KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An automobile vending machine opened this weekend in Kansas City, Missouri.
The eight-story glass tower filled with vehicles, located just south of Interstate 35 near the state line, is Carvana's first Missouri location and the 18th across the country.
Obviously, it isn't your typical vending machine. It can hold 27 vehicles, all of which already have been purchased online.
Carvana.com offers thousands of car-buying options for customers, who must register and pay online.
"It's very neat," said Walker Wright, one of the first customers Saturday who arrived to pick up his car from the vending machine.
The process was easy and Wright said saved him money.
"I went shopping around to all the car dealerships first and comparing prices on cars, and I looked at the ones online on Carvana and I saved several thousands of dollars," he said.
After using Carvana, Wright said he'll do again for future car purchases.
"I would never deal with a car dealer again," he said.
But the buying experience isn't for everyone.
"I wouldn't," James Ketchum said of buying a car online and having it shipped to the tower, where new car owners drop a special coin into a deposit slot to retrieve their car.
Una Kethum argued there might be a generational difference in purchasing trends.
"They're doing it for the experience," she said of younger shoppers, "because people buy online, they don't get out and socialize as much."
The arrival of Carvana isn't likely to drive brick-and-mortar car dealerships out of business anytime soon.
"I still think people like to interact," James said. "I'm not putting it down; I'm just old school."
Carvana is located at 1700 W. 29th St.
Kansas City's first car vending machine is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Vehicle pickup at any of Carvana’s machines is free for all Carvana customers.
