SMC Discussion Areas

Hello, I'm looking at buying a vendo 81D (large door) in "decent" original condition & I'm wondering what a good price would be? 

It has the front door but is missing the coin-mech. I know these are expensive, what does a working coin mech sell for now ($300)?

Also are these machines able to be switched to "free vend" without the coin mech so I can at least use the machine for a while?

Thanks for any help.
Nate

Do yo have pics?

I'm buying complete 81's for around 1500 currently... if your missing the coin mech, yes your looking at around 300-350 to replace one...

 Wow !! Only $1500 .
 
  I've have'nt seen a Decent 81D sell for that... Normally in the $2000-$2500 Range

 Heck   81 A & B  ARE bring $1500  +++++= In Adevrage Cond 

I'm seeing $2000 or more around me...and the coin mechs. are selling for crazy money...if you can buy a large door change giver for $300, I think you should jump at it.

And we can thank shows like AP and AR for the recent price increases

Haven't paid more than 1500 for a Coke 81 ever... sure I see them all the time asking 2500+ so I leave them with my offer and after a few weeks the phone usually rings with "do you still want the coke machine"...  Maybe just lucky for now... but yes are harder and harder to find...

how much is the guy asking for the one you inquired about..

yeah, $1500 for a decent 81D is a stretch. More like $2k-$2.5K. Maybe 3-5 yrs ago but not today. The shows have given everybody big heads seeing what their machine in the basement is worth. I just sold on for $2400 and he was excited to get it at that price. The only reason i sold it so cheap is because i needed the money. The one before that, went for $3800. I think John is just trying to keep everyone thinking these are only worth $1500 so his profit is larger. Good for him for sure. Just doesn't happen these days.

Vintage-Air... Not sure whats going on, but you need to lighten up.. Good for you selling a machine for soo much money. Every area is different and people get what they can get. Stop attacking people or you won't be posting anymore. I already cleaned up one of your threads, I'm not going to clean up another one.

       At one time all 81D's were created equal. Now they show up in various conditions.  A machine like yours was too nice to restore so the buyer was able to use it as is and he saved a ton of money, but when it has to be sandblasted to bare metal and restored, that has to be taken into consideration too. I also have a limit as to how much I will pay for an 81 that needs restoration........$1200.00.
      Here again is an instance where a grading scale of 1 to 10 is needed in order to determine true value.

Bubba Bubba  You can't do this .. You can not threaten people ...

I bought a very restorable 81D just about 1 year ago for $1500. Sounds like your fishing reel is spinning fast?

      Yes it can be set at freeplay, you will have to take off the bottle stack and remove a few parts though, easily reversed.

Lighten up? are you serious? I didn't know my comment was a heavy one. I know John and have talked with him in person about a few machines. The only way you can make money on these machines, are to buy em' right. That's all he's doing and i even gave him props! Lighten up? as John Stossel would say.....give me a break!

(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/bondovian/Picture20-2.png)

This needed to be in private message.

Praise in public and criticize in private. 

I enjoy this site because of the value on informatition here and lack of cry babies like oldgas.com.  Lets keep it that way.

stalesoda.com

whats next.......

Joey

Been handled  and everybody has been PM.ed  should not be a problem any more. :smile:
 I hope :Oo:  and sorry

I did not find Vintage Air's comment offensive. He was not attacking anyone.

In my area, there's no complete 81D for under $2K - in any shape. And I've been looking! Congrats to those that do find them for cheap but i think it's more out of the norm.

One question Jeff....You sold them for that much, BUT what did you pay for the machines?
I don't think the $1500 81D dollar days are gone....as stated earlier, I bought (at public auction) an 81D in January 2011 for $1300 hammer price (plus fees). That is not that long ago! I would not display it in my home, but it is solid.
Right now everyone has big heads as you say, but the shows will get cancelled and people will go back to being their ignorant selves. And as Glen said, the grading system has to come into play. A unrestored presentable 81D has brought $2k+ for the past 10 years, but the 81D that needs restored won't. I am not talking about the rust bucket boat anchor 81 either.....I talking solid machine that is just not presentable.
My six cents....

I just got it home last night!

Congrats.  I like the Jr next to it as well.  Let us know if you need any help with the restorations if you decide.

BC

That doesn't look bad.  A coin mech will turn up.  Just keep an eye out. 

There is a nice one on Ebay right now...a little expensive though.

Nice machine Junior.... AND WELCOME!!!  :happydrinkers:

Like others have said, it all depends on the grade of the machine.... BUT it also depends on where you're located.

Of all the machines that I own, the CLOSEST that I found a machine to me that I bought at a decent price was 4.5 hrs away... and I've gone as far as 11 hrs away.  I'm located in Canada, so I know that plays a HUGE factor in selection, as most machines of the 40-50's did'nt come up here like down in the U.S.  What machines we do have of that era, are typically brought up by collectors, or are the non collected ones, V80's etc....
Square top machines here are a PLENTY!!
So, making a trip to Ohio, PA,  NY or MI is a joy ride for me lol

Vendo 81's when little they do come up for sale here, are selling for about 3,000- 3,500 unrestored in ok condition.

 :happydrinkers:

It' like bringing home a new baby! 

Congrats and Welcome to the site.

Thought I'd post an updated pick of my machine.
It has cleaned up a lot better than I (or my daughter) thought!
Still looking for a coin mech & crank handle   :help:   (that is budget friendly).
Thanks everyone for the help.

Nate