Eleven Unusual Things You Can Find in Vending Machines
There are now more types of vending machines than ever before, and they sell a wider range of products than you might imagine. While no country can compete with Japan in terms of sheer craze for vending machines , even here in the US, vending machines have become much more diverse. If you think vending machines only sell drinks, candy bars, and chips, it’s time to read about these 11 items you can find in vending machines.
Bullets
Sure, you can buy ammo from a vending machine in this country (well, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma). The fact that we can’t yet use a credit card and get a 3D printed gun at a kiosk is surprising. These vending machines are pretty high-tech, using facial recognition and the mysterious magic of artificial intelligence to ensure people buying bullets aren’t sketchy, and their advocates claim they’re actually safer than traditional ammunition magazines.
Shoes
A broken heel, loose sole or burst seam on a shoe can ruin your day. Thank God someone thought to put shoes in a vending machine . In Las Vegas, Nevada, these machines charge $20 for a pair of flats that can be rolled up for easy storage. After all, shoe emergencies do happen and this seems like a pretty cheap and practical solution.
Pizza and hamburgers
Americans love fast food, and vending machines have been feeding the desperate and jaded for decades. While pizza vending machines seem straightforward (you can imagine them being just microwaved pizza with extra steps), a hamburger vending machine seems rather sketchy. Sure, a robot could probably flip a burger pretty efficiently, but the whole “keeping ground beef in the vending machine” thing seems like a one-way ticket to food poisoning.
Making charitable donations
Vending machines aren’t always designed for corporate America to sell us things. Light the World Giving Machines are vending machines that allow you to make charitable donations to various organizations. The machines are operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but donations can benefit many different organizations, including the Red Cross, UNICEF and the World Food Program.
champagne
You’re traveling the world and suddenly have a craving for champagne, as everyone does. If you lack the resources to get you some Moët & Chandon champagne, you might have luck if you find yourself near a vending machine that dispenses mini bottles of Moët & Chandon champagne . You can actually find them in the wild , so next time you’re in the mood for a fancy drink, see if you can find one.
pecan pie
If you’ve ever been to Texas, you know that pecans are a big deal there, and as a result, so are pecan pies. Why not! They’re delicious. And they’re incredibly affordable now, too, because pecan pie vending machines are a thing. Sure, there seems to be exactly one now, but there are still more pecan pie vending machines than we might think.
Salads
Like any fresh food option, salads seem to be the opposite of a “vending machine” vibe. Yet capitalism will try to make anything work, which is why salad machines do exist . Of course, these are refrigerated vending machines and are usually restocked several times a week to ensure freshness, although one wonders how much wasted lettuce we’re talking about here?
Lego
Yes, your favorite childhood toy , adult obsession, and murder weapon can be purchased from a vending machine. For some reason, these machines seem to be found mostly in airports . These machines dispense a variety of packages for last-minute gifts or to keep you occupied during the 19-hour flight to Singapore.
Stories
If you’re going on a long trip somewhere and have absolutely nothing to do, you can find a vending machine at the airport that sells short stories—and they might even be free . And at least one small bookstore is toying with the idea of selling books through vending machines , which seems like an inexpensive way to extend sales and hours.
Cheese
You know how it goes: You’re living your best life when a serious Brie craving strikes. Well, thank God you live in the future, because there are cheese vending machines . They often also offer charcuterie options as well as cheese platters. All that’s missing is a wine vending machine next door so you can have a gourmet feast right on the sidewalk.