1956 WE Black 500 C/D - $10 + shipping

[KeithB]

A few days ago while discussing the relative value of WE 500 desk sets, <I posted pictures> of this 1950s 500 desk set I purchased from eBay for only $10 and shipping.  It arrived tonight, and it's 100% original from November/December 1956.  The worst problems with this phone are a small nick/tear in the handset cord near the transmitter, a spade lug missing from the green wire of the mounting cord, and an obviously well-used Bakelite G1 handset.  

Next week I'll be sending this one to Dennis Markham for his world-famous showroom treatment.

[KeithB]

More pictures of the components...

[HarrySmith]

Nice one
Great deal

[deedubya3800]

That's pretty sweet. The $8 one I got was all 8-56 except for the cords and handset, which were replaced in '63. She just came in today. She needs her own thread.

[finlover]

What a sweet deal!  Once Dennis has worked his magic it will be a STUNNER!!

[Greg G.]

The DEVIL you say!  (MO-6 = 666!)

[KeithB]

The DEVIL you say!  (MO-6 = 666!)

Oh NO!!!!

[KeithB]

That's pretty sweet. The $8 one I got was all 8-56 except for the cords and handset, which were replaced in '63. She just came in today. She needs her own thread.

I didn't check the dates on the cords, but judging from the rest of this set, I'd wager they're 11/56 or 12/56.

[mr_a500]

Nice deal. How much was shipping? Every phone I get costs me over $30 shipping - which means even if I found one free, it would cost more than your phone.

[Dennis Markham]

What a sweet deal!  Once Dennis has worked his magic it will be a STUNNER!!

No pressure!  Thanks for the confidence.

[AE_Collector]

Nice deal. How much was shipping? Every phone I get costs me over $30 shipping - which means even if I found one free, it would cost more than your phone.

Yeah, when it comes to buying phones from the USA, it sucks being in Canada!

Shipping costs anywhere from a few dollars more to even $100 more! Sometimes free shipping is quoted within the USA but sellers revert to full price PLUS when shipping out of the USA. There are also those who refuse to sell to anyone outside of the sellers country. I can never figure out why anyone would want to limit the bids by doing that. Two bidders rather than only one can make a BIG difference to the final selling price!

Then there is the exchange rate. Currently it is almost par ($1 CDN buys .98 US$) but just a few years ago it cost us $1.60 CDN to buy $1 US and of course that exchange rate applies to the extra shipping costs as well.

I'm in Vancouver mr_a500 but have solved the shipping problem by having a PO Box 30 miles away in WA State.

Terry

[mr_a500]

Nice deal. How much was shipping? Every phone I get costs me over $30 shipping - which means even if I found one free, it would cost more than your phone.

Yeah, when it comes to buying phones from the USA, it sucks being in Canada!

Shipping costs anywhere from a few dollars more to even $100 more! Sometimes free shipping is quoted within the USA but sellers revert to full price PLUS when shipping out of the USA. There are also those who refuse to sell to anyone outside of the sellers country. I can never figure out why anyone would want to limit the bids by doing that. Two bidders rather than only one can make a BIG difference to the final selling price!

Then there is the exchange rate. Currently it is almost par ($1 CDN buys .98 US$) but just a few years ago it cost us $1.60 CDN to buy $1 US and of course that exchange rate applies to the extra shipping costs as well.

I'm in Vancouver mr_a500 but have solved the shipping problem by having a PO Box 30 miles away in WA State.

Terry

Crossing the border in Ontario where I am involves 3-hour waits in traffic jams both ways (it was so much quicker when I lived in BC). I think I'd rather pay the extra $20 for shipping and avoid the headache. (and potential strip-searches)

Another thing for Canadians to worry about: any auction that insists on UPS shipping, I avoid like the plague. There's no way - after exchange, customs and high shipping fees - that I'm going to pay a rip-off BS "brokerage fee"! ($50-$100!)

[KeithB]

FYI, shipping was $13.54 for US Postal Service Priority mail, from Massachusetts to North Carolina.