For Sale: 1910 Victrola VV-X Tabletop - Inquire

[Iva]

Not sure if $500.00 is still a bit high though.
I don't know much about these either and what they would sell for.

at the risk of seeming difficult, because I mean this with all due respect, but I never understand comments like this... either you're familiar with a certain type of machine and its general selling price or you're not, and if you're not, then from what basis would you be saying whether it's priced too high? I mean that as a legitimate question, because I receive similar comments from time to time from people, usually regarding machines I'm selling when they're trying to give me lowball offers, and when I explain to them what my prices are based on (the market values I'm familiar with regarding specific models of specific machines, combined with what I've got into the machine, the cost of work and parts), I usually end up just never hearing from them again because they don't really have a response.

Well to be truthful. I was being nice, and I was hoping to start a conversation from others that would read this and give some ideas for the OP and what would be a good price to ask for his machine.
I'm guessing this isn't an easy time for him and it might be hard to hear that he may not get what he expected from the player.

I'm certainly no expert and I'm not sure an "expert" could price a machine either...after all from what we all seem to understand...a machine is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
I'm pretty sure there are no real "market values"..or set prices for what a machine is worth. Sure there are "ideas" of what a machine should go for...but I'm guessing others would have their own opinions on a price.

I'm guessing it's harder to price a machine for a fair price to a buyer when someone puts so much time and work into the machine that the price then exceeds what the worth of the machine is.
I'm not saying the time and effort into making the machine beautiful and play good shouldn't be paid for and be fair to the seller. But when someone starts to add up hrs they put into something and feel they should be getting high price for the time they put into it...in the end whether they get the asking price or not..is still up to the buyer.

As far as "market values" go...Who's to say what they are?
Here in Montana from what I have found in pawn shops and craigslist...cylinder players...IF you can find them...normally sell around $650.00. That to me is over "market value" but apparently not over Montana's "market value". I look in craiglist in Arizona and other places and there is a complete difference in price...they are WAY lower!!!! It's a bugger to see they are so "cheap" the farther from Montana I search.

Anyway...just my opinions...
Iva

[ambrola]

I don't know if this will help, but I got one of these early machines for 300.00 a couple years ago. I forgot I had it until this thread came up. I bought it off eBay with one of those best offer deals, and was surprised when they took it. I think they are worth 350.00 to 400.00? They are nice little machines that sound good, and you can put it in the truck and take it with you.

[Jerry B.]

I love to get a machine like this that's a true junker. Then I can part it out and not feel guilty about it. Jerry

[brianu]

I've sold three or four nice examples over the past several years, all mahogany and fully restored, for about 550 each. I recently bought one in oak that needs a fair amount of work, for about 400, which I thought was cheap - these are pretty scarce in that finish.

market value is obviously relative, but I think - after looking around a bit and seeing what people are generally asking and ultimately selling certain things for - you can figure out a fair or reasonable price without having to resort to the vagueness of "whatever the market or buyer will pay"... that just doesn't help anyone when you're trying to come up with an actual number for an outright sale rather than an auction.

[Iva]

I've sold three or four nice examples over the past several years, all mahogany and fully restored, for about 550 each. I recently bought one in oak that needs a fair amount of work, for about 400, which I thought was cheap - these are pretty scarce in that finish.

market value is obviously relative, but I think - after looking around a bit and seeing what people are generally asking and ultimately selling certain things for - you can figure out a fair or reasonable price without having to resort to the vagueness of "whatever the market or buyer will pay"... that just doesn't help anyone when you're trying to come up with an actual number for an outright sale rather than an auction.

If you sold your "fully restored" all mahogany machines for about $550.00, I don't think I was wrong for implying he may not get $500.00 or more for one that is not "fully restored".

Iva

[brianu]

I've sold three or four nice examples over the past several years, all mahogany and fully restored, for about 550 each. I recently bought one in oak that needs a fair amount of work, for about 400, which I thought was cheap - these are pretty scarce in that finish.

market value is obviously relative, but I think - after looking around a bit and seeing what people are generally asking and ultimately selling certain things for - you can figure out a fair or reasonable price without having to resort to the vagueness of "whatever the market or buyer will pay"... that just doesn't help anyone when you're trying to come up with an actual number for an outright sale rather than an auction.

If you sold your "fully restored" all mahogany machines for about $550.00, I don't think I was wrong for implying he may not get $500.00 or more for one that is not "fully restored".

Iva

that's not exactly what you wrote, which instead just acknowledged that you didn't know much about these or what they would sell for. but whatever. if that's what you were implying, then great.