In a cash handling mailroom, you face a recurring decision: should you invest in a simple tool that locks and organizes cash, or a full electronic register that handles transactions? The answer depends on whether your day revolves around moving money to and from a safe or running a point-of-sale process. The Office Depot Locking Cash Tray and the Royal Alpha 601SC POS Cash Register take opposite approaches. One is a durable, straightforward tray with a locking cover. The other is a tested-working electronic register with a printer and cash drawer. Understanding where each fits helps you avoid paying for functions you won't use or missing the ones you need.
Quick Verdict
The Office Depot Locking Cash Tray is the better pick if you want a brand-new, straightforward way to lock and transport cash. It costs $62.99 and keeps things simple. The Royal Alpha 601SC costs $99.97 and brings full register features, but it is a used unit. The price difference is $36.98. If you run a fixed checkout counter, the Royal Alpha provides a complete payment station. If you don't need that, the tray is the more focused purchase.
At a Glance
| Product | Price | Condition | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Depot Locking Cash Tray | $62.99 | New | Locking cover, high-impact construction, organized compartments |
| Royal Alpha 601SC POS Cash Register | $99.97 | Used | Working printer and drawer, keys included, customer display not working |
Where Each Product Wins
- The Office Depot Locking Cash Tray wins on new condition and minimal footprint. It is a dependable way to keep cash secure outside of a register.
- The Royal Alpha 601SC wins on power and functionality, providing a complete checkout setup that a simple tray cannot match.
Product Notes
Office Depot Locking Cash Tray
The Office Depot Locking Cash Tray is a practical, no-electronics tool for handling money. It arrives sealed, and its locking cover protects bills and coins while you transport them. The tray has organized compartments and an impact-resistant design, making it easy to keep currency sorted and safe. The high-impact construction is meant to withstand regular use, so you can rely on it for daily cash handling tasks. Its limitation is that it stays a tray: there is no display, no receipt printer, and no keyed drawer release. If you need to do more than hold and lock cash, this tray won't cover that. For anyone whose main need is secure transport and storage, though, it's a clean, straightforward solution.
Royal Alpha 601SC POS Cash Register
The Royal Alpha 601SC is a full electronic cash register that has been power-on tested and verified to work. The receipt printer feeds and prints, the cash drawer opens and closes smoothly, and the operator and manager keys are included. It also has a thermal printer, wired connectivity, and an adjustable, lockable tray. The main display works, and all buttons have been verified, so you can operate the register normally. The main issue is the customer-facing display, which is not working and would be a limiting factor at a busy counter. Still, the core register operations work, so it can serve as a complete register setup if you need the extra function. Just be prepared for a unit with normal signs of use.
Final Choice by Use Case
Choose the Office Depot Locking Cash Tray if you primarily need secure cash storage and transport. Choose the Royal Alpha 601SC if your counter requires a working register setup.
