Selling Vintage Revamped Razors vs Non Revamped Vintage Razors

[swiftliketaylor13]

I hope I am going through the proper channel here and if I am not, I apologize.

I want to start off by stating - No, I am not trying to advertise any vintage razor. If I use a reference, it's only as an example. Just simple questions!

I have lost count of how many single razors, DE razors, adjustable razors, straight razors, etc. that I have accumulated over the past year or so..

That being said, I am not a squirrel. Pretty sure..

Would selling a revamped vintage razor be more favorable than selling one that isn't?

Let's say you bought a fat boy that is in really decent condition but hasn't been revamped, would a buyer be more inclined to purchase it or one that has been sent it and done up?

Let's say it has a rare man. date/birth date, would that be something to take into consideration?

Am I making any sense?

 

[GR5233]

When it comes to resell on vintage razors if they’re in good condition then they don’t really need to be revamped. If they’re not in good condition then it depends on how bad the condition is

 

[bubo_strix]

Price competitively based on condition and let the buyer have it replated/tuned up if they want to spend the extra money.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

It is a personal thing but I most prefer a lightly used razor with some patina and wear from the previous owner as that is what gives it interest and character. I am less interested in pristine display pieces as I am not a collector and I find them lacking something intangible. I am least interested in replated or excessively polished items.

 

[wetshaver233]

I assume by revamp you mean complete workout on the razor like plating it? If that's the case, then It depends on how common or uncommon that razor is and it's condition. For instance, if you have a pre-war or a post-war Tech in bad condition and you want to replace it with the hopes of selling it for more money that might not be a good idea, since those razors are very easy to find in great, near mint or even in NOS condition for not a lot of money.

It also depends on who's buying the razor, because some collectors despise restorated razors and if you find something that is concidered rare and unique regardless if it's vintage or modern and it's still in decent condition, it's better to leave it as it is, unless you have no plans of selling it of course.

My reason for not wanting to buy revamped razors is because more often than not they sell for more than what they actually cost. It would be much cheaper for me to just buy a razor in somewhat decent condition without any serious damage for next to nothing and then send it for a complete revamp than just directly buy a revamped razor, because almost all revamped razors that we see on sale are done the same way to maximize profit for as little as possible, so why not do it myself?

 

[Tirvine]

I do not know how this concept would apply to razors, but highly collectible things like certain old guitars and antique furniture, if truly rare, tend to retain more value untouched.

 

[yellcohawg58]

I do not know how this concept would apply to razors, but highly collectible things like certain old guitars and antique furniture, if truly rare, tend to retain more value untouched.

This reminds me of watching antiques roadshow several years ago. A woman brought in a very rare Tiffany lamp that she had cleaned up. the appraiser told her it was worth about 5,000 dollars in it's present condition, if she hadn't cleaned it up it would have been worth well north of 100,000 dollars. The moral of the story is research the value of your antiques or vintage items before you do anything to them.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

Yeah, a hardcore collector will want things in untouched condition. A user might prefer revamped. Although I will say, I am more of a user than a collector, and I much prefer razors (both safety razors and straights, but especially straights) to be in "warts and all" condition, and not just because of the price. I want to see where the potential problems are. Once I get it at least into shaving condition, then I decide how far I want to go in fixing it up. Even then, if I think something has some particular collectible value I'll probably opt for a less-is-more approach.

 

[DesertIguana]

I hope I am going through the proper channel here and if I am not, I apologize.

I want to start off by stating - No, I am not trying to advertise any vintage razor. If I use a reference, it's only as an example. Just simple questions!

I have lost count of how many single razors, DE razors, adjustable razors, straight razors, etc. that I have accumulated over the past year or so..

That being said, I am not a squirrel. Pretty sure..

Would selling a revamped vintage razor be more favorable than selling one that isn't?

Let's say you bought a fat boy that is in really decent condition but hasn't been revamped, would a buyer be more inclined to purchase it or one that has been sent it and done up?

Let's say it has a rare man. date/birth date, would that be something to take into consideration?

Am I making any sense?

Think GREAT PHOTOS HELP SALES, I would be more inclined to buy as is, Refinished.

 

[slimshavy]

There's often a difference between what people say and what they do. People say they want the razor in its unrevamped condition but they'll pay more for one that's shined up and pretty, even if that takes it farther from its original condition.

When I was shopping for a NEW short comb razor, you could find many bargains that had the gold plating partially worn off. But the ones that sold for more money were those where the top cap plating had been completely stripped to reveal the reddish brass underneath. So, do you want some gold plating for $15 or no gold plating for $35?

 

[dmshaver]

I prefer buying razors that have not been replated.

 

[lancre]

Un-replated for me. I want the razor to show its experience.

 

[brucered]

Original.

If im going to have it replated or tuned up, I don't want just anyone doing it.

 

[dmshaver]

Original.

If im going to have it repeated or tuned up, I don't want just anyone doing it.

True that!

 

[VaughnB]

I prefer original, but if it needs it, I will have the razor refurbished/replated. I only have two that I sent to Chris Spencer at Backroads Gold. They had issues with the quarter turn and alignment. Most of my vintage razors are original and in good working order.

 

[Jay21]

Collectors are more likely to want un-replated. However, your item may sit unsold for awhile because collectors are very discriminating. If you wanted a quick sale to someone who plans to shave with it, replated will sell faster. Pick your target market and plan accordingly.

 

[Wombat ESQ]

Are you trying to maximise profits? well, it might work? or not?

you have a $50 razor
i can buy a 50$ razor
you put $50 into plating
I put $50 into plating

I know you not going to ask for $100
but i has only spent 100$ on mine for the same razor

Just because someone replates a flatboy in nickel, 24K gold, silver, platinum, does not make me want to buy it, i'm not a user, nor does it need be flash to make my bathroom flash. I buy some nice ones, and some real beaters with potential, or if it is an oddity, then the sleuce gates open, the market can be volatile to down right stupid money!
The only sure way to profit that i have found is start buying 35 years ago, a flatboy was 8 bucks then

 

[profusion]

Unless the razor needs repair or cleanup to function, then keep it non-revamped. Old razors should wear their experience like a badge of pride. No need to pretend it's new.

 

[Joezamboni]

I’ve bought several second hand replates. The seller that had it originally replated lost money every time.

The only people that make money on replates pick specific models that have certain traits regarding desirability and have good reputation as a razor seller on eBay.

When I retire and “need” money I’m sure the replates I have will have some value. That day is a long time away though

 

[swiftliketaylor13]

There's often a difference between what people say and what they do. People say they want the razor in its unrevamped condition but they'll pay more for one that's shined up and pretty, even if that takes it farther from its original condition.

When I was shopping for a NEW short comb razor, you could find many bargains that had the gold plating partially worn off. But the ones that sold for more money were those where the top cap plating had been completely stripped to reveal the reddish brass underneath. So, do you want some gold plating for $15 or no gold plating for $35?

just bought an this guy. rather have it shiny and revamped. but it cleaned up well, still needs work tho