The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181262619670?ss ... 1438.l2649
Is all the parts there? The horn is missing.

I saw that this morning. Apparently a coin-op machine. Curious that it is in a completely disassembled state. Makes you wonder how that came about. Would be very hard to determine if it were all there without having a knowledgeable person look it over in person. Could be a treasure or a money pit, depending on what's there and condition.

Clay

I don't see parts for the coin mechanism. Of course, looking at wrapping paper and peering at parts through dirty glass or plastic containers isn't optimal. Couldn't the seller have spread out everything so it could be...seen?

Remarkable laziness!

(Makes one wonder how carefully they will pack this for shipment.)

George P.

George,
My thoughts about shipping were the same as yours.
I doubt they had any idea it would even go this high and that is why they did not bother to show all the parts.
Dave

It looks like a charity thrift store selling it. They just got 2 boxes of parts donated and are likely completely clueless.

Who knows what you'd get. But it is kind of intriguing. If a Forum member gets it, let us know.

Clay

I see from the listing that another ebayer has given the seller advice on how best to display and photograph the components, and that the seller will try to do this if time permits.

Please remember that charity shops (as we call them in the UK) are staffed by volunteers who cannot be expected to be knowlegeable about every item donated. These people need our help, not our criticism.

My next door neighbour is the co-ordinator for a chain of local charity shops, and if a gramophone is donated she calls me in. I check it over and advise on a realistic asking price, which helps the charity and portrays our hobby in a favourable light.

Well said "epigramophone."

Clay

epigramophone wrote:
Please remember that charity shops (as we call them in the UK) are staffed by volunteers who cannot be expected to be knowlegeable about every item donated. These people need our help, not our criticism.

I didn't mean to come off as being harsh.

I certainly don't expect sellers to be knowledgeable regarding antique talking machines (they seldom are), but providing clear photos of what they're selling is not too much to ask. By doing so, they are acting in the best interests of the charity and the buyer alike.

To be empathetic toward charity volunteers is admirable. I think the charity itself (which relies upon these sales and to whom the volunteer is responsible) and the buyer (who will pay a substantial sum for this item) are worthy of at least as much consideration.

George P.

phonogfp wrote: To be empathetic toward charity volunteers is admirable. I think the charity itself (which relies upon these sales and to whom the volunteer is responsible) and the buyer (who will pay a substantial sum for this item) are worthy of at least as much consideration.

George P.

George, absolutely! However the way to get at it is with a helpful suggestion to the novice seller about remedying the situation, which someone has apparently done. Let's hope they take that good advice inasmuch as, as you indicate, it is in their potentially substantial interest as well as that of the buyer.

Clay

Agreed.

Admittedly, it could be a full-time job instructing eBay sellers. I typically do so only when I'm interested in purchasing the item. (There are only 24 hours in a day!)

However, I won't vent here anymore about some of the things I observe on eBay.

George P.