Question about old trade

[Chuck]

Greetings,

Many years ago I traded away a mint Edison model L Amberola reproducer for a model H to complete the set of things for my Edison model D combination 2/4 machine. The model L was still in its wooden box, with the cover, packing, and instructions.

When I handed the gentleman the model L he opened one of his display cases and said: "pick one". Looking back now that I am better aware of the value of the model L, it seems that maybe he should have better said:
"pick 4 or 5".

My question is this: Would it be bad form of
me to remind him of this now and see if he might even things out a little? There are a few things I am looking for that he might have.

Just asking to bounce this off of others to
see what people think.

Thanks,

Chuck Richards

[Andersun]

Chuck,

I wouldn't. The way I look at it is a deal is a deal. If somebody wants to trade me a nice Opera for a beat down Standard, I'll do it and not expect the trader to bother me later about it! If the buyer wants to even things up a little on the next deal, that's up to him but the seller shouldn't initiate it. It's all part of learning. I have traded some stupid stuff in my younger (and older) days and that's all part of the buying, selling and trading game.


You win some and you lose some!

Research is king here!

Steve

[Jerry B.]

Chuck, I'm sorry but it's water under the bridge and you've learned a lesson. I would like to think that a trade should be good for both parties and not one sided. I think an experienced collector has some responsibility to inform a less experienced collector the real terms of the trade. For example, years ago I had a Triumph for sale. A less experienced friend offered a very unusual Edison sign in trade. I made it very clear that he will see many Triumphs over the years but probably not a sign that unusual. He thanked me and said the Triumph was his desire so we traded. We were both happy with the trade and are friends to this day.
*
I would suggest that any new collector get acquainted with a more experienced collector with the hope of a genuine friendship. We all need someone to bounce ideas back and forth and to offer advice. Before I bought my Edison doll I made two or three calls. I continue to call collector friends for their opinions. It's a lonely world for an inexperienced buyer facing a major purchase. I have given my phone number to offer my best blind over the phone appraisal. I have always added the promise that I will never step on anyones toes to slip ahead to make a selfish purchase for personal gain. It's really important to always keep the value of your good name as your focal point. Jerry Blais

[TinfoilPhono]

Sadly, you got the short end in that trade. But once the deal is concluded there's go going back to renegotiate.

I think we've all been there, done that, so it's unfortunately just a part of the learning process, the cost of education. I made a trade in 1979 that still makes me sick whenever I think about it. It's my own fault, I let my excitement over something I wanted to get override my better instincts. I got screwed, pretty badly in retrospect, but no one put a gun to my head.

[phonogfp]

Chuck,

You've received good advice above, and I can't state it any better. Don't feel bad about this - - as said before, we've all been inexperienced and had advantage taken of us. That's no shame on you; the guy who screwed you must ultimately deal with that karma. Education is expensive.

I could possibly make you feel better about your deal by sharing with you a deal I made in 1973. I traded away a Berliner Trade Mark Gramophone with a nice flat-belled horn, 2-ball governor, and complete except for a missing crank and missing record clamp. Right out of a house - never messed with. I traded that for a caseless 2nd model Q Graphophone with repro horn, key, and reproducer; plus a Standard disc machine Model X with a repaired & shortened mainspring that wouldn't play through a 10" record. Now do you feel better?

I soon learned the value of a Berliner Gramophone - but not quite soon enough!

George P.

[FloridaClay]

Chuck, I have to agree with what others have said. When you make a deal, even a bad one, you have to let it go. We all make mistakes. The thing to do is learn from them and move on.

Clay

[JohnM]

In 1969, I bought a perfect oak spearpoint Victor horn with elbow at Hickey's Flea market in Clarence, New York for $5 and sold it that afternoon to another collector for $10. I'll never do that again!

[Lenoirstreetguy]

If it helps I traded away an Edison model D repeating attachment years ago for a pile of 20's Radio Digest magazines that I wanted for an article I was writing. My thinking was " When am I ever going to find a Home or a Triumph that I can afford?" Oh the follies of youth in those pre-Ebay days......

Jim

[VintageTechnologies]

Ouch, that was a raw deal! Did he include a tube of spring grease in that bargain? It sounds like he knew what he was doing, too. I would have no more dealing with such a "gentleman".

[Raphael]

Turn the question inside-out, if you will: would you consider revisiting every "great deal" you've had and, by virtue of feeling guilty, offering more compensation? I think not. And the best deals are the ones in the future, dwelling on ones from the past is worse than counterproductive.