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This Machine Transforms Unwanted Halloween Candy Into Reese's Cups

Oct. 31, 2018
2 min read
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This Machine Transforms Unwanted Halloween Candy Into Reese's Cups
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Remember all the candy you begrudgingly dropped into your pillowcase or jack-o'-lantern bucket as a child during Halloween? Unimpressive candy corn and jaw-locking Tootsie Rolls; polarizing licorice sticks; little baggies of semi-crushed pretzels; repellent raisins — the (horrifying) list goes on.

Fortunately, if you're trick-or-treating with kids in New York City this Halloween (or you just happen to have a lot of second-rate candy on hand) you're in luck.

The "Reese's Halloween Candy Converter Machine" just opened up in Washington Square Park on 5th Avenue. And it's exactly what it sounds like. Now, you can swap your banana-flavored Laffy Taffy's and Necco Wafers for the good stuff: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. No longer will your piles of rejected candy end up in the trash.



According to Anna Lingeris, a spokesperson for The Hershey Company, more than half of candy-buyers shop for Reese's products. And even more — about 90% of Americans — have traded, or wished they could trade, unwanted candy on All Hallows' Eve. That's why the popular chocolate manufacturer has decided to alleviate our sugary woes this year.

The Candy Converter, which made its original debut on Oct. 28 at a Halloween Festival in Tarrytown, New York, is simple to use. All you have to do it put your unwanted candy into the machine, which it conjures Reese's Cups instead.

For the New York City setup, which will accept exchanges until 9pm on Oct. 31, Hershey's has allotted up to 10,000 Reese's Cups for trade. After that, unfortunately, the machine will disappear into the night.

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"This has been quite the day and we love the feedback from our fans," Lingeris, a spokesperson for The Hershey Company, told CNN. "Maybe we will bring the Reese's Candy Exchange to other cities; stay tuned for Halloween 2019."

So wherever you are in the world, hold on to those butterscotch-flavored hard candies until next year. After all, no one wants to miss out on free candy.

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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.