Abstract: A control system for a product vending machine of any number of product selections(n) comprising a credit-device including a thyristor switch which is turned "on" after the proper amount of coinage has been accepted by the machine, to prevent any additional coin acceptance until after the product has been selected and released. Pulsating direct current (DC) is generated through a diode bridge when the thyristor is "on". During the vend cycle, an electro-mechanical product release mechanism controls a vend switch, which switches from a normal to a vend-position, to cause the credit thyristor to switch "off" and also to prevent the vending machine from accepting coins until the end of the vend cycle, when such switch is switched back to the normal-position. The product release mechanism may utilize either a motor-cam arrangement or a solenoid.