Which one of these sets shoud I bid on?

This one,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290420640097

Or this one,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200457704746

I would just go on and spend the 15.5Gs and get the one with the broken crt. Why would you risk being outbid or someone making a say 14G offer and not getting either one.

Good Gawd Gertie...More Waccy Baccy bein' smoked...

Normally I just ignore those people, but it's almost worth creating a fake eBay account, doing the Buy-It-Now, just to let the seller hassle around trying to get the $500 or so in eBay fees refunded.

Charles

Good Gawd Gertie...More Waccy Baccy bein' smoked...

:yikes:Mr. Sandy, put your comments on software the English translation because I do not recognize but I still do not understand? Please clairfy!:saywhat::saywhat:


¡ Hassan gawd gertie the Convention have agreed more waccy baccy bein smoke.!

:screwy::grumpy:Nonetheless, on the original subject, think I the seller that of the second part joke. I must its knowledge that enough to say that price of $15,000 joke is. Why these men waist their time on such do? :D

Normally I just ignore those people, but it's almost worth creating a fake eBay account, doing the Buy-It-Now, just to let the seller hassle around trying to get the $500 or so in eBay fees refunded.

Charles


:nono::tears: mr. Kx250rider, do you really motorcycle fly from the old television sets? :thumbsdn:

The 1957 RCA TV in the second eBay auction for $15,500 is just totally beyond insanity and way too much. That TV is worth anywhere from $100 to $250 in mint condition restored. $15,500 for a 1939 TRK-12 or an RCA Model 5 color TV used for the 1/1/54 Rosebowl Parade I can see, but not a 1957 21-inch RCA Deluxe B&W console.

"Smokin' Waccy Baccy"- Smoking Wacky Tobacco-Marijuana-in other words, the guy's crazy as H3LL thinkin' somebody's gonna pay $15,500 for that set. It's worth MAYBE $150, if it was in operable shape w/excellent CRT, new caps, no cosmetic issues. There ARE TVs that are maybe worth that kind of money, but they're primarily pre-WW2-late '30s sets. Even $15.5K would be pretty generous for an operating 1954 RCA CT-100, an early color set.

"Smokin' Waccy Baccy"- Smoking Wacky Tobacco-Marijuana-in other words, the guy's crazy as H3LL thinkin' somebody's gonna pay $15,500 for that set. It's worth MAYBE $150, if it was in operable shape w/excellent CRT, new caps, no cosmetic issues. There ARE TVs that are maybe worth that kind of money, but they're primarily pre-WW2-late '30s sets. Even $15.5K would be pretty generous for an operating 1954 RCA CT-100, an early color set.

:DItself here you say that someone smokes the marijuana:smoke: if you are at odds with their declaration?

Good thanks!:thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp::th mbsp::thmbsp:

The seller explains his actions in the description with this crazy logic. What I find amusing is that the folks he's complaining about giving him advice on its value are those (like you and me :) ) who really do appreciate vintage sets.

"ok here we go...

This story now is about how much is something worth? This TV to a antique dealer is worth one amount, and to me its worth another.

I have had so many complaints about my price that i decided to raise it. Just to show that this TV or anything else for that matter is worth whatever someone is willing to pay, not what the coplainers tell me its worth.

I started the item at 1500.00 thinking if it would not sell i could lower it as the weeks went on. Oh but no no no people started in on me immediately with their comments.

It has long been the American Dream to buy something at one price and sell it for a profit of some kind.

The people who complain to me about my price want to lower the American economy by cheapining the sale price of all items in America. I beleive this lets sell it cheaper attitude is what is destroying the American economy and the American workforce. If i can not profit i can not afford workers. So i will hold out until i see fit to lower my price which will be my decision and not yours you naysayers of economy growth. Now do i expect a buyer??? Maybe not at this price. But i am taking offers so we will see what happens.

