Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: Perry on February 05, 2009, 02:38:43 PM

Title: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Perry on February 05, 2009, 02:38:43 PM
Could this be serious?
http://tinyurl.com/vintage-telephone (http://tinyurl.com/vintage-telephone) ( dead link 03-31-21 )
"PERFECT FOR THE COLLECTOR OF OLD FASHION TELEPONES"
:D
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: BDM on February 05, 2009, 02:47:22 PM
Reminds me of the clueless sellers with $10 radios, pricing them at $30K. D/P knows what I'm talking about.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Steve on February 05, 2009, 02:56:54 PM

Looks like he's normally a Buyer not a Seller. his name fits him on this auction though.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 05, 2009, 03:05:23 PM
Being that I'm a trouble-maker (sometimes), I sent this comment/question:

The collector of old phones probably wouldn't pay more than $30-$35 for that phone.  What makes yours so valuable?  Am I missing something??

We'll see what kind of response it brings.  (The Ad says it is perfect for the collector of old fashion telephones).

It reminds me of a guy I knew once upon a time.  He put a sign in the window of his junker asking $2,000 when it may have been worth a couple hundred dollars at the time.  His theory was that a sucker is born every day.  You never know, he said, someone may pay that much.  His name was not P.T. Barnum.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 05, 2009, 03:10:47 PM
The seller posted my question and his answer on the listing.  I guess that's what the phone is worth to him.

Ebay loves people like that.  The listing fee is based upon the asking price AND the Buy It Now price and it doesn't matter if he sells it.  He/She still has to pay a listing fee.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Perry on February 05, 2009, 03:23:17 PM
I guess that answers my question, then. I though that maybe it was just a floating decimal point, and that he had intended to ask for a $50 BIN (still too high for that phone, I think).
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Konrad on February 05, 2009, 06:07:04 PM
The answer is very simple, he owes his drug dealer $3,200.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: JimH on February 05, 2009, 07:05:09 PM
Oh boy.  Someone else set this guy off.  Check out his auction now!
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Steve on February 05, 2009, 07:14:07 PM

Dont be so hard on the guy. hes offering free shipping!
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: bingster on February 05, 2009, 07:22:09 PM
Auctions like this get mention on the radio forum, too.  Everybody remember those humongous stereo consoles from the 1960s and 70s?  They took up a whole wall because they were so long.  They sound good, but they're so big nobody wants them, and for that reason they're practically worthless.  A person would be lucky to get twenty bucks for one.  Anyway, there have been auctions where people think they're worth a fortune, because they're so nice, or because grandma had one, or because they remember listening to Christmas music on them when they were kids, or... the list is endless. 

Anyway the poor, deluded fools will post one of these behemoths for thousands of dollars, and kind advice from experts bring about the exact same responses.

"There are none so blind as those who will not see."
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 05, 2009, 07:30:25 PM
I guess "deluded" pretty much sums it up well, Bingster.  I've just never seen anyone go ballistic on Ebay like that.  Scary.  It actually reminds me of the tactics (and poor language skills) of scam artists.  Great great grandmother?  Should the buyer care? ::)
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Perry on February 05, 2009, 07:44:00 PM
I guess most of the 302s were owned by someone's grandmother or grandfather, but that wouldn't translate to an increased value unless that (great)grandparent was really famous. I wouldn't point that out to this guy, though. He will eventually see that his phone is not worth what he thinks it is.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 05, 2009, 08:31:27 PM
Oh wow!  I've got to stop myself from pressing the BIN button!   Stop me!  Someone help!!   Such a GREAT deal!  His great-gramma owned it! 

Stop me before I BIN again!
;)


Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 05, 2009, 08:39:35 PM
Heath, you are getting sleepy...sleepy...
Just think of the free shipping...
Don't ask any questions that might upset or insult the seller.
Just push the oh-so-enticing BIN button NOW.
Make his great great grandmother proud.
After all, the phone is "ORIGINAL" and RARE!!!
(He yelled, in giant capital letters.)
Hey, it's also a Deco Lucy Phone!  I've never seen one on Ebay!  WOW! L@@k!!!!!
Great photos and description also.
And just in case you're worried about provenance, here are pictures of the seller and his great great grandmother:
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 05, 2009, 10:34:34 PM
Yer tempting me, and I thought you were my friends.

It either buy this phone or eat for the next 6 months, hmmmm.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Bill Cahill on February 06, 2009, 09:05:04 AM
Quote from: BDM on February 05, 2009, 02:47:22 PM
Reminds me of the clueless sellers with $10 radios, pricing them at $30K. D/P knows what I'm talking about.

