I am going to say it, if nobody else will. Watch what you post!!!

[Seven181]

Guys,

Over the last few months we have talked about posting "deals" or certain machines on here that some memembers are looking for. Everyone knows I like cup machines and and looking to buy those. There are some on this site that get on here and may or may not be members, but they see what we are talking about and deals and they snip the member out of the particular machine/cooler they want. This has happened to me twice in the last few months. No big deal, more machines come along and sometimes at a better deal.

However, I am getting it off my chest that some people are cut throat and just here to see what deals there are and then beat out the member who really was looking for that particular item. I am going to PM deals to other members in the future and not post "great deals" in the open anymore. I know of a few instances that members on here have lost out on great "leads" due to others finding out and beating them out. Just a heads up.....watch out, because others are greedy and always looking to buy something from underneath you.

Just my opinion, but tried of seeing it happen to me and others.

Brian

 

[MCarter]

Well said Brian !! PMwhen u hear of something and i will do the same.

[Jim]

Brian,

I realize this type of activity is difficult, if not impossible to monitor; however, we can utilize the Members Area Forums to discuss things a little more sensitive or urgent... These areas are set for Soda Jerks only which would only include those with 500+ posts. Hopefully, members with 500+ posts would know better than to undermine another member's potential deal!
Just remember there are exceptions to rule...

[Seven181]

Jim,

Yep, I do see some members on here using the members area forums and they work well. I just hate to see other people lock in on a good deal, only to get beat by someone who reads what we tip on and knock them out of something they really wanted.

Brian

[Larry]

well, 19 more post to go!!  This makes 481

[Seven181]

Ha! Larry you will be there in no time!!!!!


Brian

[Pat Pixley]

I totally  agree With you Brian There are people out there that are doing this crap
 and it is just wrong  . So I will PM to a member or even go down to the Soda Jerk area
to let a member know of  great deal, so count me in .

[Marvin]

Nothing personal here as I don't buy much.  But I have had "my grass mowed" way to many times by people from other walks of life.
I learned a long time ago not to talk about a deal until it is sealed and most times delivered.


Rant on:

I consider myself a pretty quiet person, I recently joined facebook.  I reconnected with many people I have not seen in a long time.  But the amount of info they share with friends / public just amazes me.  There are people who announce everything they are doing.  That is just way to much personal business for me that I don't need to know. 
 I learned really quick "loose lips sink ships"

Rant off and 1 post closer to the members area 

Marvin

[Eric]

Agree 100%...  It's awesome to have so many friends looking out for each other and
it's exciting when something someone has been looking for pops up... But PM the
person... and when the deal is made hopefully it can then be posted in their collection....
Count me in... I've been doing this for a while....  So I guess we need a serious wish list started...

As for me ...yeah... a Quikold cooler standard that's it....

[SIGNGUY]

I agree too,,, I have been doing PM things and have other members clue me in on  deal in my area with PM's as well.. Good Point Brian, thanks for bringing it up.

[davethebirdman]

Okay... The PM'ing is fine but you guys have gotta share the finds once you have secured them.....
Its the bit I like best..

Dave

[mrsoda]

I agree with you  100%, There are just some people out there who just dont care if you are looking for something, like the cup machines, and will buy them just so they can make a quick buck and resell

[Seven181]

We will still share the great finds, once secured by whoever is looking for that item. That is the fun with sharing with everyone. The "leads" are what needs to be PM to that particular person. I think Eric has a great plan. Put together a wish list and list it. For me my wish list is below. Simple:

Any Soda Cup Machine!!!!
Stoner Theather
Stoner Junior
Popperette or U-Pop-It
7up Embossed VMC 88


Thanks guys, we truly do have a special group here! It's fun to talk and meet everyone when we get the chance too! We should start an annual "get together" like at one of the shows and try to get as many members as possible there every year. Kinda like a soda machines reunion!

Brian

[loman4ec]

I have an idea and this may not work or may be dumb but could we make a section only for certain members? There are several members here that are considered to be trusted loyal members but they may not have 500 messages yet. Each member could apply for access to the topic and Jim or someone else determines if they are eligible. That way the trusted members even if they are not soda jerks can view the topic. Is that possible or is it too hard?

[Seven181]

Not a bad idea, let's let Jim decide? So maybe a forum for "tips or deals" and trusted members are only allowed? I guess it would be hard though to say who is in and who is out. The purpose is not to leave anyone out, but to clean up this nonsense of others out bidding someone on here who really wants something. For example if a member is looking for a popperette and gets a tip, then someone else sees it and boom beats the member out. Really not fair. This is a close group and maybe the best way to pass along deals is through PM's to each other, based off our wish lists.

