The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Inigo wrote: Tue May 14, 2024 12:28 pm If one out of UK can judge by the new import taxes, vat and all, into Europe mainland, it is not rare. Buyers like me will think twice before ordering from the UK in these days. Only recently, for materials in an invoice totalling £230, I had to pay 35% extra for taxes, handling and the 21% VAT. Terrible....

This is partly the problem. Since Brexit I have bought nothing from Europe. It’s not just the taxes and charges for being charged, postage rates seem to have tripled and of course there is tax on that as well!

This works both ways.

On a positive note: If you are a true collector and not an investor, this is great time to be a buyer...

This downward trend is not confined to our field of collecting. Musical boxes, long case clocks and "brown furniture", to mention a few examples, have experienced even worse falls in recent years.
Today's generation prefer to spend their money on experiences rather than what they dismissively call "stuff".

Its the same across the board for all collectibles I'm afraid. I moved on all my vintage toys just in time. Simple supply and demand in effect. The UK economy has taken a pounding, inflation through the roof not being matched by wages, making everyone a little less wealthy, which has the broad effect of greatly reducing demand for non essential items as people less likely to spend on hobbies... while the supply remains roughly the same (more in fact as people are selling up to raise funds). Gramophone prices (and all other collectibles) will rise again if/when wages and pensions catch up with inflation and the number of buyers vs sellers comes back up.

Great news for the slightly smaller buyer market we now have, bad news for those selling (although long term, good time to buy stock).

epigramophone wrote: Wed May 15, 2024 4:10 am This downward trend is not confined to our field of collecting. Musical boxes, long case clocks and "brown furniture", to mention a few examples, have experienced even worse falls in recent years.
Today's generation prefer to spend their money on experiences rather than what they dismissively call "stuff".

I have definitely seen the drop in prices of longcase clocks. We've recently moved business premises to a Regency building in town with very high ceilings and I semi-jokingly suggested our office could benefit from a Grandfather clock and a horn gramophone. Well, it started us on a trail looking for a clock which we secured at auction for all of £50. It's only turn of Twentieth Century but incredibly well made out of oak with German movement. A clock specialist is currently cleaning and servicing it and was surprised by its quality and design features. He reckons when re-assembled and fully operational that we'll have a £1500 clock. We bought it from Mallams, hardly some remote disconnected rural saleroom.

Now for the gramophone!......

"bad news for those selling (although long term, good time to buy stock)."

The problem with stocks is when they tank all you have is worthlesss paper certificates or computer algorithms, at least with phonographs you have something tangible that you can enjoy - even if they become worthless...

I guess many of the sellers on eBay haven't gotten the memo. I've become accustomed to seeing the most banal and common machines being listed at preposterous prices, i.e., a VV-VI or VV-IX in excess of $700. I just shake my head and wonder what drugs they're taking.

Charlie

CharliePhono wrote: Wed May 15, 2024 8:58 pm I guess many of the sellers on eBay haven't gotten the memo. I've become accustomed to seeing the most banal and common machines being listed at preposterous prices, i.e., a VV-VI or VV-IX in excess of $700. I just shake my head and wonder what drugs they're taking.

Charlie

This is what I call "crack pipe pricing"

Curt A wrote: Wed May 15, 2024 10:12 am "bad news for those selling (although long term, good time to buy stock)."

The problem with stocks is when they tank all you have is worthlesss paper certificates or computer algorithms, at least with phonographs you have something tangible that you can enjoy - even if they become worthless...

I mean a stock of gramophones, for collectible dealers its the right time fill their stock and wait for the market to lift again.