Coin Operated Lockers

Coin operated lockers have the dual benefit of restricting locker usage while simultaneously earning expense money for an organization.  These lockers feature solid plastic construction that will not corrode, stands up to heavy usage, never requires repainting, and is highly vandal resistant.  Organizations that lack a static group of users may want to strongly consider investing in solid plastic lockers that are activated by a coin mechanism.  Such facilities are typically open to the public—some 24/7—and require a method of regulating locker use among a constantly shifting, fluctuating, and dynamic user base.

While it may seem odd that a facility would require a user to pay for using a locker, it is not an unreasonable policy.  Use of any facility, public or private, is a privilege that is determined by the discretion of the organization.  In places that are open to the public up to 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, there must be a way of regulating who uses a locker.  Otherwise, people who are not using the facility itself could walk in off the streets, store their belongings at will, and secure the unit with their own personal lock.  This would prevent patrons of the organizations from having access to the unit—something that would work against the establishment’s PR.

To counter potential abuse of this nature, many airports provide coin operated lockers for travelling guests to use.  Airports see thousands of people moving through their facilities daily.  There are never enough lockers in any airport to provide accommodation to each and every one of these individuals.  Installing paid used lockers helps ensure that the only people who will make use of the units are those who are willing to pay a small sum of money to do so.  This also incentivizes person’s to use the unit for a shorter period of time because they must also pay to open the locker to retrieve their personal belongings.

Many shopping malls have also installed coin operated lockers for the very same reason.  All of us have probably been to the mall at some point in time just to walk around and look.  Malls do not discourage this because people who see things they like often return to buy these things at a later date.  However, just as it is in the case with airports, there simply is not enough space even in a mall to give every person walking around a personal storage unit.  Lockers that require a small fee are a way of showing respect to paying shoppers who have come to the mall not just to look, but to also spend money.  The fact that it costs only one or two coins to operate the lock nevertheless discourages people who refuse to spend any money at all from using the units.

Other organizations who use coin operated lockers apply their use in a slightly different way.  Rather than making people pay money, they provide legitimate guests with tokens that will activate the locks.  This is an ideal way for a private health club, day spa, or amusement park to ensure that only members or paying guests are using locker space.