SMC Discussion Areas

One of the two dufords taking a V23 apart on American Rustoration said that the honeycomb spins and the top stays stationary.  They must have a very rare model! 

The unit they were working on was so trashed that I wonder if they really restored it or just pulled a decent one out of their scrap heap and painted it.

I noticed when it was completed, there was no trim around the bottle opener and coin return.  I thought 23's had this trim.  Also, Rick Dale said it was a "Vendorlator" 23 at one point.

It reminded me of 2 I was delivering to a friend a few years back.. I was on my way to his shop (a 3 hour drive) and ran into a snow/ice storm.. I lost control of my truck (black ice on a exit ramp, when turning around to go home) and one of the 23s went air born cleared my truck and exploded
onto the highway... I scraped it up, put it back into the truck continued onto his shop.. he just kinda laughed took the pair and by the summer
he had restored both of them.... beautiful job... he had to place a support bar on the inside of the flying one to straighten the body... but they both turned out like day one from the factory... sold both...

I think they did a pretty good job on the one last night though it still had some waves on either side of the door but wow.. I think I would have
just used a doner also.. would have saved time and $$$.
I've been watching more lately... enjoy seeing what comes in... but wow the prices, quotes and the quality are just all over the map... sad.

Spending $4800 on a restoration of a 23 is quite ridiculous!
  TFJ

But Tom you're assuming it is a "actual" customer.  I don't believe anything  that is shown or said on that show.

The V-23 Deluxe cabinet had trim, but the V-23 Standard cabinet did not.

The VMC-23 had nothing! :tounge: :laugh:

      But when restored it's worth $6-7,000  :biggrin:

When I visited the shop all the items that were customer pieces were all for sale in the show room.  Interesting.... :oops:

Was the ten thousand dollar coffee machine on the show room floor too?

It was in the back room.  I had asked to see it.  It was okay looking, I don't know a lot about them it did look like it was something you could just drop a coin in and get a fresh cup of joe.

Then does this mean he really didny get 10 grand for it lol
 :jawdrop:

I think the V23 came out pretty good, that was a lot of body work, and assuming they didn't just pull another one from the pit, it was pretty straight when it was done.  If you go to the website, a lot of the items that were on the show are up for sale.

I'm not going to sit around and defend the place and their prices; but I can understand what they have to do to make a decent TV show.  I will say that if there was a film crew at my house trying to make a show out of one of my resto jobs, they would fall asleep!

LOL I agree your right

you know what???

If the pricing is real, and if it's a real customer, (remember...t.v.), I say more power to him!

If I did the work, and my customer is happy...that's what matters. If I charge $500 or $5000
for the job, and I get it...awesome!

You don't want to pay the price...go get a paint brush and a magic marker,  paint your machine,
put a sticker on it, and call it restored...  :wow:

You "armchair Quarterbacks" .... crack me up...HAHAHAHAHA!!!

overpriced in my opinion.... But he does have cool stuff come in... And I'm sure it's all real... I mean
Stoner Coffee machines are pitched by schools all the time.... lucky though the missing parts are readally available at any flea market.

Sounds high to me for that machine.  I do agree with Eric about price and being happy.  The problem with the show for me is :

The viewers don't see what goes into the restoration.  They want to see drama and be fluffed up.  We can't see the down and dirty details of assembly and individual parts.  A whole machine is brought in, restored, and delivered in 30 minutes.  Kind of blows it out of the water for me. 

I want to see detailed pictures / up close views of the stuff.

I've seen some stuff get delivered and was like OMG.  I couldn't charge that kind of money, do a job like that and be able to sleep at night.  Look at the Pepsi machine that Moondawg had a while back.  Is the TV making quality go away?

 

 

A old couple drives from New York with a smashed/sad machine.... with no clue on restoration cost.... Who hops in their car, drives across country with no clue of what it's gonna cost? They know they're on TV....
I would have rather have seem them spend more time showing that poor guy restoring it... that, to me was the best part. you never see the good stuff/restoration part enough... And the Pep Boy Statue...come on!
Didn't see anything on that.... Very cool and rare piece.

Dude... it's ALL tv. Do you really think Big Paul and Junior build a bike in 3 days or Ty Pennington builds a complete home
in under a week? It's all 'fluff".  

