I have never, ever had luck with vending machines in Rome. I remember one particularly boiling hot day last summer, I was waiting in line to enter the Vatican museum (which I aborted due to the line length and heat) and HAD to get water or I would die. I had seen a nearby vending machine with 1 euro water and decided to chance it. It was better than spending 5 euros for a bottle from the bars surrounding the church. So off I went to gamble with my spare change and of course I lost the battle. I wagered 3 euro and the vending machine ate each one without giving me anything in return. And so the story continues.Today there are vending machines all over Italy that have eaten my money without giving me the chips, sodas or candies that I had paid for. Come to think of it, I doubt that I have ever encountered a machine that has worked.
When I was meandering around the Spanish Steps a few weeks ago I came across this little vending machine out side of the Roberto Cavalli store:
For only 50 euro this vending machine will give you a Cavalli T-shirt. Given my disdain for all things designed by Cavalli stemming from a horrible H&M line and the ugly silver suit a friend of D’s wore to our wedding, (I swear he is either drunk or blind, Cavalli not the friend. Well maybe the friend too) hell would have to freeze over before I would put 50 euro into an Italian vending machine. Especially this one.
What do you think? Would you make this bet?
Is it like one of those vending machines which sells cigarettes, which the tabbachi man only puts it ouside when his shop is closed? Just in case you urgently need cigarettes/a bus ticket/a Cavalli tshirt.
Agreed I wouldn’t put my money in there. It would be interesting to keep an eye on the machine actually to see which kind of person would buy a Cavalli tshirt from a vending machine.
Delina: No, it’s actually built into the side of the building, the store is on a corner. I am also curious if anyone has done it yet!-Jessica
just dont use vending machines anymore. they always eat my money- i just take water and candy wherever i go- anyways vending machines want way too much money for the littlest stuff. ok bye.
I wouldn’t buy it at all…it tooks scretchy. Good luck in the future with vending machines
Anyone who puts 50 euros in an Italian vending machine is barking mad. I used to put lire in them but that was (a) because I didn’t understand it anyway and (b) they fed me in the pizzeria where I worked so if I gave it my entire wages for a can of soda I still wouldn’t starve to death. Once I got a bus ticket to Fiesole for some leftover Swiss francs - that was my only real success with an Italian vending machine.
I am glad I am not the only one that thinks this is crazy! -jessica