chopped columbia deluxe - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????????

[brianu]

so this seller, with the ebay name of all names phonatic, is selling one of those columbia deluxes... but chopped because the top portion alone will be easier to ship... WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

seriously, what is wrong with people. note, that he does say he's got the lower portion, and MAY list that on ebay later.

what the hell.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Columbia-Grafonola- ... tsupported

[EdisonSquirrel]

I'm sure the seller would not like it if someone did that to him.



Rocky

[Whittington]

Ok, I was checking into the forum tonight to do my usual reading and learning from all of the experts and came across this thread. I have two points about this auction that I should probably make.

1. I am the person who listed this on Ebay - Phonatic09.

2. I would like to explain the situation as I clearly didn't do a good job of that on Ebay. I bought this phonograph a few weeks ago and found that the bottom record storage had pretty bad veneer issues. It is missing almost all of the veneer from the ground to about a foot or so up the cabinet. The feet were in very bad shape as well and were not even attached to the cabinet. (not to mention that it only has three of the four.) The doors had some trouble closing completely and overall I would rate it a 3 out of ten. So, with the removal of a couple of screws, the top portion can be safely lifted from the record cabinet.

Now that those points are out, please let me explain the Ebay situation. When thinking about it, I decided to list the top portion how it sits as it plays and looks great. In the description, I clearly stated that I also had the bottom portion and if the winner of the auction is interested, he could make an offer and I would be happy to give both portions. There is a good reason for doing this. If someone a couple thousand miles away was just interested in the top for parts/motor, they would have a much more manageable shipping situation and wouldn't be limited to not bid. (Someone already emailed me to see if they could just purchase the motor and parts.) If someone, (regardless of distance) wanted the bottom after winning the auction, they could pay the extra and I would gladly ship both. And if the winner opted not to take the bottom portion, I would probably sell it on Ebay next week as I don't have much use for it and someone out there may. That is where you read about me listing it on ebay later.

Here is where the confusion comes in. I actually posted the auction last night. When I woke up to check it this morning, it was canceled by Ebay because I was offering the bottom portion to the phonograph to the winner and thats against Ebay policies. So I wrote the auction again, this time leaving out that the winner could buy the bottom if they would so choose and the part about listing the bottom on Ebay later was left in. So please know that I didn't chop the phonograph in any way and actually would like the winner to have both. So at this point, I will be emailing the winner to offer it as well if they would like and if not, I understand completely. There was no damage done to the phonograph and I apologize that you took the listing the wrong way. I will change the Ebay listing in the morning so that people don't think I chopped a beautiful phonograph.

With all of that out of the way, I would like to say one more thing. I am new to the phonograph collecting/restoring hobby and like most of you, have quickly become almost obsessed with it as I can't seem to learn enough or have enough phonographs. I have collected/studied phonos for about 6 months now and I hope that helps to explain the name. Phonatic09 seemed appropriate as I couldn't think of anything else that I spend more time on at the moment. So again, I apologize for upsetting anyone if I have as that was not my intentions. I will change the Ebay listing so it is more clear and will put a pic on of the cabinet so there is no more confusion.

I do appreciate your concern though and will take it into consideration on the next good one I come across that I sell.

Best Regards,

Jeff (Phonatic09)

[Neophone]

Jeff,

Welcome to the hobby and welcome to the TMF. I know I just learned something new-I didn't know those babies were actually made in two pieces. I am very glad that it wasn't actually decapitated by anyone.

I do see your reasoning behind the separation, however on such a rare model-even with the bottom badly damaged many collectors would prefer to see them remain together. (I say this without knowing how bad the bottom half actually is so please forgive any assumptions. I have seen some machines with their bottom half nearly completely rotted away, so I can imagine.)

I hope you can find a buyer who desires to use as many of the parts as possible to restore another.

Once again welcome.

Regards,
John

[gramophoneshane]

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the information on your Columbia. I guess it's not quite as bad as it might seem at first.
Still, I have to say, I don't think you've done yourself any favours by separating the top & base, and I think you'd have got a better outcome by listing the machine as you found it- warts & all.
As it stands now, I think you will only really attract bids for the motor & tonearm.
Had you left the machine & listed the whole machine, people could see the complete machine with all its faults. Being a somewhat high-end & desirable phonograph, there would be quite a few collectors out there willing to restore it, even if that meant rebuilding legs etc & reveneering half the machine.
Anyone who looks at the listing as it is, has no idea what condition the base is in, or even "if" they will be able to buy it at a later date, and what cost that might involve.
Because of this, I think most collectors will simply write off the entire cabinet, and look at it as a spare parts machine only.

[Whittington]

Thanks everyone for the kind and understanding replies. After reading everything and because I have received several messages on Ebay, I am going to attempt to revise my listing and include the bottom as it sits. I will carefully replace the top and will take some pictures of the phonograph in total and will see if that helps everyone. I must state, however, that I would be more than happy to leave the bottom out of the equation if the winner decides that is what he wants. Thanks again and be sure to check on the auction soon so you can evaluate the bottom and continue offering your generous and helpful advice.

Regards,

Jeff

[Whittington]

Wow this has become an ordeal. I signed on a bit ago to amend my listing and can't because there is a bid. I can't add pictures of the bottom and can's add items to a listing that has already been bid on. So I am going to attempt to contact the bidder and see if I can cancel the listing, and then will re-list it again tonight with the bottom included. That may be the easiest route at this point. I learned a valuable lesson with this one!

Ps. Side note, I have a Columbia Graphophone Model AK (early cabinet) if anyone is interested. It doesn't have the horn or reproducer, but everything else is there. If interested, I can send pictures.

[Whittington]

Ok. It is posted and is complete with the bottom. Sorry again about the confusion. But hopefully now you can see why it may have been a benefit for someone not interested in putting in the work to be able to just bid on the top. Its all there now! Thanks again for all who offered advice. I appreciate it.

[edisonc250]

This is exactly what this forum is for."Communication" amoung peers, those with years of knowledge and experience shared with the newcomers. Hopefully, now that machine will be preserved and restored.

[gramophoneshane]

Wow! It actually looks like a pretty easy restoration. I'm sure in a few months it will look as good as new. I'm really pleased to see you've relisted it & another one of these beautiful machines will be added to the list of survivors.
I think you can see from the bids so far at this early stage, that listing the complete machine was the right way to go.
I did notice that the original listing is still up though. I'm pretty sure you can just cancel the original listing without any explanation apart from the item no longer being available, but you only have until 12 hours before the auction ends to do so. You might want to fix that up before it's too late & you land yourself in hot water