Hi! I'm new here. Looking for Victrola VE-XVII Value advice?

[bbphonoguy]

bbphonoguy;
What would you consider 'cheap' to be for a machine like this? I'm thinking that maybe that # should be my opening offer???

Whew! After reading all these posts, I realize there's a few things to take into consideration. Does it have its original albums? Does the soundbox work well enough without a rebuild? And what's the market like in your area? If he insists on making statements relative to what it's worth in New York you can tactfully remind him that it's not in New York, and since he's not paying New York overhead for his shop, he can afford to undersell New York. You might also ask him for the data he has that shows what it's worth in various markets, though you don't want to get uppity, 'cause then he'll not deal with you because of YOUR attitude (believe me, I know ). Seems like everyone here has given you good advice. Knowing that you're going to pay more than your first offer, test him out with say...$600, if he flat out refuses and makes no counter offer, then walk away, and try again with the same offer in a month and a half or so. If you really want this badly though, then offer him as much as you think you can fairly pay him without cheating yourself. That way, you'll know you did your best, in case it gets away.

Like I said with respect to myself, I just don't want to deal with antique dealers who aren't even remotely realistic (like the guy who was asking $500 for a beat up Victor portable at the local flea market )

[bbphonoguy]

bbphonoguy;
What would you consider 'cheap' to be for a machine like this? I'm thinking that maybe that # should be my opening offer???

Whew! After reading all these posts, I realize there's a few things to take into consideration. Does it have its original albums? Does the soundbox work well enough without a rebuild? And what's the market like in your area? If he insists on making statements relative to what it's worth in New York you can tactfully remind him that it's not in New York, and since he's not paying New York overhead for his shop, he can afford to undersell New York. You might also ask him for the data he has that shows what it's worth in various markets, though you don't want to get uppity, 'cause then he'll not deal with you because of YOUR attitude (believe me, I know ). Seems like everyone here has given you good advice. Knowing that you're going to pay more than your first offer, test him out with say...$600, if he flat out refuses and makes no counter offer, then walk away, and try again with the same offer in a month and a half or so. If you really want this badly though, then offer him as much as you think you can fairly pay him without cheating yourself. That way, you'll know you did your best, in case it gets away.

Like I said with respect to myself, I just don't want to deal with antique dealers who aren't even remotely realistic (like the guy who was asking $500 for a beat up Victor portable at the local flea market )

You know this situation better than any of us, and it's easy to give advice when the pressure's off. You go ahead and decide what you can and can't live without, and do your best. As I keep saying, the thought that I'd payed too much for something keeps me from enjoying it, unless I really really want it! So, how much is this worth to you?


Please keep us posted on your progress!

[Jerry B.]

What was Baumbach's appraisal based on? The XVII came in finishes from the most commonly found mahogany to Vernis Martin. It makes a huge difference. Jerry

[ColoradoPhonograf]

Hello all,

Some interesting perspectives and opinions have been posted. I want to relay a situation a collector friend of mine encountered about 5 years ago. he lives in a major city and he really knows what's what and prices of machines. He went in to a local antique store and spotted a machine in the corner of the shop partially covered by a blanket. He knew immediately what it was and asked if he could see the machine. It was a Vernis Martin XVIII (18) The exterior paint was in exceptional condition. The owner of the store said it wasn't for sale because the motor and motorboard were missing. My friend knew he could eventually find a motor and offered the dealer $1000 for it as it sat.

Well, dealer's own books too, and even if it was a simple Antiques values book he knew it was worth more, hust because it was an XVIII. My friend decided to wait a month or two and go in again and offer $1500. I told him not to, I told him if it was that kind of high end collectors dream.....march down there with $6000 or $7000 and lay it on the table and "Wow" him by offering a generous price. He scoffed at me and said "I'll eventually wear him down and get it for $2500 or so."

Well, that being said, the dealer did find a motor and someone who was offering enough to let it go out of his hands. My friend went back in after about 6 months and of course it was gone. He thought he could wait it out and get a $25k -$30k machine for a song. It didn't do him much good to be so cheap and in the end come out with nothing. There are many kinds of collectors but I have never understood trying to build a collection by only being cheap. You get what you put into it and that mental defeat really bothers my friend to this day.

Just my perspective,
ColoradoPhonograf

[Jerry B.]

I agree... you don't build an interesting collection by buying only bargains. It's nice to buy something for a cheap price but sometimes you've got to step up to the plate and pay the price.
*
I enjoy visiting that same Vernis Martin machine every June. Jerry B.

[Victrolaman]

Hi,
I'm confused as to why a lot of you seem to think this machine in this condition is worth only a thousand or less?
Myself I'd offer the guy about 1500, in the current economy that's what I think it's worth. Myself I have one of these machines same one only mins is crank not electric, they only made a small number of the victor 17's anyways and even less electric models. I'd have that in my music room right now with the rest of my collection, if it were me.
Make him a offer the only thing he can say is no or yes, if he accepts 1500' then grab it and run.
Some of these people tha sell these machines especially antique dealers think they are worth a fortune when really a lot of them ar now, the 10k thing he is saying is foolish. But 1500 in my eyes is a good fair price maybe a little more, but not much.

[Jerry B.]

I said I'd buy as many as I can get for $750 to $1,000 each but so far none have been offered. I think it's worth up towards $2,000.

[bbphonoguy]

Well, as I started out saying, I was only offering my opinion. I wouldn't pay much for this machine simply because I don't want it. If I could get it cheap it would only be to sell it for more, which I probably wouldn't do since I don't want to have the bother of selling it (huh?). As I said, if the man who started this post can't live without it, then he should offer as much as he thinks he can, but if you're willing to wait, why spend more than you want? As far as whether a collection is interesting or not, that's up to the person doing the collecting. It's not a requirement that a machine be expensive, or even rare, to be interesting.

[Guest]

Well;
Thank you all for your input. I have to admit though that with all of your widely varying opinions on this machine; I'm really not much further ahead in terms of making a decision.
I went back to see it on Saturday. Did find a few issues. Even with my 'untrained' eyes.
1- The veneer on the top of the lid is either replaced or refinished as I can see faint brush strokes in the finish.
2- The power cord is missing. I don't know if that's a big deal or not?...
3 - So with item #2; I don't know if this machine even works?
A few members have emailed me privately & have been very supportive & helpful.
Thanks to all. I will keep you posted...
Rudy

[elkabong]

Hmmm...That above post by "Guest" was by me; elkabong. Not sure why that happened? All part & parcel of being 'new' to the forum; I'm sure I just messed 'something' up while logging in ?!?!?!?
Thanks again all of you; but I'm still 'confused'...