What’s the obsession with vending machines?

I asked this question last week. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I stock the newspaper racks outside of Shoppers Value Foods in Hamilton and I’ve noticed hordes of thirsty locals storming the 50-cent soda machines outside the grocer’s front door. Yes, hordes.
I didn’t think much about it until I watched a woman feed quarters into one of the machines for a good five minutes before hauling off a plastic bag full of soda.
People ceaselessly whip up to those machines throughout the day, park in the no-parking fire line and clear them out. It’s a wonder they keep them in stock. Give that stocking boy a raise, and God forbid there be a fire.