Please sellers stop giving in to the i must sell it cheaper than anyone else idea. You are only short changing yourself. You are also short changing the American economy.

Ultimately its the buyers choice if they want it or not. Its my choice to set the price based on current market trends or overhead.

Maybe next month the overhead will be lower. Maybe higher i dont know. But if i sell it for the $5.00 i was offered it wouldnt even be worth my time. I have also been told its only worth about $35.00 or so. However i can not find this TV anywhere else in America because it is one of a kind in the fact that I chased a truck down and obtained the tv from someone who was going to throw it away. I was hoping to list it as antique and make a few dollars on it and then i had people making statements with no questions about my item. I guess it just made me mad about how little value people put on things.

Sold the tv once already but buyer didnt pick it up."

http://www.wa2ise.com/radios/rca21t8395.jpg
I have a similar set from a year later. Curbside find, I recapped it, but the CRT is weak. Here it is on a brightner.

Why I'm surprised!!

Haven't you heard the old adage -- "You get what you pay for".
Go ahead and buy the more expensive one :-)

Carl

:banana::lmao::lmao:most expensive TV will be pleased a warranty! :headscrat:yippy:

Sanjarali, what you must understand is that MOST people consider old TVs "Junk", & price them accordingly, Free to maybe $50. If you find one in an antique store, the price will likely double that, say $100- 150, but you're STILL gonna have an old TV w/many "Issues"-Capacitors need replacing, maybe a resistor or 2 burnt out, unknown condition of the CRT, refinishing/cleaning/replacing of plastic/pot metal parts, knobs...And you could need a tube or 2. Finding someone to do this kind of work nowadays is getting harder to do, but they are out there, some aren't really even all that bad expensive. Also most TV cabinets need a little help, too, sometimes you can do that kind of work yourself, if you're "Handy", but sometimes you gotta take 'em to a furniture refinisher. You don't of course, HAVE to get yr new treasure working, & in some cases, you CAN'T, but most of us like to see them work, even if now we have to run DVDs or VCRs to get a picture.

Makes you wonder about people like the $15K seller. First they list something that they know nothing about for some inflated price, convinced that they have a rare antique. Why wouldn't they do a little research first and see what the market value is? That would be easy to do. Then someone tells them what the real price should be, and they explode and do something stupid like list this set for $15K. Now any chance of selling it is less than zero, and they still have to pay for the listing. It's an exercise in futility, but a good warning for potential buyers to stay away from such a nutcase.

"Please sellers stop giving in to the i must sell it cheaper than anyone else idea. You are only short changing yourself. You are also short changing the American economy".

I think he's more concerned about his economy!!:D

On the $15.5K offer, the seller wants to lecture the market on his view of economics, not sell it. If he really wants to find out what it's worth, start it at $1.00 and see where it tops out.

"Sold the tv once already but buyer didnt pick it up."

Well, that pretty much sums up the real value of the set, doesn't it?

The seller shot himself in the foot and it felt so good he will keep on doing it. So there! :yes:

Normally I just ignore those people, but it's almost worth creating a fake eBay account, doing the Buy-It-Now, just to let the seller hassle around trying to get the $500 or so in eBay fees refunded.

Charles

I likey this idea......:naughty::deal:

You guys are Eeeville....(grin)

Makes you wonder about people like the $15K seller. First they list something that they know nothing about for some inflated price, convinced that they have a rare antique. Why wouldn't they do a little research first and see what the market value is? That would be easy to do. Then someone tells them what the real price should be, and they explode and do something stupid like list this set for $15K. Now any chance of selling it is less than zero, and they still have to pay for the listing. It's an exercise in futility, but a good warning for potential buyers to stay away from such a nutcase.

If this were December, I'd say they need a tax loss and are using the eBay fees to get it.

