The present invention relates to a cashless transaction processing system implementing a VEND ASSIST mode of operation to effectuate a cashless vending transaction. The VEND ASSIST mode allows a computing platform 802 to oversee, control, and authorize by way of a system 500 the vend selection and sale price of a user selected vend item prior to fulfilling the user's request.The cashless transaction processing system includes a system 500 and a computing platform 802. The system 500 initiates a vending session when certain commands from an interconnected computing platform 802 are received or in response to presentation, by a user, of valid payment identification data. Computing platform 802 data communicates a VEND APPROVE or VEND DENY response to a system 500 initiated REQUEST VEND APPROVE data communication. A vend cycle is then initiated or preempted as appropriate.