The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

...so there's this guy selling what looks like a VV-XI on eBay. The machine looks good, but there's only ONE photo in the ad, with no mention of the model number or ID plate. He's asking for a $4000.00 starting bid and a "Buy it Now" price of $50,000.00! If the machine was made with Circassian Walnut veneer, I could understand that pricing but, according to "Look For The Dog", the VV-XI wasn't finished that way. To be helpful, I sent the gentleman a message stating that his pricing was way, way, way out of line with reality, the market is pretty saturated with this machine, and that he probably would get no bidders or buyers. Again, according to "LFTD", the VV-XI will usually go from $100 to $600, unless it's made with Circassian Walnut. I wished him luck, and he responded by acknowledging that it was MY opinion and if I didn't need the machine, find something better to do and worry about myself.

He's probably right, but, when I see a $50,000.00 price tag for a fairly common Victrola, I wonder whether he has a novice's wishful thinking and hoping, or he knows exactly what he's doing and is going for the big score on a buyer who may not know any better.

I'd put it down to naïveté and the triumph of optimism over research.

Did you get an answer? I've tried to inform once or twice - some have revised their offerings, some have ignored, a few have resented...

I haven't found the posting again, but, to be honest, I haven't been looking either. In my experience, the seller's response was probably a knee-jerk reaction to being questioned, or denial at being found out. Who knows? Anyway, I already own two VV-XI's and don't plan to continue the hunt. Life marches on!

How could you hold back, at such a bargain price?? I'd be all over this like flies at a landfill.

Mmm, wonder if I could get 50 big ones for my XI that I paid a bill for back in the '80s? Dream on....