The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Let us not forget that collector-to-collector prices are almost always lower than collector/dealer-to-public prices, and GeneralPublic-to-collector prices are even lower. I get a phono from Craigslist for $125, I sell it to a fellow collector for $150, but if it goes on EBAY, it's anybody's guess.

Don't blame the seller, he was up front about the restorations and replacement parts. He also understands good marketing. His video was a great presentation. I have personally sold phonographs for years at antique malls and flea markets, so I have a few insights about the general public. 1) A few great records included capture the imagination and really spice up the attractiveness of a machine, 2) Guarantee the machine for some period time with assurances that parts and repairs will be available even after that, if needed. 3) Carry a stock of needles and records.

Remember, there are some very rich people in this country, and dropping that much money on a "toy" is a mere trifling. A close friend of mine is foremost in his field of collecting and expertise. A noted rock star flew him across country in a private jet to just service his toys.

When it comes time to sell my collection, I hope to find a rock star or some Silicone Valley billionaire!

It presents beautifully and there are people who have neither the time nor the inclination to get into restoration work themselves, like fully restored machines, and who have the wherewithal to buy what they want without much thought to cost. Whether or not it appeals to me personally is really irrelevant. This seller apparently knows his market.

Clay

To me, there is still the matter of personal morals. Who "rebuilt" the reproducer and which "professional" refinished the cabinet? Unless my total costs were anywhere near the selling price, I'd have a hard time sleeping at night after achieving that sale price.

As with all antiques and collectables prices of items can be variable , and this version of Mckeown’s Law adapted from the Camera collectors book appears online which is very true !!
McKeown's Law of collecting
1) The price of an antique or collectable is entirely dependant upon the moods of
the buyer and seller at the time of the transaction .
2) If you pass up the chance to buy an item you really want , you will never have
that chance again .
3) If you buy an item because you know that you will never have that chance
again , a better example of the same item will be offered to you a week later for a
much lower price !!

McKeown's Law of collecting
1) The price of an antique or collectable is entirely dependant upon the moods of
the buyer and seller at the time of the transaction .
2) If you pass up the chance to buy an item you really want , you will never have
that chance again .
3) If you buy an item because you know that you will never have that chance
again , a better example of the same item will be offered to you a week later for a
much lower price !!

So true! I know it's true because it has happened to me too many times before, I've now lost count!

A favorite of mine is a set of "inviolate Laws of Collecting" by a fine British writer on music box collecting, Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume, the second of which fits this thread:

Ord-Hume's First Law of Collecting: Space will expand to accommodate an infinite number of possessions, regardless of their size.

Ord-Hume's Second Law of Collecting: Shortage of finance, however dire, well never prevent the acquisition of a desired object, however improbable its cost.

Clay

welshfield wrote:To me, there is still the matter of personal morals. Who "rebuilt" the reproducer and which "professional" refinished the cabinet? Unless my total costs were anywhere near the selling price, I'd have a hard time sleeping at night after achieving that sale price.

What nonsense. Why would he/she have trouble sleeping? There were 56 bids (starting at .99 BTW) and as noted earlier the seller had nothing to do with the final price. I suppose you think the seller ought to refund money to the buyer based on his/her costs? His/her costs are completely irrelevant to selling price/value.