Bargain Amberola b1

[mariof]

Now guys I'm sure many of you saw this on eBay last week... Now the photographs were none to revealing and as you'd imagine there were a number of requests for more pictures. It was on my second request that extra pics were emailed to me, about 2 hours prior to the auction end. Obviously the way it was presented meant that many were reluctant to bid so when I saw the extra pictures (again not great) I was the only bidder.

It was the extras that made this an item worth going for. I was surprised to be the only bidder!

Here is the link to the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... tsupported

And here are the links to the pics received just before the end

http://members.optusnet.com.au/frazzy1/b1/100_1741.jpg
http://members.optusnet.com.au/frazzy1/b1/100_1742.jpg
http://members.optusnet.com.au/frazzy1/b1/100_1744.jpg
http://members.optusnet.com.au/frazzy1/b1/100_1755.jpg
http://members.optusnet.com.au/frazzy1/b1/100_1756.jpg

The phonograph AND the cabinet was collected by UPS on Monday and should already be here in Australia

Cheers,
Mario

[Valecnik]

Mario,

Again congratulations. A great addition to your collection. It always amazes me that a seller will try to sell something of such great value based on a couple poor quality pictures. Fortunately you were able to get a few more pictures before the option closed.

[Kirkwood]

Mario----Well done! After viewing the auction listing and then the subsequent photos, this deal looks remarkably better once one finds out what is included. That looks like 2 extra (?) reproducers in the drawer? I'm still not clear just how many cylinders are included in this deal, and it would be interesting to find out what you think when everything arrives on your doorstep. I'd have concerns about the packing and/or crating, not to mention the handling in transport, but perhaps you have better luck in this area than many others have experienced. Keep us posted whenever you get it home. I can take enjoyment in the good luck of others, since I'm off buying anything myself for a while.

I have to second the opinions of Valecnik----with something like this, why do they scrimp on the photos and descriptions??? They can post up to 12 shots per listing. The details are scant, and it would seem that the seller is at least marginally knowledgeable about what's being offered. When I think of what I go through to post eBay auctions of items of far far lesser value, (photos, research, descriptions, etc), it's puzzling how other sellers can be so careless. Glad it all worked in your favor, though.

[Andersun]

Mario,

Sweeeeet machine with extra goodies! I NEVER saw it listed and I watch Ebay every 5 minutes!!!!! I bet you are as excited about receiving the machine as I am about not receiving it! LOL

Steve

[mariof]

Unfortunately this has turned into a bit of a nightmare rather than a Bargain. The cabinet is not a 1B but rather a 1A and the mechanism is an Amberola III mechanism. I felt sick in the stomach making the discovery.

Mario

PS. I am looking for the working of a 1A (brown or gunmetal finish)

[need4art]

Hi All,
This is what keeps me up nights. After being in the art restoring business for over 30 years-you cannot believe the items that my customers have brought me to have restored that they bought via on line auctions or through ebay. They thought from photos and descripions that the item was in much better shape then it was. Photos, even very good ones can only tell part of the story. They simply cannot tell you the whole story and a description is only as good as the author. For important purchases you really have to see the item. Yes I have friends that have bought classic cars from ebay and also antiques but it is usually after the auction has closed on a no sale basis and they have had a chance to really TALK to the seller.
Mario-I feel for you there is nothing worse than having an idea of what you just bought not turning out like what you thought. We are all big boys and girls but something like this is not fun whether the seller knew or not what he was selling was not correct.
I guess the best thing is if you cannot go see it yourself-deal with those you know or get someone who is in the area to go look at if possible. That brings up another thought-we do not have a directory of members by name-but could we produce one that lists where we have members for just such purpose?

Just a thought Abe

[Valecnik]

Hi All,

I guess the best thing is if you cannot go see it yourself-deal with those you know or get someone who is in the area to go look at if possible. That brings up another thought-we do not have a directory of members by name-but could we produce one that lists where we have members for just such purpose?

Just a thought Abe

I was also thinking that a directory of names by city, state and country would be great for those who are willing to participate. I'm sure there are many of us who would not mind hopping in a car and driving a half hour or hour to have a look at something for a fellow member wishing to buy an item.

Mario, I'm sorry to hear it did not turn out to be what you thought it was. How do you know it's a 1A cabinet? I assume it got the type A sn plate? I'm pretty sure there are legitimate 1Bs in that style cabinet.

[phonogfp]

Unfortunately this has turned into a bit of a nightmare rather than a Bargain. The cabinet is not a 1B but rather a 1A and the mechanism is an Amberola III mechanism. I felt sick in the stomach making the discovery.

Mario

PS. I am looking for the working of a 1A (brown or gunmetal finish)

Mario,
Yes - I'll ask the same question as Valecnik - how do you know the cabinet is for a 1A?
George P.

[need4art]

O.K.-so is the group wanting to or willing to form a directory of some form and if so how do we proceed?
Abe

[mariof]

Hey Guys,

The ID plate reads model A. The internal hardware has a gun metal finish. The serial number on the mechanism indicates a mechanism made for an Amberola 3 and the Serial numbers (mechanism and Cabinet) do not match.

Regards,
Mario