I'm bidding on this cool cavalier fd2. how much??

Hi all,

I am currently bidding (on eBay) on a very cool machine in my area (within 20 miles of my house) that I have heard of and I know that my hero Josh has owned one at one time, but I have no idea how much I should bid up to.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....IT&rd=1

I own the book, but can't find it right now, so I was hoping that some of you guys in the know could give me some advice.

It is the very unique looking Cavalier FD2. I think it's R2D2's square cousin.
With the basket inside, it looks kinda like the inside of a washing machine.
Also different because this model was designed to not have a coin mech and was more for free sodas in an office setting.

I have always loved this model and have always wanted one, but have never had one available in my area.

Best of all, the basket is still in this one, which is usually missing.

The starting minimum bid is $399 so that is what I have bid so far, but I am just curious how high I should go. Is the $399 already too much since this model does not have embossing, etc.? Should I even eventually bid anymore? Or should I stop where I'm at? I figure I'll bid more, but I just don't know much about this model.

I am so much more familiar with the normal upright machines.

Please check out the auction and the photos therein and let me know. Josh, you out there?   :0)

Also, PLEASE  '>  '>  '>  no one else bid on this machine, as I have always wanted one of these and it's so close to me.

Thanks so much,
~'kito

[90grad]

Mark,

That is a Cavalier office cooler.  The Walters value on it is $575 in average condition.  The basket is often missing.  I've seen them go at least $575 on eBay.  This one looks nice.  Good luck!

[MoonDawg]

Well Kito, you asked!
      I have owned 2 of these. Both had compressor problems and use a freon that is no longer available. Compressor drops out the bottom and is difficult.  One I was able to recharge with a substitute and it ran for a month and died. Sold it as is. The other one I installed a modern compressor. Inside fan motor is also hard to find replacement.
       Lack of embossed lettering and coin operation made this very hard to sell.  But it's small size is a plus.

[loman4ec]

Mark,
I really like that model as well. I have never actually owned one but I had a chance to once. He wanted $600 and it had some bad spots so I passed. I would go for it if I were you. I really kicked myself for not buying the one I found so I would say that I would have paid up to $600. It would make a nice small cooler for you theater. Good luck bidding.
Josh

Well, I kept my bids very low so that I would lose the auction because I had second thoughts. Not at all because of what MoonDawg said, but because I have been on a roll and bought even more stuff over the past 2 days since I first bid (more on that later in another thread). I became scared that I might win and then would not have the money to pay the seller. Not good. So I kept it low and was relieved when I lost.

I still totally want one, but decided that I had better wait until I have more money.

[audiobeer]

I have been looking for one of these for some time. It went cheap!!!

[dr galaga]

Looks like you are getting out of control there Markito.  I can't wait to see what the future thread is about.  (I bet it has something to do with your extra-large storage place!) '>

[collecture]

Kito - I think you need to broadcast your pleads to a wider audience.

Quote

Also, PLEASE no one else bid on this machine, as I have always wanted one of these and it's so close to me.

Maybe next time you could use the 'Ask The Seller A Question' form and request that he post your plead for everyone to read.    

I think I would like to find one also and that would complete my triple crown of the small Cav's so to speak - the 27, the 33, and the Office Cooler. I bid on one a while back and it ended up selling for about the same amount as this one. It has the same Refrigeration assembly as the Cav 27. I see them pop up two to three times a year - but just like Kito, I am just waiting for one close by. I think it would be a cool little machine to have in the 'office'.

[Creighton]

Sorry but I think it is lame to say don't bid on this machine and then back out. Just me. Roast away.
Creighton

No, I totally agree. You are very right.
That was not my intention.

I should have been more clear in my last post.
It was only at the very last one minute before the auction's end that I decided that I couldn't afford to go higher than I had already bid and not to add a bunch more money to my max bid. Until then I completely planned to win it, but then as I was about to add a high max bid, I suddenly panic'd and worried that adding additional money would be an issue.

I really did want this machine badly and I did still bid on it, even bid twice. It's not like I canceled my bids.

So I apologize to the community here. As you know, I have never backed out before and never plan to again. In the future when I say "please no one else bid", I will be following through, as I had originally intended to do with this one. You have my word, and please believe me in the future.

Hope I didn't ruffle your feathers too much Creighton. I do feel really bad about it.