buying vintage radios through internet auctions

Internet auctions have become extremely popular recently. Over the last twelve years I have both bought and sold many times through on-line auctions and I offer here a few suggestions for guidance to the newcomer, based entirely upon my own experience. I stress that the opinions expressed are entirely my own and you should make your mind up about their accuracy and worth for yourself!

'Caveat Emptor' (buyer beware)

The first thing to check is the accuracy of the auction statement as provided by the seller. Is the radio REALLY a 1930's model? You will often find that accuracy is lacking when manufacturing dates are mentioned. Often it may simply be an error on the seller's part, but the point is that there exists a world of difference in terms of value between a good 1930s set and a good 1950s set. The older the set, the more attractive to the collector, all things being equal in other respects. Learn to recognize the tricks of the trade - terms such as 'Art Deco' do not truly apply to radios manufactured after WWII. 'Stunning' and WOW!' really are meaningless and are there only to attract your attention. 'Rare' is a matter of opinion, usually. 'Found in an attic'. So what? Does that make a set somehow more desirable, and if so, why? Take notice of what is NOT said, rather than what is. Some of the sales pages are highly decorated with colour and fancy graphics, but you are bidding on a radio, NOT clever HTML. Don't be taken in. It is also surprising how many 'collectors' are seemingly disposing of their collections because their wives are threatening to leave them otherwise. Is this perhaps just a cunning way of avoiding giving the real reason the set is up for auction? Could be ...

Beware the seller who claims not to know anything about radios. It is certainly true that some who sell vintage radio on the internet are being honest when they say that, but others use it as a 'blind', pretending not to know that the loudspeaker, valves or mains transformer is missing (a qualification in radio engineering is not essential in order to spot missing knobs, loudspeakers etc). Check the availability of pictures of the set you are interested in. No pictures? Don't bid, is my advice. Instead, contact the seller and ask for pictures via email. If you don't get them, for whatever reason, reconsider your position.

Photographs are essential...

If photographs do not exist, don't consider bidding blind. What story do the photographs tell? I spotted recently an attractive looking Pye set from the 1930s. The seller (obviously a trader) claimed to know nothing, not even the make of the set, though the rising sun motif should have given a huge clue in that respect. The pictures, of which there were two, were not very distinct. One showed the front of the set, the other one of the sides - but interestingly the blank one, not the side where the control panel was. I therefore emailed him to ask pertinent questions (in a polite manner, of course - I did not simply assume the worst). No answer of any kind was received so I did not bid and the set finally sold for over £70. I'd be inclined to bet that something was adrift with it - perhaps no control panel, or missing knobs etc. otherwise, why no answer? Why no picture? Would you buy a used car based upon a picture of just the back or one side? I happen to know that in this particular case, the radio concerned is prone to have a broken tuning sub-chassis - of which the control panel is integral part. I also know that the knobs are often missing and these are non-standard and therefore almost impossible to replace. Such knowledge is invaluable but not available to the average bidder.

...but even photos can lie

Some time ago, I looked at an auction for a Pilot receiver, only to find the photo purporting to be of the set for sale was one that had been 'lifted' from this website. The actual set on offer was of a different period, with considerable circuit and waveband coverage differences (and very probably not in as good a condition, hence the lifting of my photograph). I emailed the seller to tell him that he had infringed my copyright but predictably, no reply was forthcoming. Whoever bought the set must have been disappointed. Scams everywhere you turn!

Feedback

With most auction sites you can check the seller's feedback (comments both good and bad left by previous purchasers) and this is helpful but it is not a cast-iron guarantee. Buying via an on auction is akin to buying a pig in a poke. It amazes me that so many do so, and seem prepared to pay large sums when buying virtually blind. Finally, there are now lots of traders plugging their goods in these auctions. Nothing wrong there, but it is always good to know from whom you are buying. Another old saying has occurred to me - 'a fool and his money are soon parted'. Don't rush to give it away. When paying, I prefer to send a cheque directly to the seller. There have been instances where the escrow service (where they hold the money as a third party until both parties are satisfied) has been hacked into and false Escrow addresses used to rob people who send their payment in good faith. If you send directly to the seller and you don't get the goods, at least you know who has your money. Remember - these are only my personal opinions. You must decide for yourself and accept the fact that the business of on-line auction buying  has its attendant risks whatever steps you take to minimize them. Having said all that there are some absolutely genuine folk selling regularly on Ebay and it is an interesting resource.

HOWEVER... no such thing as a free lunch. Too good to be true? You bet.

Recently a number of vintage radio enthusiasts have found the same item on more than one auction entry. The obvious inference is that one of the 'sellers' is attempting to sell something he or she does not own. This has proved to be the case, several people losing money and as they never existed in the first place, not receiving any goods. When and if any monies can be recovered, there may be a fairly steep 'processing charge' levied, making a relatively small claim for recompense worthless. It is quite possible that this kind of heartless scam is widespread throughout on-line auction categories. Warning signs? Goods of obvious high value being offered at a figure, perhaps a buy-it-now figure, considerably below the likely trading value. If in doubt, email the seller, ask pertinent and preferably technical questions and for more pictures to be supplied. Base any further actions on the answers. Do NOT rely on an apparently good feedback record: these are a guide only, NOT a foolproof indicator of a seller's honesty.

Who do you trust?

Auction sites say that the vast majority of traders are decent, honest folk. Which by inference means there are some who are not.

Here's yet another scam: suppose you bid on an object but someone outbids you. So you've lost the auction. But wait: there's an email offering to sell you the same item as a 'second chance' offer. This applies if the winning bidder reneges on his bid! Great, you think, and send off your cheque.

WRONG MOVE. The 'seller' has been sending 'second chance' offers to everyone who bid originally on the item concerned. He doesn't own it , it may not even exist and he certainly has no intention of honouring any deal. All he wants is your money - and now he's got it, along with that of (possibly) many others, he has become untraceable.

In case you think this is far-fetched, it isn't. Rather it is yet another example of just how crafty these spoof merchants and thieves are. You'd think with the intelligence they must possess in order to dream up these novel methods of robbery they could as easily take up gainful and honest employment, but such a course holds little fascination for them and it would seem their pleasure comes from defrauding innocent people. Of course, not all second chance offers are scams - but it is up to you, the prospective purchaser, to check thoroughly before parting with cash or cheque. Remember the old adage: a fool and his money are soon parted. OK, you are not a fool, but you almost certainly are honest and trusting that others are too.

Consider using Paypal for your auction purchases, it is a safer way. Any seller who won't accept Paypal should be avoided, in my opinion.

Be aware: there will be many other scams masquerading as honest deals. Take care.

Brief checklist

Are there pictures of the important parts - inside showing valves and chassis, outside showing controls and scale?

With Bakelite cabinets, are there any signs of damage, stress cracking or breaks?

With wooden cabinets, any evidence of woodworm, missing veneer, ring stains or general damage?

Is the glass scale intact and showing no drop-out of lettering?

Is the cost of carriage and packing reasonable?

Do you receive answers to enquiries?

 DOES THE OFFER SEEM TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?

Is the vendor's feedback record good? How reasonable have his responses to poor feedback been?

Finally, watch for missing items such as transformers, loudspeakers, escutcheons and knobs. Check if possible that the knobs are the correct type for the set.

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