# Would you buy an iPod or other expensive item from a vending machine? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 20, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312 "2010-07-20T02:51:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/1 "2010-07-20T02:51:09Z")
When I travel, I often see those vending machines which sell iPods along with other things. I wonder who is actually buying them? I can see buying the cord which connects the iPod to the computer or perhaps some cheap headphones if I was travelling and forgot something, but I can’t see why someone would have an immediate need for an Ipod. What else have you seen sold in these types of vending machines? I see them in just about every major Las Vegas hotel and some airports as well. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/2 "2010-07-20T02:52:10Z")
Used panties. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/3 "2010-07-20T03:13:04Z")
One of those acne cream products (Proactiv?) sells out of vending machines for $30+ at the mall. I was talking to a guy working the T-Mobile kiosk right across from it and he said that the machine was constantly sold out and that people would come hassle _him_ at the T-Mobile booth because the Proactiv machine was empty. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/4 "2010-07-20T03:55:26Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > When I travel, I often see those vending machines which sell iPods along with other things. I wonder who is actually buying them? I can see buying the cord which connects the iPod to the computer or perhaps some cheap headphones if I was travelling and forgot something, but I can’t see why someone would have an immediate need for an Ipod. My guess is that the thought is you have a captive audience of travelers, having time and in many cases having more then average income. “Gee, my flight is delayed for 3 hours, oh what shall I do? I know, I’ll see if that iPod I’ve been thinking about is any good.” Would I do it? No. I want to be able to return it if the item is a dud. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/5 "2010-07-20T05:09:24Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > When I travel, I often see those vending machines which sell iPods along with other things. I wonder who is actually buying them? I can see buying the cord which connects the iPod to the computer or perhaps some cheap headphones if I was travelling and forgot something, but I can’t see why someone would have an immediate need for an Ipod. > > What else have you seen sold in these types of vending machines? I see them in just about every major Las Vegas hotel and some airports as well. Not just in airports. I’ve seen them in Macy’s lately, too. ---
**Author:** ![Sonnenstrahl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Sonnenstrahl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sonnenstrahl)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/6 "2010-07-20T05:54:29Z")
I assume they take credit cards, but I can’t shake the mental image of feeding hundreds in cash into the machine and having your iPod get stuck in the machine. I’m now amused at the thought of businessmen across the world ramming their shoulders against these machines, trying to shake their iPhones free. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/7 "2010-07-20T06:08:47Z")
I saw one for the first time in May when I was travelling through West Palm Beach’s airport. I absolutely cannot comprehend the Ipod in there. The other impulse items, sure. But the Ipod? You need to have a computer handy from which to extract all your movies and music in order to make it usable. In which case, why don’t you just watch movies and listen to music on your laptop?? On a side note, would a fresh-out-of-the-vending-machine Ipod have charged batteries? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/8 "2010-07-20T11:38:13Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > I absolutely cannot comprehend the Ipod in there. “July 20th, July 20th…why does that date ring a bell? Oh, crap, it’s my wife’s birthday!” ---
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/9 "2010-07-20T11:53:16Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > “July 20th, July 20th…why does that date ring a bell? Oh, crap, it’s my wife’s birthday!” Winner! ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/10 "2010-07-20T13:57:07Z")
I once bought a pre-paid cell phone card out of a vending machine in Japan. I put my $25 in (it only took cash) and…nothing. Major pain in the ass to get that remedied. So, no. I wouldn’t buy anything worth more than a buck or two from a vending machine. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/11 "2010-07-20T13:59:20Z")
> [@TPWombat](#): > > Winner! For once, a joke on the Dope seems to be completely over my head. What are you guys talking about? ETActually answer the question: Not as long as it’s those old fashioned ones that just drop it down. If they get some newer ones that don’t drop, and don’t hang up, then, sure. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/12 "2010-07-20T14:00:44Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > For once, a joke on the Dope seems to be completely over my head. What are you guys talking about? The guy just remembers it is his wife’s birthday and he spots an iPod vending machine. Birthday present! ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/13 "2010-07-20T14:16:10Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > “July 20th, July 20th…why does that date ring a bell? Oh, crap, it’s my wife’s birthday!” I lol’d IRL, because it’s my mum’s birthday today. Thanks, dad! ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/14 "2010-07-20T16:39:26Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > On a side note, would a fresh-out-of-the-vending-machine Ipod have charged batteries? Yeah, they’re about half charged IIRC. Doesn’t help you play any music, of course. I wonder if the target market is for stupid people, or for people who forgot to get a gift for their kids, or what. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/15 "2010-07-20T16:58:42Z")
I would not. I’m not overly concerned about returns - I assume that the vending machine company in the airport is a legitimate company that would take responsibility for faulty merchandise. My expectation would be that the vending machine price would not be a competitive price compared to price comparisons online and in physical stores. There must be a built in convenience and impulse purchase margin built into the price from the vending machine. I’ve never felt the instant gratification impulse strongly enough to need to pay this. In addition, a new iPod would be useless to me without the time to sync my music collection, charge the battery, etc. I may as well buy it online at home, it isn’t like I can use it straight away on the airplane anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/16 "2010-07-20T17:37:39Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > When I travel, I often see those vending machines which sell iPods along with other things. I wonder who is actually buying them? I can see buying the cord which connects the iPod to the computer or perhaps some cheap headphones if I was travelling and forgot something, but I can’t see why someone would have an immediate need for an Ipod. > > What else have you seen sold in these types of vending machines? I see them in just about every major Las Vegas hotel and some airports as well. The ones I’ve seen have been branded Best Buy, so presumably if there’s a problem with the iPod, I could return it the store. And while I wouldn’t buy an iPod from one, I could see buying headphones for use on the plane. BTW, in Abu Dhabi, there’s a vending machine to buy gold in one of the hotels. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/17 "2010-07-20T21:01:37Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > My guess is that the thought is you have a captive audience of travelers, having time and in many cases having more then average income. “Gee, my flight is delayed for 3 hours, oh what shall I do? I know, I’ll see if that iPod I’ve been thinking about is any good.” > > Would I do it? No. I want to be able to return it if the item is a dud. But what are they supposed to \*\*do \*\*with it? A newly purchased iPod doesn’t have anything on it. Being stuck in an airport with an empty iPod is no better than being stuck without any iPod. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/18 "2010-07-21T04:39:57Z")
It still exudes hipster appeal. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/19 "2010-07-21T12:19:59Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > But what are they supposed to \*\*do \*\*with it? A newly purchased iPod doesn’t have anything on it. Being stuck in an airport with an empty iPod is no better than being stuck without any iPod. So go to the laptop vending machine, Einstein. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312/20 "2010-07-21T13:03:33Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > But what are they supposed to \*\*do \*\*with it? A newly purchased iPod doesn’t have anything on it. Being stuck in an airport with an empty iPod is no better than being stuck without any iPod. Yeah - I just don’t get it, apart from the last minute “I told my kid I would bring him back something but totally forgot” purchase. I guess if it’s an iPod Touch you can load it up with music via iTunes and wifi while you wait for your flight. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-ipod-or-other-expensive-item-from-a-vending-machine/547312.md?page=2)