The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,
I recently made friends with a new fellow in my area who has become very interested in collecting Phonographs. I sold him an Edison Standard and an Amberola 30 to get him started. Unfortunately without asking my advise he decide to purchase an Edison Triumph off EBay. As you can imagine this very heavy machine arrived in a pile of pieces. It just makes me sick how stupid some EBay sellers are when it comes to properly packing a Phonograph for shipment. A sad way for a new collector to start out! I will do my best to try and glue all the bits back together but it will never be the same!!! Fortunately the mechanism and lid was not broken.
Pete

He should open a case with eBay to return it and get his money back. Then he can get ont in good condition.

Rich Gordon

I suspect half of machines sold on eBay are destroyed during shipping. It just happens a LOT. I highly suggest someone to post an instruction of how to pack antique phonographs safely on eBay guideline.

That does indeed stink. It would seem that many people who sell on ebay have little concept of engineering a package or of how things are handled during shipping. I would encourage your friend to buy or borrow a set of clamps, get some liquid hide glue and put that puppy back together. As bad as it looks, it looks quite salvageable to me. If your friend is careful, I'll bet the original finish can be saved with a minimum of touching up. Better to have the original case mended than to have a replacement from another machine.

Good luck!
Martin

This has happened to me more than once with records even though I gave very specific and detailed instructions on how to pack. It takes HOURS and the right materials to pack an item properly and many sellers go for the short cut....

I had exactly the same experience with a Triumph. The seller promised to ship the case and the mechanism separately. He didn't and wreckage ensued.

Clay

I have successfully shipped many Triumphs without removing the mechanism. It all depends on how you pack, and various techniques for bracing the upper works, combined with proper packing materials. The idea is to prevent shock absorption from the outer box transmitting directly to the unit. A few weeks ago I successfully shipped an even heavier Columbia BC without removing the mech.

But for the average seller on eBay or elsewhere, it's a dicey proposition, for sure.

Raphael

Raphael wrote:I have successfully shipped many Triumphs without removing the mechanism. It all depends on how you pack, and various techniques for bracing the upper works, combined with proper packing materials. The idea is to prevent shock absorption from the outer box transmitting directly to the unit. A few weeks ago I successfully shipped an even heavier Columbia BC without removing the mech.

But for the average seller on eBay or elsewhere, it's a dicey proposition, for sure.

Raphael

I ship the same way as Raphael. If you brace the motor from underneath and then fill the lid with bubble wrap, to the point it is hard to close, they will be OK. That is on Edison's though.

I've never bought a machine on ebay but that is my fear.
As far as records, its been a disaster lately - a few lots came in 90% broken. If I get a lot that is only 10% cracked records I consider it a win.Records shipped in albums often fair much better, especially if the albums are encased in bubble wrap.

A good wrap for a machine like that is anywhere from $90-$120.00 . If its any cheaper, a short cut is being taken for sure..unless you wrap it yourself.

Nothing like a 100 Year+ old machine crossing through time in one piece only to be destroyed in the mail transit..

What a shame... Now I know where we get our new parts machines from...lol....

I've been lucky... I've gotten three Edison machines (2 Homes, and one Standard) off of ebay over the years..and all three were packed well and arrived in one piece Thank God..

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer