Thread: Hahahaha, you want how much for that razor?

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

OTOH there is a shop that has had the same 4-5 razors for anywhere from $45-$85 and will not even think of negotiating price. There are maybe a couple easily recognized names but nothing that is in pristine shape, has cool etches, or is larger than 5/8.

Belmont Ave?

The country has been in a collecting frenzy for probably the last 20 years or more and everything you could imagine as a collectible has a market and the prices have soared.

Maybe if the wrong guy gets elected to the White House and we have a true depression the prices will drop and we will have bargains again....if you have a job.

Originally Posted by ryanjewell

Belmont Ave?

Hahaha, maaaybe. I have various hunting grounds in the city and burbs

Yes, you are certainly right about the fact that they know nothing about the razors. Most of these shop owners think that just because something is old, it's worth it's weight in gold, regardless of the condition. I actually heckled the guy down on a razor by simply telling him all about the razor, (the year, make, etc.), and by comparing it with other razors, and by stressing the fact that I'd paid way less for far better razors. He had no idea on the history of any of the razors he had! Having some knowledge on what you're trying to buy helps a great deal.

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

Hahaha, maaaybe. I have various hunting grounds in the city and burbs

don't worry, it's all yours...i have no intention of hunting in chicago. too many people...chances of finding anything decent are a lot more slim than small town oklahoma.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

If you don't think there are ebay sellers restoring burned out blades on ebay.beware my friend,even a novice can make a burned out blade look good,will they shave for more a minute? no.By than it is to late.

This is why, when I buy on ebay, I refuse to bid on a razor unless it shows it's age at least a little. In fact, the only truly shiny blade that I own is the Dovo that I bought new. The rest have some degree of tarnish or time tested battle scars.

In my neck of the woods, its one extreme or the other. People either don't know what they have, or else they think it is priceless with the more patina it has. Recently, I saw a rusted and knicked ERN ATOR for $125 bucks. I thought she may have misplaced a decimal point so I confirmed the price and she started explaining selling me on how valuable it is. I'm like "ma'am, I collect, restore, and shave with these and I those on ebay all the time for $30-$50.bucks without rust. She said that's why they were so cheap because "anything you do to remove patina will reduce it's value". I could see there was no point arguing with an idiot so I promptly left.

Would not call her an idiot.just misinformed.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Would not call her an idiot.just misinformed.

Good point Pixel. This particular lady was just very arrogant and condescending about it.

In general, antique stores' business models are not built on high inventory turnover - in other words, generally they price something and wait until it sells. For many businesses if inventory isn't turning over within an established time frame, it becomes important to look at prices and market factors.

In antique stores, for some reason, it just doesn't seem to matter. I know of items that have been sitting in certain antique stores for several years - having not sold and having never had the price adjusted. I don't understand the rationale for this, but it seems to be common in that industry.