At my high school, we have a candy vending machine. If you choose an item from the second to the bottom row, it will give you two of this item for the price of one.
Question:
Should I tell anyone in the administration? The machine has been like this for at least a month. So far, I’ve been treating it as payback for all the machines that have ever or will ever take my money, but I’m having qualms.
Share the wealth.
Send me chocolate.
The chocolate is overpriced already. YAY free candy!
“Vending machines are owned and run by the mob. Steal from them and they’ll lay a hurtin’ on you.”
I’ll take mob stereotypes for $400 Alex.
What does your conscience tell you (I am evil Homer, I am evil Homer).
Would you feel swayed by what we say (really?)
If your conscience tells you to get free chocolate then me telling you it’s morally wrong is probably not going to change your opinion.
If your conscience is telling you to report it, then report it.
Actually, I don’t frequent the vending machine frequently, so I don’t feel very guilty. I do tell everyone I meet at the machine, and I suppose that, if I saw someone refilling the machine, I’d tell them.
I’m teetering at a balance, morally, so if everyone was outraged at my inaction, I’d probably act. Since no one thinks it’s terrible, I’ll probably not do anything about it.
Sooner or later, the machine will be empty and some delivery guy will refill it, probably fixing whatever glitch allows a 2-for-1.
I say, grab it while you can.
I’m of the philosophy that the world owes me…well, everything. Get it while the gettin’s good 
But seriously, do what you feel is ‘right.’
Well, it’s been like this for at least a month. And the items on that row have changed… I don’t think vending-machine-guy noticed the glitch.
If the machine took your money, what would you do?
“Always try to do the right thing, unless your conscience tells you otherwise.”
- from the booklet, Gumpisms
Wait till it’s fixed, and then complain.
If it took my money, I’d push the return-change button a few times, shrug, and walk off. But this machine’s very good about not “holding” items, and it’s never stolen my money.
Go for it.
I say report it, but it’s not a big deal, so don’t lose any sleep over it if you don’t get around to letting anyone know.
“All I want is my 75 cents back, an apology, and for him to be fired!”
Ya know, I operate vending machines as part of my job. That money comes out of someone’s pocket. Mine, and my boss’s. Not some evil corporation. Just think about it.
In this situation, B.Pants, I’d suggest that it’s the operator who has to check up on each of his machines. It is NOT the customer’s responsibility to seek out the proper authority. Granted, it’d be nice if he did, and I’d suggest that the OP report it, if he gets around to it, but for you to guilt trip him like that is ridiculous. You have to maintain your place of business, and, if you don’t, too bad.
Ever time you take that extra ill gotten candy your soul dies little bit. Finish that row and you and your fat little candy crammed mouth are going to hell! Straight down into the Stygnian pit with you Sparky!
For the past two days this one vending machine at work has given me two cans of soda when I only put in enough money for one. I thought about telling someone, but I have lost enough money to vending machines over the years that they at least owe me something in return.