Are You Ready For Credit Card Vending Machines?Vending machines that accept credit cards are now being tested and it is expected that by 2010 more than half of all vending machines across the USA will accept credit cards. It wasn't too long ago that vending machines started to take paper currency. Now, the days of accepting plastic may soon be upon us. Let's take a look at what may become available to you with a single swipe of a credit card at a vending machine near you. Buy Me a Coke - Coca Cola is leading the plastic revolution by testing credit card vending machines in Philadelphia. Yes, that $1.50 20 oz. Diet Sprite sure looks good on a hot summer's evening. Too bad that you don't have cash on hand. But wait: now you can swipe your Visa or MasterCard, push a button, and down will drop a crisp, cold soft drink for your delight. Meals to Go - Vending machines offering meals to go will also take advantage of plastic. Yes, that hot Linguini and Meatballs dish or that cold Mexican Taco salad can be dispensed through a vending machine with just one swipe of a card. Your 2 a.m. craving will be satisfied; no need to hit the 7-Eleven to see what they have to offer at that hour of the morning! Quick Puffs - Cigarette vending machines are harder to find, but still available in many different locations. Cigarette prices are not cheap, with $7 a pack being common in some places. Not too many people carry enough change or dollar bills to use the machines so plastic will help some maintain their nicotine habit for better and for worse. Sunday Paper - At $2.00 a pop, your Sunday newspaper can be accessed with a credit card through a newspaper vending machine. No need to find eight quarters to access the unit, just insert your MasterCard and a paper will be dispensed within moments. In some countries vending machines dispense beer, wine, even potted plants. Expect that the use of credit cards will make vending machine popularity rise and more items to become available as vendors realize their effectiveness. Some day you may walk into a store and find that the cash register has been removed and the clerk fired. In his place are a dozen or more vending machines holding the entire store's content. Simply visit the vending machine that dispenses what you want and swipe your card to conclude your sale. Just what is this world coming to? |