Systems and methods for operating vending machines

A vending machine for dispensing items, comprising:

• a command input interface for receiving user commands;
• a network interface configured to support a network connection with a network of vending machines;
• and
• a processor connected to the command input interface and the network interface, and configured to:
• receive purchase orders for items from at least one of the command input interface and the network interface;
• process the purchase orders;
• and
• issue a request via the network interface to determine whether an item requested by a user is available at another vending machine of the network of vending machines.

A signal bearing medium, comprising a program which, when executed by a processor, performs a method, comprising:

• receiving, at a vending machine in the network of vending machines, a purchase order for the item;
• transmitting, via a network connection, a request for the item;
• and
• receiving, at the vending machine, a response indicative of whether the item is available at at least one other vending machine.

A method of requesting a refund for a purchase order of a vending machine item, comprising:

• receiving, at a vending machine, a payment amount for the vending machine item;
• receiving an electronic refund request for at least a portion of the payment amount;
• and
• determining whether to refund the portion.