Is the Maytag Skybox Vendor worth buying? I am looking for home theater vending

politics2u · 06-13-06, 05:22 PM

I stumbled across the Maytag Skybox Vendor and it looks pretty cool. But, I know nothing about these home Vending Machines. I have always wanted to have a beer/coke vending machine for my indoor movie room and outdoor backyard drive-in. Anyone have any info?

WooBah · 06-13-06, 08:12 PM

I had the same question about the Maytag Skybox Vendor. It looks really cool. I believe Maytag has discontinued the unit, or at least stopped selling them to retailers. You can still buy it online at the Maytag Skybox Vendor site. I want a vending machine to go along with my popcorn machine. Does anyone have the Maytag Skybox or know anything about it?

wendytom · 06-14-06, 12:20 AM

I have one in my theater you can see it in my pics. click on my name.
Works great takes bottles or cans and has a child lock .And you can get a base to store soda and beer in.Keeps everything nice and cold and looks cool,lights up and you can get different panels for it,sports,nascar,etc.

Blues Fan · 06-14-06, 12:43 AM

Diddo. Love it. Sams Club still has them. I paid $395.00 for mine plus $75.00 for the storage base. Only thing I don't like is if you want to do custom panels they charge you a arm and a leg!! They have all the Pro sport team etc.. they are not bad but would be nice to do a custom theme at a better price. Keeps beer ICE COLD!!!

Toxarch · 06-14-06, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by politics2u

...for my indoor movie room and outdoor backyard drive-in.

Hello. Any pics posted anywhere?

Tditti · 06-14-06, 02:09 AM

I love my skybox. Just updated the panels, too! Feel free to PM if someone is looking for the Min. Vikings...

I wanted a coke machine in my setup, but I quickly realized the commercial ones weigh over 1000 lbs and the miniature ones still weigh over 500 lbs...skybox was a nice workaround....

WooBah · 06-14-06, 12:06 PM

Well, I just bit the bullet! I ordered a Skybox with the San Francisco Giants Panel Kit. Go Giants! I decided to give it a shot. I am looking forward to seeing how the Skybox performs.

No Clue · 06-14-06, 01:09 PM

I've had a couple of issues with mine although I don't regret buying it. The first issue was covered under warranty - the fan was put in backwards and it would not cool low enough. My newest issue is one of the middle drink racks makes a noise whenever I use it. It still dispenses but it worries me that it will stop at some point.

billmarg1 · 06-17-06, 11:32 PM

received the SKYBOX VENDOR as a gift from my wife this past
Christmas. (given to me on Dec 24 2005)
Last night (6/15/2006) the part that dispenses the drinks (push
buttons) and lights all went out I smelt something like burning
plastic wire (WIRE HARNESS?) I unplugged it immediately now the FULL
/ EMPTY indicator does not light up and when you push a button to
dispense a soda does not work Refrigeration does work and light panel
for inserts graphics work. and I didn't use it that much

I contacted Maytag by EMAIL (forget calling them you won't get through!)
they sent me to thier website with links to service centers in my area (south shore
MA) I called about 5 places NONE of them would service the SKYBOX

Today 6/17 I took it back to Lowes they refunded my money
YES I want another machine It looked so great with my popcorn machine

Very concerned for the lack of support of this unit.

BillC

pcdoctor · 06-18-06, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billmarg1

Today 6/17 I took it back to Lowes they refunded my money
YES I want another machine It looked so great with my popcorn machine

Very concerned for the lack of support of this unit.

BillC

Wow! You were able to get your money back after all that time?

billmarg1 · 06-18-06, 09:29 AM

pcdoctor wrote "Wow! You were able to get your money back after all that time?"

I went to Lowes on friday and explained the situation to the store manager.

Her name is AMBER (GOD BLESS HER) I was geared up for a argument
which never happened she was very understanding. she looked up the purchase
which was in december saw that it was paid with a MC and that it was a special order. She told me to bring in the machine, and I explained I no longer have any of the orginal packing material she said it was ok. she said it was under warrenty and if no one would service it then they would send it back to maytag
I gave her also the print out of all the service stores I had called (list provided by maytag's website link.) When i first went in there I was only looking for a replacement unit I too was schocked when she handed me the cash back.