Or, the "very rare" tv "from the 1940's" that is really a late '50's model that has a starting bid of 399.99.

Bill Cahill
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: winkydink on February 06, 2009, 09:19:40 AM
Speaking of insane prices, I was going to start a different topic but a can mention it here.

What is up with the prices of the 302's lately.  Back in the fall a scuffed up one could be had for around $15-20.  The prices went up before Christmas and then down again after Christmas.

Now scuffed up poorly photographed phones are going for $35-$45 and any thing with any hint of a shine is in the $45 to $60 range.  "refurbished or restored" even more.  Is this cyclical and after the warm weather appears will we see a sharp drop in prices on ebay ?
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Perry on February 06, 2009, 10:09:43 AM
The phone listing has been updated with a rant about "Lucy." It's now a "featured item," too. Does that come from having lots of views, or does the seller have to pay extra for it?
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: benhutcherson on February 06, 2009, 10:15:05 AM
Depending on how "featured" you want it to be, a featured listing can add anywhere from a few bucks to a couple of hundred.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: winkydink on February 06, 2009, 10:16:02 AM
Quote from: Perry on February 06, 2009, 10:09:43 AM
The phone listing has been updated with a rant about "Lucy." It's now a "featured item," too. Does that come from having lots of views, or does the seller have to pay extra for it?

Here is the rant ...


TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WONDERING WHY THE PRICE IS SET HIGH IS BECAUSE IT WAS PASSED ON TO ME BY MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHERS AND RARE..... GOOD LUCK MAY THE BEST PERSON WIN!

PLEASE DONT COMPARE THIS TO THE "LUCY SHOW" AS WELL ALL KNOW THEY US PROPTS.THIS IS AUTHENTIC....SO STOP COMPARING TOTHE "LUCY" PHONE YOU SEE N THE SHOW THEY US A PROTOTYPE...NOT A REAL PHONE..............................


Except lt has a font size of 40 or 50  :D

... and for most of us with even a marginal handle on the english language (myself included) it should be "USE" not "US"
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: JimH on February 06, 2009, 10:24:32 AM
HE DON'T GOT NO GRASP OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, I SEEN PEOPLE RIGHT LIKE HIM BEFORE IT'S AWEFULL.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 06, 2009, 10:34:38 AM
The new rant in semi-English is interesting; claiming that this is NOT a LUCY PHONE, because LUCY used PROP phones and this one is AUTHENTIC.

I too wonder what the seller is paying for this listing.  Do you sense a little bit of desperation in the description?  Maybe it gets re listed after it doesn't sell with a lower price and a more thought out, calmer description?  Or some sucker actually buys it and drives the prices of 302s into a giant price bubble and we all get rich? ;)

Winkydink, I wonder too about the price changes on Ebay. In the thread "Tips on Selling on Ebay" Dennis discusses the prices generally going down around April and not going up until the Xmas season approaches.  So...buy low in Summer and sell high for Xmas?

And have we ourselves driven up the price by competing with each other?  Personally I've stopped buying phones as I already have more than enough to keep me occupied for a long long time.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 06, 2009, 12:09:04 PM
My analogy of the prices is purely based upon my experiences when I sold phones.  I do believe the prices generally for run-of-the-mill phones has increased over the past couple of years.  Seems like a black 500 could be had for a couple bucks....I know I picked up several soft plastic black 554's for under $5 plus shipping a few years ago.  But I also think this economy is effecting sales.  Again, I'm strictly talking phones--and not the rare stuff, (Mahogany, Mediterranean Blue, A1's, etc).  In the summer time who has time to sit in front of the computer and look for phones?  Especially here in the north east where summer only last 8 weeks!  I still like summer time flea markets---no shipping costs!
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Steve on February 06, 2009, 03:45:27 PM

LOL!

I asked him if the 'pone' works and he said yes. who told him it's 240 years old?
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 06, 2009, 03:50:55 PM
I noticed I made an error in my previous posting...I wrote Princess instead of prices.....

Obviously the 302 dude has some "issues" as they say.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: benhutcherson on February 06, 2009, 03:51:21 PM
I just sent him a question with links to five completed 302s, none of them "Lucy" phones, and all under $50, and asking him how his telephone differs from those.

I'll be interested to see his response.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: BDM on February 06, 2009, 04:23:12 PM
Quote from: benhutcherson on February 06, 2009, 03:51:21 PM
I just sent him a question with links to five completed 302s, none of them "Lucy" phones, and all under $50, and asking him how his telephone differs from those.

I'll be interested to see his response.

