Need help

[gramophone78]

As with any "sale" in a very unstable market,the value of anything will be what the buyer and the seller agree to with cash in hand. There is a very clean Vic 3 on ebay with no horn for 600.00 and no takers. I just bought a Vic 3 with black flower for 700.00 privately.After all that.....there is an issue of packing and shipping. If Ric is not up on that, then maybe the best hassle free thing to do is place a "free" ad in the local Craigslist or newspaper and let a local person have the chance to buy it.If shipping is no problem,I would suggest Ric place it in the "Yankee Trader" part of this forum (once he is able to post pics) and see how he makes out. IMHO

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[phonogfp]

It's real hard to see...but I think the sticker says: T C T....and it looks like there's another smaller letter within the "c" but I can't make it out.

Does this sound like a replacement horn?

The sticker on your horn indicates that it was manufactured by the Tea Tray Company, a large manufacturer of talking machine horns a century ago. I wouldn't call it a "replacement" horn, but an aftermarket horn. Some folks buying new Victors weren't attracted to the company's rather unimaginative black horns (see gramophone78's photo above), so they spent 3 or 4 dollars more for a more decorative horn from an aftermarket supplier. If in good condition, your horn could substantially increase the value of your Victor III, as aftermarket horns for disc machines sold in far fewer numbers than those for cylinder phonographs.

I agree with Jerry - it's a shame someone in your family doesn't want it. Have you checked with cousins, nieces, and nephews?

George P.

[Greenhorn]

Wow...this site is really helpful...thank you very much. That Victor with the black horn looks just like it...the bottom wood part that is. Except that photo looks like there are 2 metal plates on the front. Mine has only the 1 plate with the dog on it.

The family does like some of the old stuff we have...just not our dolls and the Victor. Their loss. They would just take it to a corner antique dealer without having adequate information at their disposal and sell it for much less than it's worth....as they would see it as a waste of their time.

They're too busy with all the latest high-tech gadgets and kids.

Anyway...let me get busy getting some pictures to post up and go from there.

Tinkerbell is correct...Ebay may be to difficult for me...too afraid of making mistakes. Emails, forum postings, and hopefully soon picture posting, is the extent of my expertise....or the extent of my ignorance regarding computers.

I'll get to the pictures within the next few days...post some and maybe you guys will want specific pictures. Thanks again....Rick

[Jerry B.]

A method of selling something is interesting. We had a garage sale last spring. The typical garage sale ad reads like: "Garage sale Friday 9am at 3121 Fir Oaks Pl. SW. NO EARLY BIRDS!" My ad read: "Garage sale Friday. Early birds welcome and there's free coffee. Prices slashed in half at noon and everything is free at 4pm." Everyone that read the paper and attended garage sales that day started at our sale. We had people everywhere and we sold tons of stuff. I admit to taking a few items into the house before the free time but it was very little. At the end of the day, there was only a smidge of stuff to deal with.
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Here's an idea for selling the Vic III: Let's assume the machine in nice and original with a good horn and the high end of reasonable price is $1200. Place an ad with a photo in the "Trader" section, give a starting price and state that the price will be dropped by $100 every week until it sells. At the end of one week if it doesn't sell, post a reply reducing the price by $100. That way the posting will stay fresh. It might take several weeks and it might not, but that Vic III will sell. If the Vic III is a project machine start with a lower price. There are plenty of collectors that follow this forum that would like a Vic III to add to their collection or possibly for resale at a later show. It will sell.
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What do others think?
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Jerry Blais

[wjw]

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What do others think?
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Jerry Blais

I think that is very helpful advice

[gramophone78]

I agree. I think that is a great idea Jerry.Unless the seller is not keen on packing & shipping. We all know that machines require a bit special handling to avoid split motor boards, etc.......If as I suspect this person has never packed one before. A local hassle free sale may be the best option or both. you never know. One of us may live very close and can do a pick up.
What do you think???.

[Greenhorn]

Thanks for the great responses...Lots to think about.

Going today to Best Buy to see what I need to load digital camera pictures into my computer. I think I just need some sort of cord attachment. We have a great digital camera...but my computer is just a Samsung mini-notebook. It has a bunch of holes on the sides...so hopefully there is some sort of cord that attaches from the camera to the mini-notebook.

I like the idea of the Yankee Trader....let me get some pictures posted then you guys can direct me from there. Sure is fun working with knowledgable people on this forum. I live in the Detroit area so if anyone from this site likes this Vic III...I would either need some very detailed packing instructions, or maybe pick up?

I have a bunch of extra needles...should that be included as a sale enhancement? Are needles hard to find? As funny as this may sound...I am going to have as much fun learning how to post pictures as you professional collectors have in searching for collectibles. Thanks loads....will let you know how I do at Best Buy or Radio Shack. Does anyone think I will run into any problems about the cord idea. Rick

[Tinkerbell]

Rick ~ Most digital cameras generally come with a USB transfer cable/cord so you can transfer your pictures from your camera to your computer.

Digital cameras also generally have removable media/cards that store your pictures. Some netbooks, laptops and mini notebooks do have a media slot, but others do not.

For those that do not, you have two options for transferring your photos: 1) Using the USB transfer cable; or 2) Buying and using a removable card reader that attaches to your computer's USB port.

Those little "holes" on the side of your computer generally fall into the following categories:

USB port - for hooking up all manner of other gadgets... external hard drives, cameras, mobile phones

Ethernet port - for connecting to an internet source

Media slot - most now are multi-function for reading SD, XD, MMC cards, but some netbooks may only have a single size for SD cards.

Headset and microphone jacks - for either listening to audio/music with a headset/earphones or for capturing audio with the computer's microphone.

There are also "holes" used for other functions, which I will not bother to go into, but can be used for docking or connecting to monitors and televisions.

I know it all sounds very overwhelming, (kind of like the first time a person buys a high def television and sees all of the hook ups), but you will be surprised at how easy it really is to transfer pictures to your computer once you are shown how.

You may have to practice a time or two (since it is new to you), but you will have a newfound freedom that will serve you well in the future once you learn.

[Greenhorn]

Thanks Tinkerbell....very helpful. Just got back from Radio Shack armed with your information, and camera and notebook in hand.

The clerk was very helpful....purchased a USB ( whatever that means ) transfer cable and I'm good to go. He even hooked it up showed me what to do.

Stay tuned.....hope the picture that's posted isn't too large or small on my first attempt. Please bear with me.

[Greenhorn]

Oh...almost forgot.

I have 7 Victor records in the original sleeves- 2 Decca Records in Victor sleeves and Al Jolson is the artist.

And an old Edison record that is about ¼ inch thick...That Old Gang of Mine

Will take a pic of these too.