I do want another unit but, am afraid for the lack of concern of maytag support on this. These units were plagued with production problems from the start.
(just do google problems with maytag skybox)

pcdoctor · 06-18-06, 11:33 AM

I'm glad you were able to get your money back. My Dad has one and so far so good. Thanks for the heads up!

Monoplex · 06-20-06, 10:56 AM

I enjoy mine but since Maytag is no longer producing the unit, you can't get any additional beverage cards for the push buttons. Want a tag for Black Cherry Vanilla Coke? Either make your own or find a different source.

Also, the unit has a pretty large footprint for only offering four choices of beverages.

Still, I would buy it again.

HeyNow^ · 06-20-06, 03:21 PM

Monoplex,

No need to buy cards from Maytag. Plenty of places on the net. OR what I do is yahoo images of the beverage, save the pic and size it and print it on regular paper. I have a hard time telling the expensive cards from fabricated ones. Besides, they change frequently anyway.

pcdoctor · 06-20-06, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monoplex

I enjoy mine but since Maytag is no longer producing the unit, you can't get any additional beverage cards for the push buttons.

Too bad this unit is no longer produced. Maybe someone else will pick up the ball.

pcdoctor · 06-20-06, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by politics2u

I stumbled across the Maytag Skybox Vendor and it looks pretty cool. But, I know nothing about these home Vending Machines. I have always wanted to have a beer/coke vending machine for my indoor movie room and outdoor backyard drive-in. Anyone have any info?

http://www.skyboxbymaytag.com/sbii/i...&GateWayID=151

laststarfighter · 06-23-06, 08:16 AM

http://www.beermachines.com/beermach...rrentitems.htm

rlindo · 06-27-06, 11:20 AM

Damnit, I want one but the cdn skybox site doesn't seem to sell them. I am so sick of not being able to easily buy stuff here. Sheesh

billmarg1 · 07-02-06, 10:13 AM

OK...

I got my new SKYBOX from Lowes the new one works a little diffrent from my old one.

Old one you could push the button on the empty soda and would act like it would despence.
if you pushed the button 5 X 10 x or 100 x it would always try to despence a soda

NEW ONE if you push the button on a empty soda slot you can only push it once it won;t try to despence again unless you open the door and reset.

so I guess my old machine was always in service mode?

Turn your Sky Box into a light Box!!!!

Any way I started to think I took the generic panel and taped a double sided
movie poster so it fit nice neat put up a coming soon in front it looks awsome!! a true lobby display!

Bill -

No Clue · 07-03-06, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billmarg1

OK...

I got my new SKYBOX from Lowes the new one works a little diffrent from my old one.

Old one you could push the button on the empty soda and would act like it would despence.
if you pushed the button 5 X 10 x or 100 x it would always try to despence a soda

NEW ONE if you push the button on a empty soda slot you can only push it once it won;t try to despence again unless you open the door and reset.

so I guess my old machine was always in service mode?

Turn your Sky Box into a light Box!!!!

Any way I started to think I took the generic panel and taped a double sided
movie poster so it fit nice neat put up a coming soon in front it looks awsome!! a true lobby display!

Bill -

Come on. You know the rules. We need pics!

Tedd · 07-06-06, 07:20 AM

Awesome idea Bill! I'd like to see some pictures too.

billmarg1 · 07-08-06, 01:31 PM

My digital Camera is a "crap" shoot I'll see if I can get a picture of it
and post one later tonight or tommorow.

in the mean time click on my name let me know what you guys think of my theater. i should have it done this fall saving money for the carpet

and the stage / screen I hope to have completed in about 5 weeks.

Bill -

stevenc64 · 12-07-06, 10:36 PM

Hi All,
I have been looking for a skybox for a while with no luck and now see that quite a few are available on ebay from a reputable seller at a reasonable price. No I am NOT the seller. I just wanted to pass this along if anyone else besides myself was still looking for one.
Steve

stevenc64 · 12-16-06, 05:37 PM

Bump,
Just wanted to update my last post. I received my skybox AND stand which are new in original box. Just wanted to pass it along to fellow forum members as I am very happy to have found a skybox at a very competitive price. And again I am not the seller or have any gain in the sale just want to pass along what I think is a good deal on a hard to find item.
Steve

Interesting note - On the label on the skybox box it says "NFL Alumni / Pro Football HOF"
I wonder if the NFL was giving these out as gifts to alumni?

