Following a number of interactions with a few online sellers here in South Africa I posted the following on the SA Wick and Mantle forum this morning. The thoughts expressed are probably old hat to most members here but they are nevertheless heartfelt. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/wick-mantle/lounge/vKodLOQpN48 This is the text of the post: This is a subject that has been bothering me for some time now and I felt I had to share my opinions and hopefully prevent members from making some costly mistakes. More and more, I see sellers online and in shops wanting unrealistic amounts of money for lamps and lanterns that are in atrociously bad condition. Many of these items can not be restored to their original condition without being extensively re-manufactured in a well-equipped machine shop. The cost for this work and the parts needed will far exceed the market value of the same item in good condition. Often you can buy the item in decent condition on ebay and pay the shipping cost for less than what the lamp+repair would cost. Many novice buyers and collectors do not realise this and fall into the trap. This is what is meant by the term stupid money. If a seller, in their ignorance and greed made the mistake of paying too much for a scrap lamp, it is they who should suffer the cost of that mistake and not the novice collector. My advice would be to do your homework: Ask someone knowledgable what they know about the item and what parts and work it will need. Then try to get an idea of what it costs elsewhere. Then, you can approach the seller and make them an offer, and even perhaps explain your reasoning behind it. Ask a question on BoB stating your view on the matter. And avoid being the stupid money! In a free market it is after all buyers who determine prices and not sellers. This is called the law of supply and demand. Little more than 100 years ago, crude oil was common and had no value at all because there was no user demand for it. Only after it was discovered that it could be refined into kerosene for lamps did it acquire monetary value because of market demand. Collectively, we are a big part of the market for lamps in South Africa. Let's spend our hard earned money wisely and not encourage the bad behaviour of these ignorant greedy people. And if you are a seller, please take heed. No offense intended, but if the shoe fits, wear it! What say you? -Phil
I think many of us are aware of "progress", it's human nature, and it's only exacerbated by the media doing programs on collecting etc. There are still bargains out there, but not many on the market sites. The old fashion way is more satisfying boot fairs , markets ,auctions. Someone somewhere will always pay a silly high price because they need that item
The older people get with (generally) more disposable income, the more they will seek the items that were once commonplace, and which they themselves might have had when young - and maybe thrown away when broken or bored with it. Time passes. Then along comes the internet auction place, and lo! there's a market place full of nostalgic old duffers seeking their youth!! And as the market place will decide what the "right" price will be - you get silly prices on the last generation (or two's) cast offs. Same with cars, same with motorbikes. I sold my old Harley 45 - a 'dresser', for £100 many many Moons ago. Can't buy one today for less than £12,000.
My ire is not directed at sellers asking high prices in general but specifically against high prices for rubbish, in the hope of catching the unwary or gullible.
But how many sellers are themselves " unwary and gullible". I mean they may only know that people are paying high prices for lanterns and price from ignorance as they know nothing of lanterns themselves. Just saying it may not be smart people luring others into a trap as those with no knowledge of what they are selling thinking " this is valuable" and it won't go for a little.
I agree that you need to be informed and aware when buying lamps but value is set by sales and in particular aution sales where buyers compete. I don't think it is fair to complain about sellers high asking prices. If it is too high then you don't buy. On the other hand a seller may not know the true value or have any idea of how rare an item is but you can't blame a seller for asking for a higher price that you might think an item is worth. That is just business after all and if there are people out there spending too much on junk then who can blame a dealer for assuming there are more fools with cash out there willing to pay for another piece of junk. People make a living out of maximising profit. It's called capitalism and is what makes the world turn. ::Neil::
