Coke vendo 110

[ZMonet]

Well, I've bought my third machine in a little over two months.  This time it is a Vendo 110 (newer style -- white and red).  Supposedly everything works but the coin mechanism.  My wife is going to kill me because this is a beast, but I thought $375 was a very good deal for the machine.  Did I do ok?  I'm going to try and pick it up (not literally) and bring it to my in-laws cabin as I just don't have a place for this monster inside our townhome.

You guys have any thoughts on how best to go about restoring this machine (i.e., what I will need).  Does anyone know if Fun-Tronics sells racks for this thing as it appears that some are missing.

Finally, I know this thing takes 6 to 12 oz bottles, but will it take plastic bottles or are they too big?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Here is a link to the machine: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260022920760

[ZMonet]

OK, this is interesting...and probably not totally uncommon to EBAY.  I wrote the SELLLER back (womeldorf2plz) by clicking on ask seller a question.  I asked the SELLER how much it would be to bring it to a certain location since the SELLER said it would be .60 mile.  I received an e-mail back from another bidder in the auction (ellen8411) telling me an amount!  I notice that this ELLEN8411 bid on the item a number of times, driving up the price and I also noticed that the SELLER and ELLEN8411 had some transactions in the past as well.  I think this is a clear case of a seller (illegally) trying to bid up their item using another EBAY user name.  I can call the seller on it, but if I'm, getting a good deal I'll just go and pick the thing up and be done with it.  Any thoughts?  Here is a printout of the last minute bidding:

   jzeldis( 190Feedback score is 100 to 499)    US $375.00    Aug-26-06 12:55:56 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $370.00    Aug-26-06 12:49:54 PDT    
   mtroy1369( 84Feedback score is 50 to 99)    US $351.00    Aug-25-06 09:25:51 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $349.00    Aug-24-06 12:32:54 PDT    
   ajsroom( 161Feedback score is 100 to 499)    US $300.00    Aug-22-06 05:29:41 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $299.00    Aug-23-06 10:29:34 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $250.00    Aug-22-06 14:18:27 PDT    
   ajsroom( 161Feedback score is 100 to 499)    US $200.00    Aug-22-06 05:27:11 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $200.00    Aug-22-06 14:18:08 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $149.00    Aug-21-06 13:22:41 PDT    
   stooge_man( 8 )    US $105.00    Aug-21-06 17:15:12 PDT    
   ajsroom( 161Feedback score is 100 to 499)    US $100.00    Aug-21-06 04:14:57 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $100.00    Aug-21-06 09:23:01 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $75.00    Aug-21-06 09:22:47 PDT    
   mtroy1369( 84Feedback score is 50 to 99)    US $55.01    Aug-20-06 23:05:17 PDT    
   ellen8411( 3 )    US $50.00    Aug-20-06 10:10:02 PDT    
   mtroy1369( 84Feedback score is 50 to 99)    US $25.01    Aug-20-06 23:04:33 PDT    
   vaboca( 71Feedback score is 50 to 99)    US $16.00    Aug-19-06 18:45:21 PDT    
   collect-et-cetera( 309Feedback score is 100 to 499)    US $1.01    Aug-19-06 18:08:06 PDT

[collecture]

Fun-Tronics sells shelves (w/o the spring and slide) for $25 each. Original shelves pop up frequently and can be had for $10-$15 each.
Clearly a case of shill bidding! Ebay could have her/him banned and I think you have pretty good proof!
I think $375 if good as long as it is not rusted out anywhere, but I bet you could take them down to $350 with a "I'll report you to eBay" threat.

[ZMonet]

Thanks Collecture.  Apparently the bottom of the glass door has 1 inch rust hole, but otherwise I was informed it was rust free.  Of course if the person is shill bidding then it is kind of difficult to trust anything they say.  I guess what it comes down to is do you think this is a great deal (if working and no rust otherwise) or just that $375 is a fair price?  If it is just a fair price (or just a slightly good deal) than I would rather report the person and risk the deal falling apart rather than have them doing this to other people.  

I really don't want to extort the seller and risk them coming back at me.  Also, remember that I have to go pick this machine up and might need some help (especially since it is 350+ pounds) so bad blood between the seller and myself wouldn't be good (even if I don't need the help).

Thanks for your input.  Too bad something I was excited about now has me pretty pissed.

[Creighton]

Tough call. I'd take someone along as witnes/help. Check that it really cools. If not offer less or walk away. If so pay the 375 cash. Don't say where you live. Then report the auction to eBay. If the ISP and/or IP match for the seller and the shill eBay will take care of it.

What a mess. Hope it all turns out well.
Creighton

[SIGNGUY]

As long as the machine is in decent restorable conditin.. since it looks like your going to do paint/body work to it anyway.. 375 is a good deal on this machine i'd say.. as long as you have room for it as they are a beast! I sold my original red/white a few years back for 1800!!!

I like the 110s but just too D(&^*( Big for me.

Good luck

[dr galaga]

You could also report it after you pick it up.

[ZMonet]

Thanks guys.  I think I will report it after I pick it up.   I wonder how often this happens that we don't even know about...Scary.

[TheGarbageHunter]

I have shelves for you machine, springs, sliders, complete.
15.00 ea. Great shape.

Let me know if you need them.

[Eric]

Heck figure $50 for just a crank handle.... $100+ for the coin door, then there's the bezzle, stack and
shelves...  if the mech is complete and nice thats probaly worth a couple hundred and you got a whole machine!
Yeah that friend running the price up is crap! That's why eBay lets people put a reserve on stuff!
I would just be concerned about the shape... I wouldn't give them any money till you look
it over first!
My 110 experience was “She just needs a good buffing out” Ha! I would have buffed
throught the right side.. there was a rat ( I thought was a possum) in it when I went to
pick it up. I got it for $80 took it home, parted it out and stuck the good pieces on eBay.
(That's how I came up with the prices here.)
Again look it over first... they give you any grief about looking it over ask then who ellen8411
is.