Monoplex · 12-23-06, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeyNow^

Monoplex,

No need to buy cards from Maytag. Plenty of places on the net. OR what I do is yahoo images of the beverage, save the pic and size it and print it on regular paper. I have a hard time telling the expensive cards from fabricated ones. Besides, they change frequently anyway.

Good idea. I have found out that they're called "flavor strips" in the business (so it seems).

mheadroom · 12-26-06, 09:04 PM

WOW!

AFter seeing those vendo machines it makes me think i should fix mine up. It's been sitting outside for years. Last i checked it still worked. It was the first purchase I made using money from my first job when I was 15.

I was one cool kid. 15 yo and had my own coke machine =)

Quote:

Originally Posted by laststarfighter

http://www.beermachines.com/beermach...rrentitems.htm

termpaper · 12-27-06, 12:01 PM

I too bought a Skybox, from Sears, and had problems within the first year. It was covered by warranty for the first episode. The dispensing buttons would not work and a transformer had to be replaced. Well within a year of the first problem being fixed, I had the dispensing buttons go again and the repairman from Sears, told me that the cause is a PC board causes the transformer to overheat and fail. No one is taking responsibility for a potential defective part. He claims he has replaced many PC boards and transformers. It will now cost me over $160.00 to fix the Skybox. If this happens every year it will not be worth it to keep the unit maintained.

BUY extended warranties and anything else you need to protect yourself. I am wondering how many people have had issues with their units and if this is a defective part, we could push Maytag to fix on their nickel not ours.

wallyjar · 02-28-07, 06:42 PM

I had been looking for a skybox for quite a while and was in
Tupelo, MS and ran into Sam's Club and belive it or not they that 3 units. Marked down to a really low price. Still under warrantee and due to marked down price a 3 year extended warantee was only 39.95.

Knew I shouldn't but bought one so if you live close and need one there are two left.

T u r b o · 03-01-07, 10:54 PM

I've read about a lot of problems with these units so I wanted to say a few words about mine.

We bought it in Jan of Feb of 05, so it's just over 2 years old. We got it on clearance at Home Depot for a great price. Keeps beer and soda icy cold, and we've never had any trouble with it! The worst thing I can say about it is that it is kinda loud. We have it just outside the theater so it's not a big problem.

kates3900 · 09-09-07, 06:11 PM

I just bought one of these for my boyfriend. However, it did not come with the beverage cards like the posting said it would. Can anyone PLEASE HELP me and tell me where i can buy these? Also, i'm looking for Iowa Hawkeye's panels. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!

06-13-06, 05:22 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
politics2u New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 10	Is the Maytag Skybox Vendor worth buying? I am looking for home theater vending I stumbled across the Maytag Skybox Vendor and it looks pretty cool. But, I know nothing about these home Vending Machines. I have always wanted to have a beer/coke vending machine for my indoor movie room and outdoor backyard drive-in. Anyone have any info?

06-17-06, 11:32 PM	#9 \| Link
billmarg1 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 55	I'm dissapointed in Maytag! received the SKYBOX VENDOR as a gift from my wife this past Christmas. (given to me on Dec 24 2005) Last night (6/15/2006) the part that dispenses the drinks (push buttons) and lights all went out I smelt something like burning plastic wire (WIRE HARNESS?) I unplugged it immediately now the FULL / EMPTY indicator does not light up and when you push a button to dispense a soda does not work Refrigeration does work and light panel for inserts graphics work. and I didn't use it that much I contacted Maytag by EMAIL (forget calling them you won't get through!) they sent me to thier website with links to service centers in my area (south shore MA) I called about 5 places NONE of them would service the SKYBOX Today 6/17 I took it back to Lowes they refunded my money YES I want another machine It looked so great with my popcorn machine Very concerned for the lack of support of this unit. BillC

06-18-06, 11:33 AM	#12 \| Link
pcdoctor HT Girl On A Budget Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 3,446	I'm glad you were able to get your money back. My Dad has one and so far so good. Thanks for the heads up! __________________ My Home Theater On A Budget

