Embodiments of the present invention provide for a method, system and
article of manufacture for operating vending machines. In general, a
plurality of vending machines are nodes of a network. Each node is
configured to send, receive and process signals carrying inventory,
pricing, reservation and/or refund information. In such embodiments, a
vending machine is configured to receive a reservation request for a
specified item. The request may be issued from one of a plurality of
client devices (e.g., wireless telephones, desktop computers and the
like) or from a reservation control system. In still another embodiment,
vending machines may be configured to provide refunds under controlled
conditions. A consumer may request a refund in cases where the consumer
was improperly charged for goods are services that were not provided.