Free a Stuck Item from a Vending Machine

All you wanted for your fifteen minute break was a snack, and now you can't even have that. It seems your office vending machine has a grudge against you, but you're not the only one. It happens to us all from time to time. But no worries! You can have your snack and eat too, with the rest of your 10 minute break.

Steps

  1. Thump the side of the machine (carefully). You may succeed in shaking the stuck item loose.
    • Never hit the glass in the front of the machine; it could shatter and injure you and you could have to pay to repair it.
  2. Push the flap in (where you reach in to collect your food) and let it snap shut. Sometimes the air created from that motion dislodges the stuck food item.
  3. Order another of the stuck item. Hopefully, the second item will push the first one through and you will have two.
  4. Ask somebody that looks like a staff/technician. See if anybody around can offer you a refund or help to free the stuck item for you. If there's no one around, and there is a phone number on the vending machine, call the vending machine company for assistance.
Image: lifehacker.com

Tips

  • If you want, go ask someone who works at the place to give you a refund or open the vending machine.

Warnings

  • Beware of tipping over the machine, causing it to fall and crush you. Believe it or not, being crushed by falling vending machines is a very possible cause of death; it happens to people every year. More people die from falling vending machines than do shark attacks every year. (2 people a year compared to a technical .6 people a year)
  • Don't kick it -- it's useless. The only thing you'll get is the shopkeeper (or who ever is in charge) angry.
  • These methods will only work for a product that got stuck during the normal purchase process -- you usually can't acquire free food or drinks in this manner.
  • Understand the risk of getting in trouble or a detention if trying this with a school vending machine as a student.
  • Being extremely careful when bringing legs of the machine back down to the floor.

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