Where is this hobby going?

[collecture]

In my early Twentys I started collecting the Jim Beam Bottles...because of there value then, now it has dropped completely.

I collected those, but when empty they became worthless to me! LOL

[krovel]

Mygoose...I'm in the same boat as you.  I just turned 40 a few months ago.  I have these machines displayed in MY mancave (the Mrs doesnt read these posts) and just a few people are somewhat interested in my machines when they see them, most dont even ask about them.  Yet ALL my friends laugh and joke about "when is your next road trip pto get another machine.?" 
I've stopped telling friends and family when I'm going or what I'm getting.  It's MY hobby, I enjoy it, I like the  machines, and I get them now because I'm alive now, and I want to have that smile on my face now, not when I'm 80 and I have that smile because of the meds that I'm on.

Figure it out this way (thats what I always do for fun, and the justify it to myself lol)

Fugure out what you've spent on all  your machines. Then add up all the years you've had them, add up all the years you HOPe to still be alive, take that number and divide it by what you spent on the machines, then divide it by 365 (days in a year) and you come up with a number that usually is the cost of a cup of coffee per day.
Hey, that would be a good thread to start lol.

 

i am extremely new to this hobby, working on my first machine. But couldn't agree more.  No one seems interested or cares that I am working on my machine. But it is my hobby, its my pressure release from reality. I am not a hardcore collector but enjoy blasting my precious 80's music and getting lost in my new hobby. I think as long as people need a nice hobby and don't care about making the fast buck these machines will continue to be "worked on" and appreciated.

Again, very much a greenhorn and its just my .02

[kbareit]

Being new to machine collecting and restoration I think as long as there is interest it will survive. When I pick up a machine I have my 16 year old help me and he asks what I'm going to do with it. I tell him that it's getting restored and I'm keeping it and it will be his one day. Now every time I'm working on one he comes out to help. I have one motivating factor for the 50's machines is my father, he saw both of my chest coolers and remembers them when he was a kid. So it does make me happy to see him feel young when looking at them. Other than that I enjoy working on them and making them run and that is all that matters in the end.

[Matt]

I think there is a certain amount of "cool factor" with having something that the average Joe does not have. We all own mass produced appliances, electronics, and other stuff, much of which is made overseas. Not one of my friends, family members, nor coworkers owns a 1950s made in USA soda machine, but many of them like my machine and wish they could own one.

[sodaworks]

I agree with Glen. As soon as the little bottle are discontinued things will change.

[halehouse]

I never buy the small bottles. They're too pricey. I buy the Mexican bottles from Costco.

[mygoose101]

Coke just came out with 8oz. small aluminum bottles with a twist off cap. Regular Coke, diet, Sprite and Coke Zero. Cost per case for retailers, $32. Ouch!

[Blind1968]

Like most of you I actually use my machine. I have been lucky enough to get Coke and some assorted flavors at my local Walmart. Recently I have been buying Coke and Dr Pepper in the 16oz plastic bottles and my CS96 does not seem to have any problem vending them. I think I will continue to experiment with some other flavors and bottle shapes. The plastic water bottles were a little difficult to use due to the very short neck and thin bottle casing but that may just be the brand we were buying.