Double Ring question

[DanInFla]

So i have a 1903/1904 Double Ring in excellent shape i got a few months back. Have another double ring (1906) i plan on keeping, however, my other hobby (photography) is calling. Looking to upgrade a lens.

Tried to do some research on the price point for a double ring, specifically a 1903/1904 and nothing comes up.

What do you think i should list this thing for?

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am plan on listing this on Ebay in order to max out my profit since i am trying to sell this to get something i want. I am not planning on trying to jack up the price and sell it on BST.

any help would be appreciated. Thanks, and sorry if this post is inappropriate.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

List it with an opening bid of 99 cents.

If you list it as a Gillette double ring and provide an accurate description and good photos it will fetch maximum value.

 

[c0ry]

List it with an opening bid of 99 cents.

If you list it as a Gillette double ring and provide an accurate description and good photos it will fetch maximum value.

I concur with this. I think starting the auction high usually results in a lower ending price--more people will glance over it instead of adding it to their watch list when they see it.

 

[ctakim]

Why not put it on BST at your desired price even if high (state your reason as you did here). These are rare and it would give a collector member to have a shot. Put a time limit before you go to the Bay! You can even say you are doing It as requested as a courtesy. Good luck with this. Is it a cased double ring?

 

[Oldguy]

Dan,
As I recall this DR is the one with no serial number and has the Pat Apl'd For on the handle. It is worth mentioning that. It is much more rare then the serialized Double Ring even without a case.

Len

 

[DanInFla]

Dan,
As I recall this DR is the one with no serial number and has the Pat Apl'd For on the handle. It is worth mentioning that. It is much more rare then the serialized Double Ring even without a case.

Len

agreed, and yes, this is the one. unfortunetly no case.

 

[DanInFla]

Why not put it on BST at your desired price even if high (state your reason as you did here). These are rare and it would give a collector member to have a shot. Put a time limit before you go to the Bay! You can even say you are doing It as requested as a courtesy. Good luck with this. Is it a cased double ring?

i was thinking about that, but i have seen in the past how people get slammed for trying to sell razors for a profit, especially this one. i only paid about $7 for it, and if i got and start asking for hundreds of dollars, i can just imagine the responses i will get. I am really not looking to get blasted on here, which is why i was thinking of just going straight to Ebay.

This is the 'pat applied for' with no serial number razor, meaning it was the first 50,000 razors ever made, and that makes it incredibly rare.

No case unfortunetly! but the razors is in absolutely excellent condition.

 

[DanInFla]

I concur with this. I think starting the auction high usually results in a lower ending price--more people will glance over it instead of adding it to their watch list when they see it.

i was actually planning on putting it as a Buy it Now with a 'make offer' option. i dont want to risk it selling too low if not enough people are interested during that 7 day stretch in cyberspace

 

[maxman]

I stand by the decision to put it on the 'bay.
That way there is no issue with any members on the site.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Wonder if Gillette would be interested in buying it? Do they have a museum at their headquarters for tourists?

If not another vote for Ebay.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Another vote for eBay. Start it at $1 and no reserve. Put "Gillette double ring" in the title of the listing and use your photographic skills to put up some great photos.

Forget the BIN, "make an offer," etc. For something like this, you want a pure auction. No one will call it unfair or whine about missed opportunities, either.

 

[johnmrson]

If it's any help when I was looking for a double ring not too long ago I was pfepared to pay up to $300 depending on condition and case or not

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

i was thinking about that, but i have seen in the past how people get slammed for trying to sell razors for a profit, especially this one. i only paid about $7 for it, and if i got and start asking for hundreds of dollars, i can just imagine the responses i will get. I am really not looking to get blasted on here, which is why i was thinking of just going straight to Ebay.

For what it is worth, I think the 'no profit' mantra translates to don't sell something for more than it is worth. I haven't slogged my way through the entire thread in BST on the topic, but I think the general consensus was that in a situation like yours, no one would expect you to sell that double ring for the price you paid for it. Although, if you do, I'm first in line. But I digress. Asking a fair price (or less than whatever might be considered fair) is expected. Gouging people is not. In other words, if you ask $1000 for it, people will cry foul (and it won't sell). Ask a 'fair' price and I don't think anybody will take issue with it. Just out of curiosity, how much is the camera gear you are wanting to get (I suppose you don't have to answer that, but read on)? Perhaps if it is approximately what the double ring is worth, then you could put it here and try to trade it for the gear itself and also have a for sale option for the amount that the gear would cost (assuming they might be comparable).