He'll tell you to go away cause you're making him mad! Just for that, he's going to take his toys and leave the sandbox!!
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: JimH on February 06, 2009, 05:38:56 PM
As Billy Joel sings in "Movin' Out", "You should never argue with a crazy my my mind......
you ought-a know by now....."
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Konrad on February 06, 2009, 09:13:04 PM
BIN it
The price has dropped to a very reasonable $1500 BIN. 

Considering my average cost on 302's is under $30 it will save you having to find space to store 50 phones you could buy for the same money.  Grandma's phone is worth more than 50 generic Lucy phones.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 06, 2009, 09:15:30 PM
Go to his auction now and read all the questions you jokers keep feeding him.  It's hilarious!  You guys are really rattling his cage!  He seems to be waking up a bit as the BIN price is now down to only 1,500.

We should somehow save this e-bay page on the forum for posterity, it's that funny.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 06, 2009, 10:41:03 PM
Okay you clowns I had to get in on this fun before the good times end.  I asked the seller the following question:

"i Want a pone like this but how do you use it?  i only can buy if i no how to us it, can yoou explain?"

Here I am, getting all wicked in my old age.   ;)
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dan/Panther on February 06, 2009, 10:45:54 PM
BDM;
I know exactly what you mean !

McHeath;

You are twisted...
D/P
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Steve on February 06, 2009, 10:46:38 PM
 someone needs to get him to open it up and give us the dates on the various parts. :D
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: bingster on February 06, 2009, 11:22:29 PM
Quote from: McHeath on February 06, 2009, 10:41:03 PM
Okay you clowns I had to get in on this fun before the good times end.  I asked the seller the following question:

"i Want a pone like this but how do you use it?  i only can buy if i no how to us it, can yoou explain?"

Here I am, getting all wicked in my old age.   ;)

He answered.  And I think he likes you--he was very helpful!

Somebody should ask him what wireless plan it works on.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Konrad on February 06, 2009, 11:28:45 PM
Quote from: bingster on February 06, 2009, 11:22:29 PM
Somebody should ask him what wireless plan it works on.

A better question being that I'm a geek is to ask him if it will work with Bluetooth.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 07, 2009, 12:56:37 AM
Geez that's funny!  Wireless plan!  Bluetooth!   ;D

Yeah I saw my answer, but i stil noncleer on how tow us a it.
;)

Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: winkydink on February 07, 2009, 08:11:58 AM
Quote from: Steve on February 06, 2009, 10:46:38 PM
someone needs to get him to open it up and give us the dates on the various parts. :D

OK, I made a request and gave him instructions on how to open the base and the handset to look for part dates.

(You guys can't have all the fun)

Film at 11:00

Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: winkydink on February 07, 2009, 08:21:10 AM
Quote from: bingster on February 06, 2009, 11:22:29 PM
Quote from: McHeath on February 06, 2009, 10:41:03 PM
Okay you clowns I had to get in on this fun before the good times end.  I asked the seller the following question:

"i Want a pone like this but how do you use it?  i only can buy if i no how to us it, can yoou explain?"

Here I am, getting all wicked in my old age.   ;)

He answered.  And I think he likes you--he was very helpful!

Somebody should ask him what wireless plan it works on.

...Or, can it be converted to a wireless phone !
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Konrad on February 07, 2009, 10:40:11 AM
It is worth the money as it is the earliest 302 known to exist.  We all thought the 302 started in 1937.  But if this is more than 75 years old that would make it 1934 or earlier.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: winkydink on February 07, 2009, 06:05:53 PM
Quote from: winkydink on February 07, 2009, 08:11:58 AM
Quote from: Steve on February 06, 2009, 10:46:38 PM
someone needs to get him to open it up and give us the dates on the various parts. :D

OK, I made a request and gave him instructions on how to open the base and the handset to look for part dates.

(You guys can't have all the fun)

Film at 11:00



Here is his answer

Quote
FOUNDIT..11-24-37,OG MY MISTAKE IT IS HEAVY PLASTIC ALTHOGUHT IF FEELS AS HEAVY AS METAL


Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 07, 2009, 08:01:23 PM
I don't think the seller is crazy.  The sellers' very poor use of the English language and transparently dubious tactics are those of a very poor scam artist.  Just my .02 of course.  Whatever the case, this whole episode is rather fun in a happily sinister sort of way... :)

BTW, I have seen 302s converted to Bluetooth being sold online, and you can buy kits for the conversion.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 08, 2009, 01:47:18 PM
The fellow is three minutes away from heart ache....when it doesn't sell.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 08, 2009, 01:54:31 PM
Auction ended with zero bids.  What a surprise.
So how much will he have to pay Ebay to run that ad?
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 08, 2009, 02:10:55 PM
Dang!  I missed out!  I was gonna swoop in at the last 10 seconds and snatch that prize up.
:D

Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 08, 2009, 03:30:14 PM
Ebay will let him relist it and if it sells he will not have to pay to RE-LIST but he will still have to pay the original fee, which he will also have to pay if he doesn't re-list it.  They have a place where you can see but trying to remember back when I was doing Buy It Now I think I paid $3 - $4 on a hundred.   Maybe a little less, maybe a little more.  I'll bet that listing, with all the buzzers and whistles cost him $10-15.  He paid to have that box around his listing.....one of their enhanced features.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Bill Cahill on February 08, 2009, 10:24:59 PM
Where's my checkbook? Whare's my checkbook?
Lucy!
Wha'd you do wi' mi checibook!?
:D Bill Cahill
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Perry on February 09, 2009, 05:12:50 PM
It's a good thing that you waited. The phone is now relisted at a lower price:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160314987770 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160314987770) ( dead link 03-31-21 )

Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 09, 2009, 05:13:54 PM
Well, at least he's an optimist.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 09, 2009, 05:28:20 PM
...and still retains his excellent description...
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Konrad on February 09, 2009, 06:01:11 PM
I'm sorry I don't understand why a 302 is not a Lucy? (Tongue firmly planted in cheek)
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 09, 2009, 06:25:19 PM
(Toungue in cheek, continued...)
Well, Konrad, the seller has explained it perfectly clearly:

"PLEASE DONT COMPARE THIS TO THE "LUCY SHOW" AS WELL ALL KNOW THEY US PROPTS.THIS IS AUTHENTIC....SO STOP COMPARING TOTHE "LUCY" PHONE YOU SEE N THE SHOW THEY US A PROTOTYPE...NOT A REAL PHONE."

Clear as day.

Wait a minute.  A prototype and/or prop that was used in the Lucy Show?  Do you know what THAT would be worth?  Uh Oh.  I'm thinking of an evil question to ask the seller...Poor guy... ;D
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 09, 2009, 06:55:03 PM
Okay, well... I couldn't take it any longer so I asked the seller:

"Hello,

I am a collector of rare Western Electric Model 302s.  I read your description very carefully, and I am sorry to ask a question but I am still a little bit unclear.

At first I thought it was either a prototype 302, or a prop 302 that was used on the "I love Lucy" show. That would make your phone very valuable.

But a regular black 302 can easily be bought on Ebay for around $30. un-refurbished, to $180.if completely refurbished. If you go on Ebay and search for "Western Electric 302" you can see what I mean.

So I'm sorry but I simply don't understand your price.  It may be very important to you that it was your great great grandmothers, and I respect that, but a buyer or collector is not interested in that.  They want something rare, and a regular black 302 is not rare.

Still, I wish you the best of luck for the best price for your phone and I'm sincerely sorry that you have to sell your great-great-grandmothers' telephone in these difficult times.  Good Luck Sir."

I just hope he doesn't freak out and ban me from Ebay forever...
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: bingster on February 09, 2009, 07:43:18 PM
Troublemaker.  ;D
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 09, 2009, 09:11:06 PM
You are trouble!   ::)

Any minute now I feel that he's going to score on this phone, someone will press that BIN and baby will get some new shoes.

Wait, what's that sound, oh, it' a squadron of pigs flying out of LA.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: mienaichizu on February 09, 2009, 09:58:53 PM
Quote from: HobieSport on February 09, 2009, 06:55:03 PM
Okay, well... I couldn't take it any longer so I asked the seller:

"Hello,

I am a collector of rare Western Electric Model 302s.  I read your description very carefully, and I am sorry to ask a question but I am still a little bit unclear.

At first I thought it was either a prototype 302, or a prop 302 that was used on the "I love Lucy" show. That would make your phone very valuable.

But a regular black 302 can easily be bought on Ebay for around $30. un-refurbished, to $180.if completely refurbished. If you go on Ebay and search for "Western Electric 302" you can see what I mean.

So I'm sorry but I simply don't understand your price.  It may be very important to you that it was your great great grandmothers, and I respect that, but a buyer or collector is not interested in that.  They want something rare, and a regular black 302 is not rare.

Still, I wish you the best of luck for the best price for your phone and I'm sincerely sorry that you have to sell your great-great-grandmothers' telephone in these difficult times.  Good Luck Sir."

