I was in conversation the other day with another tool dealer about the marketplace and what we are seeing out there on the streets so to speak. It’s certainly a crazy time with some real hot-headed sellers ‘that have seen it on eBay’ therefore with their limited knowledge expecting top prices when selling in places that you would expect there to be room for more established knowledgeable dealers could work with.
The times I see a dog of a tool that needs life support & major surgery with genuine parts is growing, and buyers need to be careful out there when dealing with these chancers. We see this happening more often online too and I hear time and again those with less knowledge getting caught out. Generally. Whilst a lot of established tool dealers and people are honest, there are a few that would rob their granny for a pound. Then you have the downright ignorant type of seller who knows everything about nothing when it comes to old tools, it’s true though that every trade and profession has these people!
It boils down to a little knowledge that can be dangerous sometimes, until buyers are more accustomed to what tools they buy they are best to use good tool dealers to bridge that gap. That said, some tool dealers are better than others and some can be trusted and others not so much, either because they are less observant, knowledgeable, or because they don’t have the experience. Look for attention to detail, standards, professionalism, and accountability they set for themselves.
With more auctioneers operating online, it has to be said they can and do make mistakes, much of this comes from being used to buyers doing the detailed inspection. The attention to detail part they are not used to doing is often shown by the lack of images and short descriptions. This is the very reason this auction website was developed to show how wrong the likes of the saleroom have got it, it’s always a gamble to buy on there.
Providing buyers with a better overview of what they are purchasing gives them the confidence to bid, lack of it only undermines it.
There are bargains for old tools out there of course, but for every bargain, there is always that tool that isn’t what it may seem. Likewise, because something has a high price on it don’t always assume it’s right without properly inspecting it.
This tool auction will focus on unusual and rare antique tools, pointing out any issues if they have them or will add vintage tools that stand out for their good original condition.
Parts for old tools can be evasive and a tool may be rare but incomplete it’s only got a partial value, every incomplete tool is a spare parts tool and should be valued as such. If it’s too good to be true it often is, check out my blog for this Record 103 Plane.
We hope in time to establish this website with some great content that will provide reliable information for our members. It is a two-pronged attack in this manner as this can be enriched by the members of this website.
Good luck with tool hunting, but always keep a cautionary edge!