The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Postage can be quite high so even though ideally this machine ought to be purchased for $150, you will pay $200 with postage and risk damage during shipment. Plus you said any decent machines are hard to come by, in your area. You can get this one and wait until you find one in oak. Then sell the mahogany, but my guess is that you will keep them both! Mahogany has a nice rich look to it. Even if you sell it for a $50 loss when you find the oak one, you got to work on it, clean it up and enjoy it! That has value too! Everyone likes to get a deal, but sometimes the asking price is a fair deal. The VV-50's are nicer than a lot of portables because the entire case is wood. Much more satisfying to own than the vinyl covered ones. Although I am very new to the hobby, I have seen that the table top machines haven't suffered the price drops like the uprights, probably because they are easier to ship and transport. You can beat up a seller for an upright that they haven't gotten any calls on, rather than a smaller machine. Aim for $175. Don't negotiate it over the phone. Go examine the machine to see that it is working and in good condition. Offer $150 and settle half way there. Or just offer $175. You got the satisfaction of haggling. A $100 offer over phone could insult the seller.

Thank you all for the great advice. I don't know if I want to beat up the seller, but I do want to get machines at a price I can afford. Why should I pay retail for something that another will come along eventually. I realize the fun of working on them and bringing them back to life, but half the fun is getting a good deal too. I don't get them to hurry around and make a quick buck. So, I need to get the best deal I can where both parties are happy. I just am not around these machines and shows enough to keep up on prices, so I ask you people for advice, and I appreciate all the different views. I hope you weren't thinking I was just looking for a way to rip the guy off and sell it for a profit. There are those out there who do that, but I don't. In asking this question, I really gained a lot of new knowledge from you who have it and have been where I am now. Thanks again.
Dave

One important aspect in this hobby is patience. Don't jump on the first machine you see. A VV 50 is a fairly common machine and they turn up frequently. In my opinion, $200.00 is an OK price, but not a bargain. If this was mint and perfect, I would say jump on it. If I were in your shoes, I would be patient until the right VV 50 comes along. When I first started collecting, I would jump on the first machine that comes my way. Then later, a better example comes along, and cheaper. I would wait.
Harvey Kravitz

Good advice, I appreciate that.
Dave