I just hope he doesn't freak out and ban me from Ebay forever...

did he replied on your question?
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 09, 2009, 10:23:51 PM
Nope he hasn't replied yet and everyone here will be the first to know if he does.  All kidding aside I'm feeling a little weird about asking it, sort of creepy and sneaky.  I just really want to know if he's simply delusional or is trying to pull a scam.  His language and tactics just scream of a scam but I could of course be wrong.  I really don't like scams and what I'm doing is called scam-baiting, which is a con against a con.  But maybe he's just some poor guy trying to make a buck for his baby's shoes, ya know?

Whatever the case, if he switches his description of the phone to it being a prototype or a prop from the Lucy Show then we'll know he isn't honest.  If he's just a guy trying to get the highest price for his family phone then I just let him know that he might want to lower his expectations.  I also won't be surprised if he doesn't respond at all.  Just watch out for any future 302s that are advertised as THE Lucy Phone.  The original.  Touched by the goddess Lucy and King Ricky themselves and the whole cast and crew.  With pictures all over the internet as irrefutable proof.  Or some dark and mysterious prototype from Henry Dreyfuss' long lost dank and moldy garage...smelling of stale Fritos...(evil laugh).

Okay, fine.  I admit.  I'm just a troublemaker sometimes too.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 10, 2009, 10:36:54 AM
Well, still no reply as of Tuesday morning and considering what Konrad noticed about the wooden horse and chair that they now have for sale and how they haven't figured out the correct shipping for those items (see parallel thread,

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=587.0  )

I tend to agree that they are simple ignorant, and not trying to pull an evil scam.
So I'll stop bothering them and I just pity the fools. Here again is their latest listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160314987770
( dead link 03-31-21 )

So, moving on...
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 10, 2009, 10:50:24 AM
I agree, time to move on.  We've pretty much established this seller may be a wing nut and I'm pretty sure no one on this forum will buy that phone.   I "borrowed" the attachment from the ATCA List.  One of the guys there always posts it when an issue has been pretty much beaten into the ground.  I hope no one takes offense....
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 10, 2009, 11:30:54 AM
Sincere apologies to the group that I got so wrapped up (maybe obsessed is the word.) in that weirdness.  It was just new to me and I couldn't let it go until I sort of understood it.  If there is a "next time" I'll just try to ignore it.
So thanks Dennis and everyone and yes, let's move on to the better, finer, and more positive things in telephony.
Sincerely, -Matt
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 10, 2009, 01:22:47 PM
Matt, no need to apologize for anything.  My little Horse Beater wasn't directed at your specifically, but all of us.  I was just expressing my opinion that we'd pretty much covered it.  I meant no offense.
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: bingster on February 10, 2009, 03:03:13 PM
I love the horse!  I'm gonna have to borrow that for the radio show forum. ;D
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: Bill Cahill on February 10, 2009, 03:12:20 PM
Ah, guys. You're no fun. I'm gonna pick up my toyz, and, leave the toy box.....  :D ;D
Bill Cahill  ;D :-X
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 10, 2009, 03:49:24 PM
I wonder if I could get that animated beaten horse thingie to work at the next staff meeting at work?
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: HobieSport on February 12, 2009, 07:58:35 AM
Dennis; No problem at all.  Beating the dead horse made me laugh and was very appropriate!

Heath; Maybe the horse beating thingy could be our new state flag? 
I just read that they might actually pass the state budget soon.  Looks like another big bite out of education.  Argh.
I can't imagine what it might be like working in the school system.  I worked in State Parks and the rules and regulations were so crazy we almost couldn't get any work done.  My Dad taught second grade in the Valley in the '50s for Hispanic migrant workers' children.  When he asked them what they liked to read, of course they said "comics!".  So they all learned to read with comic books, until the school principal put an end to those shinanigans.  One day there was a very rare snow and the kids had never seen snow so he took the whole class out to play.  He got fired for that.

Bill; Awe, come on.  I'm sure we can find something else to make fun of.  Like the aqua colored sink and stove and the classic googie wallpaper in certain peoples' 1950s' vintage kitchens... ;D
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: McHeath on February 12, 2009, 11:08:35 PM
Hobiesport:  Don't even get me started about publik educayshun, I'll rant for days!  Suffice it to say the system has gone mad.

Bill:  I've got a bathtub that matches your oven!  So we just went ahead and painted the walls to match, and shazam, it looks pretty cool in there now. 
Title: Re: VINTAGE OLD FASHION BELL SYSTEM TELEPHONE
Post by: TelePlay on August 13, 2011, 01:05:43 PM
Quote from: Konrad on February 07, 2009, 10:40:11 AM
It is worth the money as it is the earliest 302 known to exist.  We all thought the 302 started in 1937.  But if this is more than 75 years old that would make it 1934 or earlier.

And, is this GE's first phone?

http://tinyurl.com/3tf2jub