The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

@Raphael

Then there are those who are just getting into the hobby and have full time jobs and don't have the thousands of dollars you have to spend nor all the time to travel the thousands of miles and can spend the week at the auction. For those who of us who are very interested and fascinated by these machines and excited about getting them and parts for them and discs and cylinders and tinkering with them to make them work sometimes $30 and a click of the mouse is their only option.

I think you're sorta making more of what my post than what i meant it to be. I got a great deal, in my opinion at, least for $30. But when you add $600+ for shipping it sorta makes it pointless to even consider it and just call the $30 a wash. I did buy other things from there and I'm not complaining about that stuff. Just sorta "funny" to pay $600 shippIng.

Maybe someday I'll be at your level.... maybe not... probably not, but either way to you there maybe be more to "this" then the click of the mouse but for me that's what I have to work with. Thanks for your comment though. It was very helpful

Saleh21 wrote: Wed Aug 27, 2025 10:38 pm @Raphael

Then there are those who are just getting into the hobby and have full time jobs and don't have the thousands of dollars you have to spend nor all the time to travel the thousands of miles and can spend the week at the auction. For those who of us who are very interested and fascinated by these machines and excited about getting them and parts for them and discs and cylinders and tinkering with them to make them work sometimes $30 and a click of the mouse is their only option.

Ugh. I know how that feels! Especially When you're in the situation I'm dealing with, I can't drive or don't have any reliable transportation so it makes this hobby REALLY difficult for me. Apparently at the end of next month there's an auction of phonos in a town near me, and nobody wants to help me get there... (plus I have to work that day anyway which I really can't afford to miss a day of) So eBay is my only option many times to even get machines! along with the rare trip to a antique store (Which is becoming more few and far between anymore...) And Jerry B's visits in June. And MAYBE FB marketplace if the seller is in a town within 20 miles or less, or is willing to drive it to my place it's really slim pickins for me.

$600+ US, YIKES!
I have noticed that shipping from and within the USA can be very expensive, and within Canada too, but Europe and China seem to be able to ship cheaply.
Early this year, or late last year, I bought a Pathé rear mount horn and elbow from an Ebay France seller and the shipping to Canada was a little over $100 Canadian, so about $70 US. The box was 2ft x 2ft x 3ft, or thereabouts. And the parcel arrived in nine or ten days!

Don sent me a horn from the U.S. to Canada in that huge half barrel cardboard shipping container, and it was 120.00 U.S. dollars.
I would go with the US mail.

Shipping costs are one thing but TODAY is the really SAD, SAD, DAY because of the tariff wars initiated by the current US administration. Since the $800 value import exemption expires today EVERYTHING crossing a border will cost the buyer more. For example, for each item shipped from the US to Canada, the Canadian government will collect 35% tariff from the buyer. This includes EBay. The exemption used to help small packages travel through easily but not any more!

Sorry you didn’t get the Triumph horn but just be glad you didn’t spend money for tolls, gas, hotel rooms and meals and spend three days sitting in an auction house. It might have worked out the same as the shipping quote you received. Remember that shipping is far more than the freight cost. Packing safely and tracking the delivery etc, are part of the costs. Why don’t you go and pick it up?

Mark

I thought about driving but it's a 17 hour round trip and I'm on call 24/7 on a job with guaranteed paid days so calling in to go would be more than the shipping anyways let alone the fuel and the time and the tolls and food on top of it all for $30. By that point shipping would be the better option. I'll just eat it. It's not the end of the world. Just crazy to me how it would be over 20 times more for me to get it that it cost me. I'll just keep it more local.... and yeah after today in county unfortunately for now at least

Last year I flew to the APS EXPO in Schaumberg. I paid $49 for a ticket on Spirit from Ft. Lauderdale to Ohare. A taxi from the aiirport to the Hyatt cost me $120. Go figure.

Raphael

Crazy world!

Saleh21 wrote: Thu Aug 28, 2025 5:22 pm I thought about driving but it's a 17 hour round trip and I'm on call 24/7 on a job with guaranteed paid days so calling in to go would be more than the shipping anyways let alone the fuel and the time and the tolls and food on top of it all for $30. By that point shipping would be the better option. I'll just eat it. It's not the end of the world. Just crazy to me how it would be over 20 times more for me to get it that it cost me. I'll just keep it more local.... and yeah after today in county unfortunately for now at least

A couple more ideas:

Have you thought of posting a notice on U-Ship? You never know when someone coming your way will have space available for a package.
A Facebook Marketplace posting is a riskier possibility but you only have $39.11 to lose.

Mark

Message me and we might work something out.