I recently purchased an iPod Touch from a vending machine inside a Macy's store next to my office in downtown Seattle. I knew what the product was all about, and I knew that either Macy's or Apple would make things right if something went wrong. I trust Macy's and Apple, I don't trust Best Buy very much, and will trust their vending machines even less.

That said, other than the novelty of it, there's no reason to buy electronics this way.