The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If anybody is still waiting for information, I apologize, and please get back to me with a reminder. This project has taken on a life of it's own, and more than a few people have completely wasted my time. For instance, I was asked about the Mills Automatic Phonograph (Model 801) by somebody who evidently knew that Dr. Z had one. I diligently dug this huge beast out, photographed and tested it, etc. Then the person asked me to quote shipping costs to San Diego. I provided several options, the last of which was a blanket-wrap service, and the estate agreed to share part of the shipping cost so that it would only be $500. Guess what? I never heard from him again. It's people like this, who don't even have the courtesy to respond after a lot of special effort, that have slowed me down to a point that I am unhappy with myself, as I do not like to delay responses to inquiries.

This weekend I will again be posting a web page with items ready for sale. Many of the top-end and low-end phonographs have been sold, but quite a few (hundreds) mid-level pieces are available in the $750 - $5,000 range. And, of course, a wonderful Mills 801 Automatic.

Thanks,

Raphael

Raphael,

Just an idea that might lighten your work load... I imagine that "most" of your wasted inquiries are the result of not having prices listed on your website. You might make a downloadable PDF document with prices if you don't want to actually list them online. I have hesitated bothering you for pricing on certain items and have also inquired about others and if I didn't respond, it was because it may have been out of my price range at that time...

The price list would eliminate inquiries of that type. For example, if I read the price listed to be $10,000 and my budget is $5,000, I know we are most likely too far apart to work out a deal, so no sense wasting your time... You may have grown accustomed to buyers with unlimited funds who don't need to consider the price, but that doesn't apply to everyone in the hobby. Just a thought...

Curt,

Virtually every dealer I know has a common complaint: they hear from a potential buyer (or someone pretending to be one), and the dealer responds with information, pictures, shipping costs, etc. Then, NOTHING. Did the buyer receive the response? Was he shocked by the price? Did he find fault with the machine? At minimum, an acknowledgement of receiving the info would be nice. We are not an Amazon-like business that generates automatic, computerized responses, but rather we are individuals who spend a lot of time and effort to respond to inquiries in a timely fashion.

There are numerous reasons why I do not post prices on my website. I want to hear from people who are interested in a particular item, and be able to revert with a full picture portfolio and description that includes what I know about the condition of the piece. Only then can a buyer determine if the asking price is fair and reasonable. Putting pricing on the website eliminates much of the dialogue and, in my opinion, reduces the items to a commodity value, which they obviously aren't.

And it's not a matter of deep-pocketed customers who could care less about price. My wealthiest clients didn't get that way by giving away their money.

Another factor is the international sales market, with different cultures expecting different levels of discounts. The price I quote to an Englishman may vary greatly from that I quote to a Russian, simply because each may be used to a different negotiating technique. When I first started doing business in China, many times a discount of 80 or 90% was demanded. It took a while to get things on a level playing field.

That being said, I may simply price Dr. Z's stuff with a "no dicker sticker" label. I just haven't decided yet, and your suggestion is well taken.

Raphael

Thanks for the reply Raphael...

I must be doing something wrong, since I never realized that there is an 80-90% expected negotiation range...

Personally I never contact a dealer that wont post prices up front.
I view it as an attempt to manipulate a buyer by trying to establish a seller dominate relation
Up front . I view it as a waste of my time and will never put myself in that
Subserviant position by having to ask for something as. Basic as the sellers price.
Just my opinion. I think the relationship starts off on the wrong foot to begin with.

I also think a seller should list the price. Then a potential buyer can decide if they want to buy the item. If a buyer is interested, then there can be dialog with correspondence, pictures, offers and shipping, etc. If a price is not listed, I don't waste my time.
Harvey Kravitz

Selling successfully requires establishing a relationship with clients. The majority of my sales are to repeat customers, who view their object of desire as only a part of the equation. Factors such as delivery schedule, money-back guarantee, etc. are important considerations in addition to price.

Also required is a flexible attitude and willingness to customize a service to a client's requirements.

A seller loses the above when a posted price simply commoditizes the item. Better to have a dialogue whereby all factors on either side are discussed. There is no attempt to mislead or make anybody subserviant. Inviting an email inquiry so that the seller can have a basic record of all factors involved is also important.

And, I might add, everything in my own inventory was purchased at one time or another. Had I not inquired as to price, some of my premier items would have been passed by.

I also know that I cannot be all things to all people, regardless.

Raphael

Waders: on.

It's a free country. Sellers can conduct their business as they see fit. Same with buyers. I personally like to see prices posted but some sellers chose not to. (Sometimes it is only the high end items that require you to inquire.) This method seems to work for Raphael, because he seems to run a successful business.

Following through on customer inquiries that may or may not pan out is part of the cost of doing business. So kvetch all you want . . . not going to change anything.