SMC Discussion Areas

Just saw this on e-bay the other day. Fully restored and looks nice. But can't tell if it has the "Registered Trademark" stamped in it. You decide!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vendorlator-Royal-Crown-VMC-81-restored-soda-machine-/280591242229?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41548a93f5 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vendorlator-Royal-Crown-VMC-81-restored-soda-machine-/280591242229?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41548a93f5)

(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/bondovian/100_1040.jpg)

The current bid is the asking price.......$7000!!.....really?

When you blow up the pic of the embossing it does not look like it is there??? Does the picnic coolers have the R embossing???

My RC picnic cooler does not have the raised trade mark where as my RC 110 does.

Wow...these RC81's have been coming out of the woodwork!  Is it me or have there been more recent sightings of RC81's than 7UP 81's?

A generic VMC door can be turned into an embossed RC81.  The RC embossment stamp plates were shopped around some years ago.  Only way to know is to ask if the seller if he has the original tag (helps), or buy an original unrestored machine.

How could you tell if the ID plate was from an RC81 or any other VMC81?

I don't recall exactly, but:

MODEL NO. should have a "H81D"
SERIAL NO. should have a "C" found in the last 3 or so digits.

Anyone have anything to add?  Vintage-Air, do you have a photo of your RC81 tag?

My generic VMC81 has the H81D (and I think that is standard for all LD 81's isn't it?) Mine also has a D as the 3rd from last character in the serial number.

I think the only  way to tell if a machine is authentic is to take off the liner and look for weld seams

I don't see the RC trademark on the RC81 now on ebay.  If it's a restored machine, shouldn't it have the RC trademark, which should be in a very visible "red" color against the background yellow?

The die sold on ebay some years ago did not have the trademark. This is probably due to the difficulty in creating the small embossment.

Not implying anything here...just adding to the observation that Vintage-Air brought up.

        I know the seller, Chris Keen. I bought 30 Pepsi machines 1980's era from him about 10 years ago. He is a very nice guy, but .......he was also high bidder on a generic VMC 81 bare door that I had listed on E-bay back then. Hmmmmmm

Beautiful looking machine and what appears to be a top-notch restoration.  $7K is out of my league whether it is live or Memorex.  It would seem to me that someone selling a rare machine like this would post pictures of the un-restored machine and the machine during the restoration process in addition to the finished product.  With the well-known and rare as a unicorn Orange Crush machines floating around out there, you would think that the seller would specifically highlight the bare door both front and back to answer the legitimacy question.

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

I emailed him questions via ebay but have not gotten a response

The auction ended with the one bid.

I sent the seller questions and ask him if he had pictures of the backside of the door to prove it's authenticity and if it had the trademark on the door. This was his response:

 "What you see is what is described. If you do not feel comfortable then dont bid. It is repreented as a vendolator Model 81 as indicated on the ID tag and embossed with royal crown. Nothing more or nothing less.

Hmmmmm.....

(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/bondovian/Banjo/used-car-salesman.jpg)

I talked to him yesterday and asked If the machine was original. He said he had it for 20 years, the tag says its an vendorlator 81 and it is embossed. I asked for pictures of the trademark area, he said it was there but was almost covered/filled in by the many coats of paint and clear. I stated that if i bought it and it was not an original as represented I would void the transaction via credit card.  He then sent me the same email that you posted. Seemed a little like marshall mathers aka slim shady

I also sent a question and here is what I got:

My question:

Dear commercevending,

That is a beautiful looking restoration. Can you send or post some pictures of the machine before and during the restoration? I would be very interested to see the main door both front and back with the liner and insulation removed.

Thanks! And good luck with the sale!


- mznb1u

Here is the answer:

Dear mznb1u,

All I have is some old poloroids that I am haveing a hard time scanning and posting. I have own this machine 20 years. Sorry but I did not take any pictures during restoration and would not have any with the liner and insulation removed. If you would like to inspect it personally please let me know
Thanks Chris


- commercevending

Based on that I don't know how comfortable that I would be plunking down $7K.

I guess the doctrine of caveat emptor applies here!

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

The sale closed with one bidder at $7K--hope it was legit.

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

I am glad you guys post threads like this. It sure makes me think about the purchases I am about to make. I would never think to be so critical of a machine and without your input I could easily become of those guys buying, and eventually selling, one of the many counterfeit machines. Thanks for putting this info out there for the rest of us to consider. I believe you are giving us the knowledge needed to be better collectors. Thanks

A nice looking restoration, but why put all that money and effort into it without documentation. If he has had it for 20 something years, then he probably has next to nothing into it. And let's go high and say he put $2500 into restoration - $7k doubles his money at least. If Moondawg recalls selling a generic 81 door to him, then he is no soda greenhorn and knows exactly what a RC81 is worth. So why start the auction at NR $7k and act lackadaisical "It is what it is?" if you KNOW it is legit and worth $14k restored. Pull the liner off, take a pic of the backside and quadruple your money!
My vote is he knows and is happy doubling his money!

P.S. Love that pic Jeff!! I've got it saved now and will use it in the future!

     He didn't lie here but I also noticed he didn't post the above questions on his auction for the public to see.
     He paid $800.00 for a generic door, so he must have wanted it pretty bad.
     I'm quite certain he had it stamped but a collector needing an RC machine to complete the set may have bought it anyway even if he had been honest.
     I would have trouble sleeping at night if I were the seller.

I asked him if the inside of the door was painted all the way up, he replied that it was only in primer and the bottom inside half only had over spray, sure looked like more than just over spray to me !