:nono::tears: mr. Kx250rider, do you really motorcycle fly from the old television sets? :thumbsdn:

Not those valuable sets in the avatar, but since you ask... I've jumped a CTC-16 combo among other TVs and things. I'd trust my wife to jump a CT-100 though... She's a retired professional MX stunt girl, who has done MX tricks in a few movies & commercials.

Charles

I found out through this ebay ad that we have been cheapening our hobby by not asking enough for our old sets! The ad says we need to do this to help our country. I want the grubby one for 15K and problem solved-our country will be saved.

Julian, you're a FINE Amurrecan !! (grin)

And I always thought sets with UHF were worth more...

If I could get 15K for every set I have MY economy would be very stimulated. :D

Shit, I'd be happy to get $15K for ALL my "Electronica"- Radios, TVs, Boatanchors, the whole kit 'n' kaboodle... A lot less than I've got in it...

The guy is a moron. He said someone bought and didn't pick it up. I assume they didn't pay for it either. Someone buy it as he cannot leave negative feedback!!

I know, maybe buyer thought price was in Colons, as 15,500 of 'em = $30 U.S.

I just sent this comment to the $15.5K seller. I'm sorry; but, I couldn't help it.

"I don't mean to tell you how to run your business; but, wouldn't it be better to start the TV at $1 and then you'll know exactly what the market value is instead of relisting the TV at an inflated price with a bunch of childish ranting? I know that you've received a lot of unwelcome advice from collectors because I'm a member of several TV collecting message boards and I've been tracking these listings. However,If you choose not to take such advice,that's your business as the TV is yours to do with as you please. And, I know you probably don't appreciate my comments; but, I couldn't keep my mouth shut on this one."

And, this was his reply. I think I pissed him off. Stay tuned, next time it will be listed for $100,000, just to teach people like me a lesson.

"Thanks for you time in worrying about something that is not yours. You also call me childish and sure I dont appreciate that very much. Why would I start something at a Dollar when that may be too low? What if nobody looks at the auction that week but one person and they buy it for a dollar? Whats worse is someone the next week may offer 50 dollars or 1000 who knows? I can not follow your ill advice even if you were the most respected collector in the united state and had the market cornered all to yourself. My good man thats what makes America...America. My freedom to start a price wherever I want to. Why again I ask you Why should i start it at a simple single dollar bill??? My friend not only are your comments uncalled for but you also want to advise me to sell something for nothing. Wow... I will definately not follow your advice.
What was your question again about my item???? I didnt see it in any of your comment. I also Want you to know that I receive just as many positive comments as I do negative. Seems that there is two sides of the selling fence."

"Hello, Earth to Seller, Earth to Seller, come in Seller....(ssssssssssssh)....Earth to Seller....." :nutz:

All Your Base Belong To Us....

The 12 pin variety anyway.

Some more amusing Q&A from this listing. WTF is a "Real Buyer" ? A sucker ?

Seems that's what these sellers are bitching about - no suckers to overpay for their crap ! "I hate them all" great way to improve your PR.

What infomercials could he possibly be referring to that "tell you to sell everything you have for a dollar and you will be rich" ?!?

-


Q: I Love your attitude. There is nothing on ebay but a bunch of bottomfeeders. I hate them all. You have an auction listing for 7 days and Nobody bids until the last few seconds if they bid at all. They want everything for nothing. Anyway I hope that you sell it and then you can tell all those nosy suckers that e-mailed you, giving you selling advice, to kiss your WV Butt. Iv'e been on ebay since 1997 and it didn't used to be that way. I try to sell on Craigs List also and there are a bunch of Idiots that also have to make stupid comments on how you should word your ads etc. instead of leaving a person alone that is just trying to weed out the tirekickers and get to the Real Buyers. Trouble is there are No Real buyers anymore. Just people with NO Lives. Jim.

A: I agree maybe all those late night TV commercials that tell you to sell everything you have for a dollar and you will be rich has brainwashed everyone. Is this a giant yard sale or is it a place for peopole to list items for the whole world to see and decide the value?


