SkyBox by Maytag Personal Beverage Vendor, Pitch Black
by Maytag
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List Price: Category: Major Appliances See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of SkyBox by Maytag Personal Beverage Vendor, Pitch Black
Customer Review: Poor dispenser mechanism
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this with great excitement over having a new toy that would almost be practical as it would keep the little ones from continually opening the other refrigerators and maybe even save some energy. Unfortunately, as neat an idea as the machine is, the mechanism for the dispenser isn't worth the value of the machine. Within weeks, one dispenser failed, within months, a second, and just when the unit was about a year old, a third snags up and continually gets stuck. The unit is useless as a dispenser, except to keep a bunch of cans cold. In accessible, unless you open the fill door, but, that defeats the purpose of having the can dispenser.
I bought it locally at one of the larger home stores, not from Amazon. When I originally called about the problem, I found they don't service them. To date, I still have not found out who can service this thing, at least not under any kind of warranty. What a waste of money. My advice... If you need a beer or soda can fridge, purchase a smaller, dorm style refrigerators and save a bundle. ...Plus, you won't have to worry about the dispenser mechanisms breaking.
Yep! VERY disappointed! :(
Customer Review: Problems and solutions
Summary: 3 Stars
Kentuckyfusion, I have an answer for you since I solved the same problem: There is a sensor that detects when the beverage goes through the flap and exits the machine. If the machine does not sense that the flap opens after vending, it assumes that the beverage is jammed near the exit and shuts down to prevent further damage. The machine has what I will call a proximity switch and a magnet on the flap that tells the switch when a beverage goes through the flap. My unit did the same thing until I took the following action:
1. open door and remove two screws and plastic cover on right of the flap
2. locate proximity switch and (gently) bend slightly toward the flap opening (about 1/16" or less)
3. close door and try dispensing; if it works then good -- if not repeat step 2 with a little more force. Once I moved the switch about 1/16" on my machine, it started working properly.
This proximity switch should not interfere with the operation of the flap, so be careful not to push it too far. Also, be careful not to break it or the "jam fault" will occur forever.
I suppose that your problem could be due to a fault within the circuit, but this is a good first thing to try since it is free. I had the same exact problem shortly after buying the machine and it has been fixed for over 1 year after my corrective action described above. When everything works, but the plastic cover back on.
SECOND PROBLEM: Defrosting
I find that I have to defrost my machine about twice per year. A large block of ice forms in the back of the machine and locks up the motors for the middle two beverages if I do not. I have disassembled the vending mechanism (which comes out in one piece if you remove about 8 or 9 screws), but that only speeds up the defrosting process. The easiest way is to open the door and clear the machine out and leave it unplugged for 24-36 hours.
All said, this machine requires a bit of TLC, and I would imagine that these problems contributed to the short sales life of the product. I, however, enjoy my machine and think it is a nice addition to my bar. It does a good job of storing and dispensing beverages and it is quite attractive. Better and more robust design would earn 5 stars.
Customer Review: SKYBOX BY MAYTAG REVIEW
Summary: 4 Stars
I JUST RECEIVED MY SKYBOX IN THE MAIL, AND THE MACHINE ITSELF IS GREAT, BUT VERY HEAVY. IF YOU'RE THINKING IT'S THE WEIGHT OF A MINI-FRIDGE...THINK AGAIN!! I RECOMMEND TO PEOPLE TO SAVE THE $69 ON THE STAND, AND PUT IT ON A COUNTER OR TABLE. THE STAND TOOK ME 2 HOURS TO ASSEMBLE, AND TWO OF THE HOLES TO ATTACH THE MACHINE TO THE STAND, DIDN'T LINE UP. THE HOLES WERE DRILLED INCORRECTLY. THE MACHINE ON THE OTHER HAND IS EASY TO USE, AND THE DIRECTIONS FOR LOADING BOTTLES AND CANS ARE VERY USEFUL. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET REPLACEMENT CARDS FOR THE BUTTONS. THEY GIVE YOU 18 SODAS AND 2 WATER CHOICES FOR THE CARDS. BUT THE OPERATION OF THE MACHINE, SO FAR IS FINE AND I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL...THE STAND ON THE OTHER HAND, USE THE $69 TO PURCHASE YOUR DRINKS!!Customer Review: Sad about Skybox
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased a skybox for my husband's birthday including the stand. It worked for a short period of time and now it will not dispense or cool. I spoke to a friend of ours that purchased 3 of them and two out of the three are not working. We were told by a repair tech that it cost more to repair than it is worth. I later found out that Home Depot sold the last of theirs for $99 to get rid of them. And Sears will no longer carry them as well. I am very disgusted with the product.Customer Review: Skybox STILL has problems.
Summary: 3 Stars
Ernie wrote a review in May 2004 about the fan being reversed. I bought my Skybox from HomeDepot on Sept 6th 2004 - guess what. The freakin thing doesn't work. I checked my serial number and sure enough it was one of the ones he warned against. I could not have imagined that this is STILL a problem. How can Maytag, knowing that this is a problem, continue to ship defective parts. This is the only Maytag product I own and it will likely be the last. It has not been fixed yet as the Maytag people couldn't fit me into their schedule. I don't want to take it back as it is pretty darn heavy. Home Depot played dumb - said 'never had a problem with them' - well I did. I do think that it will be pretty neat once it works. I got the platinum and yea it is kind of grey, but it looks good in my all white with stainless steel kitchen. In summary, it is cool but Maytag is so not cool for continuing to ship known and totally non-functioning products. Check the serial numbers - they should be on the outside of the box.
Update Sept 11. As many read this I'm sure many will think I am an idiot. I agree. I'm an idiot, I'm stupid... The novelty of this item is quickly wearing off. The first mistake I made was not checking serial numbers. The second mistake I made was not taking the darn thing back IMMEDIATELY after I found it to be defective. Shame on me! Maytag came out to put the fan in the right way - he left - the GD thing STILL DOES NOT WORK. So I call Home Depot (where I've spent about 30K in the last 5 years) and they tell me it's Maytag's problem now b/c I've had it for more than 48 hours. (Florence, KY Home Depot). Even though my kids think of Home Depot as 'Daddy's Toy Store' Home Depot is NOT your friend. It would be nice if somebody would take some responsibility for selling a likely KNOWN defective appliance. We asked for a replacement from Maytag and I'm sure you know the answer - 'we'll send a repairman' Now I have to wait another 5 days while this thing occupies space in my house.
In summary here's what I suggest if you want to buy one of these things. 1) Buy a thermometer. 2) Buy it after making sure the serial number is OK (See Ernie's review) 3) Do not assemble the base. 4) Turn it on. 5) Check the temperature after 24 hours. That should give you enough for arguements sake. 6) Take it back immediately if you are not satisfied with the temperature or function. Maytag says on its website it chills to 35 degrees C (should have said 45 for mine) Now since you didn't assemble the base you can also take it back too if needed. 6) If you have any problem make sure you take names. You never know when it's going to snowball. I have been taking names. I'm not a complete idiot
Update: Sept 14th. The Maytag guy came back out (nice guy). Looked at the back and said something about a seal being "unsealed" and it was unfixable. Got a new one that night from Home Depot. Drinks are very chilly and all is well... Did not enjoy lugging an unboxed Skybox back into Home Depot and bringing another one home.
Update 2009, The darn thing stopped vending about 5 or 6 months after I bought. I'd like to give mine away. I wouldn't buy a used one either. I'd be surprised if Maytag still sells it. Has to be one of the biggest flops ever brought to market. It still cools the cans but how cool can it be if it won't vend.