How often do machines come available? If this thread is any indication, it’s not that often. 
How much would you want for the VMC you mentioned? You didn’t officially say it was for sale, but if you located it and decided to sell, what would you be asking theoretically? It’s good info to have, if only to give me an idea of what kind of saving up I need to do…
There is usually one to three real machines listed on Ebay at any given time. The problem is that the real heavyweight champions, like the Platinum/Pure, SX-500, Senior II, Silhouet-Tone VMC, Clarablend Elegance, and so on, are few and far in between.
the VMC’s usually run $2,000 to $2,500, although one can sometimes get them for a little less. (But not much less!)
One can only realistically expect to get an older, or entry to mid-level machine in the sub $1,000 USD level.
As for VMC’s, I believe that I know of 2 for sale at the moment.
There are usually a few like James said, but can be hard if you are not sure what to search for.
Here are some terms you can search on to find them. They are fairly unique to electrolysis epilators.
Instantron
Apilus
electrolysis machine
electrolysis epilator
ar hinkel
fischer cbx
For example, I searched for “Apilus”, and got the following…
and here is a Senior II for $4500 ($1000 more than it costs new from Allied Health and Beauty!)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apilus-Senior-II-Electro-Depilation-Perm-Hair-Removal_W0QQitemZ250584381764
Here’s a more reasonably priced one in Canada, for $2800 CAD.
http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-health-special-needs-APILUS-Senior-II-W0QQAdIdZ186512164
Fisher SE-4, they are asking for $600 but it has a Make An Offer option. If I were in the market, I would keep an eye on it and make an offer of $300-400 if it doesn’t sell right away.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230441285896
That machine says “blend” so does that mean it can do all three modalities? Or just blend?
How long is reasonable to wait before making an offer of $300? Think it’s too soon to throw in a lower offer like that? Do the dials make the machine too much harder to use than a computerized machine with buttons?
any blend machine would do thermolysis and galvanic as well.
As for making your offer, go for it. If someone is just trying to get it out of their storage space, you may get it cheap and fast.
It looks like it doesn’t come with a manual. Would the basic functions be covered in the books you recommend (Bono), or would I need to try and find a copy of a manual for this machine too?
The Bono book would work well because the diagrams and examples are done using a dial based manual epilator. (The book also assumes an epilator with two footswitches, as this epilator one two, one for galvanic and one for thermolysis. Both epilators I have owned only came with one, and it was a bit confusing at first when I switched from galvanic to blend.)
It would not matter much if the machine came with the manual or not. One can get manual’s mailed to you from the company, or even a PDF file emailed direct in a flash. The company manuals don’t really tell you much anyway. They just say, here is the machine, and these are what each button and dial are for. They don’t really even tell you how to set a treatment setting. Computerized machines require manuals to tell you how to go about accessing the computer programs, and settings, but many things may be intuitive.
I guess what I am trying to say is, I agree with Vicky here, the Bono book will do you more good than the manual, but get the manual as well. It is only a phone call, or email away from being in your possession.
What’s the deal with this machine?
I checked the old thread and it seems to imply that a similar Proteus machine wasn’t a very good choice compared to some other offers out there (but this is $200 less than the other one was and I can make a low offer on it if I want). So between this and the Fischer, which is the better deal?(I got a counter offer of $400 on the Fischer, which is a little much so I’m thinking of countering with $350),
It is no contest, the Fischer is the better machine.
Okay, I submitted a counter-offer. Nobody else bid on it, okay?! It’s mine! 
nevermind
I found the info in a different part of the forums. 
Argh, I got notified that she declined my counter offer and that I had to pay $400 for it, but in the three minute gap between the email and me logging in to make the offer at her approved price, someone else must have offered the $400 first (unless their offer was already pending or something).
What rotten luck, I missed it by a few minutes.
I am sorry you missed out on the Fischer. But don’t worry, they show up occasionally on eBay.
I do have an Instantron Elite I am thinking about selling. It is a blend machine, and I first started learning on an Instantron Elite (not this same machine, but same model.) PM me if you might be interested.
I purchased a Silhouet Tone ST-100 on ebay a few months ago and tracked down a replacement stylus for it. I however seem to not be especially good at working on myself so I’ve thrown it back up on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270538325750
Interesting. How much do these normally cost?
Whoops, had to relist, it was associated with my old paypal address since I haven’t sold anything in a couple years.
It’s now at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270538356633#ht_500wt_1182
MagicalPrincessKitty: No idea how much they cost used typically, but I paid $500 for this one without the stylus and book.
Okay, thanks for the info!
The Silhouet-Tone ST 100 Blend Epilator Retailed for $1500 to $2,000 when it was available new. I don’t believe new models are offered anymore. As always, service can be had at Texas Electrolysis Supply, & Mary Evangelista’s in Massachusetts, if one did not want to return it to the Silhouet-Tone headquarters nearest you.