Victrola Identification

[gemering]

I saw this victrola XI on Craigslist yesterday, inquired about its availability by email, made an offer by phone after exchanging contact information, and paid for it by PayPal.
I arranged to make the four hour drive to pick it up next weekend.
Today the seller texted me that he’s refunding my money because he was offered more by someone who will take the records and homemade phono stand that I didn’t want.
I’ve collected phonographs for almost 30 years and have never interfered with someone else’s deal.
It’s a little sad that we live in a day and age where a deal is not a deal and people’s word is often meaningless.
Sorry, I’ll get down off of my soapbox now.

[Django]

I saw this victrola XI on Craigslist yesterday, inquired about its availability by email, made an offer by phone after exchanging contact information, and paid for it by PayPal.
I arranged to make the four hour drive to pick it up next weekend.
Today the seller texted me that he’s refunding my money because he was offered more by someone who will take the records and homemade phono stand that I didn’t want.
I’ve collected phonographs for almost 30 years and have never interfered with someone else’s deal.
It’s a little sad that we live in a day and age where a deal is not a deal and people’s word is often meaningless.
Sorry, I’ll get down off of my soapbox now.

I’ve been there too. The seller should have kept their word and the new buyer should have respected the sale. You may have dodged a bullet anyway. I had been in touch with the seller earlier than you and requested additional pictures. I looks like the machine had been stripped, (telltale squared off finish around the Victrola logo). I hope that this doesn’t leave too bad a taste in your mouth. There are still a lot of good machines on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and for the most part, people are still ethical, (at least I think that this is the case).

[gemering]

George,
Thanks for the post.
I thought that the machine had been stripped and offered a price reflective of that.
There are way more important things in the world and at the end of the day, no one is more blessed than I am.
I just wish that people were true to their word.
In my 35 years as an educator, I've tried to use every day and every opportunity to emphasize the importance of integrity and honesty.

Gene

[Django]

George,
Thanks for the post.
I thought that the machine had been stripped and offered a price reflective of that.
There are way more important things in the world and at the end of the day, no one is more blessed than I am.
I just wish that people were true to their word.
In my 35 years as an educator, I've tried to use every day and every opportunity to emphasize the importance of integrity and honesty.

Gene

That’s a refreshing attitude, Gene. Being a good man is far better than any phonograph.

[Django]

George,
Thanks for the post.
I thought that the machine had been stripped and offered a price reflective of that.
There are way more important things in the world and at the end of the day, no one is more blessed than I am.
I just wish that people were true to their word.
In my 35 years as an educator, I've tried to use every day and every opportunity to emphasize the importance of integrity and honesty.

Gene

That’s a refreshing attitude, Gene. Being a good man is far better than any phonograph.

[eighteenbelow]

If it makes you feel better, it looks like it's also missing its feet.

[PHONOMIKE]

I saw this victrola XI on Craigslist yesterday, inquired about its availability by email, made an offer by phone after exchanging contact information, and paid for it by PayPal.
I arranged to make the four hour drive to pick it up next weekend.
Today the seller texted me that he’s refunding my money because he was offered more by someone who will take the records and homemade phono stand that I didn’t want.
I’ve collected phonographs for almost 30 years and have never interfered with someone else’s deal.
It’s a little sad that we live in a day and age where a deal is not a deal and people’s word is often meaningless.
Sorry, I’ll get down off of my soapbox now.

Sorry to hear that Gene, A similar thing happened to me a few years ago on the Yankee Trader and it was by a forum member. I know how you feel. But I believe in karma. Both good and bad and believe it always comes back around.

Mike

[FellowCollector]

Gene,
Very sorry to hear that the seller backed out of your deal. This sort of thing has happened to me several times on Craigslist over the years. Unfortunately there are people who do this stuff and it's incredibly frustrating as there is really nothing we can do about it. Fortunately, in my experience I have found that there are more ethical sellers (and buyers) than not. Whenever I agree to a deal with a seller on Craigslist I try to get there as soon as possible and I always ask if they will please remove the ad after we agree on a deal. Some sellers will remove the ad and some will not. I found my own table model VV-XI in oak years ago at an auction. I was very pleased to get it but I also paid top dollar which was fine as it was (and remains) really nice and completely original. You'll find another sometime in better condition I'm sure.

Doug

[gemering]

Doug,
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words.
If it's not too much trouble and easy to get to, I'd love to see some photos of your oak XI.
I'm sure other forum members would too.

Best regards,
Gene

[FellowCollector]

Doug,
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words.
If it's not too much trouble and easy to get to, I'd love to see some photos of your oak XI.
I'm sure other forum members would too.

Best regards,
Gene

Gene,
Better late than never Here are pictures of my early oak table model VV-XI as requested.

Doug