Syrup dispenser value

[firemun]

I typically do not like to ask values...but I am clueless about syrup dispensers and can not find any good info on this one:
ebay item 7143708816

It is local for me and I do not know if this is worth following up on or not.

Any advice from anyone???
Thanks
jeff

[racerx45]

Hello Jeff,
 I am glad you asked before bidding on this dispenser. The dispenser is a Multiplex 42 and it is the earlier version. There is also a 42A model that was wider and had bigger syrup tanks in side. This smaller earlier version is more collectible. Coca-Cola dispensers always bring in more money than similar non-Coke brands. Now with all of that being said I feel the value of this one is about $85.00 to $100.00 for parts. This is not a Coca-Cola dispenser. It is a generic Multiplex that has been very poorly redone as a Coke dispenser. Here is the list of problem with this dispenser. The decals used are wrong, the only original decals I have ever seen on a Coke dispenser simply read “Drink Coca-Cola” and “ Ice Cold” nothing else. Coca-Cola was very big on promoting their products and would never promote their fountain sales with a bottle decal. Next the large black (most likely plastic) piece around the valves should be a much smaller metal chrome piece. Next the valves have at least one hole (can’t see the other side) drilled in them? I have never seen this and can’t imagine why they would be there. Next is the trim around the top, there should be two thick (front and back) and two thin (both sides), not four thick ones. Lastly is the fact everything is missing from the inside. The only parts I see as being useful are the lid and the handles from the vales and maybe the body, but who knows what is behind the black plastic.
 If this was a Coca-Cola dispenser it should have at least two embossed signs and then maybe an embossed sign (or two) for the second flavor. Value on a very nice original or excellent restoration on a Coke Multiplex 42 would be about $750, the embossed signs sell for $150 to $250 alone. My Vernor’s 42 with 3 embossed signs cost me $550. So don’t lose any sleep on “letting this one get away”. They come up fairly often so if you want one I would wait for a better nice original that will most likely cost less. Hope this helped,
Steve
The ebay link

[firemun]

Steve,
Thanks a bunch for the in depth info. Again, I am clueless on dispensers...but want to get one at some time.  I will keep a look out.

Can you recommend any site or other source of info?

Thanks again,

Jeff

Most of us upright machine guys are also clueless about the syrup dispensers. We're very lucky to have racerx45 here as an excellent resource. Thanks for sharing so much knowledge Steve!

[MoonDawg]

Good reply Steve.  As much as I have complained about the "Coca Cola police", I take their side on this one.

         Someone bought one of those sheets of Coca Cola decals at a swap meet. Painted this dispenser body red, decaled it and sold it to someone as a "Coke dispenser"
          This seller does not seem to be aware he is selling a fake. Glad to see those sheets of water release decals off the market.

[racerx45]

When this first came up it really made me mad that someone would try and pass this off as “A very rare Coca Cola item”. Then I realized that with the high starting price and clearly a poor restoration that there was little chance of it selling. If he re-list it I will email him to let him know what he really has, as I think Glen (AKA MoonDawg) is right that he is unaware that it is not a Coke dispenser.

[racerx45]

Quote (firemun @ Mar. 29 2005,5:37)

Steve, Thanks a bunch for the in depth info. Again, I am clueless on dispensers...but want to get one at some time.  I will keep a look out. Can you recommend any site or other source of info? Thanks again, Jeff

Jeff other than posting questions here I have not found a better source for help than soda-machines. I try me best to field the dispenser questions. I am not an expert but have been collecting dispenser for sometime now and have a good size collection of both dispenser and literature to refer to. I have been helping Jim to add to the dispenser section of the Soda-Machines web site, but with my workload and Jim’s it been slow. If you have not been to my personal site check it out I have most of my dispensers pictured and it is a good reference to what is out there. Here is the link and don't miss the "other dispensers" link at the top of the page:
Steve's dispenser site
BTW I have not up dated the documents section in over a year as I just have too much to add and prefer to have the pictures instead.

[firemun]

Steve,
I had been on your site before but had not in a while, you have some great dispensers.  

I did notice that one of the ones you have on there does show the "delicious and refreshing" wording on it as this one on ebay does.

Anyway, the one on ebay is local, literally a few miles. I emailed the seller a few of the things you mentioned...as he was asking for info on the dispenser from anyone who knew in his ebay description.

He emailed me back thanking me for "your" info and wanted know if I wanted the dispenser for whatever I felt was a fair price.

Based on your earlier comments, I probably can find a true coke one day, now I am wondering if I just buy this one just in case it may have some parts as you mentioned.  Any thoughts?

Jeff  

[racerx45]

Jeff,
 Yes the one on my site dose have the decals on it and in the description I state that they are wrong. I need to get a few updated pictures of that dispenser. As for getting the other one for parts if the price is right go for it. The lid is the hardest thing to find when you need one. The handles on the valves are pretty easy to fine so keep that in mind when figuring out how much you want to pay for it. The Multiplex 42 is a common dispenser to find and is not in high demand; the smaller single tap dispensers are more collectible. Also keep in mind that the lid only fits the 42 not the smaller 22, but if you have the room to store the parts or in this case you could display this “parts” dispenser.
Steve

Hey racerx
I have a Cole-Spa syrup dispenser listed in the classifieds, I have no idea what it might be worth. Any idea on it's value ?