I don't understand this NOS 500 clone on eBay...

[Partyline4]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/302859647084

102$ and counting? It's not even branded! I don't care if it's NOS or not!

You can't hardly sell a 1950's 500 for more than $50 MAYBE!

Does anybody else see the secret to this mystery phone?

It's just about as plain Jane as you can get in my opinion....

[Partyline4]

Just as I mention it, what pops up on the search? A NOS WE 1969 500 currently at 86$ These two shoulnd't even be in the same BALLPARK, let alone the no name being $20 more up the creek.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292698836988

[andre_janew]

Actually that second phone is a 510 from 1959 according to the pictures.  I don't know why the first one is $20 more.  Also, $102 is the starting price.  The seller might want to cut that in half and start at $51. 

[poplar1]

Actually that second phone is a 510 from 1959 according to the pictures.  I don't know why the first one is $20 more.  Also, $102 is the starting price.  The seller might want to cut that in half and start at $51. 

Starting price on the ivory phone was $19.95. $102.50 is the current bid, which is the 51st bid.
Also, it is not new -- despite seller's description. It was refurbished 8-92.

[tallrick]

It looks like something from Cortelco Plastic ring adjuster means late 80's or newer

[tubaman]

Totally bonkers.
I can understand the NOS '59 getting decent money but not the cream modular one.
Note that on the modular one it's the same two bidders from about $60 upwards.
Madness!

[Partyline4]

Could be a wind up by two people that know each other, hoping they'll confuse a dummy like me into placing a bid into the mix.

Not a chance!

[Jim Stettler]

I think you have 2 bidders thinking that this is one of the only NOS rotary phones left in the world.
Therefore it must be worth a whole lot of $ to a telephone collector.
I would pay up to $5.00 at an estate sale for it.
JMO,
Jim S.

[AL_as_needed]

8-92 is hardly New Old Stock.... more like just Unsold Stock.... Looks a bit like a TDP brand phone. I have the box to one (sold to me with a '70 red WE 500 in it) that's dated from the late 80s.

[oldguy]

Sold for$112.50, why???

[Partyline4]

Auction states there were 8 bidders playing at the end of the auction...

Seller has had a NOS ITT 500 on recently...went for 76.

I can't see any immediate signs of shilling or foul play.

I just seriously don't understand.

[AL_as_needed]

Well it is Ebay after all. I mean how many times do we get lucky and snipe something out for well below retail value... I guess this is the inverse, a few people get excited and pay more than retail.

[andre_janew]

For some strange reason, several people wanted this phone really bad.  I guess they thought it was the last rotary phone ever made.  The people on this forum know better than that.  I'm thinking that the last rotary phone was made in 2006.

[AL_as_needed]

For some strange reason, several people wanted this phone really bad.  I guess they thought it was the last rotary phone ever made.  The people on this forum know better than that.  I'm thinking that the last rotary phone was made in 2006.

Now what if someone made one up from NOS parts? Could that be considered a "modern production" phone? I only ask as my WE 5302 was assembled from a few boxes of 302 parts and a random shell.

[Jim Stettler]

I only ask as my WE 5302 was assembled from a few boxes of 302 parts and a random shell.

Your 5302 was made of a 302 and a few conversion parts including the shell and handset variation. All of them were.
JMO,
Jim S.