Reproduction machines

[Marvin]

Hi all,
I usually sit back and watch, but since I have noticed a lack of activity lately.  I will try to stir up some action.
Do you think that with the onset of reproduction machines (Vendo 44) the prices of originals has suffered?
I scan ebay for machines pretty regular and seem to notice more and more reasonable priced 44's out there, for ebay at least.  
Why does this seem to be true?  Has the alure of one of the most desireable soda machines worn off, have reproductions made the prices come down, is the economy so bad people are trying to give a bargain on machines to get money, or are machine sales in a slum right now?

Thanks for looking,
Marvin

[MoonDawg]

Well Marvin, here is my theory.  I have a store and sell both restored and un-restored machines, here is my customer input.  The 44 is "cute, perfect size for home use".  But, when they pull out the checkbook it is for a multi-vend machine.

       The 44 only vends small bottles of Coke. People like selection, and with different flovors of bottles availabe they want as much use as they can get from a machine.

        Same is true for V-39, vmc 27, 33, 72 etc.  The reproduction 44 offers 2 selections and cans which should be a plus but their prices have dropped dramaticlly. From $5000 down to $2000 +.      Why did they flop?
      
        I guess people want "the real thing"            Glen

[Marvin]

That sounds like a good theory, but what if someone started repoing Vendo 81 machines.  What kind of effect do you think that would have on "the real thing?"
What makes things like this collectiable is the fact that the machines were intended to be disposed of after 10 years.  If everyone that had ever been produced was still around and not sent to the scrap yard values would not be like they are right now.

Just my .02
Marvin

true if more machines were around they would be worth much less IE supply and demand Would I buy a repo............Hummmm cant really say yet if I would or not. Id tend to say no only because im a project oriented person and like things I can fix up, what I wish More is that people would quit being delusional on the values of there machines, I found a vendo 39( no embossing) no drum or anything inside the person wanted 800.00 I offered muchhhhhhhhhhhh lessssssssssss and he declined so It will just sit outside next to his pole-barn and rot away untill someday he Junks it.............OLD dosent allways equate to lots of worth$$$$$$

[Bob K]

I don't think that repros necessarily bring down the value of the real deal.  Just my opinion, though.

When I look at my Coke machines I think of the history behind them, all the folks that pulled ice cold green glass out of them, etc..   They're like old soldiers to me '> .

A brand new machine wouldn't hold much allure to me - kind of antiseptic.

Bob K

[Marvin]

In reply to Bob, I feel the same way you do about the history and so forth. But if a new look alike machine was to appear, do you think that all these rich yuppies who just want to have a machine in their gameroom would go for the history like you and me, or get the new gadget and not care about the past?
I am young 28, collect gas and oil stuff and tinker with soda machines,  I am pretty mechanical and like to bring something back from the past, but embrace technology at the same time.  I would not put a 50 year old refridgerator in my house but I would have a house full of machines if I could.

Another thing I consider is people want stuff like we collect to bring back memories or because "my favorite theatre had one just like it when I was growing up."  I hate to say it, but those people are getting older and passing on.  What will happen in 20 years?  Will prices go up or deindle down to very little.
I have a VMc 33 that I restored about a year ago and would not part with it for any amount of money (well almost any amount)   '>      I also have a 10 month old son,  will he care about the things I do when he is my age?  I hope he does but I can not expect that.  With my luck he would just throw it away when I die because it was old useless.  I am not in this for the money but if prices keep going like they have been I won't be in this hobby at all.
I don't mean to keep dragging this on I just want to hear other opinions.

Marvin

a 50 year old fridge I have a 55 year old Fridge Im planning on just painting tyhe outside a nice new white EVErything inside is MINT 1 owner verry anal on cleaning things Shes my baby But then again I have 3 sets of 50's tables and maybe another 50's fridge soon HE HE HE HE HE tho a 50's stove would be cool someday and while Im at it a Nice Chevy belair would be sweet too. I HOPE they make Repos of the upright 50's machines to detract the people with real cash lol and thus drive down orig machine costs........But Im just being greedy Ignore me '>