Brian

[Larry]

I agree with a new forum of "wish list" if possible.  But you should only list what you really want.  Then anyone with tips will P.M. members.  The only problem with that would be when multiple members want the same item.  Do you P.M. your buddy, or the first one who listed his wish?

18 more to go.

[Seven181]

Larry,

How about this... A forum for wish lists and if two people have the same wish, then first priority would go to the member looking the longest???

Brian

[davethebirdman]

Plse excuse me if I am sticking my nose in too far here...
I think you are right Brian about being guarded about posting good finds and that
should be avioded until they are secured... PM'ing is a good idea..

When this was discussed a few years ago Jim created the special access forum and
if I ever need help guidance etc I always post there...

With regard to being completely fair to all members by having a list of who wants what
I don't think that's going to work too well.. Some members have close friends here and its enevitable that they will share their finds with them before opening it to the rest...

Everyone knows you want cup machines and I would hope that within the inner sanctum (Larry not long now) that this would be respected... Eric's Quickold too... If I found one on Ebay (I search Ebay every morning when I get up when you guys are fast asleep in your beds) I would let him know...

We also have to remember that there are people here that do this for a living too...

Just my thoughts tell me to p**s off if I've gone too far...

Dave

[Seven181]

Dave,

I respect everyone's comments. I think you are right, we all to some degree will tip off friends, before others. I am just trying to brainstorm with others on here to communicate in a fashion to not let "guests" or those that may be in the business take away from someone on here that has really been looking long and hard for an item, such as a Quikold or something. Great example, there was a Quikold a few months ago that I am sure Eric would have wanted, but next thing you know the item got driven up on price and he lost out. Not saying it was all due to it being posted, but you just never know. Maybe there is no easy answer to this, but I just had to get it off my chest. I know others on here who have been burned by others when they were notifed of something they wanted, only to lose out on someone driving up the bid price.

Brian

[johnieG]

maybe a new comments section....

[Chedki]

I have an idea and this may not work or may be dumb but could we make a section only for certain members? There are several members here that are considered to be trusted loyal members but they may not have 500 messages yet. Each member could apply for access to the topic and Jim or someone else determines if they are eligible. That way the trusted members even if they are not soda jerks can view the topic. Is that possible or is it too hard?

I like this idea as it would take forever for some of us to obtain 500 messages. My wish list would be just a non-embossed Quikold Standard.

[Chedki]

there was a Quikold a few months ago that I am sure Eric would have wanted, but next thing you know the item got driven up on price and he lost out. Not saying it was all due to it being posted, but you just never know.
Brian

Sorry to those that got ticked off about this, but I had posted several months ago that I needed several parts from a Quikold Standard for my bullet-riddled Nichol Kola Quikold Standard. That was why I bid on it as I really needed the parts from this non-generic machine to complete my machine. Besides, I never heard from the seller after emailing her several times. You can see that I posted a negative for her on this transaction.

Anyhow, if anybody has a lead on a NON-EMBOSSED Quikold Standard and Eric has no need for it, then please PM me as I would like to know about it. More than anything else, I need the base for the Quikold Standard machine. Thanks for any leads on helping me to complete my machine. I do have the lids for this machine due to a heads-up from Eric several months ago. Thanks again Eric.

[Eric]

I don't see the need for a new post  or another project for Jim
I vote lets start a Wish List Post of machines, coolers and/or parts needed... Stuff someone
is really wanting to ad to their collection... and just PM the guy/gal if something turns up... I'm looking for parts and machines  for certain members now...
As I'm sure there are buddy's looking out for me... Just let me/us know who is wanting what...
Chris we'll complete that cooler yet!

[Seven181]

Hey Chris. I was not talking about the Quikold you bid on but another one. It was brand name one, no big deal. I like the wish list idea and those who want to help others, great. It also let's us all keep an eye out for other things members want.

B

[GreginNM]

Great discussion guys!  I know where you are coming from, Brian, and we've talked about this before a number of times in person!  I think the wish list is a good idea.  Perhaps PMing leads to members is best, although if Jim is willing and interested in making the other ideas a reality, then fine.  I know I still have a ways to go before getting into the other part of the forum, so I'll have to wait on those leads a bit longer.  I have seen the results from posting leads on here in the open as well, so I now PM the members I know are looking for something when I find a good lead.  Sad we have to do this, but it's just the way things are these days!

Larry, right behind you on getting to the magic "500"!

[collecture]

I vote for the wish list idea.
Maybe a topic could be pinned at the top and some of the powers that be here could consolidate the entries into one post at the top much like Creighton did with the eBay/SMC names.

