Check out ebay item # 330185277145. It is (they claim) for an early '70's Zenith TV and phono combo. TV does not work. OK, just read the description for the really laughable part.

I can look at the turntable and tell it's NOT from the early '70's. Looks more like early '80's to me. And, the CRT bezel looks more like a Curtis Mathes than a Zenith. I'll let the experts here tell me for sure.

Oh yes, and they want $500 for it. I guess everyone's gotten on that "$500 kick" since that '80's Zenith on ebay was "appraised" at $500 (if it were working).

So, he wants at least $500.00 for a huge, heavy, cumbersome console that has a non functional TV, and no real idea as to who made it?

Wow! I always wanted to pay a large amount of money for something that doesn't fully work and takes up lots of space! <sarcasam>

Even better: He has 100% positive feedback! Sure, only one person has left him feedback, but...

Do these people never go to Thrift Stores?

If they did they might have a more realistic idea of what things are worth.
It's almost always 0 feedback sellers too.

Of course I'd never have thought anyone would pay $200 for this one http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=133898
But at least it has some 70's cool factor.

The kicker will be if somebody actually buys it...

I'm am now trying to stay away from low or no feedback sellers on ebay. I know if everyone did this; there would be no ebay. I was burned once by a "take the $$ and run" low feedback seller and I suspect it's about to happen again. I think both were cases where their item didn't bring but a $1 and they were not willing to let it go for that. So, they kept the money.

Another one here only B&W:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260159297279&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=230188391542&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

Busted CRT, missing knobs, $399 + $300 shipping.

If I had a good CRT and he lived next door I might give him $20 for it to save it from the landfill.

This sort of crap not only happens on ebay. I never fail to receive a few calls from people when I place wanted ad's for tube radios, etc. that think just because their item is OLD; then, it's PRICELESS! Just because something is OLD does not mean it's worth a FORTUNE. If the item is in terrible shape; it's likely not going to bring much. The item could be in mint condition; but, if there's not a lot of demand for it, it won't likely bring much. On the other hand, there are newer items that have a high demand that bring big $$. It all boils down to the law of supply & demand.

I've often found that showing too much interest in an item causes the price to triple. Someone may have an item that they were about to throw away until one shows some interest. Then, the price goes sky high just to see how bad one wants it. That seems to happen every time I place a wanted to buy ad in the paper.

Come on. It IS after all, an "antique".

And as for placing "want ads"...well that creates a demand and any normal person would want to try and get top dollar for that special item you're looking for.

...