warranty on consumable parts for non-human damage. They state that factory-repair shipping is covered in the first month and shared from one to three months; after three months, the buyer covers return shipping.
Keep the terms confirmed for the order, including the warranty start date, covered parts and freight responsibilities, with the machine record. An installation date alone does not establish the warranty start date. Log faults with their dates and obtain the applicable repair or return instructions before sending equipment or parts back.
Before the next shift, ask the cover attendant to locate the approved refill stock, the machine's instructions and its support record. Resolve any missing access or ownership detail while the regular attendant is available.