Victrola!

[vicarz]

If I just buy the one I know about, not only will I have one less thing to think/worry about, but...it'll be one less thing. And one more thing.

Minus - I could hunt one down for less, that much is clear.
Plus - it's restored / refurbished (supposedly), has all of the record holders which is extra cool and very rare from what the net has shown me, it lets me continue my boycott of eBay, and Jill said so. Jill is usually right when she takes the time to tell me something 7 or 8 times or so.

Comments

[syn09.livejournal.com]

Be very careful with items that have been restored/refurbished especially with wood. If someone takes a wood paste to fill cracks in a frame then technically it's been refurbished but the value of the item has been practically destroyed. It some cases you're actually better off getting an item that's slightly damaged but still original as opposed to the same item that's been restored.

[eac.livejournal.com]

Why're you boycotting Ebay? Inquiring minds want to know...

[baronsamdi.livejournal.com]

Depends why you want it. If you want "an antique," than something that's been refinished is bad news for sure. If you are an audiophile who wants a usable piece of equipment, than what you seek is the case with all the original parts present and preferably in working order. "Original condition" is not so much the goal there.

[syn09.livejournal.com]

That's very true. It's all in the reasoning.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

eBay - buying things from strangers based on trust. Yeah, I don't trust people I know, why would I have faith in some strangers across the country? The pay guarantees are weak.

Restored - Never thought about that. I'm torn - mostly I just want it for the nostalgia I would feel personally...same way I like listening to Mary Hopkins or Tom Waits (who just sounds like he's on a victrola...drunk). At the same time, value is a nice benefit as well. Argh - tough decision.

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

Boo, just buy the damn thing already! Or I will never stop hearing about the one in Newport that almost was *LOL*

Oh and you...

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

referred to me as Jill on line. That felt so odd to read. Not bad just odd like my two worlds met briefly.

Just a few points about refurbished

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

It is very true that people will slap some Old English on something with a wood putty filler underneath and call it refinished. However, "refurbished" by someone who is a craftsman is different. As is "restored" by a craftsman different than restored by Joe Blow Somebody Antique dealer person.

Re: Oh and you...

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Oops! Should I edit that?

Re: Oh and you...

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

No. It was just odd. I mean half my friends there don't even refer to me as Jill in person *LOL* It took me forever to get used to responding to it here after I moved.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_blackjack_/]

I have had far more bad experiences with standard mail-order retail establishments than I have with eBay. I've never had an eBay experience that was outright bad. If you stay away from people with negative feedback, it's pretty safe. Most people accept credit cards via PayPal, so you have extra leverage if something goes wrong.

The real danger is that you'll buy too much useless junk on impulse. Or a $2000 sword...

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Don't let Krom hear you speaking that way! He may say the hell with you!

I'm getting the damn thing, only I called too late last night so I may cheat and call today while in training.

Re: Just a few points about refurbished

[syn09.livejournal.com]

Exactly, that's why people need to be careful. On more than one occasion when I lived in Michigan I'd come across an antique desk or chair or something that was refurbished. After I talked to the dealer I'd have the piece inspected by a third-party to certify the work done to restore the piece and on more than one occasion the inspector came back, to my dismay and the dealer's horror, saying that the materials used to restore the piece actually did more harm than good with an explanation of why.

In the case of Jose's Victrola I have to agree with the good Baron that if Jose wants to have a working piece of equipment and isn't concerned about collectability or investment value then this stuff doesn't really apply. But in any event, whenever making a large purchase I always recommend caution to people. I'd feel really bad if he got the thing home and discovered it was a Victrola case with a Sony turntable inside. That would suck.

Re: Just a few points about refurbished

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

*LOL* Sony turntable...

I just must have misunderstood you. I have been reading things and responding rather quickly sort of out of forced Blaster worm habit. I thought you were saying any refurbishing detracts from the value. And I agree also that it depends, as in Vicar's case, on your intention of the piece in question. I do stuff to antiques some times that I shouldn't just b/c I'm not out to re-sell them.