About a year ago or so I mentioned in a previous thread (
http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,16858.50.html) how when I found out our local Lowes Grocery store was carrying 8oz glass bottles of diet coke I was able to talk the store manager into ordering me some by the case. Now every few months I call him and he orders whatever I need. I am not sure how long this will last, but so far so good.
About a month ago I went to the store to pick up some odds and ends and noticed the end cap display that had the diet coke in it was gone, but there was still a few six-packs left on the shelves with the other sodas. Then a few weeks ago I noticed there was none. At this point I figured maybe they stopped carrying them. I called the manager and asked him what was up. He told me, no we don't have the display anymore, but we still carry it. I then ordered four cases, but then I thought to myself "what do they do with the old displays". I asked him and he told me that Coke gives them the displays and they just throw them out when there were done with them. I asked him if he still had the display to which he said I think it is in the trash in the back, but if I wanted it and it was still back there I could have it. With it raining the past few days I figured even if it was there it would probably be in pretty bad shape. Figuring I had nothing to lose I drove by the back of the store on my way home from work that day and to my surprise not only was it there, but it was under a covered area. So, I loaded it in my truck and brought it home. I have to say it is not as cool as a vintage one, but it is still pretty cool, does the job and the price was right!! I will upload a few pictures shortly.