Back from an auction - empty

[Sodak Bob]

I was just at a local auction that had a pretty nice 81A. (sorry - no pic)  Good body and complete but needed some things. The mech was sticky and the linkage did not work. The drain tube had rusted out and the floor was week - and I had no idea if it ran or cooled. That was at quick blance but  I was prepared to give it a look at the $800 to $1200 range. I never even got my hands out of my pockets.  $2,350 - what are people thinking.  I did the only reasonable thing - approached the second place bidder and offered him one of mine.  He's thinking about it... 

[rayg]

 $2,350  Wow the economy must be getting better!

[Kilroy]

Or people more naive
 

[Jim]

Or people more naive

I'm with Jim...

[coke_and_stuff]

Coca Cola Vendo 81B local auction house last year. Amateur outside paint job, hand decals on sides, sprite boy on the front. Ten front of the bottle stack spray painted white rollers and stack shelves had bad overspray. Cooling unit was untouched not even cleaned dirt was 1 inch thick in the bottom. Hammer down price $2,750. The local idiot that bought it raved about his $7,000 coke machine. It took him a year to sell it but somebody from TX bought it for $4,500.00 and had it shipped to TX. Machine was a $1,500 machine tops!


Joey

[BONOVOX]

sometimes people get caught up at an auction setting..... "just 50 bucks more" or they don't want to lose to the a hole that cut them off on the way there.....
Don't forget the phantom fake bidders who up the prices on people who really WANT the item, and they know who those people are.

[MaineT]

I'll say it like I've said it before... It's almost like these things are worth money!!

There is a big difference between waiting and searching for them like we all do, and buying the only one in front of you when you want one because you know you won't see another one for years.

I'm sure if they are paying $2350, then that's like you buying your morning coffee. (Which my father also complains about it costing too much!!)

[zadd]

I picked up a slider the other day and while I was there the guy asked me if I wanted to see his new machine he bought . It was a Vendo 81 b ... It had an amateur paint job and spray canned insides and new chrome . The guy said he got it at half price and got a great deal at 3k  the seller was asking 6k . So the guy thought he did some great negotiating .

[Kilroy]

I admit I've gotten caught up in bidding, in real time, and Ebay auctions. But people aren't doing proper research. they hear number on a reality show, and by golly it must be true. Or search on V81  on Ebay, and see  some eye popping numbers, not bids, but what the seller wants.
There are so many different and more accurate ways to research market conditions than back in the say when I saw my first restored V39. In the early 80's, it was prolly a steal for the asking price of $1500.  today, if I saw that same machine, I'd  know what shoddy work the "professionally restored" shop does, and I'd be more about the body work, over spray, incorrect parts and less on the bling.

[MaineT]

I admit I've gotten caught up in bidding, in real time, and Ebay auctions. But people aren't doing proper research. they hear number on a reality show, and by golly it must be true. Or search on V81  on Ebay, and see  some eye popping numbers, not bids, but what the seller wants.
There are so many different and more accurate ways to research market conditions than back in the say when I saw my first restored V39. In the early 80's, it was prolly a steal for the asking price of $1500.  today, if I saw that same machine, I'd  know what shoddy work the "professionally restored" shop does, and I'd be more about the body work, over spray, incorrect parts and less on the bling.

Not trying to stir up crap but I have a question for you. People not doing their research? Where is research done on this subject of mid century coke machines values? And where would you expect 90% of the buyers out there that likely do no research?

Ok, would you recommend the restorers out there that sell at the coin op show? I haven't been, but I'm looking to go there. But from what I hear the majority of the machines there are what, $6000, $7000, $8000? so I'm not looking to buy anything. What is the average asking price of a restored Vendo 81 inside on Saturday at the coin op show?

I would think of antique shops, specialty shops, Internet, eBay, and auction records. I wouldn't really think to recommend a discussion board where nobody will say what they sell them for, but everyone complains about what they are actually selling for. 

This is the wholesale market and prices here guys. If you were given 7 days to replace your machine and have it at your house, that is the retail market. Available to buy now... RETAIL! Not when you have 8 months to surf Craig's List waiting for a deal under the radar.

[MoonDawg]

        Unrestored 81's have been selling for $2500 recently. I don't think $2350 is such a high price reached at a public auction.

[mygoose101]

Couldn't agree more what Tim said. Wholesale, retail, seller, etc. all come into play. Timing is also huge. There will never be a pinpoint price on any machine.

There isn't even set prices on new items that aren't even collectible. Go buy a new car. Shop the same car at 10 different dealers and you will get 10 different prices.

[Sodak Bob]

The $2350 wouldn't have bothered me if it was running/ operating machine that was game room ready. Yes, it lookeed to be complete but had other problems and who knows what would happen when it was plugged in...  I do agree it was local and they don't come around every day, but for this machine - it was on the HIGH side - imo

[SIGNGUY]

This is always a point of discussion and it all depends on what end your coming from.. VALUE, what is good, bad or ugly.. it all comes down to the person, the situation and the machine.
how much time do you want to spend looking, what are you intentions with the machine (keep, restore, use, resell)? 

so to say what they are worth, is hard to pin down.

Me, I'm a restorer.. I have my personal machines in my collection and not looking to buy another 81 for myself.  so I spend time looking, searching and making offers on machines weekly.  I get photos sent to me asking if I'm interested in buying and yes, most of the time they are asking 2500+ for an unrestored V81a,b, or d.  I kindly pass and leave them with a solid cash offer.  10-20 % of them usually call me back to accept my offer as they haven't been able to get their asking price.

so is the price $1500.00.. for me yes.. as I can still buy them for that with time, patience and no immediate urgency.

for the other guy who really wants one thinks they look cool and they happen to find one for 2500 or whatever and they can afford it .. more power to them, good for them, they are happy , the seller is happy and everyone wins..

so now is the Value $2500? for that guy yes..

so again just comes down to who, what when and why...

