Get live crabs from vending machine in Hangzhou  

杭州首現(xiàn)大閘蟹自動(dòng)販賣 “白菜價(jià)”驚呆消費(fèi)者

秋風(fēng)乍起，菊黃蟹肥，又到了吃大閘蟹的好時(shí)機(jī)。如今，浙江省杭州市民選購(gòu)大閘蟹更為便利，杭城某大閘蟹專賣店前首現(xiàn)大閘蟹自動(dòng)售賣機(jī)，市民只需按操作提示塞入現(xiàn)金紙幣，就能買到鮮活大閘蟹。據(jù)該門店負(fù)責(zé)人介紹，目前，該自動(dòng)售貨機(jī)正處于試運(yùn)營(yíng)階段，近3兩的螃蟹不分公蟹母蟹，統(tǒng)一售賣20元/只。大閘蟹“白菜價(jià)”，讓杭城不少消費(fèi)者直呼“驚呆”。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- A vending machine in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, is selling live crabs ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival.

The contraption is similar to other vending machines, except that it sells chilled crabs in neatly stacked rows.

Liu Zhinan, sales manager of the company behind the machine, said shoppers don't have to fear that their seafood would be dead, as the machine's temperature and humidity are set to ensure that the crabs are kept alive.

With a click of a button, shoppers can get a crab for 20 yuan ($3.20) during the trial operation, much lower than the market price. The price will depend on the size of the crab when formal operation starts.

The vending machine, which is different from those crammed with junk food, also sells packets of vinegar and ginger.

The machine reduces personnel costs, Liu said, adding that he hopes to promote the vending machines at subway stations and supermarkets across the nation. With that, shoppers can satisfy their craving for crabs anytime, he added.

Crabmeat, which is prized for its unique sweet taste, is a popular treat during Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept 19 this year.