Wow, someone really wanted this Eclipse Red Ring

[apino]

So, who of you was it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260661763110&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I was outbid at £58.55 (~$90) which I thought was a bit high to begin with since it didn't have a case and there was only one blurry picture. Supposedly in excellent condition though and the seller seems to sell a lot of very collectable razors. Hmm... Maybe now I'll try a fat handle Tech instead.

A while ago, a cased one went for £39 (~$60) but I guess the fact that it only shipped to the UK restricted the number of bidders. (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-ECLIP...=UK_Health_HairRemoval_RL&hash=item45f4bed75b)

 

[wulfgar1976]

I was watching that auction, and I saw another red ring go for much less recently. There was another on Ebay when I last looked which could still be live.

 

[apino]

Edit: Deleted. Should have made sure about forum policy before posting.

 

[Eclectic]

I thought it would go for more, in future it will do.
There aren't many of these around and there are lots of people who want one.
It is one of the few quality non Gillette vintage razors that you can just pop a modern DE blade in and use today. And it does give an excellent shave which is quite unlike anything else.

 

[apino]

And it does give an excellent shave which is quite unlike anything else.

I know it's been compared to a fat handle Tech shave-wise - and no doubt many will say otherwise. If there's even a half-truth in that, I'm not sure the shaving experience alone justifies the huuuuge price difference between them for me. No doubt they are superb shavers, of very high quality and especially if I was into collecting I'd probably be happy to pay just for the rarity of it.

I still can't decide if I'm disappointed for getting outsniped at that price or not. But I have a feeling my hunt for the Red Ring will continue...

 

[Wisdom]

I was watching that auction, and I saw another red ring go for much less recently. There was another on Ebay when I last looked which could still be live.

And with better pictures I would assume it'll go even higher. Don't think that one had the case either (I hope it's ok to comment on possibly ongoing auctions in this way?)

I don't think it's explicitly stated in the forum rules that mentioning live auctions is forbidden, but the consensus opinion (or nearly so) is that it shouldn't be allowed:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2052653

I'm sure there are a few on this board who are a little upset about the items' sudden publicity..
-\Visdom

 

[taffy]

This seller seems to have a huge stock of both de's and straights, though they are for charity, i went to exeter with swimbo the other week for a night out with some friends, was tempted to find out where this place was, but considering they seem to be selling everything they have, and for decent prices, i thought that even if they had a shop, everything would be on the bay.

 

[wulfgar1976]

This seller seems to have a huge stock of both de's and straights, though they are for charity, i went to exeter with swimbo the other week for a night out with some friends, was tempted to find out where this place was, but considering they seem to be selling everything they have, and for decent prices, i thought that even if they had a shop, everything would be on the bay.

I bought a couple of razors that he auctioned. One was a Gillette NEW in the original box and the other was a Windex No. 250, which is a Gillette OLD clone.

I really don't understand why he doesn't do something about the horrible photos he takes.

 

[apino]

I really don't understand why he doesn't do something about the horrible photos he takes.

+1 on that!

 

[apino]

I don't think it's explicitly stated in the forum rules that mentioning live auctions is forbidden, but the consensus opinion (or nearly so) is that it shouldn't be allowed:

Thanks for pointing this out to me, Wisdom. I knew linking to live auctions was prohibitied. I can well understand the consensus opinion. It definitely wasn't my intention to ruin anybody's auction, my apologies.

 

[malocchio]

how can anyone bid on any item with this type of low quality,or possibly even intentionally blurry photo?

 

[wulfgar1976]

how can anyone bid on any item with this type of low quality,or possibly even intentionally blurry photo?

Because the seller has a lot of positive feedback, seems to give accurate descriptions according to recent feedback and the blurry photo is more likely to result in a lower price. If the gamble doesn't pay off then Ebay's rules ensure that the buyer can return the item and be reimbursed.

 

[apino]

how can anyone bid on any item with this type of low quality,or possibly even intentionally blurry photo?

I've been watching his auctions for some time now. I've come to the conclusion that he is, for whatever reason, unable to take better pictures. If the photos were better it's obvious his stuff would sell for more = more money to charity.

I don't know where all those razors come from (donated by a collector or something?) but they almost always get listed as "excellent". And no doubt they must be at least very good or there would be more negative feedback. As we all know "excellent" can mean all sorts of things on eBay so you can't be sure, for example, if there's plating loss or not without asking about it every time.

 

[wulfgar1976]

I've been watching his auctions for some time now. I've come to the conclusion that he is, for whatever reason, unable to take better pictures. If the photos were better it's obvious his stuff would sell for more = more money to charity.

I don't know where all those razors come from (donated by a collector or something?) but they almost always get listed as "excellent". And no doubt they must be at least very good or there would be more negative feedback. As we all know "excellent" can mean all sorts of things on eBay so you can't be sure, for example, if there's plating loss or not without asking about it every time.

I can vouch for the two that I received. My Gillette NEW has no plate loss and the only blemish is a small amount of discolouration on the head. My Windex razor cleaned up and looks almost new.

 

[moshulu]

I bought the previous RR from this vendor, but it hasn't arrived yet. I'll report on its condition when it does.

This will be my second RR, I got it for my travel kit. A word of caution about these razors: the two alignment pins are press-fitted into the head plate and can pop out. In fact, both of them did on mine. Luckily, they did not go down the sink drain, or I would have been very upset.

The RR is a fantastic shaver, but there is another reason to love it: it can come in a splendid black bakelite case, embossed with the Eclipse logo: a square sun being eclipsed by an equally square moon. It's the essence of Art Deco.

I agree that the price and popularity of these razors will continue to climb. A few weeks ago I offered a bunch of cased high-end razors in trade for one on B/S/T, and I had no takers. Among them were a President, a #66, a #58...

 

[apino]

I bought the previous RR from this vendor, but it hasn't arrived yet. I'll report on its condition when it does.

Please do. Did it have the case too? I missed that one. For some reason eBay's completed listings search doesn't show it either.

BTW, looks like a separate Red Ring case sold for a very reasonable amount just recently. It seems there's huge variation to the prices at this moment and getting a good deal is down to luck. And as has been said in this thread, the prices will most likely continue to climb. All this talk of a "Holy Grail" will surely make the resell value more consistently high too.

 

[e d o]

I gave him a photo lesson today, wether any of it takes will remain to be seen - or not. He could certainly get more for some of these razors.

Now if he can just figure out who he sent MY razor to and get them to send it to me in exchange for their razor, there is a 50% chance I'll be happy. Something else to keep in mind when buying from him. I do think it was an honest mistake though.

Any of you guys buy a Tech in a black box and get a TV Rocket in a white box?

 

[wulfgar1976]

Now if he can just figure out who he sent MY razor to and get them to send it to me in exchange for their razor, there is a 50% chance I'll be happy. Something else to keep in mind when buying from him. I do think it was an honest mistake though.

Any of you guys buy a Tech in a black box and get a TV Rocket in a white box?

That's rather annoying. The razor that was sent to you is more valuable so I would think that the recipient of your razor would certainly want to make the exchange.

 

[apino]

The razor that was sent to you is more valuable so I would think that the recipient of your razor would certainly want to make the exchange.

I think he bought the TV Rocket, not the Tech?

 

[wulfgar1976]

I think he bought the TV Rocket, not the Tech?

Yes, you're right. Perhaps I was misleading him so that he doesn't suspect my sudden windfall