The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

dzavracky wrote:So I assume the reason for the early entry fee being higher is that you would have first pick of the machines for sale?

Exactly. I've picked up some of my nicest machines within minutes of the doors opening for early buyers. You have to be prepared to strike when you see what you want and pay accordingly. No waiting, thinking about it, etc. If it's a highly desirable machine and you come back a few minutes later, it might be gone. While prices can be negotiable, most dealers know what their machines are worth, and the asking prices reflect that. Bargains tend to happen towards the end of a show. A machine's asking price during early buyer day might gradually be marked down as the show proceeds if there are no takers. But not all sellers operate that way, and some end up packing up quite a few unsold machines at the end of the show.

So I assume the reason for the early entry fee being higher is that you would have first pick of the machines for sale?

That's basically true but I might say it gives buyers the same opportunity as any dealer to make a purchase. If you talked with most any dealer, you'll find that they are really collectors first and a dealer second. So I'd say an early buyer gets the same opportunity as a collector that's masquerading as a dealer.

Jerry B.

Thanks for telling me about the shows! I apologize for diverting the topic of this thread I’m excited to attend a show one day and be around so many fun machines from the pictures I’ve seen the shows look like a blast