Thread: Why do lots of crappy razors go for so much?

I just turned 50 on Sept 5, so don't think you'll have to wait that long?[/QUOTE]

Phrank, no pressure, I'm coming up on 81 in a few months. At my current age all the incentives I can find, have or create keeps my mind working on maintaining my body and soul. Stay healthy and come to my 105th birthday party. Then, maybe I'll get those beauties.

I have to say that in the last twelve months I've gone from looking into eBay for vintage razors to looking at brand new. There just doesn't seem to be any value left in the vintage/used. About twelve months ago I picked up a few really nice W&B blades for cheap. They needed some work in that they needed to be rescaled. But considering the cost of the rescale and the original cost of the blade, it was still a good deal since I ended up wit a nice razor at a reasonable price. I got another Joseph Elliot for a few dollars the Chris Maggard restored to showpiece form. If i didnt get the blade for so few dollars, it wouldnt have been worth it to pay for the work. Now I'm seeing blades full of rust with chips and cracks for more money. IF they can be restored, there is no value in trying unless I were to take on the task myself rather than pay out of pocket to have someone else do it. The classified here is a better option. I had no need for it so I passed on what looked like a NOS Hoffritz 6/8 selling for about $100 here. When $40 gets you a worn out rusty blade with crappy scales, it makes no sense to shop elsewhere. And with Revisor, Ralf Aust, and TI offering so many different and unique choices, new is worth looking into. A basic 6/8 Revisor is a far better option than most of what I'm seeing on eBay. I'm glad to already own all the razors ill ever need. I can afford to be choosey at this point. I'm happy that I was able to grab a few decent ones at reasonable prices when I did.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I have to say that in the last twelve months I've gone from looking into eBay for vintage razors to looking at brand new. There just doesn't seem to be any value left in the vintage/used. About twelve months ago I picked up a few really nice W&B blades for cheap. They needed some work in that they needed to be rescaled. But considering the cost of the rescale and the original cost of the blade, it was still a good deal since I ended up wit a nice razor at a reasonable price. I got another Joseph Elliot for a few dollars the Chris Maggard restored to showpiece form. If i didnt get the blade for so few dollars, it wouldnt have been worth it to pay for the work. Now I'm seeing blades full of rust with chips and cracks for more money. IF they can be restored, there is no value in trying unless I were to take on the task myself rather than pay out of pocket to have someone else do it. The classified here is a better option. I had no need for it so I passed on what looked like a NOS Hoffritz 6/8 selling for about $100 here. When $40 gets you a worn out rusty blade with crappy scales, it makes no sense to shop elsewhere. And with Revisor, Ralf Aust, and TI offering so many different and unique choices, new is worth looking into. A basic 6/8 Revisor is a far better option than most of what I'm seeing on eBay. I'm glad to already own all the razors ill ever need. I can afford to be choosey at this point. I'm happy that I was able to grab a few decent ones at reasonable prices when I did.

Know what you mean, I've got lucky a couple of times on E-bay, a great, virtually brand new Goldedge, a very nice W&B wedge, and the 2 box Wilkinson razors pictured above.

Every other razor I've had an interest in, has skyrocketed in price in the last minute, last one went almost to $400...

So the other day, got a really nice DOVO premium razor, used once, the guy just didn't like the idea of a straight, and believe it or not, a 21' x 3' strop from SRD included, so I assume he got the razor from here as well.

It was a razor I wanted, been waiting months to find one, sold out everywhere, so I figured the razor and the strop was an excellent find, for about 1/2 the price if I had bought new.

So, for now, the RAD is on hold, 12 razors is more than enough for variety and rotation, and I doubt there will be much to find unless I stumble upon something at some flea market or antique store.

edited: to add, or unless I find something great here, like the DD Wonder Edge I grabbed from the classifieds last week, should be here Monday!

The vintage razors are definitely superior to the modern, but the bidding wars are usually caused by noobs who don't know what a "reasonable" price is for a vintage razor. I've purchased some great razors on this and other forum classified sections. I try to steer clear of eBay.

I think part of it is that sellers want to get rid of something and don't know anything about what they're selling, what condition it is in, how it is used, and what it is worth. If they purchased something for resale, their price is based on what they paid for it. The seller has to pay to keep a slow moving item listed, so I don't think there is an intention to rip people off in most instances. I think that, in general, ebay sellers as a whole were more knowledgeable a few years ago, which means that the buyer has to be careful.

Originally Posted by ChopperStyle

The vintage razors are definitely superior to the modern, but the bidding wars are usually caused by noobs who don't know what a "reasonable" price is for a vintage razor.

Eh, ok...
That is a bold statement.
Unlike you, I have not been able to conclude either way yet.
Somehow I think I never will.

Both new and vintage can be top tier shavers, the rest is just personal preference imho.

I will say in recent experience razors have went way above previous pricing. I got ky first vintage W&B about 3 yearsish back for about £25. I have recently seen razors in similar or worse condition for in excess of £100. Alsova similar story with my goldenedge. Around £50 and now selling in excess of £200. They are worth what people will pay. I wont pay that much lol.

Something else I will say though is there are some sellers whacking on a huge price expecting a buyer and not getting any, i have seen a few relists of razors with prices upwards of £200 as there are no bidders. In those examples I am assuming the seller has overestimated a hype and thinks they'll get a sale regardless of price tag.

Geek

It's hard to overestimate a hype.

Originally Posted by ace

It's hard to overestimate a hype.

Lol ok... maybe buying blindly into a hype

If you were to really sit and stare at the selling list long enough, you would come to the realization that close to 20% of the razors being sold are being supplied by just 8 -10 sellers. (trust me, I actually sat there and searched it all out) This sort of market share produces the ability to control or influence the market.

I'm not saying that this has been done deliberately, but its a vicious circle. A razor get sold to the guy thats "Gotta Have it!" and the vendors take heed, and raise their prices accordingly. now, potential buyers see that "everybody" is asking this price for that razor. So to get it, they have to bid a little more. and so on and so on. If the cost of the NOS Filly is at 300 bucks, the "used" model will sell for less. say 100. But when the cost of the Filly is BIN of 900 the cost of a good used will rise accordingly. Perhaps nobody will buy the NOS, but it WILL drive up the used price. and if somebody DOES pay it? well, the cycle continues.