Thread: What not to buy on ebay:

This is a good example:
Antique Straight Razor CARL MONKHOUSE Ornate Scales - eBay (item 120541265222 end time Mar-16-10 16:54:54 PDT)

The only thing worth anything on this razor is the brass inlay once everything else is discarded.

There's already four bidders for that POS. Maybe they are planning on taking the scales off and using them with another blade.

The scales don't look that bad to me, frankly, and if you had another one of the same razors with a nice blade and broken scales, this would let you do a complete restore, right?

Anyway, the blade is trash, that's for sure.

looks to me like scale rot, so the scales would in fact be useless.

WOW, that's rotten, but at least this pic shows the condition, I hate when the sellers post those low light angled shots that does not show the edge at all..

I`m glad this thread popped up just after i buy my first ebay razor.

Scale rot, ok. Can you tell that from the hazy look of the scales, or is there something else that I'm not seeing? Thanks, I'm trying to learn too.

Originally Posted by JeffE

Scale rot, ok. Can you tell that from the hazy look of the scales, or is there something else that I'm not seeing? Thanks, I'm trying to learn too.

Yea, me too. I had no idea those scales were "rotten". What does it mean for the scales to be rotten?

Yep, looks like cell rot to me also. You can see that if the blade were closed the pitting would be heaviest between the scales.

Goos thread Gugi! I've been thinking of creating a thread similar to the razor clubs but with the intent of posting vintage razors on auctions to stay away from as a learning tool for people new and old to eBay and other online vintage razor auctions/sales. I didn't do so because I am concerned with repercussions to SRP by doing so. I am sure a lot of the sellers use SRP for a tool on what to sell, what's hot and how to word their items, like shave ready. They may even be getting selling prices off the classifieds. I just don't want them causing problems for SRP by pointing out their shortfalls or deceptions tricks. What do you 'guys' think?

Originally Posted by Joed

Yep, looks like cell rot to me also. You can see that if the blade were closed the pitting would be heaviest between the scales.

Goos thread Gugi! I've been thinking of creating a thread similar to the razor clubs but with the intent of posting vintage razors on auctions to stay away from as a learning tool for people new and old to eBay and other online vintage razor auctions/sales. I didn't do so because I am concerned with repercussions to SRP by doing so. I am sure a lot of the sellers use SRP for a tool on what to sell, what's hot and how to word their items, like shave ready. They may even be getting selling prices off the classifieds. I just don't want them causing problems for SRP by pointing out their shortfalls or deceptions tricks. What do you 'guys' think?

Joe,
I think this applies, however not naming the auction, just posting pics as examples of defects will be very educational for people that want to try their hand on eBay. If someone recognizes a pic of their item they have the choice to go on and sell or cancel the listing. After all we care for our own not for someone that wants to make easy dollar. My 2 c.

I like Glen's advise - don't buy on ebay for the first 6 months, but there are always the new guys who think they're too smart and saving $10-$20 bucks is worth the risk.
So I figured I'll post something that anybody with experience wouldn't even look at, but a new guy may give it a serious consideration. I haven't been much on ebay lately, but I've seen more than enough razors like this sell just because somebody thinks the big name alone trumps any condition.

The junk on ebay is way more than the good stuff. I think the best way to educate oneself is to peruse the show&tell posts from experienced people like JoeD.