Production razors sold for crazy prices on eBay

Maybe this has been happening for a while and I just haven't noticed it, but it seems like there are quite a few posts these days about new, production razors being sold on eBay for way, way more than the price that they can be purchased for from a reputable retailer. All of the previous posts about the "one of a kind" Revisor razors on eBay make this point well.

Well, add another one to the list: SABATIER, THIERS-ISSARD 6/8 STRAIGHT RAZOR. NOS. - eBay (item 230486199587 end time Jun-15-10 12:55:59 PDT)

This is a new, production razor available from various retailers for around $130, but now these are selling on eBay for over $250? It's difficult to explain these prices except as someone just not being aware of other retailers' prices, which is pretty difficult to believe in the Internet age.

many people are ignorant, and one can make a buck on their back.

I actually was watching that one (no intention of buying though).

How about this Henckels? Is this one worth it or is it vintage?

If you note the bidding, the last seconds, one or two people jack the prices up by $100 or more in one swoop.

I'd rather buy my 'stuff" from SRP members and have peace of mind.

I'm pretty sure that Henckels is vintage. It doesn't look like any of the new one's I've seen.

As for the TI... yea, ignorant buyers (they aren't dumb, they just don't know better) and sellers that are half misleading and half taking advantage of others.

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Originally Posted by JeffE

. . . This is a new, production razor available from various retailers for around $130, but now these are selling on eBay for over $250? It's difficult to explain these prices except as someone just not being aware of other retailers' prices, which is pretty difficult to believe in the Internet age.

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Successful salesmen have been embellishing the sales pitch for centuries, so it shouldn't be a surprise that folks buy into the "it's rare . . . it's beautiful . . . and it can be yours!" line common to these sales.

It might not occur to some that there are forums on the net dedicated to straight razor shaving where you are free to read about and perhaps learn about these things; however, I'd bet most folks who surf the net have heard of eBay right from the beginning.

They're likely to go there first after getting the hots to buy a straight razor. Combine that with the attitude of "buy it now and read the instruction manual later" and the result is questions asking for validation of the purchase after the fact.

I was fortunate to find this forum before I realized I could buy razors on eBay. Had I not "done my homework" here first, I'm sure I'd be the "proud" owner of a Zeepk or two! :o

A few years back when I was first tempted to shave with a straight I looked on eBay like you said most people would. I was tempted to buy a razor which I think was a zeepek or gold dollar, good thing I didn't.

I ended up going to a real store and ended up
getting a shavette. Just got my first straight the start of may and now have a mini collection of henckels thiers issard and a few Japanese straights.


Like you said take time to learn what you're buying and you'll get quality stuff not crap.

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Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I actually was watching that one (no intention of buying though).

How about this Henckels? Is this one worth it or is it vintage?

If you note the bidding, the last seconds, one or two people jack the prices up by $100 or more in one swoop.

I'd rather buy my 'stuff" from SRP members and have peace of mind.

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BladeRunner001,
I agree completely with buying razors from the members on this site. I've bought several and they have all been as advertised or better, plus they come shave ready.

I've gotten a couple of really nice razors off of eBay. I probably got hosed on the price on some, but made out like a bandit on some others.

Depending on what the final bid price was for that Henckels, didn't look like a bad buy. But you have to want it pretty bad to pay a premium price for it. I always remember Max's advice. "It's not the last razor of that type in the world. There will always be another razor of the same type for sale at some point in the future."

Hi Maestro...I think it went for $178. If, as Travis said, it is a Vintage, then it might have been worth it.

No loss...even if I had bid on it and won, I still wouldn't have the peace of mind...few months into str8 shaving doesn't qualify me as an expert...yet!! With all the experience, you guys still get hosed on the Bay and once in awhile :).

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Originally Posted by jhenry

I've gotten a couple of really nice razors off of eBay. I probably got hosed on the price on some, but made out like a bandit on some others.

Depending on what the final bid price was for that Henckels, didn't look like a bad buy. But you have to want it pretty bad to pay a premium price for it. I always remember Max's advice. "It's not the last razor of that type in the world. There will always be another razor of the same type for sale at some point in the future."

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Originally Posted by mainaman

many people are ignorant, and one can make a buck on their back.

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Where are these people, and how might I exploit them?

Oh wait a minute, I is them.

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Originally Posted by mrbhagwan

..."buy it now and read the instruction manual later" and the result is questions asking for validation of the purchase after the fact....

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I have no idea what you're talking about.:w

This is not a razor only thing with eBay. When I was looking at computer parts for a machine I was building I found video cards that you could buy for 200 bucks at best buy were selling for 250 or 300 on eBay.

Hehe, well, for the buyer, the consolation is that this looks like a TI-ground Le Grelot/Le Jaguar. So even at a near 100% markup, at least they got an outstanding razor! Of course, they could have gotten that same outstanding razor a whole lot cheaper, had they done a bit of research.

But the seller provides an object lesson in how to sell on eBay. A known quality brand, lots of clear pictures, an objectively accurate yet highly romanticized listing description, and you can get top dollar. A little extra effort pays off.

This same seller does a land office business in NOS Filarmonicas, I bought my NOS Filarmonica from them. If they get 100% markup on a current production razor, I have to wonder what markup they're seeing on the NOS Filarmonicas!! 500%? 1000%??

Oh wow TI now slaps their model on any old blank they finish!!!
This model used to be something different, but again so did the evide sonnant extra.

I hope this is a factory error, and their cavalier attitude towards branding remainst confined to the gold wash. I am at the point where I buy a particular razor because I want the things that are particular to it. One of the two reasons I don't own anymore the last new TI I bought.

But if it's a factory mistake I'm certainly willing to pay more for this one over the c135 stuff.

Here's another production TI 6/8 razor, "1937 Special Coifeur" that mariona08 is selling for . . . $420!!?!

SABATIER, THIERS-ISSARD 6/8 STRAIGHT RAZOR. - eBay (item 230493697467 end time Jul-09-10 13:58:27 PDT)

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Originally Posted by JeffE

Here's another production TI 6/8 razor, "1937 Special Coifeur" that mariona08 is selling for . . . $420!!?!

SABATIER, THIERS-ISSARD 6/8 STRAIGHT RAZOR. - eBay (item 230493697467 end time Jul-09-10 13:58:27 PDT)

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Right now, for a power seller, it is nearly free to list items as Buy-it-now for nearly any price. It could be that he is using this auction to play on consumer behavior. If you see that he is selling them for $420, but he also has one up for auction with no reserve, well, getting it for $230 must be a steal, right?

Many companies do the same thing -- Discount retail stores consistently put price tags on items for 50, 60 or $70 and then show the price slashed to $29.99, to make you feel like you are getting a better deal. Even though the same item is $30 everywhere.

Apple did the same thing, for example, when they released the iPad. Did they say, Look, its going to be priced about the same as a budget laptop, and a little bit more than a netbook. No, they didn't. When they presented the pricing, they started with "Analysts everywhere have speculated that we would come in at the $1000 mark....but... look at this.... *crowd gasps...* $499! omg, you can buy two!"

Brad, good point. Didn't think about it that way, but I bet you're right.