Two Machines
Vending machines.
A whole array of vending machines in perfect working condition. Multiple options to pay for your drinks too. Card or cash?
A vending machine found at a public park in Kuala Lumpur. If the vending works, the drinks sold are usually more expensive than buying them at a store. More often than not, they just suck in your money, malfunction and you don't get your drinks.
You know, one thing I'll miss after our trip(s) to Japan is the availability of these readily accessible vending machines. One do not need to go find a shop when one is thirsty. It is much easier buying them at the machine.And these vending machines are everywhere. I mean, everywhere!
I don't even dare use vending machines in Malaysia! Scared cannot get the stuff I want and at the same time can't get back my money! LOL!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteThen cannot quench thirst plus sakit hati money kena telan also!
It would be nice if there are workable vending machines here that sell everything u can find in a convenience store! But of course that would remain a dream! LOL!
ReplyDeleteIn Malaysia it'll be hard.
DeleteHow come we cannot emulate Japan ah?
Oh yes.
1. Maintenance culture is non-existent here
2. Serious vandalism issues
The vending machines in Malaysia are useless. In a way, they're owez broken lol.
ReplyDeleteA sad case but so true. :(
DeleteVending machines!!
ReplyDeleteGosh, it's been very long since I last saw a vending machine here. Real long and I meant it, it's like 5 or 6 years??
Wah! You sure haven't been using one in ages!
DeleteOur town is very small, most ppl prefer to get their drinks from coffee stall, cheaper and fresh.
ReplyDeleteThe locals are mostly retired uncles / aunties. They don't fancy "prepared" food and drink from machines.
Thus, no vending machines is available here.
errr, i think if vending machines can offer such convenience, i have no problem buying things from the machines at all..
DeleteI prefer the convenience of machines at times and the human interactions at shops at other times.
DeleteBut buying bottled drinks/ canned drinks at machines sure is much easier than popping to the nearest gas station or 7-11. ;)
I read that the vending machines in Japan serve bento, am I right?
ReplyDeleteAnd lots of other stuffs - namely cigarette and condoms? Lipsticks? Eye shadows? Blushes?
yes, they have anything you can name!! even vending machines for gadgets and cars~~ @_@
DeleteAnd bananas and umbrellas and hot noodles and even books. :D
DeleteIf you can put it in the machine, they probably will have it. ;)
DeleteI should put up photos of all the vending machines we found in Japan here. (I posted it yonks ago in random posts over at the other blog) ;p
cannot compare at all!! it's like comparing the legs of a mosquito to the elephant!! the vending machine industry is wall too advanced for us to cope..
ReplyDeleteBut we can try and learn from them. ;)
Deletenot only on the condition of the machines, but also the number, the availability and the variety of products/services offered.. ours here are just a sesame on that Mega Mac~~ haha!!
ReplyDeletehahaha
Deletethat is so true!
The sheer number of vending machines and the variety of things sold in them are mind-boggling! At least for us, lah. ;p
i did a brief study on Japanese vending machine on my first term.. they have a network of 1 machine to 32 people, and a 5.15 trillion yen of sales from vending machine in 2009!! huge numbers..
ReplyDeleteWah! A study about Japanese vending machine industry.
DeleteThough it was an issue about the vending machines use, electricity needed and the wastefulness of it after last year's 11/3 aftermath.
for us, maybe 1 machine to 32,000 people?? hahaha.. and how can we get such big sales from just can drinks only??
ReplyDeleteWhat baffles me is the vending machine right in front of the convenience store. Huh?
Deleteactually if they are innovative enough, no need even cash or credit card.. but can go cashless, just charge through SMS and then they get a barcode.. scan the barcode and get the product from the machine straight away..
ReplyDeleteLast time we got that lar. Can buy coke from vending machine through SMS. I tried a few times, but all I got was a charge of RM1.50 and no coke. :(
Deletethat's great..hope to see them in Japan soon..
ReplyDeleteYou are going there soon?
DeleteJapan is a well-advanced country.. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sure is!
DeleteEven those vending machines plonked down in the middle of a rice paddy seem to work just fine in Japan. When I think what would happen to these machines in Africa ... shudder ... no, let's not go there.
ReplyDeleteA vending machine placed right in front of a government office can be neglected and badly maintained here!
DeleteThere are vending machines placed in front of a row of houses! I saw people walking out from their homes, purchase a drink from the machine and walk back!