A beverage vending device comprising: a network interface; one or more processors; and a computer-readable tangible medium with instructions stored thereon that, when executed, direct the one or more processors to perform acts comprising: establishing contact with an available network ; locating a second beverage vending device on the network; establishing contact with the second beverage vending device on the network; communicating inventory information with the second beverage vending device via the network including receiving inventory levels of the second beverage vending device; and receiving a request from a consumer to dispense a beverage; characterised in that the instructions, when executed, direct the one or more processors to perform acts comprising: determining that the beverage being requested is not available at the beverage vending device; utilizing the inventory information received from the second beverage vending device to determine that the requested beverage is available at the second beverage vending device; and providing the consumer a choice to either go to the second beverage vending device for the requested beverage or stay at the beverage vending device where an alternative beverage can be dispensed. a network interface; one or more processors; and a computer-readable tangible medium with instructions stored thereon that, when executed, direct the one or more processors to perform acts comprising: establishing contact with an available network ; locating a second beverage vending device on the network; establishing contact with the second beverage vending device on the network; communicating inventory information with the second beverage vending device via the network including receiving inventory levels of the second beverage vending device; and receiving a request from a consumer to dispense a beverage; establishing contact with an available network ; locating a second beverage vending device on the network; establishing contact with the second beverage vending device on the network; communicating inventory information with the second beverage vending device via the network including receiving inventory levels of the second beverage vending device; and receiving a request from a consumer to dispense a beverage; characterised in that the instructions, when executed, direct the one or more processors to perform acts comprising: determining that the beverage being requested is not available at the beverage vending device; utilizing the inventory information received from the second beverage vending device to determine that the requested beverage is available at the second beverage vending device; and providing the consumer a choice to either go to the second beverage vending device for the requested beverage or stay at the beverage vending device where an alternative beverage can be dispensed. determining that the beverage being requested is not available at the beverage vending device; utilizing the inventory information received from the second beverage vending device to determine that the requested beverage is available at the second beverage vending device; and providing the consumer a choice to either go to the second beverage vending device for the requested beverage or stay at the beverage vending device where an alternative beverage can be dispensed. <EOS>