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On eBay...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FANTASTIC-MULTI ... 257ffb9788

Is this one of the Paul baker machines? If so, didn't one recently sell for about 125 or 135 thousand? There was one at the last Wayne nj show in April with a price at about that amount. Now the price is 165k? I know this seller's prices are typically well into the high end, but that seems ridiculously excessive. I know it has been discussed before, but I can't recall... What were a couple of the most expensive phonographs to sell in recent years and for how much?

Not to be argumentative here, but if a seller (in this case me) wants to achieve a certain price level with respect to a sale (any sale), should he start out asking LESS than either what he wants or what the "market" price is? Of course not.

In the course of my long career in sales, starting with selling pretzels for 5 cents on a street corner in Brooklyn to multi-million dollar ocean-going ships, one thing I have always learned, preached and firmly believe in: any moron can sell anything below market price. The key to success is selling above the norm, which can be achieved in a variety if ways. The key is to find customers who are able and willing, for whatever their reasons may be, to pay a premium for what you are selling. And don't waste time on tire-kickers who want to gripe about your prices, they aren't going to buy anyway, even at a discount from "market".

Furthermore, there is an extremely limited market for such an expensive machine as a Multiphone, and most likely the potential buyer will not be an American. Are you aware of the different psychologies of negotiating throughout the world? Taking that into consideration, perhaps the world-wide asking price should be at least $300,000, which would enable certain buyers to extract their expected huge "discount" and still make a deal?

It costs me two bucks to reach into every computer in the world via eBay. And maybe if those who view the item get a little curious, they'll reach out to my website and see something else they might want. Except now, the nickel pretzels are 3 bucks!

165k is chump change if you find the right international buyer!

raphael wrote:Not to be argumentative here, but if a seller (in this case me) wants to achieve a certain price level with respect to a sale (any sale), should he start out asking LESS than either what he wants or what the "market" price is? Of course not.

In the course of my long career in sales, starting with selling pretzels for 5 cents on a street corner in Brooklyn to multi-million dollar ocean-going ships, one thing I have always learned, preached and firmly believe in: any moron can sell anything below market price. The key to success is selling above the norm, which can be achieved in a variety if ways. The key is to find customers who are able and willing, for whatever their reasons may be, to pay a premium for what you are selling. And don't waste time on tire-kickers who want to gripe about your prices, they aren't going to buy anyway, even at a discount from "market".

Furthermore, there is an extremely limited market for such an expensive machine as a Multiphone, and most likely the potential buyer will not be an American. Are you aware of the different psychologies of negotiating throughout the world? Taking that into consideration, perhaps the world-wide asking price should be at least $300,000, which would enable certain buyers to extract their expected huge "discount" and still make a deal?

It costs me two bucks to reach into every computer in the world via eBay. And maybe if those who view the item get a little curious, they'll reach out to my website and see something else they might want. Except now, the nickel pretzels are 3 bucks!

Argumentative, defensive, call it what you will. But you've basically made my point for me in what was really just a simple attempt to start a basic discussion about the relative values of high end machines and how arbitrary and manipulated they can be at times. But good luck and god speed in gouging those foreign buyers.

Of course I'm being a bit defensive here, when you start off the discussion by saying my price is "ridiculously excessive". Now you have upped the vitriol by saying "good luck and Godspeed in gouging those foreign buyers".
I obviously made a mistake in taking the time and effort to offer a detailed explanation of the pricing strategy, which you chose to respond to with further insults. Next time I won't bother, it's time better spent communicating with nicer people capable of holding a civilized and informative discussion without ad homonym criticisms.

My personal two cents- aside from the rarity and the mechanical interest I can not see the appeal of this machine. I think it was Jim Walsh who described the case as "Grotesquely bulging" and I agree with him. It could be a showpiece in a collection for someone, but not for me. I'd rather have a Hexaphone.

Well I'm going to jump in on this too and throw my one cent at this.

Let me start by saying that I'm actually looking for an answer or some insight on my comments and questions below
and am not trying to start a debate or offend anyone. I mean no offense to anyone here on this forum but since joining
and reading through the many threads I've noticed a bit of a pattern but maybe someone can clarify exactly what it is I'm seeing.

There are numerous threads like this one where someone is critical of the asking price of an item on ebay
or at an antique shop they've been to, it seems sellers are asking too much or have their heads in the clouds.
These kinds of threads and comments would imply that there is a market value for these machines, and in fact
this particular thread is suggesting a market value for a multiphone.

Now, go through all the other threads where someone posts a question about what the value of their machine is
and not a single person steps up to the plate to tell them what it is. They get four pages of 'the value is what you and the
buyer agree on'. There was a recent thread about the value of a VV-IX and the poster never got an answer, but now we're complaining
about what the perceived value of a multiphone is???

It's probably because the forum is mostly comprised of collectors or 'buyers' but in my opinion 'gouging' is a two way street.
How often do you respond to a craigslist ad and offer to pay the seller %50 more than they're asking price because
they've under valued their machine? If you saw a multiphone for sale locally at $50,000 would you offer the seller $100,000
or would you think you're getting a great deal?

BTW Brian, none of this is directed specifically at you. As I said, there are numerous threads on the subject, I've
just used this one to post my comments/questions

What if you think of the Mulitphone a a rare exotic car up for auction. The seller wants to see the car sell for a high price. The buyer on the other side is hoping that he may get the deal of the day. As stated above the high bidder will be a person with the financial ability to bid a price that he is willing to pay in order to own that particular car. That price may be the market price, or may be much higher because there is something particular about that car that he just has to have it.

I am sure we all can think of a phonograph of some make or model that we have seen sold for a price that was staggering. We ask ourselves what was that person thinking to bid that high. THEY WANTED IT AND COULD AFFORD IT.

I don't think this forum should be used to insult someone for paying to much for something they bought or the reverse, setting a starting price on an item they are selling that is high. Let's keep this forum positive.

Rich Gordon

I must say that the multiphone for sale is absolutely stunning to say the least. I wonder how many are out there? The seller has amazing 'stuff' and I had the pleasure of obtaining a few pieces from him...first class all the way! As most sellers do they start out with a high price and there is room to negotiate a better price as I was able to do with him.

The second piece to the original post stated "What were a couple of the most expensive phonographs to sell in recent years and for how much?" I am curious to view some posts pertaining to this!

I knew I'd heard that song before...! Note that the following 2009 thread comprises five pages:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... aph#p16008

George P.