The quality is in YOUR control. There's no rule that says a full time restorer (or compressor mechanic) has to go BROKE!!!  I charge
what I charge and I sleep just fine at night. I'm right there, on the edge of what I can charge, and frankly, it weeds out the "tire kickers".
I don't want to do a half ass job for someone, and then lose sleep because I used a 50 year old fan motor, simply because it ran.

You Guys can kick Rick around all you want. I've spoken with him a few times and have been in his store, at Cesar's Palace...yes Cesar's.
None of you guys could even afford the rent of that store, let alone afford the shop area he had...and ALL BEFORE HE HAD A TV SHOW!!!

You restoration Guys want to work for free...okay. Customers looking for restoration... you want to pay for a half assed job...fine.
You come to me....you're gonna pay for it.  I will tell you this though... I'll put my machines up against anyone, and
I'll show you how to make a profit and how to keep your customers happy.

Marvin, you are like I am, in the business...and want to see EVERYTHING. Me too, but the typical customer...they don't need to go through
all of that, and the folks at home, watching tv...boring.    hahaha sure, have a camera crew in my shop, watching for 3 or 4 hours, me... building
a compressor unit... better to set up a camera on "This Old House" and watch paint dry!  :Oo:

First off - I agree with you Eric - quality is in our control!! My Father-In-Law always used to say "I'd looked at the guy that came to fix my plumbing and say to myself 'If THAT guy can do it - I can do it!!'" If only he had had the Internet (as it has become)! What a wonderful tool!!
Personally, I think I would rather learn how to do something than pay someone to do it (within cost efficient reason). It took me a long time to realize that!

Secondly - Don't underestimate the wealth of some people on this site! It is not a cheap hobby! It is a somewhat debasing statement! Money is cheap now too (if you got the credit)!

The geek engineer (my wife calls me an "Enginerd") in me wishes they would show more of the technical side, but, as Eric stated, that wouldn't make for good TV.  I didn't have any basis with his price, because he basically rebuilt the machine from scratch (or at least that's what it appeared) and I couldn't estimate on something like that.  My big issue with Rick and some other stuff you see on TV is when he provides some untrue information (he called the 23 a Vendorlator 23...okay, that's picky) or makes a quote to what a machine is now worth.  The old adage, "it's worth what someone will pay" certainly applies, but, selfishly, that can drive up the price on stuff for regular yahoos like me.

That said, I think there is also a credibility issue involved.  If Eric at Global Compressors, Pat, Glen, or some of the other restoration folks here told me it would cost x-number of dollars to restore or repair something, I positively know two things....

1. The work will be top notch.
2. The price will be fair for both him and me.  I have NO problem paying for quality work, and I know these guys deliver.

Why do I know this?... They have established reputations, both business and personal.  I've dealt with these guys at one or both of these levels and I have the experience to fall back on.  Rick Dale is certainly a good businessman, as you don't run a company for many years by screwing up all the time, but because there is a now a TV show involved, sometimes a little tarnish to the reputation happens and is exposed here.  Examples....

1. Rick's treatment of Josh (loman4ec) over the Victor Cooler transaction.
2. The show's (I won't say Rick, because this was a show story) presentation of the VMC 27 restoration.
3. The infamous Vendo 39 transformation from a Cavalier 72.  

Holy mackeral, I didn't mean to type so much.  I like to watch the show to see what's coming in, and I will shamelessly admit it's fun to correct Rick when he's made a hiccup or when we know the real back story to the segment.  The bottom line is this is TV.  They gotta do something to get people watching, because the advertising is where the real money is.

Just my 2 cents (well, 1 cent after Obama take his cut).

Wayne

I tape the shows like rick's because I am like Eric I like to see what is brought in but I dont care for all the fluff so I just fast forward watch what restoration they show and the final product.  Only about 10 minutes a show, saves me time and I dont talk to the T.V. so much.  As to the price's if someone is crazy enough or rich enough to pay that then both parties walk away happy.  I have always been willing to pay for what I thought was reasonable but remember Rick has an Earl Schreib sign in the back and just what you can see of his paint technique leaves a lot to be desired.

Eric,  You charge what you charge and the customer gets grade A work.  Nothing wrong with making a profit.  If you took something in to get worked on and was promised a BMW, then got a Yugo, would you be happy?

