crazy old woman

Dijos

Dijos

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
2,600
from time to time, people on this forum help folks out with "what is this?" questions. This weekend, I found who these people are. Iwas antique shopping, and gfound 4 knives in this lady's shop. She says that she got all the information on the web for her prices.
Camillus marlinspike, handles melted in spots, otherwise fine, 22$
Old tiny senator, fake mop, cracked, rusted, had been sharpened to death, one blade cracked in half, 12$
even smaller real mop one blade, marked republic ireland, rust, missing 1/4-1/3 of one scale 8$.

The ireland was only slightly longer than a guitar pick.
Where do people get these priches?
 
I would think she seen something similar on ebay and said to herself, " I have some knives that look kinda like those, thats what I'll charge. " Like most people, to her a knife is a knife is a knife, and she's not familiar with pricing according to condition and maker and all those other things we would use to price a knife. If you want the knives, wait a couple of weeks and go back, if they are still there do a "best, one time offer" and if she refuses let them sit. They don't sound all that worthwhile to spend much effort or time on anyway.
 
Sounds like a typical antique shop owner. All old knives must be valuable. A few years ago I was in a shop where all the knives, even the junkers and POSs were around $90. Even the old Marbles safety folder! She was partialy right, some knives are very valuable, but some are VERY valuable.
Phil
 
I have found that making a well presented case that the knife is only valued at (X) and explaining carefully that you do know something about it is always a good way of possibly getting the price reduced. Although some do take offense to your know it all attitude if your not careful. I sometimes spot one that is underpriced that I don't want and start the conversation by explaining that it is worth much more and then reversing and getting what I want. HEY, this is half the fun anyway. :p I return at least once a year to the tri state antique stores and I laugh when I see the exact same overpriced knife sitting there. I a wasn't the only one that thought it was overpriced. But if you have a chance look at ebay and the old Platts Eldred PA pocket knife. This orginal old knife has one side of the handle replaced with brass, the other side is bone, weak worn blades, and well used. The price today is up to $157.00. I can't believe it. Is it rare? :confused: Somewhat, but in that condition would I pay that price, and the auction still isn't over yet? No way, :eek: WOW! It all comes down to something that an old timer once told me, "you just have to decided what is important to you" well said I think, I use this quite often.
 
One way to explain some of the Ebay price inflating like that Platts knife is that there are collectors who need that particular knife to finish out a collection. I see all the time in antique shops overpricing just because it is old and in an antique shop. I always had better luck in flea markets.
 
I find it interesting that e-bay had driven down the prices of some collectables and lifted the prices of others. But I also remember what my dad used to say when, as a kid, I'd ask him how much he thought a particular item is worth. He'd say, "Whatever someone is willing to pay." As we get more knowledgeable about our particular knife fetishes, we are in the position of not being willing to pay the high prices, and on occasion, get more for a piece than we expected, because someone was willing to pay more....
Barry
 
Never miss the opportunity to give the dealer a best offer on something, if they get mad, so what. But if they accept your offer, or want to haggle, you're in the drivers seat now!
 
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