SMC Concerns for Change: PLEASE READ ! ! !

[Jim]

Hello everyone,

Soda-Machines.Com has grown exponentially over the years with many new faces/names and plenty of long term residents spending their time sharing knowledge and expertise in this great hobby of Soda Machines Collectibles!

With this said, I have become concerned lately with the direction Soda-Machines.Com Discussion Areas appears to be headed! The recent topics relating to business practices of restoration professionals and/or parts suppliers has escalated to levels that I deem inappropriate! I am not justifying their actions; only stating that SMC Discussion Areas will not be utilized for venting frustrations with any parties involved in business transactions outside the scope of Soda-Machines.Com! I have always requested people to use diligence and care with regard to selecting any type of professional!

Additionally, I have a growing concern for members being disrespectful to each other! I am not going to infringe upon anyone's Constitutional First Amendment Rights; however, I think we should all respect everyone's opinion! We may not agree and can respectfully disagree, but please do not get into a "pissing match" at/on the SMC Discussion Areas! It will not be tolerated!

At the end of the day or early morning for some of you, we all enjoy visiting Soda-Machines.Com provided there is no bickering, complaining, whining or any other non-contributory squabbling... We all need to keep Soda-Machines.Com & the Discussion Areas a valuable resource with education at the fore-front! All of our sponsors support Soda-Machines.Com with enthusiasm for ensuring this hobby to move forward and grow while attracting new collectors.

Thank you for listening to my concerns and hopefully we can stay focused on the future...

[jbrumett]

Well said Jim. 

As always I appreciate all you do for SMC and how you've helped me in the past


Keep up the good work and thanks for posting this!!!!!!

Jeff

[cohammer]

Sounds great lets keep it clean and respectful.

[toolbox]

Thank you Jim for emphasizing your direction for this site. I personally believe you’ve hit the nail on the head. Educating and attracting new collectors IS the future.
No other site out there even comes close to offering the services for a collection group that your site does, and, I think I’ve looked at most, if not all, of them.
Keep your chin up and have a good one.
Ted

[Jared]

hello jim thankyou for everything you do for the site.totally agree with your direction for the site. thanks jared

[Sarman47]

Thanks for such a great site Jim.

Sometime's a ship needs to be set back on course...........

[aspbear]

Well stated and again I appreciate everyone's help up here..

[Swachtelncc]

This is a great site, thanks for all the hard work

[bcharlton]

Jim,

First and foremost, thank you for the site that has served so many people over the years.

I have been a member of SMC for 10 years now and I am significantly less involved with the board now as I was a few years back.  Tons of weekend warriors that want to make a buck on this hobby has been the recent trend and I am growing a little tired of it.

I have said before that the "flippers and amateur restorers" should have their own board.  I have no problem with people making a buck.  However, I am am more interested in the machines and era  itself. It seems that there are less and less true hobbyists here, and more of those who want to live their lives vicariously through Rick Dale .  I truly admire and respect those individuals who make their complete livelihood on doing restorations.  They have gone "all in" and I realize there are easier ways to make a living.

I wish there was more enthusiasm for the  actual machines , rather than a means to make money.  I'm not whining. Just making an observation

BC

[mygoose101]

I'm in.

[Ben]

I've been on or lurking around this site for about a year now, and it is the best place on the net for all aspects of soda machine collecting and restoration. I think there is a place for all enthusiasts on this forum, whether they be collectors, restorers, or someone wanting to flip for a profit, as long as the focus stays on the love of the machines.  I'm not sure what category I fall into. I have four machines now (none of which cost big bucks) and I hope to restore them all just for the joy of it.  I take great pleasure in looking through the archives and watching posts to see how you guys transform beat up machines into works of art. If I can come close to what I've seen here, I will be happy.

So, yes everyone should have a voice here, however there have been several times when I have felt embarrassed by the bickering. It's kind of like email, think before you type, once you hit post it is there to stay. Members should be able to monitor their own behavior.  The site is too cool to run the risk of losing access.

-ben

[Funtronics]

Welcome to the sight Ben. Glad you enjoy the sight and glad you have the bug like most of us. I liked your post, and it is good to see it from a newbies point of view. Thanks for your comment and hope to hear more from you on the sight.
Rod

[Andy Jones]

I, too have lurked quietly here looking for information after having a machine dropped in my lap (the Canteen Cig. Machine)... Then, while at an auction looking for something completely different, I wound up bringing home my "orphan" Vendo HA56E... I saw it there, didn't know if it worked or was even complete, but the little nagging "gotta have it ! gotta have it!" bug was relentless...I got it for $150...it turned out to be complete and functional, other than a bad board in the coin mech... Now I've found myself looking for something to really dig into and restore, as well as a decent cooler with nice patina to use out on my (covered) patio as is. It's all thanks to what I have seen on this board. The enthusiasm you folks have for these beautiful pieces of history is contagious. The talent and patience it takes to restore one of these machines is extraordinary, and I love the fact that not only do you know the mechanics of the particular brands of machine, but also take the time to learn the history of the various companies. I've always had a love for history and things old, particularly mechanical and / or electrical.

[sodaman]

Kinda looks like I have picked a time to come in after a few months absence with my health issues to a period where there have been some discord.  I will back this new change 100 per cent!!!   HC

[mygoose101]

Glad you are feeling better!

[HowDueYouDue]

Glad you are feeling better!

Glad to hear as well!!

[crackerman_don]

Jim I here what your saying hope everybody does also this is supposed to be a fun hobby not a place to complain all the time we all know who not to deal with and like you said do your home work before doing business with someone you don't know . Thanks again for all you do and for everyone here that helps us all.


Don

[RC kid]

I'm just voicing my support for Jim. This site is a valuable resource and I'd like very much for it to remain so.

Thank you Jim for all your hard work.

[kdog]

Gday from Australia,

as a new member to the forums, but having visited as a guest before, I love it.  I have been a vintage Coke machine enthusiast for years, adoring from afar.  Finally after 6 years of searching for a Coke machine like the one from my childhood, I found one.

Now that I have found one, you have to have a site like this where people who have been there and done that are willing to offer advice freely with enthusiasm, especially when you do not live in the U.S.  Here in Australia, retired coke machines aren't as plentiful, and as a result there are no dedicated restoration servicse here either, only parallel trades that can offer work on machines, or enthusiasts like yourselves.

I will never have anything resembling a Rick Dale restored Coke machine, but I am trying to clean up my still working machine, and make sure it won't break down anytime soon.  There is no was that could happen if sites like this didn't exist.

Great work Jim.

[ajf5577]

Thanks for the reminder Jim. This site is a valuable forum for many of us, and we all appreciate it.