Vending machine selling hairy crabs launched in Hangzhou
Staff Reporter 2013-09-15 10:58
Passersby inspect the new vending machine in Hangzhou. (Photo/CNS)
A customer holds up a purchased crab. The vending machine prices range from 20-60 yuan (US$3.30- US$9.80). (Photo/CNS)
A hairy crab outlet operator based in Hangzhou, the capital of eastern China's Zhejiang province, has launched a special vending machine that allows customers to buy live hairy crabs — also known as the Chinese mitten crab — reports the website of the state-run China News Service.
The vending machine, which is part of a trial program, sells crabs weighing around 100 grams for only 20 yuan (US$3.25) each, cheaper than the current market price of 40-50 yuan (US$6.50- US$8.10), according to the report.
The vending machine made its debut in Hangzhou on Sept. 12 and is the first of its kind to be installed in the city. Another was also installed at a subway station in Nanjing in neighboring Jiangsu province and has attracted considerable attention from visitors around the country.
At first glance, the machine is no different from any ordinary machine, and is about 2 meters high. However, on closer inspection the vending machine offers the discounted crabs and a 5 yuan (US$0.80) package choice, containing a bottle of sauce, two bags of ginger tea and a plastic bag.
"Can the crabs' freshness be guaranteed given that they are lying in a vending machine?" a female passerby said, expressing concern for their quality.
Liu Jinan, a sales manager at the outlet operator, said that the crabs are safe to eat as they are kept at temperatures of between 5-10 degree Celsius, which is the best condition for their survival.
To ensure the quality of the crabs, his store sends a specialist to check the machine and replace any dead crabs on a regular basis, Liu said, adding if customers find that their purchased crabs are not up to standard, they can place a call to the company's hotline number on the side of the machine.
Despite the relatively low prices offered by the vending machine, Liu stated the store had not suffer any losses due to the low selling costs incurred through this method, which had cut costs related to store rentals and paying employee wages.
