Get live crabs from vending machine in Hangzhou  

杭州首现大闸蟹自动贩卖 “白菜价”惊呆消费者

秋风乍起，菊黄蟹肥，又到了吃大闸蟹的好时机。如今，浙江省杭州市民选购大闸蟹更为便利，杭城某大闸蟹专卖店前首现大闸蟹自动售卖机，市民只需按操作提示塞入现金纸币，就能买到鲜活大闸蟹。据该门店负责人介绍，目前，该自动售货机正处于试运营阶段，近3两的螃蟹不分公蟹母蟹，统一售卖20元/只。大闸蟹“白菜价”，让杭城不少消费者直呼“惊呆”。[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.