Really? What’s going on here? A "Gold Plated" WE 500 Housing, balck accents on eBay

[Pourme]

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I'm not the most knowledgeable on WE desksets but I don't remember this as being a rare, prized and desirable piece. Unless I'm mistaken someone is asking $600.00 for a $30.00 WE500 and a can of spray paint....with dings.

If I missed something please don't hesitate to school me...Ha! It won't be the first time!

www.ebay.com/itm/202284820553
( dead link 01-21-22 )

[WEBellSystemChristian]

It doesn't look like a rattlecan job to me...definitely a factory housing. Rattlecan "gold" and "silver" paints are just Metallic flake paints. This is a true plating. I would guess it came off an otherwise junk gold retirement-edition 500, so it came off and was mated to a former all-black 500 by a collector.

There is a possibility that it was plated in the hands of a collector, but other than the swapped parts, I don't see much evidence of that.

Either way, NOT worth $600. Maybe $50-75.

[Pourme]

Thanks for talking me down, Christian.......I was about to go to my local Tru Value and stock up on gold spray paint....

[Key2871]

Wasn't the handset, dial, and cords white when they did those sets?
So it is most likely the plastics were faded, or broken, so they took a black set and put the plaited she'll on the base.
Did anyone see the modular plug on the base cord?
Obviously not original.

[Pourme]

Did W.E. actually produce a gold look 500 set? Say something similar to what they did to the 202 Imperial?

[rdelius]

The finish on my gold 500 set  appears to be the same  or similar process as my 202 set. I also have a 302 with the same gold finish but is is crazed

[19and41]

It wouldn't be too hard to do a few shells if one could get the use of a vacuum deposition chamber.

[Jim Stettler]

Wasn't the handset, dial, and cords white when they did those sets?
So it is most likely the plastics were faded, or broken, so they took a black set and put the plaited she'll on the base.
Did anyone see the modular plug on the base cord?
Obviously not original.

Some were,  some weren't. I would be slow to say not original..
JMO,
Jim S.

[Jim Stettler]

Did W.E. actually produce a gold look 500 set? Say something similar to what they did to the 202 Imperial?

Yes, they did 500's and princess phones, as well as trimlines. I think the princess phones are the most common and the trimlines least common .
Just my opinion tho,
Jim S.

[Jim Stettler]

The finish on my gold 500 set  appears to be the same  or similar process as my 202 set. I also have a 302 with the same gold finish but is is crazed

Sounds like they did 300's as well.
Jim S.

[Jim Stettler]

I think they did many more gold sets than silver. They did some silver sets tho.
Jim S.

[Pourme]

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Is there WE brochure material to support this? When they did Imperials they had a promotion and a special name for them. I have never heard of this. Not that I'm as educated as some here. I have only been collecting for a few years but have been reading about the industry a great deal.

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Jim Stettler]

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Is there WE brochure material to support this? When they did Imperials they had a promotion and a special name for them. I have never heard of this. Not that I'm as educated as some here. I have only been collecting for a few years but have been reading about the industry a great deal.

Inquiring minds want to know.

I have never seen any supporting documentation, however I have never looked . I chase non-standard finishes, which by my definition are clear, swirled, shiny and other non-standard examples. I have seen very many shiny sets over the years.

The imperial  202 sets were a marketed phone. the intent was to create demand for  outdated sets.
The other  shiny phones seem to be more of a limited edition set.

The above statements are based on my opinions and observations.
Jim S.

[Pourme]

This is very interesting....I learn something everyday on this forum!

Thanks Jim S !

[Jim Stettler]

see this topic for a little more info:
I will get some photos of the kit and the sc 500