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Not sure when this occurred, but has anyone noticed that there was a huge spike in the number of eBay listings over the past few days? The number of straight razors went from like 1,200 to over 2,000. Same for mugs and brushes, same for sharpeners and strops. Did eBay have a "no listing fee" day or something like that? Thanks.
Yes they did have a promotion. I think it was 50% off listing fees IIRC. I've been looking at razors on ebay for many years. I collected them off and on before I ever came to SRP and I've always been amazed at how many are out there. It is true that people die and they get recycled through the estate sales but still ..... millions must have been made as they just keep on coming. Thank God. :)
Hopefully that means prices will be a bit lower because of oversupply
The trick is if you find a great brand that you haven't read about on the forums keep it to yourself. :) Loose lips sink ships and drive prices up on ebay.Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
You mean like Gold Dollars? Shhhhhhh...Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Quote:
Originally Posted by bassguy
Thinking more about the Pooma made in Sooligen, China
Very true. I don't think I have a single razor from a well known maker in my rotation! All the well known ones seem to be common in the States, but not so common here.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
+1
We've got get smart when we start talking about razor so that the popularity of certain models don't go up like the 'feel my harmonica' brand did. I would take a look for some 'duuble dwarfs', 'theirs is hard', 'wear shoes mate', 'f. reynolds-wrap', or the very popular 'wade's my butcher'
I had noticed that prices seemed a bit more sane recently. Didnt know about the promotion, I figured all the people who'd been driving up prices started to get the stuff they'd ordered in the mail and began to realize they'd blown way too much cash on stuff. Guess that was wishful thinking on my part.
I think things are going to eventually shake out to the point where the quality razors are the ones getting the higher prices and the best sellers will be selling them. Truly shave ready razors will fetch a higher premium. That is what happens in the collectibles market - first the mad rush to buy EVERYTHING and then a winnowing out to buy quality. Of course, the more popular the hobby gets the more buyers will be out there - but they will buy mostly the cheaper stuff and the crap we try to avoid. Personally, the way I have found that worked for me was to buy a ton of razors, make mistakes, learn what to look for and then become pickier. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but it is a great learning experience and besides, it gives you a bunch of crap razors to work on so that you don't screw up a W&B or a Dubl Duck. I bought a few razors here - not for the brand, but as reference razors to examine for proper honing and blade treatment.
No, I haven't been dumb enough to buy a Zeepk or Gold Dollar and any Pakistani razors I have bought as part of a larger lot, have become very useful for opening boxes from eBay.
That has been my experience as well. Another thing that happened for me was that some of the razors I had to have, Wonderedge, goldedge, reaper, Filly 12,13, and 14 and so on , once acquired are off my list. Point being that as we fill the holes in our collections we are out of the running for the 'hot' items. I definitely have become much more selective in what I will spend the hard earned $ on now.Quote:
Originally Posted by jtischler
Actually i think more crappy razors out there that is why number of the adds increased.
Personally, I've been trying to keep to a really strict rule of buying only really, really excellent razors that ALSO cost under $60 or so. This actually makes the whole process a lot more interesting, as you can just scratch off the list all of the super-hot brands that are going to get bid up to the sky anyway and concentrate instead on the dark horses. Of course, I break my own rules too once in a while, but I've found that there's just as many excellent razors to own under $60 as there are over $300.
I wouldn't be surprised if the ebay sellers noticed that some razors were making alot of money (much more then they picked them up for at the estate sales where they buy them for resale) and decided to start picking up more razors and selling them. I saw something similar at an antique mall that I go to occasionally. When I was going there alot and picking up straight razors, the number of razor kept increasing everytime I went back. Unfortunately, so did the price.
I hope this doesn't mean that straight razor shaving is actually becoming popular!?! All of us contrary-to-everyone-and-we-like-it-that-way-M.F. types will have to start shaving with seashells or tin can lids!