India's First Diecast Toy Car Vending Machine is Here [Video]
The diecast car culture has had a rapid boom in India in the past few years. Diecast cars and 1:64 scale models have become popular among people of all age groups. Making life easier for such people, India’s first diecast vending machine is now live in Bengaluru. ‘The Super Toys’ has set up this machine at the Mantri Square mall in Malleswaram. A video of this has now surfaced online
The clip opens by showing the Mantri Square mall and the exact location of the vending machine. We also get to see a girl using the vending machine to buy her favourite diecast car. From making the selection, to paying for and getting it delivered- the whole purchase journey can be seen.
This machine looks almost like a soda/ coke vending machine. Available stock is neatly arranged inside. We can see the details, read information on the ‘card’, and decide which one to buy. The selection needs to be done using a touchscreen on the right hand side of the display area.
Going by the video, diecast scale models of various brands (most likely 1:64 units) are likely to be sold through this machine. We can see models from Bburago, Tomica and Hotwheels among options. Hot wheels models are the most affordable, with indicated prices of just Rs 179 here. Tomica models have indicated prices in the range of 900-1100 rupees, and those from Bburago take a mid-ground.
All we need to do is to select the desired one by touching the respective option. The screen then takes us to the payment page. Complete the payment by scanning the on-screen QR code. UPI apps like Google Pay and Phonepe can be used for this.
Once the payment is made, the requested model will ‘fall into the delivery area’. We can then collect this from the delivery line. Interestingly, the models sold through this machine come with stickers that read ‘History made! You are purchasing from India’s first diecast vending machine’.
The idea of a diecast car vending machine isn’t new in the larger picture. It has become a huge success in countries like Australia and New Zealand. In India, however, the concept is fairly new. If restocking is done on time, this machine can make sourcing and purchasing their favourite HotWheels and diecast models easy for enthusiasts and collectors.
Sourcing certain Hot Wheels models isn’t easy in many cities. Fans and collectors often end up overpaying or being forced to buy combos they don’t really need, just to get their favourite model. Looks like Bengalurians have now found a fix for this issue!
Mantri Square mall is easy to reach. It is connected by the Green Line of Namma Metro. The mall itself is spread over an area of 80,000 sq.ft. The smartly placed vending machines thus saves diecast collectors and fans from the hassle of having to roam around through the mall just to get their favourite Hot Wheels.
The store has further reassured that they sell all the diecast cars at their respective MRPs. As someone who has been into this hobby, I can confidently say that getting a Ferrari SF90 Hot Wheels at Rs 179 is a dreamy deal! Resellers and dealers sell the same at over Rs 500 in many cities! In most places, the main line’s prices fall in the ballpark of Rs 400, if sold by resellers.
This hasn’t, however, slowed down the demand for these. Reselling Hot Wheels at inflated prices isn’t a gig or side hussle anymore. There are businesses built around it in many cities. If the store here keeps its promise, it can easily become the trusted and reliable source of supply for Hot Wheels collectors.