Thread: OVERPRICED !!

man, now that I'm becoming interested in str8t's, I've started noticing them in the antique mall/shops.

was waiting for my car to be fixed and wandered over to the antique mall next door and ask if they had in str8ts. Was directed to a Wilkinson 7 day set. Price was $350.00 and the razors were practically falling apart. Pins missing, part of the scales chipped off, edge's chipped. I was dumbfounded.

But I do notice that with the advent of ebay and the internet everything is just off the charts money-wise. I collect other things also: comic books, first edition pulp novels, japanese wristwatches and the vintage stuff all seems to go for OUTLANDISH prices now days. For junk pieces. Just junk. =

what gives? Yes, yes, I know that if someone wants to pay "x" for something then it's worth "x," however, you can not tell me these Wilkinson blades were worth 350$ in the rusted, pitted, chipped, scratched condition. Yes, maybe someone will pay that much for them, but they simply can not be worth that.

I think it depends, and you can't automatically assume that the price you see means you are being gouged.

For example, some razors on eBay are really, really desirable brands, and the "problems" with them are things that experienced people know how to fix, like broken scales, small nicks in the edge, broken pins, etc. So the price you are looking at might look like a bad deal to you, but someone who knows better is going to buy it at that price, do a little work, and then sell it for twice as much.

That being said, I generally agree that 7-day sets are usually a pretty bad deal. I don't generally see 7-day sets of really, really awesome razors. Instead, there seems to be lots of 7-day sets full of razors that, by themselves, aren't all that special -- but somehow having seven of them in a row makes them special?!

Anyway, good luck hunting in antique stores and on ebay -- lots of things to look at, and yes, there are some excellent, jaw-dropping deals out there, but you have to find them. That's part of the fun, right?

A big part of it is that many sellers don't know anything about razors, so they don't know what is good/bad, what can be salvaged or not, etc. Also, a lot of people will say things like "I saw such and such sell on ebay for $XXX so this thing I have must be worth at least $YYY." If you see something overpriced that you actually want, make an offer and maybe they'll take it. If not, they can enjoy keeping their item with a high price tag, and you can enjoy keeping your money. Just remember, there are lots of razors out there, and no reason to spend more than you are comfortable with.

Since you are a collector of other things you know that knowledge is power. Learn about straights, watch the market and you'll know when you're seeing a decent deal. Avoid RAD if you can... it is a slippery slope.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

. Avoid RAD if you can... it is a slippery slope.

EASY TO say Jimmy

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Since you are a collector of other things you know that knowledge is power. Learn about straights, watch the market and you'll know when you're seeing a decent deal. Avoid RAD if you can... it is a slippery slope.

ok jimmy, tell me how to get off this slippery slope...also is this slope any slippery than that HAD slope you are on my friend?

HAD is like glare ice.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

HAD is like glare ice.

i will try and throw you a rope as i slide past

While it seems it is a rip off the reverse is true. While ignorant people price things way too high, they also price them way too low. Mint FWE Leader=$40, Two NOS Solingens=$20 each, 8/8 Tally Ho= $60, minty Hess 42=$30, the deals are out there you just have to be patient lol.

Carry a pocket loupe with you. It works. I have had someone tout the finer points of a razor in mildly passable condition to me recently, but upon pulling out the loupe and showing them the flaws, and showing them the razor in MUCH better condition that I had purchased a few minutes earlier at another booth (with the price tag still on, and lower than their asking price) I walked away with a Wostenholm for $10. They were asking $40. It always helps to tell someone who knows squat about razors "Do you know how OLD this thing is?"

Not that I am advocating the fleecing of a vendor, but you do have to take measures to break even at the register, you know? Between Sweeny Todd and zazzle.com selling Wade & Butcher shirts we are getting taken to the cleaners due to this new popularity.