Rick charges what he charges and the customer (which is really not the customer generally) gets grade C work with grade A prices.  

Example - They restored a motorcycle not long ago.  They went as far as disassembling the wheels.  Every spoke, which was rusted and pitted was rechromed.  They went back together and looked like crap.  Had that been me and I paid 6500.00 for a "full restoration" I would have been unhappy.  Custom made replacement spokes are cheap and easy to get.

I'm not trying to be mean to the show, Rick, employees, or anything like that.  Maybe I set me expectations to high.  Since the people on the show are not real customers you never see someone disappointed with quality.      

I don't know about Josh and the Victor thing.

I saw the show on the 23 and it looked like a truck hit it. The customer is "ALWAYS" right.
If it couldn't be fixed, then a donor machine is used...well, okay.  :Oo:

The 39 to the 72...I know something about that too, IT WASN'T Ricks call, it was the producers
of the show, needing "something" to put on film, as a finished product, because of "time". Seriously,
don't you think he knows, that WE know, the difference...really???

And sure, my compressor work is the best of MY ability, and good enough to charge accordingly. There are
times though, that customer thinks I can do paint and body. Well, I charge accordingly there as well. I know I'm
not THAT "guy" who can get away with charging $5k...but I know and my customer knows this up front and it's not
a problem.

I never did like "bullies" or airing "dirty laundry" out in the open and in this case, you don't want this man to restore
your stuff....don't use him. If you're jealous cause' he has a show and you don't, then you need to check the ego at the
door or go to the History Channel, stomp your little feet, hold your breath, turn blue, and beg for a spot.

I for one, couldn't stand having camera men up my ass, every step for 12 hrs a day, no matter how much they offered.

and Wayne, you can have my penny... rather than me sending it to Obama. shhhh... don't tell anyone though.  8)

We all know why it happened, but I don't understand is why they used a C-72? Surely a restored V-39 could be found! I bet there is one right now in Glen's shop 4 hours away in CA!

I agree with you there! Uggghhh! And on top of that, I'd have all of you guys bashing me, my kids and wife everyday about something we said or did! It would get ugly quick!! :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

I guess that was the thing that got me on the 39/72 thing was I thought Rick would have had a 39 in his shop.

Eric, I am hoping for a turnaround in November for the US.  The country is getting flushed as we speak.  Then, maybe we can keep a few of our pennies for a change!  Heck, in my state (Maryland), we already have a large gas tax.  Now, our governor wants to charge an ADDITIONAL 6% tax on gas.  That will be a tax on the current tax.  However, we have a Democratic legislature, soooo.....

I try to keep smiling and REVEL in the fact I get to play with combat vehicles (Abrams, Bradley, etc) at work!

Not ready to open that "can of worms" Brother... I still haven't found anyone who voted for that Douche Bag, yet he got
elected... go figure.

And you know... I love my Military Boys and Girls (hoorah)  Keep the big "Tonka Toys" fit, as to protect all who serve...

Eric,

If you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods during a weekday, I've got several Abrams tanks to pick from that I will gladly let you drive.  They are sweet and you will love it! 

Road Trip Eric,
I'll meet you there. Can I play to?
Back to the thread...
Creighton

Tanks hold 4!

Thread stuff...

I had a couple of 23s once, but they were way shot.  I wound up parting them out.  I still would love to get one, as I think their uniqueness makes them cool.

I love it!

THAT would be so cool!  8)

yes Creighton...you can come too!!!  hahahaha

Wayne, are you out at Aberdeen?

Aberdeen, WA? 

Aberdeen, MD.  The place is called Aberdeen Proving Ground.  Specifically, my outfit is called the US Army Aberdeen Test Center (www.atc.army.mil).  We've been in existence since 1917.  The other claim to fame for Aberdeen is it's the home town of Cal Ripken, Jr.

I just had a Guy call me up. He wants to sell me a V-23. Started off at $900.00 for a non-working machine and he spent a tremendous amount of time telling me about the one on American restoration. Quote " Do you realize how they're worth when restored?" And the comment I really liked was "this is the same machine they restored on American restoration, man!" Of course when I turned him down he asked me to make him an offer on a machine I really don't want. After which he presided to school me on the real value of this machine referring to recent Ebay sells of similar machines. It seemed as though he was comparing restored machines to his unrestored, non-working machine. I think I am going to go over and take a look and maybe see what I can actually get it for. I usually do well buying machines I don't really want.