 

[T Rick]

First some eBay tips. I'd go for a 10 day auction if that's available. Make sure the auction ends at a good time (evening, say 6:30 PM Pacific time, so 9:30 PM Eastern time).

I like your "best offer" idea, but realize it will be below, not above your listed BIN price. Include a reasonable shipping fee published for CONUS, or better yet include free shipping (again, for CONUS). Higher shipping puts people off many auctions, even for higher dollar items.

Make sure your pictures are good (even great) and well lit. And make sure one of the better ones viewed small appears in the ad as the thumbnail from the search.

Make sure to include the words Safety Razor in the ad so searches using them will show it. I doubt many will search "Double Ring" (though you should list that in the title!).

Keep in mind, you've polished this with MAAS and a Dremel. Sorry to say, in my mind you may have actually damaged the razor. I suspect you've removed far more of the silver plating than you think. I hope I'm wrong, but I thought I recalled your pics looking blotchy, indicating possible thinned areas of plating (again, I hope I am wrong! Better lit pics will tell the story).

Best of luck on the sale, I hope you meet your goal.

 

[ctakim]

I am a bit sad that we are driving fair priced collectable razors away from the BST, but I understand and fully support Dan's decision. Good luck with this sale!

 

[DanInFla]

First some eBay tips. I'd go for a 10 day auction if that's available. Make sure the auction ends at a good time (evening, say 6:30 PM Pacific time, so 9:30 PM Eastern time).

I like your "best offer" idea, but realize it will be below, not above your listed BIN price. Include a reasonable shipping fee published for CONUS, or better yet include free shipping (again, for CONUS). Higher shipping puts people off many auctions, even for higher dollar items.

Make sure your pictures are good (even great) and well lit. And make sure one of the better ones viewed small appears in the ad as the thumbnail from the search.

Make sure to include the words Safety Razor in the ad so searches using them will show it. I doubt many will search "Double Ring" (though you should list that in the title!).

Keep in mind, you've polished this with MAAS and a Dremel. Sorry to say, in my mind you may have actually damaged the razor. I suspect you've removed far more of the silver plating than you think. I hope I'm wrong, but I thought I recalled your pics looking blotchy, indicating possible thinned areas of plating (again, I hope I am wrong! Better lit pics will tell the story).

Best of luck on the sale, I hope you meet your goal.

thanks for the tips Rick, i intent to bust out my studio lights and get some really nice pics.

as far as the condition of the razor, i think the blotches you see is just a combination of the flash, high ISO, and low resolution of the pictures posted to BST. in person the thing is shiny and has a very consistent finish with no apparent signs of thinning (of the plating)

 

[DanInFla]

I am a bit sad that we are driving fair priced collectable razors away from the BST, but I understand and fully support Dan's decision. Good luck with this sale!

thank you again for all the help Chris, as well as everyone else. I would love to sell it to someone on BST. i suppose everyone will have a shot though once it goes on Ebay.

thanks again fellas

 

[DanInFla]

For what it is worth, I think the 'no profit' mantra translates to don't sell something for more than it is worth. I haven't slogged my way through the entire thread in BST on the topic, but I think the general consensus was that in a situation like yours, no one would expect you to sell that double ring for the price you paid for it. Although, if you do, I'm first in line. But I digress. Asking a fair price (or less than whatever might be considered fair) is expected. Gouging people is not. In other words, if you ask $1000 for it, people will cry foul (and it won't sell). Ask a 'fair' price and I don't think anybody will take issue with it. Just out of curiosity, how much is the camera gear you are wanting to get (I suppose you don't have to answer that, but read on)? Perhaps if it is approximately what the double ring is worth, then you could put it here and try to trade it for the gear itself and also have a for sale option for the amount that the gear would cost (assuming they might be comparable).

you know Brian, that isnt the first time you have tried to purchase this razor for what i paid!

the lens i am buying is going to be around $900. if i can get close to half of that for the razor, and then sell off some other stuff (razors and an old lens) i hope to 'break even'.

i have some fatboys and single rings i am going to sell off as well.

 

[DanInFla]

Wonder if Gillette would be interested in buying it? Do they have a museum at their headquarters for tourists?

If not another vote for Ebay.

nope, they don't advertise their past and there is no museum or anything from what i have been told. apparently they are trying to hide the fact that they have regressed as company when it came to quality products.

 

[johnmrson]

Why don't you try it on BST first? List it for the price you want. If no one takes it, then go to eBay. I think it would be great if you could keep it in the B&B community.