Vending Machine

Vending machines are found anywhere that people congregate--shopping malls, bowling alleys, businesses and schools. For a set price, patrons can deposit money into the machine and receive the item of their choice. Vending machines sell everything from bottled beverages to sandwiches to toys.

Although the most common type is the soda vending machine and those that dispense newspapers and packaged snack items, there are countless vending machine types, all of which hope to interest the buying public. Cigarette vending machines used to be a common sight, but are becoming a rarity these days because of concerns about underage buyers. In contrast, cigarette machines remain common in many European countries. Some countries even allow the selling of alcoholic beverages through vending machines. The largest number of vending machines can be found in Japan, which sells just about everything in these self-serve machines--including underwear.

Another type of vending machine is the popcorn vending machine. For a set price, patrons can deposit money into the machine to receive a freshly popped bag of popcorn. These machines aren't seen very often, but are more common at carnivals and fairs.

For some people, setting up vending machines has been a good way to earn an extra income. Although it can be difficult to find places to set up these machines, many storefronts will allow vending machines to be placed inside their doors for a cut of the profits. Popular locations for vending machines include beside cash registers, in break rooms, in waiting areas and by restrooms.