Why do People Steal from Vending Machines?
Robert Farnham
Why do people steal from vending machines? There are all sorts of reasons from just thinking it really isn't stealing to looking for an easy way to get their hands on some cash. While there is quite a difference between getting a soda for free and walking off with all the merchandise and money, both are forms of stealing from a vending machine. Both of them will end up costing the owner of it money in the long run.
People of all ages seem to think it is acceptable to steal from vending machines. Some young children learn this behavior from their parents. Others engage in it with their friends and there are adults out there that are just as guilty of it. I think it is ironic that the majority of these people will tell you they personally think it is wrong to steal. They just don't see what they are doing at the vending machine as stealing.
In many instances, it has to do with the concept that they feel they are taking something from a machine and not a person. Since there is no face associated with that vending machine, they don't really connect it to taking money out of the pocket of someone else. They may rationalize that they are paying too much for what is being sold in the vending machine or that they have been ripped off by enough of them that they are just getting what is owed to them.
For others, it really depends on what you mean by stealing from a vending machine. It could be on a small scale as I just mentioned. Some people know how to tilt a vending machine to get it to drop double for them every time. Others are more calculated in their efforts. They use tokens or they use coins on a string so that they never end up paying for what they get from the vending machine.
Unfortunately, not all types of stealing from a vending machine are on this type of small scale. Some people are out to get their hands on all of it. They will end up breaking into the vending machine and clearing it out all of the merchandise. They may just want what is inside of them for their own use. They may know where they can sell the items to make some cash too.
Those that go to this extreme will also be looking for a way to take the money that is inside of it. If they haven't done their homework they may do it on a day when there isn't much inside. Yet most of them are very smart. They will wait around for a while to see what the routine is for the vending machine. They will know the prime day to empty it out right before the owner comes to do so.
Some individuals go the full distance when it comes from stealing from a vending machine. They take the entire machine and run with it. They may show up at night with a truck and be gone with it. They can take the merchandise, the money, and they often profit from selling the vending machine as well.
Stealing from a vending machine is theft pure and simple. It doesn't matter which one of these categories that the issue falls under. You may get away with it, but hopefully your conscious will get the best of you. Some people do it for their own personal gain or for a thrill. However, there are legal repercussions to this type of theft and it really isn't worth the trouble you will get yourself into.
About the Author:
Robert Farnham built a profitable vending business after starting totally the wrong way. He now writes about building a vending machine business and the pitfalls to avoid. Visit his website at My Vending Uncle for more.
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