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Great Western Coffee Shop > Journey by Journey > London to the West > Vending machines at station ... books
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grahame
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« on: March 24, 2023, 19:42:31 »
Nice idea from GWR▸ (Great Western Railway) on Facebook

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We are so excited to host the first ever Penguin Books book vending machine at Exeter St Davids station.
Profits will be shared between local independent Bookbag bookshop and Exeter Unesco City of Literature.

What other unusual products should vending machines stock?
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Oxonhutch
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« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2023, 21:58:38 »
I bought my wife a Kindle from a vending machine at Oklahoma City airport some ten or more years ago.
« Last Edit: March 24, 2023, 22:03:44 by Oxonhutch » Logged
Oxonhutch
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« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2023, 22:07:14 »
Sausage machines are very popular in Germany. Possibly related to their strict Sunday (non-)trading rules.
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« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2023, 01:08:37 »
There are some very odd vending machines in Japan https://expertworldtravel.com/bizarre-vending-machines-japan/

Can’t see a Rhinoceros Beetle one appearing anywhere on the British Rail network anytime soon.
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infoman
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« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2023, 06:08:00 »
I would have thought a news paper vending machine MIGHT be a better option.
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johnneyw
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« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2023, 10:51:35 »
Paperback vending machines were in motorway service stations in the early 1970s.....I remember loosing my money in one.
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stuving
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« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2023, 11:20:01 »
Quote from: infoman on March 25, 2023, 06:08:00
I would have thought a news paper vending machine MIGHT be a better option.

They were common in America, as often seen in old films (e.g. for the plot device of revealing the next step in the police investigation). But did we have them here? I would guess a few might have been imported, but perhaps not for London, as they work best where there is only one paper to buy.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2023, 11:25:30 »
I think a station platform is where Penguin books began, so this is fitting.
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« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2023, 08:05:08 »
A Certain former MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) with a train traveling to series ,went into this at some length some years ago the idea for Penguin paperbacks was hatched at St Davids Station.
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« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2023, 22:36:57 »
Quote from: stuving on March 25, 2023, 11:20:01
Quote from: infoman on March 25, 2023, 06:08:00
I would have thought a news paper vending machine MIGHT be a better option.

They were common in America, as often seen in old films (e.g. for the plot device of revealing the next step in the police investigation). But did we have them here? I would guess a few might have been imported, but perhaps not for London, as they work best where there is only one paper to buy.

The ones I’ve seen in the USA are for a single title, with several different ones often grouped together.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2023, 10:35:17 »
Is reading printed newspapers more common in USA than here? Or when did you see this?
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« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2023, 13:42:59 »
There used to be a pizza vending machine in Bedminster - no idea if it is still there
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Surrey 455
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« Reply #12 on: April 10, 2023, 08:37:34 »
The Guardian has written about what you can now buy from vending machines.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/09/big-vendors-hi-tech-devices-sell-eyelashes-pizza-and-now-books
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