Request:Bulk Vending Used Machine Price Guide

[BudLeiser]

Theres a lot of information flowing through the swap and shop now. If someone were more inclined then I they could begin compiling an excel spread sheet and generate a price guide showing Low Mid and High values of machines sorted by brand. Members could post replies relating to actual buy prices, but for the most part the price guide could be assembled with a breakdown of sticker price.

I have read all I can stomach for awhile guides on locating, servicing machines etc. I feel like what I'm missing is a clue for prices. I get excited anytime I see something near me that's a bit more rare/special than a double or triple.

Purchase price of a machine is a huge factor for the ROI, and the first advice for most books/articles is "don't overpay or join a scam". But a general price range does not seem readily available.

[nam]

Bud,

The quide your requesting would require such a wide difference between low and high it would be impossible to make it revelant. If we're talking the lowest price on a new machine, rack, stand, or bulk product this wouldn't be any problem to do.

Trying to establish even a general guide on used machines can't be done well in my opinion. There are so many varibles. First the retail price on so many machines has nothing to do with real value. The price often paid is based on hype not value. Someone buys a brand new Wowie Zowie for $3495. A reasonable person would think $1750 for a like new one would be a good price but it isn't. Their value is based on someone buying a business opportunity and now how bad do they want them out of the garage. I hate to do this because they are picked on so often. People buy Vendstars as a business opportunity. They pay $300 each for 100 machines or $30,000. If they never take them out of the boxes they'd be lucky to get $10,000 and that is a big stretch. The seller with all these new machines in the boxes might think you were crazy to offer only 10 grand for what they just spent 30 grand. How can you arrive at a price for a guide dealing with sellers like this?

The problem with buying used machines in the first place is no different than buying a used couch or anything else that is used. It depends on how bad the seller wants to get rid of it and of course the condition of the item. Anything you buy used can vary widely in condition and price.

The other big issue is location of the seller and how many potential buyers are in the market. I see really great deals in Florida all the time. It's a big state with alot of population and alot of machines for sale. Price is gonna go down. Take a state like Iowa or North Dakota. Rarely any machines for sale so you may have to pay alot more unless you want to drive to Florida. Location makes a huge difference in the price.

I think you have to be your own best judge of a machines worth by looking at them and doing your best at keeping track of the market in your own area of the country. Reading the Shop and Swap section here in the forum is a great way to see and learn about all the different machines. If you read all the ads, even in other states, you will learn what prices the machines are selling for. Then when you see an ad in your local craigslist you'll already know what it is and about what it ought to be worth.

nam

[BudLeiser]

All of this makes sense, and yet most of this would also apply to used cars. And yet used cars have 3 major books, one built on selling price, one built on loan values, and one built on auction values.

A used machine value list can be built using listed price. Each person using the list would have to accommodate for their region, not the other way around.

[T BIRD]

I think with all the deals being posted on a wide variety of machines, the new comers on this site need to hear repeatedly what brands are the better ( higher quality ) and most reliable ones to invest in and purchase.