Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: TelePlay on February 13, 2015, 08:41:40 AM

Title: eBay listings
Post by: TelePlay on February 13, 2015, 08:41:40 AM
I've seen members make reference to this in several ways in various posts over the past month or so and I've been noticing this for a few months.

Is it just me or is it that the quantity of "good" phones and phone items on eBay had almost dried up and that the quality of those listed comes up a bit short of what we've seen over the past few years?

Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on February 13, 2015, 08:50:39 AM
I dunno, I think we're just highlighting mentally the great phones we've seen over the years compared to the phones we aren't seeing at this moment in time on ebay.

Right now, it is pretty dead on ebay, but I think it'll pick up again during the springtime, when unknowing people are doing "spring cleaning" at their grandmother's houses... ::)
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Doug Rose on February 13, 2015, 09:12:38 AM
I guess it really depends on what you are looking for, Christian's early '36 302 with one mouse hole for $12 was a really nice find. Not likely to see another for a looooong time. It slipped by all the so called "knowledgeable" collectors, my self included and I did look at that auction more than once. It was also sold be a very knowledgeable collector.

I see a phone I want almost every week, but price is a factor. Couple of beautiful Ivory Norths come to mind. 

Looking at the Forum and the jump in membership, I just think there a many more collectors out there snapping up the "good phones."

Doug
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Fabius on February 13, 2015, 10:18:03 AM
Seems about the same overall amount of good phones and phone related items. Though maybe starting prices or the buy it now prices are sometimes unrealistic.

My complaint is about the zombie phones. Those items that are relisted over and over and over.....

Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: twocvbloke on February 13, 2015, 10:34:14 AM
Now that's a coincidence, I was just thinking about that particular zombie film from which that still is from, have no idea which one it was but I recall it cos the zombie there who is chained to the wall salutes his former commanding officer when he enters the room...  :o
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Fabius on February 13, 2015, 01:38:22 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on February 13, 2015, 10:34:14 AM
Now that's a coincidence, I was just thinking about that particular zombie film from which that still is from, have no idea which one it was but I recall it cos the zombie there who is chained to the wall salutes his former commanding officer when he enters the room...  :o

Day of the Dead.
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Sargeguy on February 13, 2015, 01:43:10 PM
I think things are pretty slow in the wooden/candlestick department.  Maybe not so much for good high end phones, but finding parts has been tough.  I have a bunch of stalled projects that need some basic parts such as transmitters and switchhooks.  It's gotten so bad that I have actually paid down my PayPAl credit account to almost nothing!!!
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Greg G. on February 13, 2015, 01:54:28 PM
Quote from: Fabius on February 13, 2015, 10:18:03 AM

... starting prices or the buy it now prices are sometimes unrealistic.


I've often seen a number of good phones on ebay for a good price, but it's the shipping costs added on that always kills it for me.  I won't pay $20 shipping for a $5 phone (or any other item, for that matter).  Exception to the example is if it was a highly collectible phone that would easily sell for well over the price plus shipping, but those are few and far between, and the competition usually ups the price, unless it was a "sleeper".
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Sargeguy on February 14, 2015, 06:11:16 PM
Craig's List on the other hand-$20 for a complete 333.  The only non-original part is the 706A receiver, which I'm sure I can find a use for.
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Sargeguy on March 04, 2015, 04:15:36 PM
Maybe ole eBay ain't so bad after all!
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on March 04, 2015, 04:51:33 PM
Quote from: Sargeguy on March 04, 2015, 04:15:36 PM
Maybe ole eBay ain't so bad after all!
Nice find, Sarge! Was that an auction or a BiN?

It looks like "atca" is back in the swing of selling phones and phone parts a bargain prices!
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Sargeguy on March 04, 2015, 04:57:21 PM
It was an auction that I was the only bidder on.  This is a good example of how these had a tendency to rust.  There are at least $12 worth of parts.
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Partyline4 on March 04, 2015, 05:43:33 PM
They're not only drying up on eBay, but in antique stores too!

We're definitely having a drought here in NC.  ;D

I thought I'd have several good deals on eBay, but as people will say over and over,

The shipping just KILLS the deal.

Plus, you've got these JoeBlows snooping on eBay for the highest price sold listing for a $10 phone and he jacks it up to $65.

People get worried that they might be missing out on profit.

It's natural. 

Just today I tried to bargain with a dealer. She thought her 65 Black north was worth $40.

If a few people buy something at high retail, it ruins it for people like me for a long time.

Especially if you plan to resell your phones at a later date ( you can't keep them forever! )  :-*
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Sargeguy on March 25, 2015, 08:58:08 PM
I just finished soaking the front housing.  The paint and corrosion came of revealing the copper coating beneath.  I'm not sure how common it was to copper plate these, but this is the only one of the five I have that is this way.
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: HarrySmith on March 25, 2015, 09:03:44 PM
I seem to remember a discussion about these. It did not come up in my search here, might have been on the lists. IIRC it was common practice for a certain period of time.
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: unbeldi on March 25, 2015, 09:30:06 PM
There seems to have been a certain period of time during which WECo coated steel with copper before finishing with paint.  As you mention, not all steel subscriber sets have this. It may have been a period of experimentation into corrosion protection or perhaps copper was cheaper for a while.
I read somewhere that the Bell System lost millions of dollars every year due to corrosion.
Title: Re: eBay listings
Post by: Sargeguy on March 25, 2015, 10:03:13 PM
My understanding is that it was a failed experiment, the copper coating was not seamless and moisture would enter under the copper and make corrosion even worse.  You can see the interior of the phone where the corrosion occurred beneath the copper, causing the copper layer to disintegrate.