E-Bay fascination

[Loner16]

I'm beginning to understand the fascination with watching razors, or whatever one may be into, on E-Bay.
I happened to see a Gillette President. It appeared to be in pristine condition, basically unused, with case to match. When I caught it last night, the bid was $216 and ending within minutes. I did not bid, I'd be afraid to shave with a razor that I paid over two hundred dollars for, but I watched with great interest. As the seconds counted down, the bid jumped to $262, and that's what this obviously beautiful vintage Gillette sold for. I was awestruck, to say the least, to see this 1953 razor sell for over $260!
Now, I was 4 years old in 1953, and I would guess that my Dad made about $3,000 per year about that time. My Mother did not work, as most Moms of the day. My guess is that this razor sold for ten dollars or less in that year. I know that a ten dollar razor would have been quite an extravagance for my Dad making sixty bucks a week at that time, just to shave the hair off his face.

Will a razor such as this one ever bring three, four or even five hundred dollars?? Is the sky the limit for a current fad?? Will a piece of memorabilia such as this retain it's seemingly lofty value??

I'm still befuddled!

 

[Oldguy]

The Gillette president in pristine condition is a special razor. The new owner will probably not shave with it or at the most once or twice. Remember the price and check the going price in a year or two, if any are still around. Will they ever hit $500 ? "Ever" is a long time. And I suspect that a few collectors here will not consider it a current fad.

Len

 

[SRock]

If you think that President was something search eBay for Gillette 195 Bottom Dial. Yes they have actually sold for that much.

Many of the razors we use went for the $5 or less range back in the day. As far as staying power, only time will tell but I suspect like many/most vintage things they will continue to increase in value though I'm sure there is an ebb and flow of the prices.

 

[BBrad]

Will a razor such as this one ever bring three, four or even five hundred dollars?? Is the sky the limit for a current fad?? Will a piece of memorabilia such as this retain it's seemingly lofty value??

I'm still befuddled!

I share your befuddlement and awe . . .

In a classic sense, any item is worth only what the buyer is willing to pay and the seller is willing to accept. Obviously, that amount changes with each transaction. The President that you saw is certainly worth the price to the buyer, but that does not mean it is worth that to someone else. Of course, there could be someone who would pay $400 for that one, but he was sleeping during the entire auction!

In general, we have seen prices rising on eBay over time due to some obvious issues. The supply of vintage razors is fixed, and fewer and fewer will be turning up each year. As fewer units enter the market in total, the PREMIUM items become even more scarce and in theory will bring a higher price. This also assumes that the current buyer "appetite" remains.

I would not call classic wetshaving a "Fad", however. There are quite a few guys who have always been wetshavers, along with many more that have come BACK to wetshaving. I believe that there will always be a certain percentage of men that will continue with the pleasure!

Razor prices on eBay are complicated by several factors. Prices for shaver-grade razors fluctuate - they were selling at higher average prices just a few weeks ago, but dropped during December. The individual listing and presentation makes a world of difference, too. Good pictures and sales pitch will bring a higher selling price.

My razor collection is not part of my investments, although, some of them may perform as well (or better) than my stock portfolio! I view them just like my stamp collection and shop tools - something that I enjoy (a lot) today, that can be left to my heirs to either cherish, sell, or throw away!

 

[Loner16]

I sense that some are taking my use of the word "fad" as an insult..

I've been a "wet shaver" my entire life... never shaved any other way, so let me assure everyone that I did not mean to demean anyone's hobby, or enjoyment of collecting classic pieces of shave gear. Heck, I've been bitten by the bug myself...

I'm aware that discussion via computer is difficult at best, without all the visual cues and tone that make face-to-face communication far less open to misinterpretation...

 

[BBrad]

I sense that some are taking my use of the word "fad" as an insult..

Personally, I was not insulted!! In fact, for some, the wetshaving experience may be just a passing fancy . . . but I firmly believe that for most of us, it is an enjoyable part of our daily lives.

Back to the original point of your post . . . the question about (and discussion of) user/collector/investor values for razors is a good one that deserves a thoughtful discourse!

 

[Oldguy]

I sense that some are taking my use of the word "fad" as an insult..

I've been a "wet shaver" my entire life... never shaved any other way, so let me assure everyone that I did not mean to demean anyone's hobby, or enjoyment of collecting classic pieces of shave gear. Heck, I've been bitten by the bug myself...

I'm aware that discussion via computer is difficult at best, without all the visual cues and tone that make face-to-face communication far less open to misinterpretation...

Actually you are correct. I have seen wet shaving described as a fad by some more then a few times. To some it is a fad and will be dropped by them in favor of their old ways. To others it has become a way of daily life. I was only referring to the collecting of vintage razors.

Len

 

[SRock]

To others it has become a way of daily life.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[cutting_edge]

The collection value of safety razors is enhanced greatly by the fact that the razos are still very useful today as shaving tools, and by some aspects perform better than modern age counterparts. It is a somewhat uncommon commodity, a very "usable collectible". So probably not a fad, IMO, and my guess, sale values will continue to mount.

 

[Slivovitz]

I've found a certain interest in watching razors at the other end of the price range, the kind that I've bought. I like to check what other people are paying, and compare this with what I paid. In some cases, I'll realize that I paid too much, but increasingly I'm finding out that I got some pretty good deals, at least by eBay standards.

With the amount that I've spent on all my razors, I could have bought one or maybe two really nice collector grade razors, and still have enough left over for five or six everyday shavers. What amazes me is not paying a couple of hundred dollars for one razor, but the thought that some people may have a display cabinet full of them. If you can afford it, though, and it makes you happy, why not?

 

[thirdeye]

My god man, who in their right mind would spend 100.00 or more on a razor....

 

[SRock]

My god man, who in their right mind would spend 100.00 or more on a razor....

I don't know but I know what kind of guy would be the pusher for said razor addicted individuals.

 

[thirdeye]

I don't know but I know what kind of guy would be the pusher for said razor addicted individuals.

Meh!!!!

 

[SRock]

Meh!!!!

Hey, I think its a good thing! I mean how much would we all suffer without such enablers.

 

[thirdeye]

Hey, I think its a good thing! I mean how much would we all suffer without such enablers.

Well seeing you put it that way, I would not want to be the one causing any undo suffering.......

 

[SRock]

Well seeing you put it that way, I would not want to be the one causing any undo suffering.......

 

[johnmrson]

There's a couple of expensive razors on eBay at the moment. A gold pristine Gillette President sitting at US$209 with 13 hours to go. The Gillette Fatboy with the adjustment near the bottom with a buy it now price of US$995 has to take the cake though. I'll never buy a razor because I think I can make money on it in a few years, all the ones I buy are to be used so I pay accordingly.

 

[mark_mw]

By weight, Postage Stamps have to be the most expensive collectable....and unlike a vintage razor, if they have a cancellation mark, can't even be used again!

 

[cfriend]

My President is not pristine, nor is it's case. I hunted them down for over a month and am happy with the money I put into it. I have considered selling it as I haven't used it in nearly six months, but, so far, I can't bring myself to part with it. Too pretty.

 

[moshulu]

I was awestruck, to say the least, to see this 1953 razor sell for over $260!
Now, I was 4 years old in 1953, and I would guess that my Dad made about $3,000 per year about that time. My Mother did not work, as most Moms of the day. My guess is that this razor sold for ten dollars or less in that year.

[...]

I'm still befuddled!

No reason to be befuddled. It's all about inflation. A salary of $3000 per year compares with, say, $60000 per year today. Thus, a ten dollar razor then is equivalent to a $200 dollar razor now, which is about what the President went for... In other words, the razor has not changed much in real value.