Shiny L-Door in Metro Detroit CL

[brianu]

Brian,

I guess that depends on whether you're buying to flip or looking for a keeper.


How much does a complete set of correct albums in nice condition cost ?


I did pay more than $500 for my L-door B/C over 10 years ago, but it came with all the original, VTLA box albums, bill of sale, AND original records.


I think the market for machines has been a little soft these last couple of years...


(I was more than a little disheartened not have any inquiries on my C-19...)


When it comes to L-doors, it seems most folks are looking for Pooleys or B-models with the frieze.

I think it can go without saying that you got an incredible buy for yours and that it's likely worth a good deal more than what you paid. and I still think 500 is a really good price for any basic L-door, that a more common price range would be higher though, maybe 600 to 800 for mahogany, more for oak, more for walnut and much much much more for circassian.

and when I'm talking values, usually I'm just thinking fair selling prices in general... not retail or high retail vs. wholesale or dirt cheap garage sale... just what a fair price would be depending on what I've seen a given model typically selling for.

[PHONOMIKE]

Just my 2 cents. I think this is a fair price for a mahogany L-door without record books.

It says it has the original finish so maybe someone applied a coat of Kotten Klenser to it. I don't think that is a bad thing as it protects the wood. It looks to be in great shape with it's original finish so I'd say it's a fair price. Just my opinion.

Mike

[De Soto Frank]

Brian,

I guess that depends on whether you're buying to flip or looking for a keeper.


How much does a complete set of correct albums in nice condition cost ?


I did pay more than $500 for my L-door B/C over 10 years ago, but it came with all the original, VTLA box albums, bill of sale, AND original records.


I think the market for machines has been a little soft these last couple of years...


(I was more than a little disheartened not have any inquiries on my C-19...)


When it comes to L-doors, it seems most folks are looking for Pooleys or B-models with the frieze.

I think it can go without saying that you got an incredible buy for yours and that it's likely worth a good deal more than what you paid. and I still think 500 is a really good price for any basic L-door, that a more common price range would be higher though, maybe 600 to 800 for mahogany, more for oak, more for walnut and much much much more for circassian.

and when I'm talking values, usually I'm just thinking fair selling prices in general... not retail or high retail vs. wholesale or dirt cheap garage sale... just what a fair price would be depending on what I've seen a given model typically selling for.

"Fair Price" is kind of swampy territory, in my experience... not just with talking machines, but also with vintage automobiles.

I agree with you philosophically, that these items have (should have?) an inherent, intrinsic value, but translating that to a firm cash-price at any given point in time is fickle.

In the best of all possible worlds, a "fair price" is one where both the seller and the buyer feel they did okay.

I'm not trying to "drive down" the pricing on machines, but from what I have been observing over the last few years, it seems to me that prices are down from what they were in the early to mid 2000's.

The presence ( or lack ) of correct record folders is not insignificant, particularly with an L-door, and absolutely with something like a 9-55.

All this said, there seem to be exceptions; there are some here at TMF who feel that more than $200 is too much to pay for a presentable, working Orthophonic Credenza, and yet I've seen a few go for over $1,000 on e-bay within the last year.

Location and condition are two big factors, I think....

I guess it depends on how quickly one wants / needs to sell a machine... I think I would be hard-pressed to get-back what I paid for my 1909 L-door (below $1,000), at least at present market prices.

[52089]

FWIW, I have offered my L-door on the board for $650 with 8 of the 10 boxes. It sold quickly, but the buyer had to back out of the sale due to extended health issues.

I relisted it at $600 with no takers, at which point I separately sold the set of boxes (which I had completed). I had far more interest in the boxes than I ever had for the machine!

I'm planning to put my L-door up on Ebay or Craigslist shortly and hoping to get $500. If anyone is interested in an L-door with no boxes, please PM me.

The market is indeed softer for these machines - but not for the boxes!

[De Soto Frank]

The market is indeed softer for these machines - but not for the boxes!

Not unlike toy-trains ?

[Henry]

The market is indeed softer for these machines - but not for the boxes!

Not unlike toy-trains ?

Yep---and I discarded every one of my original, golden-era Lionel boxes through various moves with my family, growing up. I was just a kid, who knew?

P.S. Eventually sold all of the trains, too. Double

[Jerry B.]

I think your idea on value depends a lot on your perspective on collecting. There are a lot of variables. If you are strictly a bargain hunter, the price is the most important thing. Other collectors enjoy a project and look for a low initial price but also are willing to put many hours into an item. A collector that is looking for the best condition of any particular machine is probably willing to spend some extra money to attain that goal. All "L" door Victrolas are not equal and your perspective determines your opinion on value. Jerry Blais

[miker2001]

I am new to this hobby. To a newbie, the L-door is quite a bit rarer than the more common upright models one sees for sale. They have a certain cache. They aren't the super rare ones ( which will cost over a thousand dollars), but then the prices for this model reflect a more modest investment. Seems to me that this one is in the range of what someone might pay. It has a couple extras, and seems to be in decent shape. If you live close, it might take years to find a better buy. The seller does hint that the price is negotiable. And yes, if you buy it, you might lose $50-100 when you sell it a decade or two later. Enjoyment for years should count for something. Big deal if you lose $100! Going out to dinner once, going to a movie, etc. gives you no cash return. What about the car sitting in your driveway. What happens to the value of the car? Seems to me that if you buy the L-door, and lose $100 on it over the course of ten years, means you got a bargain. It will cost you ten dollars a year for the enjoyment of both owning and using it.

[FloridaClay]

It is almost impossible to tell without looking in person, but it appears to me that it has been redone with a proper "piano" finish. If so and it checked out otherwise I would consider it a good buy. A properly restored mahogany finish can be stunning. When you see one it becomes clear why buyers chose them back in the day.

Clay

[Garret]

I have seen a later Victrola XVI with an original finish almost as shiny as this one. If the finish is original, this Victrola is a steal, although I wouldn't be surprised to hear that it has been gone over in some fashion.