A look at the iPod vending machines

For those of you who haven't been in a Macy's recently, here's a look at their iPod vending machines. Looking like a two-door convenience store freezer, the machines stock several flavors of iPods, as well as a few digital cameras, and iPod accessories.

I questioned why the store would bother with the vending machines. Is it simply a marketing gimmick? The uniqueness of buying a multi-hundred dollar item out of a vending machine, or is there some method to the madness? As Adam pointed out in a recent episode of TDL Live there could be some sound loss prevention (theft) reasons for putting the devices in the vending machine. Given the other pricey items available though, I don't know. It would be one thing in a drug store, or 7-Eleven, where the iPods might be the priciest items, I'm not so sure about Macy's. Then again, the item s probably a fairly expensive item in terms of its size vs. value. Adam also pointed out the vending machine concept allows them to place the items in traditionally high theft portions of the store without concern. Either way, head down to the local Macy's and check it out.