Here's my two cents. I have thought long and hard about writting a book, but just don't have the time. I have been around a lot of machines and feel I could give a realistic price on machines. You can't price a Cav 72 at $300 just because someone bought one on craigslist at this price once. You need to feel the whole market. What would a nice original 72 be worth, or one that needs restored, or one that has been restored, but then who restored it. I have seen restored machines that I wouldn't give two cents for. That's why when Jeff Walters wrote his book his values were realistic because he was the man to write the book because he was exposed to a lot of machines. To write a book and give accurate AVERAGE prices needs to be done by an expert and someone who has been exposed to a lot of machines. (Not saying this is just me, because there are several other guys out there I know that are very up on there machines). So my two cents is: A book or price guide needs to be done by an expert who has been around a lot of machines.
Without anyone willing to quote restored prices, how can anyone come up with these prices?
Ok you're a restorer and you had a nice restored junior at the show for a fair price. What are your selling prices for these more common
restored machines when you've sold them:
Vendo 81B:
Vendo 81D:
VMC 81 Pepsi:
VMC 81 Generic:
VMC 110 Pepsi:
Cav 72:
Cav 96:
Jacobs 56:
Coke Embossed Slider:
Orange Crush Slider:
Hires Embossed Slider:
Other or Generic Slider:
We know it costs a bundle to restore these, but what do they actually sell for when your done to customers expecting to pay the going rate? Or better yet, if you were being
paid to value these for an insurance claim what would your number be for these restored machines? And then if
you had to replace these for a customer in within 4 weeks to start a restoration, what would you put on these restored machines? That is the real value, if you have to find one in a reasonable amount of time, what will it cost. Not, if you wait long enough it will come up on craigslist prices. Reasonable to me is around 4 weeks to find and buy for desirable machines.
Similar thing goes for unrestored machines. Restoration costs on the side, how much would it cost to get one in a reasonable amount of time and pay for what is out there. Unrestored machines I can line up Vendo 110's, Generic sliders, Cav 72's and 96's across the country just off a couple of craigslist searches in a week. How much would you have to pay to get a VMC pepsi 81 in 4 weeks or even worse a 81 7up?
The really rare stuff is more what people are willing to pay not what it costs to pry it out of a collectors hand. Its hard to judge, because its a real collector with real money that is going to pay a premium for those items.
I think too many value machines at what they can get them for when they pop up in their area on craigslist and they are not actually looking to buy one. BEAYOUNG just sought out and apparently got an 81 7up... that is the value of a machine when you are actively looking for it and not passively buying what comes along like a lot of us.
