diff --git a/dispenser/dispenserclient.go b/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
index 336972d..f7dc331 100644
--- a/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
+++ b/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
@@ -296,9 +296,10 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserStart(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] to encoder: %w", funcName, err)
 	}
 
-	deadline := time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second)
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(6 * time.Second)
 
 	for {
+		time.Sleep(delay * 2)
 		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
 			return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] timeout waiting keycard at encoder position", funcName)
 		}
@@ -319,8 +320,6 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserStart(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		if isAtEncoderPosition(status) {
 			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
-
-		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -333,8 +332,13 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserFinal(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] out of mouth: %w", funcName, err)
 	}
 
-	time.Sleep(200 * time.Millisecond)
+	time.Sleep(delay)
+	status, err := c.do(ctx, cmdStatus)
+	if err == nil && len(status) >= 4 {
+		c.setStock(status)
+	}
 
+	time.Sleep(delay)
 	if err := c.ToEncoder(ctx); err != nil {
 		return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] to encoder: %w", funcName, err)
 	}
@@ -343,20 +347,22 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserFinal(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		logStatus(status)
 	}()
 
-	deadline := time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second)
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(6 * time.Second)
 
 	for {
+		time.Sleep(delay * 2)
 		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
 			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
 
-		status, err := c.do(ctx, cmdStatus)
+		status, err = c.do(ctx, cmdStatus)
 		if err != nil {
 			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
 
 		stockStatus = stockTake(status)
 		c.setStock(status)
+		logStatus(status)
 
 		if isCardWellEmpty(status) {
 			return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf(stockStatus)
@@ -365,8 +371,5 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserFinal(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		if isAtEncoderPosition(status) {
 			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
-
-		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
 	}
-
 }
diff --git a/handlers/handlers.go b/handlers/handlers.go
index 7e246cf..d0a175d 100644
--- a/handlers/handlers.go
+++ b/handlers/handlers.go
@@ -191,6 +191,7 @@ func (app *App) takePayment(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			writeTransactionResult(w, http.StatusServiceUnavailable, theResponse)
 			return
 		}
+		
 	}
 
 	if r.Method == http.MethodOptions {
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index e98af9e..a7e65cd 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	buildVersion     = "1.2.3"
+	buildVersion     = "1.2.4"
 	serviceName      = "hardlink"
 	pollingFrequency = 8 * time.Second
 )
diff --git a/release notes.md b/release notes.md
index ef45fc8..ec41352 100644
--- a/release notes.md	
+++ b/release notes.md	
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 builtVersion is a const in main.go
 
+#### 1.2.4 - 18 March 2026
+added check if keycard at the encoder position before trying to encode key
+
 #### 1.2.3 - 17 March 2026
 added check if keycard at the encoder position before trying to encode key