[MaineT]

This is always a point of discussion and it all depends on what end your coming from.. VALUE, what is good, bad or ugly.. it all comes down to the person, the situation and the machine.
how much time do you want to spend looking, what are you intentions with the machine (keep, restore, use, resell)? 

so to say what they are worth, is hard to pin down.

Me, I'm a restorer.. I have my personal machines in my collection and not looking to buy another 81 for myself.  so I spend time looking, searching and making offers on machines weekly.  I get photos sent to me asking if I'm interested in buying and yes, most of the time they are asking 2500+ for an unrestored V81a,b, or d.  I kindly pass and leave them with a solid cash offer.  10-20 % of them usually call me back to accept my offer as they haven't been able to get their asking price.

so is the price $1500.00.. for me yes.. as I can still buy them for that with time, patience and no immediate urgency.

for the other guy who really wants one thinks they look cool and they happen to find one for 2500 or whatever and they can afford it .. more power to them, good for them, they are happy , the seller is happy and everyone wins..

so now is the Value $2500? for that guy yes..

so again just comes down to who, what when and why...

Well said. Your not looking to pay retail for a nice collectible and restore it. Your looking to pay wholesale, restore and sell retail.

[sc1101]

I also agree with signguy I think he hit the nail on the head with that post.

[mygoose101]

I agree with Signguy also....but, I just don't like it when people say a price is "too high".

You see a 81 for sale and post it here that it was selling for $2,500 or whatever and someone says too high. There is no such thing as too high. Unrealistic yes, but too high no. Too high for us maybe but for Mr. and Mrs. Jones who want a 81 for their gameroom they just finished. We want 81's to sell for big dollars, at least I do.

[sc1101]

I know what you mean Mygoose it is frustrating. I think though that when people say the price is "too high" they mean its personally to high for them to purchase. I would think they understand it may not be to high for others. Even though it doesn't come across that way when were reading it in a post. I think the term signguy used says it all. It depends on where you are in the chain. Do you plan to - Keep, use, restore or resell. So depending on where you are In that line up "your price" maybe low or high. There are other variables such as your location or time frame to purchase or condition of machine that will affect a persons asking price or purchase price. I think we should not let people's "too high" comments make us second guess our selves about posting an item we personally think is a good deal. I've found myself doing that thinking if i post it i will get heckled by the "too high" people. There are people on here as we can see that are on the low side and some on the high side. I do like to hear the difference's of opinion of value by both sides. It helps me to determine "my price" and in the end that's all that matters. Sorry Signguy I think I plagiarized and regurgitated a little.

[MoonDawg]

         Appearance also plays a big role in value.

         With no picture we are left to assume it needs restoration, so $2350.00 for the machine plus restoration puts the owner at $6000.00 which is market rate.

        A nice original, on the other hand, after a good cleaning, will sell on E-bay for $3,000 to $4,000 even with the interior flaws described.

[MaineT]

The biggest thing that gets me about the "too high" comments which makes me chime in on the subject so often is this.... it makes the machines worth less then they really are because they can't flip it for a profit or get it wolesale to restore it. This is contrary to what the fair market or going rate is, which is what the real value is.

[HowDueYouDue]

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cbd/4048456970.html

Found this 81 ready for resto for only $1499, which from the chain seems like a decent price

[MoonDawg]

         That's what we're talkin' about. $1499.00 "OBO"  Someone's gonna buy that for $1200.00 clean it up and sell it for $2500.00.

         It's been repainted by Coke but could be used a few more years before it really needs a restoration.

[mygoose101]

Exactly! Buy for $1.200, sell for $2,500. So with that being said, what would be the real value of that machine?

[sc1101]

That looks to be a solid machine and pretty complete. If I could spend the money I would think about taking the drive. I need to finish the game room before I buy any other machines. At least that's what I keep telling myself. If it was a mills 45 I think I would find the money and game room would have to wait.

I was going to answer that but I'm distracted trying to figure out how to blow up mygoose's profile pic. If only I could get girls to pose on my machines. Whats the secret???

[MaineT]

Exactly! Buy for $1.200, sell for $2,500. So with that being said, what would be the real value of that machine?

To the seller, $1500. Since it would take work to get it worth $2500, that would be value added for the cleanup. But, since the glass looks broken, I'm guessing it wouldn't be just cleaning to ad value.

Some people would back into the number, restored price=$6000-$3800 for a restoration so around $2200. So if your buying to restore and resell like signguy and others, you could pay this amount and pay yourself nicely for the restoration. However, restorers want the job and the some more profit if speculating, so they obviously want it cheaper hence the lower value. This is why they won't pay a collector value for a nice original. That's good business.

Fyi, To the poor sap thinking they can do it themselves because its "easy" and won't cost more than $1500, is one reason why you get people paying the high water mark... It ain't easy, and $1500 covers the chrome!!

And it's in a group shop, if it was even there when it was listed, they still want the advertising so the ad will be up forever.

Just my opinion....

[vintage-air]

Yes, i think $1,500-$2,200 is a fair price for a Vendo/VMC 81 as long as everything is there. Travel time, gas or shipping is the major concern for me when buying. I can remember buying a VMC 81 a few years ago and paying $8,500 for it but is was a painted yellow and had some red letters on it. I guess its all worth what someone is willing to pay.