Thread: True Market Value?

Can anyone help explain the gap between evaluations and ebay or market prices? Following standard methods of valuing a used razor, the prices I come up with far exceed the prices people are willing to bid or pay. Am I too optimistic, is it the economy, a glut of razors or what? Feel like I just left Antiques Roadshow (your auction-insurance values are..) and walked into Pawn Stars (that's all you get), seriously. It seems everyone wants to shave and the collectible value is diminished.
So many I have acquired would probably never shave again anyway, but have art and history. Yet the collectors market seems down. Maybe I need to find a new market. Frustrating.

yep there only worth what someone will pay and you let it go for ,, as far as collecting ,, if they wont shave then , I don't find much value in a razor, so the better shape its in the more it will bring, this is not a money making hobby good luck tc

Supply and Demand: It appear only particular manufactures bring out the bidders and High Dollars. I've seen #14 Filly's go for 150 dollars US. and other go for $500. Go figure. Classic Japanese S.R. will not even get a bid. What's Hot And What's Not. Maybe purchasing a W&B in bad shape and getting the Joan Rivers Make Over "With Ivory Scales" may be the ticket.

In a million years I'll never understand the straight razor market. You ask any serious antique dealer if you modify a item you destroy the value. Then how on earth can you shoe a vintage blade in lime green plastic with a canary yellow wedge and charge a fortune?

Purchases are emotional!

What catches the purchasers eye.
Some look at something in particular, because they have become emotionally attached to the one or several the already own.

You'll never be able to predict emotional buying habits.

When comparing eBay prices you need to be very aware of condition. Sometimes you may have to watch for a while before you get more than one reasonable comparison, that is after looking through the sold listing. This is especially true when you are looking at NOS or near mint items. All of that is also subject to interpretation, as the guy with the loud plastic scales may think that the condition of his razor is worth more than one that is mint, because his has custom scales. There is also the day it happens. Some days everyone is awake and watching the action and others everyone slept in. That is where averaging comes in and choosing your comparisons. In theory you should come up with a range. However when all is said and done it is an informed guess.

Some blades are rare,(hard to find) You see fili 14s every day,why some go for the big bux is beyond me.

Well, I appreciate all the insights, and all are correct in perspective. I don't know many hobbies that are money making! Marketing is an art and there is a narrow range when you can buy fine new razors for $200 or less. I was just saying the collectibles market seems soft and that some items are or should be worth it even if they can't shave without regrinding, because of maker, age, art, etc. I hate it when I see old blades "restored" Joan Rivers like they're suddenly brand new. You don't polish the Tiffany brass base.

Originally Posted by Flybare

Following standard methods of valuing a used razor, the prices I come up with far exceed the prices people are willing to bid or pay.

Kind of puts those standard methods in question in my mind. Economists lie awake at night thinking about a world that would follow their theories.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Some blades are rare,(hard to find) You see fili 14s every day,why some go for the big bux is beyond me.

I can't bring myself to buy one for that very reason.