06-20-06, 10:56 AM	#13 \| Link
Monoplex Shameless Abt Fanboy Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Suburban Chicago. Posts: 594	I enjoy mine but since Maytag is no longer producing the unit, you can't get any additional beverage cards for the push buttons. Want a tag for Black Cherry Vanilla Coke? Either make your own or find a different source. Also, the unit has a pretty large footprint for only offering four choices of beverages. Still, I would buy it again. __________________ Robin: "You can't get away from Batman that easy!" Batman: "Easily." Robin: "Easily." Batman: "Good grammar is essential, Robin." Robin: "Thank you." Batman: "You're welcome."

06-27-06, 11:20 AM	#18 \| Link
rlindo office monkey Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 4,350	Damnit, I want one but the cdn skybox site doesn't seem to sell them. I am so sick of not being able to easily buy stuff here. Sheesh __________________ ROB

06-13-06, 08:12 PM	#2 \| Link
WooBah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 92	I had the same question about the Maytag Skybox Vendor. It looks really cool. I believe Maytag has discontinued the unit, or at least stopped selling them to retailers. You can still buy it online at the Maytag Skybox Vendor site. I want a vending machine to go along with my popcorn machine. Does anyone have the Maytag Skybox or know anything about it?

06-14-06, 12:20 AM	#3 \| Link
wendytom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 28	I have one in my theater you can see it in my pics. click on my name. Works great takes bottles or cans and has a child lock .And you can get a base to store soda and beer in.Keeps everything nice and cold and looks cool,lights up and you can get different panels for it,sports,nascar,etc.

06-14-06, 12:43 AM	#4 \| Link
Blues Fan New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 12	Diddo. Love it. Sams Club still has them. I paid $395.00 for mine plus $75.00 for the storage base. Only thing I don't like is if you want to do custom panels they charge you a arm and a leg!! They have all the Pro sport team etc.. they are not bad but would be nice to do a custom theme at a better price. Keeps beer ICE COLD!!!

06-14-06, 02:09 AM	#6 \| Link
Tditti Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 58	I love my skybox. Just updated the panels, too! Feel free to PM if someone is looking for the Min. Vikings... I wanted a coke machine in my setup, but I quickly realized the commercial ones weigh over 1000 lbs and the miniature ones still weigh over 500 lbs...skybox was a nice workaround....

06-14-06, 12:06 PM	#7 \| Link
WooBah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 92	Well, I just bit the bullet! I ordered a Skybox with the San Francisco Giants Panel Kit. Go Giants! I decided to give it a shot. I am looking forward to seeing how the Skybox performs.

06-14-06, 01:09 PM	#8 \| Link
No Clue Go Hokies! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 1,121	I've had a couple of issues with mine although I don't regret buying it. The first issue was covered under warranty - the fan was put in backwards and it would not cool low enough. My newest issue is one of the middle drink racks makes a noise whenever I use it. It still dispenses but it worries me that it will stop at some point.

06-18-06, 09:29 AM	#11 \| Link
billmarg1 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 55	pcdoctor wrote "Wow! You were able to get your money back after all that time?" I went to Lowes on friday and explained the situation to the store manager. Her name is AMBER (GOD BLESS HER) I was geared up for a argument which never happened she was very understanding. she looked up the purchase which was in december saw that it was paid with a MC and that it was a special order. She told me to bring in the machine, and I explained I no longer have any of the orginal packing material she said it was ok. she said it was under warrenty and if no one would service it then they would send it back to maytag I gave her also the print out of all the service stores I had called (list provided by maytag's website link.) When i first went in there I was only looking for a replacement unit I too was schocked when she handed me the cash back. I do want another unit but, am afraid for the lack of concern of maytag support on this. These units were plagued with production problems from the start. (just do google problems with maytag skybox)

06-20-06, 03:21 PM	#14 \| Link
HeyNow^ AVS Special Member AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Martinsburg, Wv USA Posts: 2,198	Monoplex, No need to buy cards from Maytag. Plenty of places on the net. OR what I do is yahoo images of the beverage, save the pic and size it and print it on regular paper. I have a hard time telling the expensive cards from fabricated ones. Besides, they change frequently anyway.