Q: Thanks for the humor! Although I wouldn't want to pay the listing fees, I've always wanted to do something like this just to rile folks up. I'm sure you've gotten some entertaining responses over this :)

A: Yes it has been a laugh for me hope you guys enjoy it it as much as me.

-

Ebay is rapidly becoming (if not already there) one big rednecky Internet flea market, populated by virtual carnie-folk from the digital trailer park.

This doof is proof-positive of the dismal failure that is the West Virginia public education system. When raising your price for an item with zero demand sounds like a sound economic strategy to you, it’s time to go and beat the crap out of your grandfather, since he obviously got busy behind the wood shed with his sister.

Note to Mr $15.5K Crapola: This marketing scheme doesn't work for the airlines and it won't work for you either. Perhaps unskilled manual labor might be a better fit for you, no?

First off I do not want to make any enemies here this place is great and
I agree this b*tthole selling for $15.5K is crazy, but in principle I understand. I have been selling on Ebay for close to 8 years and I do somewhat agree with the previous post about a bunch of rednecks etc. but as said previously ebay has created a place where the entire country/world can test the free market and come up with values for just about everything. I know for a fact that the last couple months have been very bad for both ebay and the sellers on ebay. Whether it is the inability of ebay to handle the volume on their new severs, the mass exodus of sellers due to crazy policies or the economy, ebays volume has gone down 20-30% just since Christmas. Sellers are more than nervous and many are bailing big time. I'd love to, I hate the company! The seller in this case is looking at an item that by all common sense should be worth more than $15.
If Pioneer, Sansui, Marantz or any decent tube audio gear can go for real $$$, while in the world can't a television. The reason is shipping. Most of you know that but it is just a matter of time before desire and supply outstrips demand. You will see it. If not tommorrow then 1,5 or maybe even 10 years from now but it is coming and you(we) are the ones to gain. Ther are only so many TV's of this vintage. You will know first. When you go to buy that POS for $10 or $100 and the seller doesn't take it!
Back to this particuler auction this guy should of put a "BIN" if he wanted a certain amount. I believe he just wanted something fair. The fair price was probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 in the buyers hands. What I mean by this is that by the time the item was in the buyers possesion it shouldn't have cost more than $100. This includes Delivery, Shipping, Pick Up by the buyer including a truck or SUV and gas money, whatever, all told $100. So where am I going with this mess of a paragraph I have created. In a nutshell Ebay sales are in the toilet. The idea that you can find that supply=demand market price right now is wrong! Big time wrong! I am selling items for 1/3 of what I have been getting for years! Something is wrong and I hope it is not economy wide but possible a lull or problem with ebay.

I don't know about eBay overall, but from what I've seen the average selling price on vintage TV sets has risen quite a bit over the last few years. Many that had been selling in the $100 range have been going in the $300-$500 range.

Check out this thread for examples: http://www.videokarma.org/showthread.php?t=247500

I think the point others were making is that not all sets are created equal. For example, check this out: http://www.tvhistory.tv/1947-53-USA-TV-MonthlyProduction.JPG

About 170,000 sets in 1947, almost 7,500,000 in 1950. Also the earlier sets had more unique designs, features etc. That's why generally post 1950 sets are worth far less with the exception of early color sets and the Philco Predictas. Will that change in the future ? Dunno, but for now they just don't sell for much.

Personally, I don't pay much attention to the price. If I like it and can afford it, I'll pick it up :)

Significant sets are still selling for good money, we've recently seen record prices for the 621TS and the CT-100.

75% of the TV's listed aren't worth the opening bid anymore, $350 for a 60's portable? $200-$300 for mid 50's consoles with missing parts and bad finishes? Usually with the idea that they would make a great Fish Tank, Bar, Bookshelf blah, blah, blah..


eBay in general isn't what it used to be, far fewer sellers and less variety than in the past, they screwed themselves with their own greed.