I don't know if the 'Auction Items' forum is open to all, but maybe Jim could release it. Then you could always post a want in the 'Wish List' thread, then one of the admins could add it to the pinned post.
It would be open for all to see, but the PM would keep 'the find' private.

[SIGNGUY]

Since everyone is chiming in on this... I think just putting your wishes out there, and the PM thing would work best.. let's not complicate it with a new thread and who asked first scenarios.. that could and will just get ugly....
Remember the hunt is what makes this hobby fun.. and sometimes another guy just happens to be in the right place at the right time.

Good luck to all on the Hunt!..

[MoonDawg]

        Here is another angle........I bought an 81 today from a guy who also has
an American Vendor round style as well as a ton of square corner machines. I saw it,
it's straight and the guy I talked to says he has all the parts. I paid $250 for his 81 after he came up with the coin mech and all the parts so he really doesn't know market value.
(He is advertising that he wants $200 for most every machine)
        Anyways we could just post a picture or a lead here and have members PM us directly to pass on information?
        So here is his pic that I can share in a public forum....if anyone wants an American Vendor PM me, I think it's still in the $200 to $300 price range

[Jim]

I see this has become an interesting topic!
I have no problem creating a new forum, but I don't think this would get utilized...
Currently, the Soda Jerks forum gets little use and this was put in place just for this reason...
I think the best method may be PM/Email to a particular member.

Currently I have this info:

Group          Members   Posts
Newbie      321     0
5 Cent Member   21    50
10 Cent Member   19    100
25 Cent Member    15    250
Soda Jerks      29    500

Currently, with 29 Soda Jerks, it's obvious that our community is growing! It's also apparent based on this discussion that everyone sees opportunity in a different way and because our numbers are increasing, it may difficult to keep a lid on certain deals once posted on SMC! I want No Body to take offense, but the more people we gain into the Soda Jerks Members, the more potential we have for a "bad apple" to spoil the bunch. I'm not pointing any fingers, just reiterating what I've learned as many of you have pointed out... Again, for the sake of security until a deal has been sealed, utilize PM/Email to contact other members of possible interests they may have!
We could also create a "Wish List" Topic and pin this to the top of... perhaps the Swap Meet Area Forum... Or some other forum that everyone feels more appropriate.

[Sodak Bob]

Interesting discussion - I remember a couple of years ago when I posted the Pepsi Quikold Jr. in estimated values.  I had more members PM me to shut my trap until the deal was done than anything - good advice.  Once anyone spends enough time here - we all get a good feeling of who collects what - and their general location...  Several good ideas here, but its still going to be hard to be fair to everyone  and still get the info out there.....

[Cokemachinesandmore]

I am new to the site, I i think its great how everyone is willing to share their knowledge and experience with ALL the memebrs. I personally think it would be unfair to shut people out because they are new. Life in general is full of dishonest people thats why locksmiths and policeman will never be without work. eventually the bad apples will surface and then you can take appropriate action. I think the site is an incredible resource and stays the way it is. my humble opinion.

[Cokemachinesandmore]

as a matter of fact, i had made a deal on a popperette for $2500.00 and had a member on this site, buy out from under me for 500 dollars more. I had the cash in hand and a hand shake on the deal, which in my book is as good as a written contract. The next thing I know its on its way to a different state, was i pissed hell yeah,  i am still against censoring any part of the site. 

[bmw90w]

Isn't that what the who's bidding part is for? Like it was said earlier, there are people without 500 posts who are trustworthy. I have bough a machine from John and parts from several other members on here. My word is my bond and that has been proven. There are many other members on here who feel the same I am sure. I think if someone doesn't want the community to find out about it then use the pm. Otherwise if you want to share with everyoone, I think you should. The same 29 people shouldn't get all the deals. We are like a team aren't we? I would not have gotten my transitional if it weren't for a public post. Just my .02

[Creighton]

Interesting thread.
I'll pony up to run a fixed list of who want's whatever. I don't update the eBay bidder list anymore because eBay doesn't display who is bidding as they used to. Made the effort moot. Correct me if there is a current need for this list to be updated.

Sadly there will always be issues on a public forum. Understand that many upstanding registered new members will not reach the 500 post threshold any time soon. This could be lowered to maybe 100 posts, but that is Jims call.

Post some idea's about how the list should be structured and we will work from there. I would prefer a fixed downloadable PDF that is updated as the SMC message board is kinda hard to deal with on tabular formatting. Rough alpha below:

Wanted Toys:
Creighton
PM: Creighton
Email: cjsmith1@ix.netcom.com
Phone: 509-536-6616

Model/Item/:
Poperette

Condition:
Working complete

Price:
<2500.00

Location:
Lower 48

Improvements/Idea's welcome.
Creighton