He is describing a Deluxe model Vendo 23, apparently complete, but the power cord is either frayed or cut.

Bottom line is Rick's work sucks and he charges way too much! You gotta give your customers their monies worth!

That's my biggest problem...people always say "do you know what these go for on ebay?" And my reply is ....that's the "asking" price. hahaha,   
you can always ask anything you want, but will only get, what someone is willing to pay for it!

Terry...lighten up Dude!

Tell you what, go to the History Channel and get your own show. Then, we can mock and degrade your work, service and
pricing! It'll be a hoot!  :biggrin:

I still use my v 23 because it does not run much and keeps my cokes very cold. I thought I paid too much for it 10 years ago($400) but all I had to do is rewire it and wax it , cheap on the power bill in like my c96 with a fan running all the time.

$400.00. Thats what I am hoping to pay. Should I get it.

I actually like these little machines. But heck, I like almost every machine I run across.

I think $400 bucks is a great price... if you like the machine.

The guy called me back to make sure I was actually going to come over and look at it. I am going over tomorrow. The last price was, and I quote, "I'd take $400 to $500 for...I'd take $500.00 for it now". So it might happen. i have actually always wanted to replace a Vendo 23 I let go years ago.

       His machine is not working? That is bargaining power for you.
Print out this e-bay listing to show him and flash $300 cash.

        http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item35b87be42a&item=230728393770&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=1WlUZTD%252Bnk3QkPFSl7%252FslLFYWd0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc  (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item35b87be42a&item=230728393770&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=1WlUZTD%252Bnk3QkPFSl7%252FslLFYWd0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc)

I have had an A-23 Standard sitting around here on CL for nearly 4 months.  I emailed the owner at offered $350.00.  They told me to F#$# off.  I said if if you change your mind let me know. 

I love it when they just set a price not even knowing what they have, but instead just listing the information off of the tag.

http://eastoregon.craigslist.org/atq/2847017433.html

"Vendo Coke machine. Good Condition, Model A23-E. Serial plate still attched, unknown year, and make. $700 OBO "

Well, I went over to look at the Vendo 23 this morning. Bottom two inches on the left and back side were rusted through. Rough looking machine to say the least. The guy really wanted me to buy it. He stated he just wanted to get his money back. I found out he paid two hundred for it. I offered $100.00.

Nice enough guy. But I hate spending a lot of time getting school on Coke machine values from an uninformed seller. Especially when I am not in the market. This seller was doing his best to convince me I needed to buy his V-23 and either restore it or part it out. So I could make some money. I am sure you guys understand how hard it can be to get things apart after fifty to sixty years of rusting together. Even nice looking screws and bolts can become an issue.

Just incase anyone here needs any parts:
Coin mech was in great condition
The deluxe embossed door for the empties was in great condition.
Drum looked great.
Coin catcher was present and in good condition.
Spin top was restorable and complete. Surface rust only.
Compressor was present, the wiring was a mess.

Let me know what you need and what you are willing to pay and I'll see if it is worth the effort to go get it and part it out. It is right around the corner so picking it up isn't an issue, but I expect to have to pay at least $200.00 in order to get the machine. I am not looking to make money, but I don't want to loose money either.

        Rick can fix it!  :biggrin:

i  am currently looking  for  several parts on the  v 23
my machine is    a-23 e    i am looking for coin mech ,  i also need   bottle backet.  i would be interested in buying the entire machine i can pay for shipping , thats an option.  im in ct.
scott :help:

I am sure we can work something out.

I can buy the machine and break it down and send everything through the mail in seperate boxes. Most likely two, maybe three boxes.

Thanks

 i really  appreciate  your  help. just let me  know  what  we ar  talking  about.  you can  pm  me
scott

No can do afterall. The seller wants at least five hundred for the box and it isn't worth it. Not when a really nice machine sold for a little over $700 on ebay. I'd fill better paying the extra two hundred and getting the nicer machine. Well anyway. Sorry

yhanks for the effort anyway  so for now ill push  my v 23 to the back and continue restoration of my v 59.
keep me in mind for those v 23 parts incase anything pops up.
thanks again   scott :drinking: