Well, I too gave it the old college try and attempted to talk some sense into this seller!
Here is what I said and I tried to let him down easy):
Dear tsriverman,
I collect Coke and I wanted to pass along information might help your post. Your machine is a Vendolator Model 3D-33. It holds 33 8 oz. Cokes and has a pre-cooling area that holds 27 more. That machine was produced in the mid 50's and is a 3 on a rarity scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most rare. It would help to include pictures of the machine from all four sides as well as pictures of the coin mechanism, vending mechanism and the compressor area. I am not trying to be a smart aleck; but, the biggest challenge that you will have in trying to sell this item is that is not worth $6,000. A mint condition 3D-33 would sell for $2,000 on it's very best day. If someone told you it was worth $7.500 you should have sold it to them for $5,000. There are 2 TV shows--Pawn Stars and American Pickers--that are throwing out ridiculous numbers on what things are worth. These numbers have no basis in reality if you do the research. In any event, I wish you good luck with the sale!
- mznb1u
And here is what he responded with:
Dear mznb1u,
Thanks for the info, Tim.I got the price i had from Rick, the resto guy on Pawn Stars.He restored one like it except his had no insides and was beat all to hell.He did a jam up resto and they valued it at 3,500$.Again, thanks for the info
- tsriverman
Oh well, as somebody said the other day, everyone has the right to be stupid but some people abuse the privilege!
But then again, maybe he is waiting for that guy that P.T. Barnum was talking about--you know the sucker born every minute!
Tim