Pin-locks: What would you pay for a pin-lock (coke) keg?

[Baja_Brewer]

Hi everyone,
I recently came into a situation where I may be able to pick up some pin-lock kegs at a greatly reduced price. I know that the preferred kegs are the ball-locks, but if anyone has been following the recent trends, they are actually becoming much harder to come by (I believe that the Chi-company is on their next to last shipment of them.)

Now several different points regarding the pin-lock kegs, feel free to contribute
1) They use different quick-disconnects
2) Less of a market share so not as many vendors for parts
3) 9 in Diameter, 23 in height (pin) vs 8.5 in diameter, 25 in height (ball)
4) No pressure relief valve (ever?) except using a disconnect to vent pressure


If I were to obtain some of these and try and sell them at $20-30 a keg, would that be a fair value you would see yourself paying?

I'm asking this to both the US and Canadian markets. Though my location says Montreal, its temporary, I'm here for school.

Feedback from pin-lock keggers would be awesome too!

 

[dataz722]

I think that you would really need to undercut the price of ball lock kegs. Given the choice at the same price very few people will take the pin lock. That said, I would be one of those few because I do already have pin locks.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

Yeah, thats why I was saying 20-30 bucks. The LHBS in Montreal sell pin-locks for something like $45+, and today a Montreal CL ad surfaced where someone is trying to sell them for $50/ea. I would probably try and move most of them in Montreal, because everything is harder to come by up there and I don't think my Dad would be thrilled if I filled his garage with them at home

More input?!?

 

[EdWort]

The biggest issue I see is the folks with ball lock kegs most likely will not change or mix kegs. I have ball locks and I have no desire or need to buy a pin lock keg even for $5.

If you have a bunch, your best bet is to focus on folks who have yet to begin kegging as they can start all with pin locks and life is good for them. Plus any other pinlock folks of course.

 

[Yooper]

I think that most of us in the US can find ball-locks for $25 or so. I've bought 4 for $100 and they came with new o-rings and holding pressure, including shipping. No way would I pay the same for pin-locks.

Like Edwort said, for people who already have pinlocks, or for new keggers who find it a great deal, you should do fine. I know the prices in Canada are different, so I'm only talking about what I've seen here in the US.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

Thanks for the feedback, your responses are basically what I was anticipating. I suppose it wouldnt difficult if I could generate interest in kegging, I'm sure at reasonable prices people would be interested in starting up, but even then it would only be in 2-4 keg increments. I dont think everyone homebrews in the same volume as many here do

Of course if I could get people into it at my university....

 

[Bobby_M]

My collection is pinlock and I like them for the pure fact that whenever someone I know gets one, they more or less give it to me. I also only paid $5 a piece for the ones I did buy. If I were presented with a choice of either pin or ball and they were the same price, I'd go with all ball lock obviously. I think a price that would drive a new kegging customer to pinlocks is $15 each, no leaks.

About 1/3rd of mine have pull releases in the lids, another 1/3rd have the pressure dump, but no manual control, and the remainder have solid lids and I vent with a screwdriver on the poppet.

 

[OMJ]

I am with Bobby around $15 I bet you would find people interested. Any more than that most people are gonna go with ball locks

 

[Dwain]

I think you could move the pin lock pretty easily for the right price. How many are talking about 20 or 120? Finally, I think the deal killer might be shipping. I bought a 1/4 keg for $15, $37 with shipping and a $2 paypal charge. Let us know what you decide. Good Luck - Dwain

 

[wilserbrewer]

Maybe you could make it work in Canada, down in the states here, selling used corny kegs is probably more of a hobby than "business". unless of course you can get large quantities and rock bottom pricing.

 

[springer]

I have pin locks,only reason is I got them on the cheap on Craigslist with a bunch of other Coke stuff. CHI has pin locks but they are selling them in 1200-2400 units only. I would take a couple but in reality they would have to be in the 15 $ range.

 

[Kauai_Kahuna]

I have two pin locks which were my first two kegs, and I have five ball locks. My only problem with the pin locks outside of no pressure release valve is they do not seem to hold up as well as the ball locks. One I can not get a good seal on and use as long term ageing for meads.
I do think they have moved to the "old school" brewers who have 50 replacement parts for everything that can break and pick them up for 5$ from other people. Not a bad way to go if your there.

 

[RLJB]

I'm more ore less commited to pin locks at this point. If you decide to sell them for less than $15 each in the states I'd be interested.