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Post by Moooperator on Jan 13, 2009 10:36:51 GMT -6
Is it just me or is the quality of items on ebay right now just plain sad. There's a few nice things but most everything on my searches is coming up junk or near junk. BTW Check out the record on this machine on ebay and then read the last line in the decription! ;D [/URL
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zeppy
One Spring Motor
Posts: 30
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Post by zeppy on Jan 13, 2009 11:01:48 GMT -6
I've been genuinely surprised how pitiful ebay has become. I used to win some 10 to 12 auctions a month, and now I'm lucky if it's 1 a month. Just the quality of auctions has taken a nose dive. Here I hoped the economic down turn would produce a flood of people parting with "grand dad's stuff" for cheap, and the pickens have really been slim. Granted I have seen the price of things drop (at least for some things). Credenzas going for around $500, the smaller outside horn machines going for $700. But the quantity and quality has really dropped...sellers waiting for the economy to get a better price? Where's the economic down turn when you need it?
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schweg
Three Spring Motor
Posts: 218
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Post by schweg on Jan 13, 2009 11:09:24 GMT -6
I wonder if folks are holding off on selling thinking that prices will be down anyway?
I've had better luck lately on Craigslist and attending auctions in person. I don't much mind driving for an item that's "worth it" to me. I recently drove 9 hrs each way for a couple of floor model Victors, nice ones, but probably not ultra-rare. It's what I do for fun though so I don't mind. To me, better than walking up and down a golf course!!
Steve
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wjw
Two Spring Motor
Posts: 89
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Post by wjw on Jan 13, 2009 12:12:26 GMT -6
Things will come around as people realize that they can't sell high and buy low!
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Post by rjsoftware on Jan 13, 2009 17:55:39 GMT -6
Everybodies waiting to see what happens when Obama takes over.
RJ
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brad
One Spring Motor
Posts: 41
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Post by brad on Jan 13, 2009 19:14:43 GMT -6
I think that more and more people are turning to Craigslist so they don't have to deal with having to deal with buyers that are geographically distant and the logistics of shipping. eBay seems to be more supportive of power sellers.
Craigslist, the bay, and auctions are just like garage sales... it's all the luck of the draw.
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Post by Jim C. on Jan 13, 2009 19:23:56 GMT -6
I think that more and more people are turning to Craigslist so they don't have to deal with having to deal with buyers that are geographically distant and the logistics of shipping. eBay seems to be more supportive of power sellers. Craigslist, the bay, and auctions are just like garage sales... it's all the luck of the draw. I agree. And eBay is all about fees to them for every little thing. You feel like you are constantly having your pocket picked by them. AFAIK, Craigslist is free to the seller. And it is easy. If someone wants to search a list out of their area (and deal with shipping), that's up to them. I like it. Mahalo, Jim C.
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Post by AZ on Jan 13, 2009 21:15:41 GMT -6
My phono-related purchases on ebay have also dropped off. I'm not seeing much that interests me either. Unfortunately, Craigslist in my area doesn't have much to offer.
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 13, 2009 22:05:47 GMT -6
There are some great buys coming though craigslist but sadly if it is a long distance purchase sometimes another interested party can undermine your deal and you loose out.
But craigslist is fun to search
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Post by rjsoftware on Jan 13, 2009 23:08:55 GMT -6
I'm kinda Craigslist ignorant. Once you find something, what do you do, email them with an offer...?
RAJ
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Post by Jim C. on Jan 14, 2009 0:52:49 GMT -6
You deal with the seller by e-mail mainly. Some people put their phone number in the ad. It is sort of like the old newspaper classified ads, only the automatic way of contacting them is by e-mail (to an anonymous e-mail address created by Craigslist just for that ad). If they are near you, you agree to get together to see the thing they are selling. Works out OK when you deal locally. Need to be more careful when dealing at a distance.
Jim C.
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zeppy
One Spring Motor
Posts: 30
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Post by zeppy on Jan 14, 2009 8:36:01 GMT -6
I haven't had much luck on craig's list either. There was one Victor Revere that was local for around $350 that I was considering...but the wife wouldn't give in (she seems to think a crib is more important...I couldn't even sneak it in as a stealth changing table).
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 14, 2009 10:59:41 GMT -6
Well Zeppy, I think it would have been a fine changing table. Flip down area for the baby to lay, Supplies in the record storage area and some nice Caruso to play to develop Little Zep's mind!
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Post by MTPhono on Jan 14, 2009 11:04:56 GMT -6
The biggest problem I see with Craigslist is certainly the distance issue. Unlike eBay, most Craigslist sellers are unable/unwilling to pack and ship properly.
Re: eBay - while I haven't been seriouslylooking at machines for a few years, paper, accessories and records are abundant though prices are still high. For me (living in BFE), eBay is still far and away the best online source for phono items.
Re: the recession - I don't think the real effects have taken hold. Unemployment is still relatively low and those losing homes (mostly speculators from what I have been reading) probably aren't in the antique/phono markets. I don't think we want to see what a real recession/depression would do to us as collectors. Sure there would be good deals but could you afford them?
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 14, 2009 11:23:32 GMT -6
IF you really want a long distance craigslist find that is not a huge floor model machine. Just tell them to take it to their local UPS store, contact the manager that (FILL IN THE BLANK) is bringing a Victor 6 with mahogany horn and that he should give the certified bank check to them and that he is to pack it and change it to your credit card. Usually you get such a good deal that you can afford the extra $40-$70 in good packing. But I got stung once on craigslist for $80. The guys was selling an Edison portable and I did the above. After it was in route I say that his photo was just like on matt's edison website. Mine turn out to be a chunky off brand portable. But it did have an Edison record with it. The guy offered to refund my money. But that's all he did... offered. Not responding to the emails anymore.
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