A ‘mystery vending machine’ is spotted at a railway station, giving buyers the opportunity to take a punt on the items inside.
These enigmatic “mystery” vending machines—often labeled “Mystery-O-Matic” or “Secret Packs”—have become a viral sensation in Germany’s rail network, turning forgotten e-commerce parcels into affordable gambles.
Spotted in bustling train stations, they vend sealed, unclaimed packages from delivery lockers (think Amazon, DHL, or Temu returns) that go unpicked after 7–30 days. For €5–€15 a pop, you get a blind box of potential treasures (or trash), complete with faded shipping labels hinting at their backstory. As of now, they’re not just a fad—they’re expanding, with new installs in cities like Frankfurt and Berlin, capitalizing on commuter curiosity.
The Buzz: Hits and Misses
- Wins: Rare scores like an Apple Watch Ultra (unverified flex) or poetry books fuel TikTok unboxings. Redditors dream of “finely crafted artificial limbs” from airport lore.
- Misses: Mostly low-value returns (€10–20 items); one user griped, “All the best stuff’s pocketed by staff.”