1. iPod Vending Machines
Ever since Apple opened their stores, they have become one of the most crowded stores in the United States. No matter what time of day you visit most stores, there is barely any room to move around. When the first generation of the iPod Nano was released, Apple thought that it would be a good idea to set up iPod vending machines in shopping malls around the United States.
2. Hot Baguettes
If you are strolling down the streets of France late at night and you are craving a baguette but all of the bakeries are closed, all hope is not lost. There are vending machines outside of the bakeries that dispense hot baguettes all night long. You simply put your money in the machine and you choose the one you want and it is dispensed in the bottom of the machine. Finally, no more late night cravings.
3. Beer
If you are feeling thirsty but a soda just isn’t going to do it, there are places where you can get beer from a vending machine. Vending machine companies have these machines set up in America and Japan that serve the most popular types of beer, Coors Light, Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Busch Light. If you are going to get a drink from one of these machines you are required to scan your ID. Vending machine companies don’t want minors buying beer from their machines.
4. Eggs
The people of Japan must really love eggs because they are sold in vending machines all over the place. The eggs are sold in half-dozen bags right on the street. If you are in Japan and you need a few eggs to bake a cake, you don’t need to go to the corner store. Chances are there is going to be an egg vending machine right across the street. It just makes you wonder whether or not all of the eggs will still be intact when they are dispensed from the machine. If you have ever gotten a soda or a candy bar from a vending machine, you know that when they drop down they land pretty hard.
5. Lobsters
If you love lobster, you don’t need to drive to the seafood store or head down to the shore for fresh lobster if you live in Japan. There are arcades with vending machines inside that contain live lobsters. You simply put your money in and your dinner will come right out. The vending machine resembles the crane machines that allow you to win stuffed animals. When you move the claw around, you can choose the lobster that you want. If you don’t catch your lobster, don’t worry. You can continue to try to grab it with the claw until you get it out.
6. Grilled Hot Dogs and Sausage
If you would rather have a hot meal rather than a bag of chips, you can get a fresh hot dog or sausage right from a vending machine. These machines were first introduced in the Ukraine. When they became very successful, they started popping up in Boston and New York City. These vending machines are strategically placed near the clubs so that drunken club goers can get a hot meal before they go home. If you want ketchup or mustard on your hot dog, you are going to have to bring them with you. The vending machine doesn’t provide condiments.
7. Pizza
If you want a pizza, you need to call the pizza place and wait for the delivery driver to arrive at your home with your pie. If you live in Great Britain, getting a fresh, hot pizza is much easier. There are pizza vending machines on the streets where you can choose the type of pizza you want, feed your money into the machine, and it is dispensed to you in three minutes, piping hot. You can even choose from a variety of toppings. It sounds like such a good idea which makes it strange that they aren’t found anywhere else but Great Britain.
8. Ties
If you are on your way to work in Japan and you spill your coffee on your tie, you don’t need to go all the way back home to change. There are vending machines all over Japan where you can buy a tie right on the street. These vending machines also dispense tissue, batteries, and SD cards. You can find just about anything that you need on the streets of Japan.
9. Umbrellas
If you are in Vancouver or Hong Kong and it starts pouring outside, you don’t need to worry about getting soaked. There are vending machines in malls and on the streets that dispense umbrellas. It is a great idea if you get stuck in the middle of an unexpected rain storm.