06-23-06, 08:16 AM	#17 \| Link
laststarfighter sparky extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 575	http://www.beermachines.com/beermach...rrentitems.htm

07-02-06, 10:13 AM	#19 \| Link
billmarg1 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 55	OK... I got my new SKYBOX from Lowes the new one works a little diffrent from my old one. Old one you could push the button on the empty soda and would act like it would despence. if you pushed the button 5 X 10 x or 100 x it would always try to despence a soda NEW ONE if you push the button on a empty soda slot you can only push it once it won;t try to despence again unless you open the door and reset. so I guess my old machine was always in service mode? Turn your Sky Box into a light Box!!!! Any way I started to think I took the generic panel and taped a double sided movie poster so it fit nice neat put up a coming soon in front it looks awsome!! a true lobby display! Bill -

07-06-06, 07:20 AM	#21 \| Link
Tedd Contrabass happy Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ontario Posts: 2,037 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	Awesome idea Bill! I'd like to see some pictures too.

07-08-06, 01:31 PM	#22 \| Link
billmarg1 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 55	turn your SKYBOX into a LOBBY LIGHT BOX!! My digital Camera is a "crap" shoot I'll see if I can get a picture of it and post one later tonight or tommorow. in the mean time click on my name let me know what you guys think of my theater. i should have it done this fall saving money for the carpet and the stage / screen I hope to have completed in about 5 weeks. Bill -

12-07-06, 10:36 PM	#23 \| Link
stevenc64 Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 22	Hi All, I have been looking for a skybox for a while with no luck and now see that quite a few are available on ebay from a reputable seller at a reasonable price. No I am NOT the seller. I just wanted to pass this along if anyone else besides myself was still looking for one. Steve

12-16-06, 05:37 PM	#24 \| Link
stevenc64 Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 22	Bump, Just wanted to update my last post. I received my skybox AND stand which are new in original box. Just wanted to pass it along to fellow forum members as I am very happy to have found a skybox at a very competitive price. And again I am not the seller or have any gain in the sale just want to pass along what I think is a good deal on a hard to find item. Steve Interesting note - On the label on the skybox box it says "NFL Alumni / Pro Football HOF" I wonder if the NFL was giving these out as gifts to alumni?

12-27-06, 12:01 PM	#27 \| Link
termpaper New Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1	Skybox Troubles I too bought a Skybox, from Sears, and had problems within the first year. It was covered by warranty for the first episode. The dispensing buttons would not work and a transformer had to be replaced. Well within a year of the first problem being fixed, I had the dispensing buttons go again and the repairman from Sears, told me that the cause is a PC board causes the transformer to overheat and fail. No one is taking responsibility for a potential defective part. He claims he has replaced many PC boards and transformers. It will now cost me over $160.00 to fix the Skybox. If this happens every year it will not be worth it to keep the unit maintained. BUY extended warranties and anything else you need to protect yourself. I am wondering how many people have had issues with their units and if this is a defective part, we could push Maytag to fix on their nickel not ours.

02-28-07, 06:42 PM	#28 \| Link
wallyjar Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 51	I had been looking for a skybox for quite a while and was in Tupelo, MS and ran into Sam's Club and belive it or not they that 3 units. Marked down to a really low price. Still under warrantee and due to marked down price a 3 year extended warantee was only 39.95. Knew I shouldn't but bought one so if you live close and need one there are two left.

03-01-07, 10:54 PM	#29 \| Link
T u r b o Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Outside Philly, PA Posts: 370	I've read about a lot of problems with these units so I wanted to say a few words about mine. We bought it in Jan of Feb of 05, so it's just over 2 years old. We got it on clearance at Home Depot for a great price. Keeps beer and soda icy cold, and we've never had any trouble with it! The worst thing I can say about it is that it is kinda loud. We have it just outside the theater so it's not a big problem. __________________ E-Mail Me

09-09-07, 06:11 PM	#30 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
kates3900 New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1	I just bought one of these for my boyfriend. However, it did not come with the beverage cards like the posting said it would. Can anyone PLEASE HELP me and tell me where i can buy these? Also, i'm looking for Iowa Hawkeye's panels. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!