Advice on selling a Modernolette

[bbphonoguy]

Hey guys, I'm leaving New Mexico to settle in West Virginia, and am seriously downsizing. Along with about one third of my records, I am also sending my Modernolette portable phonograph to the household sale. I just want some quick advice on how much to ask.

Sorry I can't provide photos (no camera), but it's in a walnut suitcase carrying case which has a char mark on the top about half the size of a man's palm. The pot metal ring which holds the arm in place is missing a chunk, but the machine is still usable. The condition of the rest of the phonograph fits into the "aged gracefully" category.

I'm not interested in ebay or craigslist, because I'm almost illiterate when it comes to computers. Anyway, does someone out there have a notion what I should ask?

[OrthoFan]

There was one offered for sale on Phonoland awhile back for $400.00, and it drew some inquiries:

http://www.phonoland.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&p=2720

Hard to say what it would sell for now. Seems that a few have surfaced over the years, so I don't know how rare it is. Certainly NOT common.

[brianu]

I'd agree that those wooden-cased portable modernolettes aren't that common, but from what I've seen, they don't typically sell for that much either. I've seen maybe a dozen or so come and go on ebay over the past five years, and I've bought two in the time that I've been collecting - the prices across the board, accounting for condition, really seemed to consistently range from just under a hundred to less than 200. both of mine were complete and in decent unrestored shape, both cost I think about 125 (excluding postage), and I later resold one on ebay for about that same price. obviously the price could be higher if sold at a show or privately, and especially if some restoration has been done (you know, to the motor, reproducer, etc.).

[bbphonoguy]

Thanks guys. Since I'm not desperate to sell it (it's just that it's seen so little use), I'll ask $100 for it. That seems fair from what you all have said, and if it doesn't sell, then I'll keep it.

Thanks again.

[bbphonoguy]

Well, here's the outcome. I decided to shoot for the moon, so I priced it at $200, then I sold it for $130, which I think was a fair price for both parties.