I bought a jukebox

[radiotvnut]

Yesterday, I went to one of the local flea markets and couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted a jukebox just like the one in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTbqdUbBbg

The flea market box is definitely a project (rust on the speaker grille and back cover, filthy dirty overall, one of the selector keys is missing, small piece of veneer chipped off the side of the cabinet); but, at $40, I decided to take a chance on it. They wanted $50; but, I got them down to $40 (they said it had been there about 3 weeks). The parts should be worth that much, should it not be worth repairing. Judging by the song titles still in the title strip window, this unit was in service at least until the mid-to-late '80's.

I've paid for it; but, the biggest problem is going to be getting it home. I don't drive, don't own a truck, and the only person I feel comfortable with asking who owns a truck works as a delivery person for a local drug store 6 days a week. You wouldn't think that in 2014, that there would be that big of a demand for drug delivery; but, this drug store has two drivers on the payroll and they generally stay busy, 6 days a week. My friend said that he'd be glad to help me; but, it will have to be during a time when deliveries slack up. The main thing that makes me nervous is that it's still sitting at the flea market and some shady character might rip off the "SOLD" sign and rip me off of the thing or the owner will suddenly get the idea that it's worth big money. Everyone at the flea market knows me and knows that I've already paid for it; but, I'll feel a lot better when it's over here instead of over there.

I've been wanting a jukebox to play with for years; but, it seems that every one that I find comes with a big price tag. I've even seen clunkers from the '70's and '80's that looked like they had been left outside and the people who own them think they are worth upper 3 and lower 4 figures.

There was also an early '80's Rock-Ola 488 that looked in decent shape; but, it was a little too new for my wants and they wanted $275 for it. They said it worked; but, you had to fiddle with it to get it to work.

Back to the one I bought, if my friend does not come through with the truck in the next day or two, I may have no other choice but to rent a truck and have my Mother drive me down there to pick up the jukebox. I'm generally not one who feels comfortable with asking people for favors such as this; but, I've known this guy for a few years, am all the time helping out with fixing stuff of his, and he's told me to let him know if I need help picking up something. If this flea market was open on Sunday, it wouldn't be near as big of an issue because that's the only day he's not making deliveries.