American Restoration, Pawns Stars, Storage Wars, Ect....

[dodge2500]

I started a new post here because I didn't want to steal anyones thunder.

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that these shows are doing more damage than good to our hobby? Everytime I talk to someone about a coke machine 110% of the time they bring up one of these shows. It makes me want to gag. Or when they see one of my restored machines "Oh!! That's just like Rick's Restorations!!" I just laugh and say NOOO, inside I want to say .

On Thursday I drove 100 miles each way to go look at a vendo 81. They guy claimed it was in mint shape and ran perfectly. Long story short the compressor DIDN'T work, there was a dent in the door the size of a Volkswagen, and it was missing the slug rejector. It needed to be completely restored. The guy would not budge from $3000! Why? Because he saw one restored on TV sell for $7500 and thought he was sitting on a gold mine. THANKS RICK!

Its not just this guy, all the machines on eBay and Craigslist are out of control because of this. When I go through the craigslist ads I have to pass by 20 square top machines that are going for $3000  just to find a round top that is unrestored for $4000!  Everytime I get someone on the phone they think they are an expert and know what the machine needs, how much it will cost to fix, and what it will cost after a restoration...

When is this madness going to stop?? I can't take it anymore. I miss the way it was before these shows.

Does anyone else feel the same way or is it just me?

[Kaleid20]

Sing it sister!

There is actually a local antique dealer here in my area who specializes in selling old Coke machines. His business has quadrupled because of that dang show. So I think only the collectors are the ones hurting, the sellers are laughing all the way to the bank. Don't worry...ol Rick will soon go the way of Dog the Bounty Hunter. It's a passing fad for the average joe. I give it 2-3 more years.

[Matt]

Those shows got me into and hooked on the hobby. First I became interested in Coke machines. Now I'd like some other coin op machines like a candy or cig machine. For me, the shows introduced me to 1950s stuff. But I do get the point you're making.... I guess there is good and bad...

[mygoose101]

Before we just had to deal with Vegas. People would go to Las Vegas and I guess there was a store or 2 in an overpriced mall that sold Coke Machines for $7,500 or so, that meant every Coke Machine was worth that, right? I would see a woman selling a Vendo 216 or whatever for the same $7,500 and when I would ask her where she got the price she said, "Vegas Baby!"

[Chris]

It's the same thing Barrett/Jackson did to muscle cars. Now everyone thinks their rust buck in the back 40 without an engine/transmission and interior is work $50K. The sad part is someone WILL pay them for it. I guess it's good for the seller, but your right it kills the collectors and the guys that do this for fun.

[jholmgren]

Those shows got me into and hooked on the hobby. First I became interested in Coke machines. Now I'd like some other coin op machines like a candy or cig machine. For me, the shows introduced me to 1950s stuff. But I do get the point you're making.... I guess there is good and bad...

I have to admit, I'm in the same boat as Matt.  I'd always wanted to own a Coke machine (or 3..4..6) but actually seeing them on American Restoration really renewed my interest in collecting.   I agree that there is a major bump in cost and it is most likely due to popularity of the show.  As mentioned, sooner or later (3-4 years probably) the popularity will die down and prices will recover somewhat. 

Just think about where prices would be if the show was on TV when the economy was booming about 10 years ago!

[bcharlton]

I have said this before.  If you are in the business of making money on this hobby, these shows will help your business.  If you are just a junker collector (like me and others), it has made your hobby less enjoyable.  I am done trying to explain why rough shape Vendo 39s are not worth $3000 because they bring on $8000 when restored.

I am glad I have been collecting this stuff for 15 years and have amassed a few items.  I would be very hard pressed to start this hobby now.  Its too damn hard.



BC

[globalcompressors]

Cry Babies...  

Isn't it about the "thrill" of the hunt? These shows have helped renew the hobby. Ask anyone who is into repairing or restoring
these machines for customers. Business is good. Funny, 3 years ago, no tv shows, bad economy, and I almost lost my
company. Today, I still have a job....Thanks Rick!  

[MaineT]

Simple economics, when you have people restoring 81D's all day long, buying them for $1000 or less, and flipping them making a killing, others will enter the market. The reality is that the machines are selling for that price and therefore they are worth the price that they sell for. Otherwise the professionals, and semi pro's, on this sight would not be making a profit and it would be just a hobby and you would LOSE MONEY SELLING IT. Have you ever sold anything for a profit?

ANYTIME you get interest in something, the value will rise. Its called a correcting in the market based on supply and demand!!! What you are feeling is the prices rising with the value. I feel your frustration, and I too am only looking for the deals, but in the long run renewed interest in the hobby will do nothing but make the market stronger.

Remember:
If your materials do not go up in price, the cost of restoration has not gone up and you will make extra profit on the other end.

If your not selling them and you have 15 restored machines sitting around your house and they all double in price, then WHY is it bad???

If you are a professional or doing this for profit and your machine to restore doubles in price but the selling price restored triple, then WHY is it bad???

I understand where you are coming from, and understand that the rising value may make it to pricey for some to play, but I can't afford $20,000 for scrimshaw, $75,000 for highboys, $130,000 for that Hemi Cuda, and I don't have a $2,000,000 ocean view from my living-room. (and there isn't any Victor Kooler-Grill in my basement- why, cause even if I found one I couldn't afford it anyway!!)

AND GUESS WHAT.... Its only going to get worse!! every 81D that gets restored is one less unrestored one for you to pass on for someone else to buy.

This message board seems to be people, including myself, wanting machines for deals and steals, (and helping each other fix them) This board is not about paying fair market value.. Ebay is for that!! Stuff is worth what you can get for it.

[SIGNGUY]

I agree with both sides as am really on both.. First I am a collector, that is what got me into it... but also I am a restorer and yes business has BOOMED over the last few years.. I'm still booked up with restorations for well into next year... and the phone keeps ringing..

SO for the collectors.. go look at every machine you can if it's close to you, if the guy is at 3,000 for unrestored V81.. leave an offer on paper with your phone number... soon they'll realize your a serious buyer and maybe you'll get that call a month or so later..

like was said, this too will fade, and prices will continue to cycle up and down , just as with most things...

Like Eric Said, the Hunt is half the fun... don't let it get you down...