if i may ask, can you tell me more about how you retrieved that redbox machine? it seems like there's one in my area and i love being annoying.
what was the electrical work involved? was there paperwork to do? how long did it take to get the store manager to agree to it?
if you don't feel like answering, i understand, but im very curious =3
hi julian. first and foremost, I gleaned most of this information from this website: https://www.redbox.wiki/en/hardware/kiosk-removal and then the rest of my information is from past experience doing similar social engineering and/or salvaging/demolition (for basically my entire life I've been going into buildings that are about to be torn down/renovated and taken things for reuse that would otherwise be trashed, and I've done so both with permission and without, because letting good building materials go to waste is wrong)
the first thing to do is make sure you have the equipment and manpower to actually move the thing. you will need, at minimum:
someone with truck that has a lift gate or a trailer with a very strong ramp, and/or enough people to help you move it - redbox machines can weigh over 800lbs
a bunch of tools: socket/wrench set, hammer, chisels, rust penetrating spray, angle grinder, drill, metal drilling bits, and electrical equipment. ask your local DIY enthusiast/dad
safety equipment: gloves, safety glasses, and some way of marking off the area while you work on it to keep passerby safe. i recommend erring on the side of too safe rather than too casual
electrical equipment for disconnecting the machine from power
after you make sure you have all that locked in, go to the location and ask for their manager's contact information, a phone number or email. I recommend email, as they don't want to talk over the phone and it's better to have it in writing. then you will politely let them know that you are salvaging the machine and are happy to haul it away for free, safely and efficiently. don't lie to them about who you are or what you're doing, but also don't volunteer any unnecessary information (i.e. you don't have to tell them what your plans with the machine are). be assertive and friendly. like this:
"Hi! I'm [name] and I salvage and recycle electronics. I would like to disconnect and haul away your abandoned redbox machine, at no cost to you. Please let me know who I should contact about authorization to do this. Thanks!"
There is also a sample message like this at the above link, where they also mentioned signing a contract. We didn't use a contract for ours, we just got permission from corporate and printed their emails out in case anyone had doubts about it. That was the only "paperwork" involved for us. Remember: they know the redbox machine is broke as hell and useless. They want to get rid of it. But that would cost them money, which is why it's still there.
Getting the store manager to agree was really as easy as getting permission from "corporate": the manager gave my brother an email address, he emailed them, they replied back "I told the manager it's fine for you to take it", and that was it. However, this didn't happen until like the 3rd or 4th email. My brother was persistent and would email once every two weeks with a friendly request to take it. The manager was (reasonably) hesitant and suspicious at first, but once we were physically there to take it (with the printed email in hand), she was very friendly and also relieved that we were taking it. Your mileage will vary based on the personalities of the people you interact with.
The electrical work was easy for us: there was an outdoor panel and breaker box that allowed us to turn off power with a breaker and disconnect it safely. This may be more difficult in other locations where it is hardwired to the main panel, but anyone with cursory knowledge of circuit breakers should have no trouble with that. I am not in a position to teach anyone how to do this, so please do research on safely interacting with circuit breaker panels before attempting anything. Or get an actual electrician to do it.
Other than that: show up early, or during low customer times (9:30-10am is good) work quick, don't bother the minimum wage workers, and don't ask permission if you already have it. Tell them what you are doing, don't ask if or when you can start, just start. Treat it like a job you're being paid to do. Be really friendly. Be really professional. Be really quick and don't get hurt and clean up after yourself. Buy a couple snacks and drinks while you're there. Thank them genuinely. Then leave.
