C.O.C.A. Times

let us know how you like it. There will be chat rooms
and real time info that will be useful to anyone interest-
ed in collecting coin operated machines. I hope to see
you there one day. Thanks again Greg, for helping to
bring C.O.C.A. into the 21st century. To partially offset
the increased costs of the website, magazine, postage
increases, etc, the dues are being raised to 33.00.
This is the last President's Message I will be writ-
ing. Many thanks to all those who have helped me get
through the past 2 years. C.O.C.A. is managed by vol-
unteers; we do not have a payroll or secretaries. With-
out the support of folks like Paul Hindin , John Carini,
Dan Davids, Al Fox, Randy and Sue Razzoog and all
those members that routinely write articles, opened up
their homes and advertised routinely in our magazine
we would not be here today. I believe the organization
will get bigger and stronger. The website, magazine and
annual conventions will make membership in C.O.C.A.
even more appealing. I am looking forward to the next
set of newly elected officers taking us to new heights.
It has been both an honor and a pleasure to serve as
President. God speed to all (especially when finding
that next coin-op piece.)
Alex Warschaw
President
E-BAY WATCH
by Nick Carini
Is the market fickle or what? I've spent a lot of my downright strange. A plain 1930s sheet metal North-
summer just watching the prices on E-Bay (and get- western match machine ended for $170, while a nice
ting an occasional good deal). But I sure have noticed Morris Match in good restored shape ended for $250. A
a lot of odd things. Especially in the coin-op arena. For nicely restored Climax didn't reach its $2000 reserve,
example, just a few weeks back I watched a restored yet another one in poor condition sold for $2,500. I also
Oak Acorn gum machine sell for $232.50. The restora- saw a restored tall globe Hance not reach it's $2,200
tion was nice, but nothing spectacular. And there was a reserve, while a standard Rex in average condition sold
whopping 30 bids on it. Similarly, I watched an un-re- for $3,500.
I've spent some time pondering these transaction s,
stored Oak National penny peanut machine (some pea-
nut damage) sell for $184.50 - with 21 bids! I guess I'm and have several theories. First, I think some are new,
a little perplexed as we feel lucky to sell restored Oak inexperienced buyers over-bidding. Some individuals
just starting out really don't know what certain items are
Acorn's for $75.
Last month, I watched a plain red case yellow kid worth. I've also heard people talking about not wanting
Pulver, in good shape, end for $910. And ending around to buy from other dealers . They would rather buy direct
the same time, was an early wooden Zeno chewing gum from estates and auctions and rummage sales. I've also
machine. It wasn't working, and the wood was some- seen an increase in people at general public auctions
what rough, yet after 14 bids, the machine ended for and estate sales, more bidding, and higher bidding. Just
$1,525. A nice Mills Silent War Eagle Penny slot ma- this morning I ran across a rough 5 cent Smith Mill-
chine, in nice working condition, sold for an amazing er 3-in-l pencil dispenser at a local auction. The item
$3,500 plus $200 shipping fee. In all of these cases, I wasn't advertised, so I thought I would be able to get it
have seen better condition machines going for a frac- for a good price. It sold for $120. And lastly, I've seen
people listing items in wrong categories or with wrong
tion of the price at the Chicagoland show.
Now, not everything on E-Bay is going high. Colum- descriptions. I've purchased a few bargains this way.
The only thing I know for sure, is I can't seem to
bus machines were selling pretty low for the past few
months. And I've gotten a few bargains (mostly people accurately predict the antique market, particularly on
who don't know what they have, and they 've listed the E-bay.
item in the wrong category). But, some transactions are
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