Edison & Ebay

[Deleted]

I have noticed that, I find Edsion machines, cheaper on Ebay, then I do in antique mall's. Especially with the early cylinder machines. However, I manage to find DD machines, priced pretty cheaply in antique mall's.

[gramophoneshane]

It seems to be the same out here too Paul. Cylinder machines go for at least half the price of those in shops. I suppose we have to take into account that dealers have huge overheads to pay, so I guess in a way, the high prices are excusable. Unfortunately, the only place I can get DDs is from ebay. They don't show up here in the wild very often. It still works out much cheaper for me to buy machines from the U.S. and get them sent over though.

[Deleted]

Well, that's probbably the best way for you Shane. Seeing as how Edsion was predominetly marketed in the States, then overseas. Where as Victor was willing to sell overseas. I still get leary about buing through ebay, unless I know, that the seller knows what he/she has?

[neophone]

Paul,

As far as buying records (78's, DD's, BA's etc.) you can watch who other collectors you know are buying from, ask fellow collectors and read feedback left for sellers. I buy nearly all my records from four or five sellers. I have branched out a bit with the BA's, but I stay pretty much with people I know.

With machines, I'm a believer in staying close to home for the most part. I want to pick up the phonograph in person. I will take a chance with portables and cheaper table-top types. (There's a tale to be told, still developing over a month regarding a portable I won, let's hope it has a happy ending....)

Whether you buy in person or over the Internet there is always a certain level of risk. I have had predominately good experiences in person and on-line in this hobby, there are some really great folks collecting phonographs! ;D

GShane,
Paul has brought up an interesting question, what do you find, apart from HMV's obviously, in the wild in the Land of the 'Roo? ;D (Not to many Victors I would imagine.)

Regards,
J.

[gramophoneshane]

John,
I think all up, I've seen 3 Victor machines out here- including the one I have. Over the years, I've seen a lot of Brunswicks, Columbias, Aeolian Vocalions, and the occasional Sonora. Thats about it for US machines. British made machines are far more common, as are our home grown brands like Rexonola, which are all basically oz cabinets with imported machanics.
These days, theres not much of anything in the wild though. Even records are getting hard to find around my way.

[Deleted]

Basicly John, I don't buy disc's or cylinder's off of ebay, because, most seller's only list one disc or one cylinder at one time and, at a price higher then most shipping costs. So I would not be getting a bargin. Or if a seller list's mutliple disc's there is a one in five chance that maybe all are playable? As for the machine, unless I could look at it in person, I won't buy off of ebay. I haven't really bought much off of ebay in quite some time. Last thing I bought was 8 DD's and maybe only 4 were playable. So I was disaponited. Even if I find a trusted seller, there is no chance for a bargin, unless I know the seller, then maybe. So I am a bit hesistent.

[neophone]

Paul,

It's tougher with DD's & BA's but what I do is buy multiple records from a seller over a period of up to a month to combine shipping. For example I buy 40 records at a time from one e-Bay sellers and he combines shipping for them. Check out bartrade he's got a few DD's listed lately, I think I've got four or five in this latest batch from him.

I agree 100% with you regarding buying one record at a time from an E-Bay seller, shipping will kill you! I always try to buy at least two if not three at a time from a particular seller.

Regards,
J.

[Deleted]

Thank You John!