Thread: eBay Prices?

This is an interesting thread with some great comments.

I agree that certain "hot" brands have maintained high prices on Ebay. I have been shaving with straights and watching Ebay auctions for 9 months now, and I've noticed that Dubl Ducks, Filarmonicas, Palmeras, (the rare one that shows up), Dorkos, Heljestrand MK 31,32,33, Wade and Butcher For Barber's Use, Large 7/8+ Sheffield wedges, and larger Solingen (6/8+) all have maintained high values. I find it interesting that Pumas apparently do not fetch the prices that they used to. I have watched Pumas, and while it seems that 5/8 and smaller can be found at decent prices, 6/8+ still fetch high prices.

I would add that there are several factors that can drive high prices. Well photographed auctions will sell at premiums. Properly described auctions (e.g., "Massive 8/8+ Wade and Butcher For Barber's Use", rather than "Sheffield razor") will fetch higher prices. Razors that have been sanded, polished or restored will fetch higher prices. Shave ready razors will fetch higher prices. Auctions that end between 6pm and 9 pm Pacific on Sundays will fetch higher prices. Razors from high feedback sellers will fetch higher prices.

Deals still can be found, but one or several of the factors that I mentioned above has to be absent. For instance, you might find a good deal with a poorly photographed, imperfectly described, rusty (but not chipped or frowny) razor that ends at a weird time of day.

I agree that prices have gone up since I started buying straights 3 years ago. At the top end read W&B and the big blades I would rather spend my money on a custom razor. I currently have a BB 8/8 damascus and a Robert Williams purist and picked them up at better prices than the vintage blades of the moment.

Originally Posted by Phrank

I shouldn't correct you, just to throw the scent off, but if one of those comes up with a spike point, I'll be all over it like Clinton on an intern!!!

Don't forget to clean it up after use, Phrank - look what happened to Clinton... :}

Regards,
Neil

I have been watching eBay auctions and buying and selling for the last 7 plus years and your observations are SPOT on! Very few "under the radar" snags of any of your topline mentioned hot commodity razors. I will share a tip, look for the Buy It Now razor from an unaware person who trips over a Barber's collection at a local auction and just places them up on the bay at pretty silly BIN pricing. It happen more than you think. That and large lots where the photos are supposed to describe the condition etc. I have found some gems that way in the past. But your observations after 9 months are accurate in my experience.

Originally Posted by Bordee

This is an interesting thread with some great comments.

I agree that certain "hot" brands have maintained high prices on Ebay. I have been shaving with straights and watching Ebay auctions for 9 months now, and I've noticed that Dubl Ducks, Filarmonicas, Palmeras, (the rare one that shows up), Dorkos, Heljestrand MK 31,32,33, Wade and Butcher For Barber's Use, Large 7/8+ Sheffield wedges, and larger Solingen (6/8+) all have maintained high values. I find it interesting that Pumas apparently do not fetch the prices that they used to. I have watched Pumas, and while it seems that 5/8 and smaller can be found at decent prices, 6/8+ still fetch high prices.

I would add that there are several factors that can drive high prices. Well photographed auctions will sell at premiums. Properly described auctions (e.g., "Massive 8/8+ Wade and Butcher For Barber's Use", rather than "Sheffield razor") will fetch higher prices. Razors that have been sanded, polished or restored will fetch higher prices. Shave ready razors will fetch higher prices. Auctions that end between 6pm and 9 pm Pacific on Sundays will fetch higher prices. Razors from high feedback sellers will fetch higher prices.

Deals still can be found, but one or several of the above factors that I mentioned above has to be absent. For instance, you might find a good deal with a poorly photographed, imperfectly described, rusty (but not chipped or frowny) razor that ends at a weird time of day.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Don't forget to clean it up after use, Phrank - look what happened to Clinton... :}

Regards,
Neil

...

....I always clean and air dry, and a drop or two of Tuf-Glide in the trouble spots to keep everything working properly.

I have heard stories about members getting some screaming deals on BINs. From my own experience, the only good deal I recall (which quickly slipped away) was a 6/8 Dorko that was selling for around $70 or $75. Unfortunately, it was gone within minutes of me seeing it (if you think about it too much, you lose sometimes).

Anybody here get any recent steals with BIN?

Do an eBay search put in whatever you choose parameter but for the sake of this discussion just do a BIN / SOLD items "Most Recent" search for "straight razor"...You will be able to scroll down and see the results and you will see some good buys.
A recent one for myself would be this razor which is about 75-100 below usual retail...maybe more if shown polished , clean with beautiful photos and description...and spelled correctly with the actual razor's brand in the title...

Swedish Scandinavion Straight Razor Puma Case | eBay

Originally Posted by Bordee

I have heard stories about members getting some screaming deals on BINs. From my own experience, the only good deal I recall (which quickly slipped away) was a 6/8 Dorko that was selling for around $70 or $75. Unfortunately, it was gone within minutes of me seeing it (if you think about it too much, you lose sometimes).

Anybody here get any recent steals with BIN?

I guess it's me and folks like me that drive prices up. I'm fairly new to this sport and what makes it worse is I'm newly retired. I've bought several different brands of razors USA

, German and English. I found the ones I like( which it looks like a lot of people like the same names as me) and with nothing else to do but haunt the computer this winter I have got some of the razors on my list. It's sad to say I did pay a little more than I should have but it's sure fun to clean and hone and even shave with them. now I find my self more selective both in the shape of the razor and the price. It's really like building a huge fire and then complaining about the heat. Now I know I don't have the nicer collections like some people do but it's what I like and I continue to gaze into the pretty screen of the monitor and guess what shape the razor really is in and what it'll finally go for. I'm waiting on one now that I hope will clean up and go in line up. anyway it's our monster lets enjoy it as long as we can.

One interesting thing that I've noticed about Wade & Butcher FBU and large (8/8+) Sheffield razors is that these items are even commanding prices when only the blade is being sold. For other "hot" (e.g. Dubl Duck) razors, you can usually get a big discount if you are buy a blade only. With the FBU, I've seen auctions were people are bidding $150+ for blade without scales.

On a side note, I cannot recall ever seeing an auction for a big Filarmonica blade without scales. I really do wonder how much people would bid for a nice blade only Especial Para Barbas Duras. Probably a fair amount.

Originally Posted by AntiqueHoosier

Now Safety Razors are crazy! I sold my 250 plus back in 2007 when I started with straights. Those same ones have nearly tripled in value... BIG Bubble in that market

Tell me about it. I'm looking to get my first DE (I've been using a SR for a couple years now, but with a beard I don't have much to shave anymore), and I'm looking for a Gillette Slim adjustable thinking that they are obtainable for less than a Fatboy. Searching completed auctions, I've found that ones with good plating and mechanics were selling for under $30 shipped in January; now, they're going for around $60 after shipping. They're probably worth that at the end of the day, but it's a nasty price bubble right now.

It seems to me that if someone has anything "vintage" (say pre-70's), he thinks it's worth a lot of money regardless of the history of its value on the market. I collect 1930's-50's neckties, and in the last two years the prices have also become stupid. Neckties I wouldn't pay $4 for are listing at $30 and sometimes selling for nearly that much. I can't help but think that pop culture is helping to drive the vintage craze with movies and TV shows like Mad Men, Public Enemies, Boardwalk Empire, Shutter Island, The Great Gatsby (remake), etc. Maybe when the 20's-50's movies/shows subside, we'll see more reasonable prices again. Or maybe my idea of a reasonable price is just unreasonable.