Fair price on non-working bottle coke vendo?

FullThrottle

Active member
Joined
Jul 23, 2006
Messages
7,583
Reaction score
17
Location
Washington
I know its not arcade related, but I figured that I'd pop onto klov here at work and see what the masses thought was fair. Going to work this morning I noticed my neighbor two doors down had a bunch of really old tv's and coke memorabilia in his garage, and he was setting up tables to do a garage sale. I shot the shit with him for a minute or two then noticed an old Coke bottle machine, Vendo brand, very clean but non-working. He doesn't know whats wrong, told me to make him an offer on it...
Whats a fair price to offer for an old clean Coke Vendo bottle machine, 7 selection?? I'm going back by at lunch after I stew on it to give him and his wife a price... I have a feeling he'll want more than I'm willing to pay, is $150 insulting?
 
I'd offer the same $150 at most. More likely I'd offer $100 for a non-working machine.

How old are the TVs? I might be interested if they are cheap enough. I have been stripping yokes and neckboard as well as reusing tubes.
 
I talked to the refer man here at work and he said to offer $100, his point was who in the hell knows whats wrong and how much could I find a similar working one for... He said worst case scenario I could be looking at $300-$400 if everything was trashed (not likely but possible) and would I pay $500 for the same model working? No...

The TV's are 1950's b&w, one was a zenith with plastic housing, the other was a wooden housing w/ stand. Both had the round looking tube type, nothing arcade worthy, he was asking $50 & $75 for them.
 
I talked to the refer man here at work and he said to offer $100, his point was who in the hell knows whats wrong and how much could I find a similar working one for... He said worst case scenario I could be looking at $300-$400 if everything was trashed (not likely but possible) and would I pay $500 for the same model working? No...

The TV's are 1950's b&w, one was a zenith with plastic housing, the other was a wooden housing w/ stand. Both had the round looking tube type, nothing arcade worthy, he was asking $50 & $75 for them.


Thanks for the info. So, how many soda machines do you need? Where will you put it? Has the foundation of your house cracked from all the weight?:D
 
$100 sounds reasonable if you really want it and are willing to gamble that it's not an expensive repair that'll push the final cost beyond what one working would run.

bottles are cool but do you have a source for product, and is the price reasonable? i know you can get bottled Mexican Coca-Cola at Costco but will those fit? i think some machines used small 8 or 10 oz bottles.
 
Thanks for the info. So, how many soda machines do you need? Where will you put it? Has the foundation of your house cracked from all the weight?:D
Hahahaha!!! Nope, foundation is still holding up. :) I had a guy from work come into my house once and his first words were "HOLY SH**!! I can't believe your floor hasn't collapsed!"

I'd like two soda machines, I've already got the can machine but alot of drinks I like (including favorite beers) ONLY come in bottles... I know, I know, I can put them in my fridge... but it isn't half as cool and my fridge isn't coin-op! So I must find a bottle machine someday, don't mind a project as long as its not rusted to hell and all the parts are there.
 
true, i don't drink beer so i didn't even think of it as possibility.

i like Jones, but it's pretty pricey in the bottles (and now the canned stuff is almost impossible to get.) maybe buying direct from the main office would get a discount...

but definitely double-check the bottle size it uses and make sure it'll take 12 ouncers.
 
It's broke, and who knows what is wrong with it, and if you can even get a replacement part to fix? I would offer $50 and go up from there depending on condition; it gives you more negotiating room if you start lower. He's your neighbor so you probably won't piss his off too much with a lowball offer, and may even just get it at that price.

Thing is, it's fairly big and heavy - there isn't a big market for it, so it may be hard for him to unload...
 
There is a HUGE difference in price between models- like one is worth thousands and the very next model year is *maybe* worth a couple hundred, working.

I bought a working Vendo 90 last week and while it's a neat machine, it's not worth a whole lot. Remember, these use the old expensive refridgerant so if you need that, good luck.

On the upside, they'll accept the plastic pop bottles you can get anywhere if you don't want to invest in glass ones, and the shelves are adjustible; usually for 3 different sizes. They also make a nice beer cooler for those longnecks.

What my Vendo 90 might look like someday.....
bebop_i0000d3FXopt.jpg
 
The TV's are 1950's b&w, one was a zenith with plastic housing, the other was a wooden housing w/ stand. Both had the round looking tube type, nothing arcade worthy, he was asking $50 & $75 for them.

If he's asking that much for those tv's good luck on getting him to accept $150 on the Vendo. It's funny how some people think old things are worth more because they're old. I doubt those tv's are collector items. He might end up having to put them on the curb and still not get any takers! lol
 
I just traded a working Vendo 56 (can model) to someone on KLOV for a Cruis'n USA, we both considered it an even trade.

None of that will help you make a desciion I vote offer him what it's worth to you if he passes there will be more.
 
Vendo 56 or 63? 63's are a bit more than the 56, but they are both inexpensive to fix. If the exterior is in good shape and its complete inside, its worth $200+ in parts alone. Make sure it has 7 shelves inside... Shelves go from $10-$15 each. Bottle stack is $50+. Add the bottle door, cap catcher, coin mech, coin box, easily another $50+..

Every part is available for that machine...
 
karl i think i only have the can stack but i do have decks if you get it and it doesnt cool bring your deck down and i can recharge it for you. i think 100 is a fair offer wouldnt go higher than 150 myself
 
I wouldn't offer much over $100.00. If the compressor is shot, you will need to repalce it- and they are not cheap or easy to install. I bought a Cavailer USS64, and I had to replace the comprssor- it now runs off R134-A- cheap and readily available refrigerant. The old stuff R12 (I think) is expensive.
-Mark
 
Back
Top Bottom