Thread: Ebay ripoff?

hey yall,

IDK about the Hess brand but there is a Hess straight razor with Red Imp scales going for $120 on the bay. The seller is advertising it as a "Hess Red Imp" There is nothing on the blade that dictates it as being a Red Imp. I think it is a ripoff. The razor is in nice shape though.. not $120 nice... -.-
Vintage Red Imp Straight Blade with Hess Blade and Red Imp Box | eBay

While the Red Imp scales aren't original (as the brass pivot pin clearly shows), they do appear to have been added in the past (i.e not in an attempt to deceive) - likely just to replace the broken originals. Hess is a highly regarded marque and that blade is quite clean... who knows the true value?

Originally Posted by EisenFaust

While the Red Imp scales aren't original (as the brass pivot pin clearly shows), they do appear to have been added in the past (i.e not in an attempt to deceive) - likely just to replace the broken originals. Hess is a highly regarded marque and that blade is quite clean... who knows the true value?

The pivot pin is different than the wedge pin, so it is apparent. Who knows when it was replaced. My point was that they arnt original to the razor. SMH.. $120..

It may not be intentional. Some sellers are just antique dealers, or wanna be's. Not sticking up for the vendor, just mentioning a possibility.

Just to add, I agree it's not worth that much to me, but someone may pay it...

This is what's great about these types of topics. You have a ?, you see a pic, and you learn what to look for. In this case the differences in the pins and what it means. A teaching moment. Seriously great.

That price seems fairly inline with what I've seen other Hess 44 stainless' go for(not counting the Red Imp scales) in that condition.

Reminds me of one of my favorite blades, what I call my "Leader Duck." On the Bay, it was advertised as a Krusius Brothers razor (because of the coffin case), but even though the pictures were less than great I could see that the scales were "Leader" and the blade was a Dubl Duck. To my surprise the blade was clean and unused, and the scales were in great shape. Of course it was well worth the $45 paid...

I agree that many sellers simply don't have knowledge about what they're selling, again, not to defend this Hess seller...

I dont see this as a rip off at all the description is clear that its a razor red imp scales and hess blade, and a mighty good looking one for sure!

Unless an item is intentionally mis-described, auctions can't be ripoffs. Or, in latin, Caveat Emptor!

Value is a very subjective thing, "one mans trash is anothers treasure" so to speak. This is why we do not allow discussions concerning values, it is many times an emotional issue. Discuss the pros and cons of the item all you wish, lets stay away from product or vendor bashing.