Wasn't there a rare, early color Motorola that sold for over $10K last summer :scratch2:

These later posts are kinda making my point for me in that the actual price is going up and will continue too, for both pre-50 or post-50 TV's. The problem is in the last few months on ebay whether its new policies, fewer seller, whatever, I don't know, you aren't getting the $$ you used to out of most items. You will always get $$ for rare and quality, that is a given. As a seller my viewpoint is things are just too unpredictable to think you have gotten the most you could out of any specific item. Maybe the Sentinel and Admiral would have gone for even more. Look on Ebay now, if someone wants a true Vintage TV before 1960 how many do they have to choose from? There are 350 million people in the country and another 6 Billion in the world that potentially could want it. Prices will keep going up regardless of almost any outside factor because of this basic comparison and that there will always be fewer of them to choose from.

By the way I sell Coffee Makers on Ebay, nothing related to this site. I'm not a flipper!!!

The point I was trying to make is that there have been some sets very recently that have sold for far more than normal. There was even an empty (!!!) Motorola VT71 that sold for over $300 IIRC not too long ago. The knobs were glued to the cabinet and it was covered in polyurethane.

I think that the death of analog broadcasts plus all the posts and pictures at this site and others plus youtube have driven the prices up in a very erratic manner. I bet that some bidders only care about the "look" of the set or maybe it's for some movie stidio production set. No interest in restoring the set. My concern is that there will be little distinction between properly restored sets, historically significant sets and "cool" looking sets.

It can take quite a bit of money, skill and effort to get on of these sets working properly. When a set that's clearly non-functional sell for premium $$, I have to wonder what's going on.

I don't necessarily agree that the supply vs demand model doesn't work for eBay. I think it does. Demand is down (economy, ebay sucks, whatever) so supply is fairly fat, and the prices (for the most part) are declining. That being said, eBay is difficult to forecast using economic models, primarily due to the fact that one nitwit with more money than sense can significantly skew the analysis. And this same fact is why I argue with sellers I deal with who try to use the "Well, this widget goes for $300 on eBay". I usually counter with, "Then perhaps you should sell it on eBay; me and my 50 bucks will look elsewhere."
Just because one desperate person paid an unreasonable amount for some item does not mean that all of the remaining like-items are now worth the same amount (unless that same desperate person needs many more of the same item and has money to burn).

I, too, have noticed that the amount of stuff for sale on ebay in the radio, phonograph, and TV categories seems to be going down. I think much of that has to do with sellers bailing out because of ebay's new policies. I've also noticed that much of what is listed is offered at an insane price. I think part of that is due to a bad economy and clueless sellers are desperate and are hoping that some moneybags sucker will come along and make them rich.

For me, I no longer sell on ebay due to their crazy policies that have been put into place over the last year or two. In fact, I closed my original ebay accoung when they made the "paypal only" rule and I let them know why I was closing my account. And, the fact that I could no longer leave negative feedback for a buyer didn't make me happy, either.

About 8 months ago, I opened a new ebay account for the purpose of buying and I only deal with buyers who will accept my check or MO. The ones who will not accept such payments don't need my business, anyway. I try, as much as possible, to find things locally or from other collectors, etc; but, there are still some items of interest that only seem to show up on ebay.

Hmmmm, 15 grand + for that set.... Guess my hopes for finding a TS-905 for less than six figures are getting a bit dimmer! I wonder if a kidney or a cornea would be acceptable trade?:thmbsp:

Without getting into a bunch of stories, through personal experience I suspect sellers are dropping off of eBay because they basically have no recourse against a non-paying seller and 10% of the selling price is a lot to lose or have held up for weeks on end.

Then there's the seller who pays and claims you misrepresented the item - before you know it Paypal is holding money in your bank account hostage until you "resolve" the extortion.

And what recourse have you against these types? Ever e-mailed your concerns to eBay or Paypal? I hope you like one-line form letter responses.