Keep your fingers crossed

[mickeyd]

I had never seen this machine before; in fact, I did a double-take, thinking it was a lens refraction in the first few seconds with that double deck control panel. It's amazing-- no dials even. I got so excited for you and all of us thinking of the glory of seeing this gem close-up and personal.

As my grandmother would say, "That's a damned rotten shame."

But, you never know. Things chamge on a dime. He may call back and say, "It's yours."

 

[retromania]

Let us hear!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

For what it's worth...

I smelled a rat too in this unfortunate situation.

I had been speaking to Justin about the machine during the afternoon yesterday, and we even discussed the offer price. When he told me later that the seller had second thoughts and was likely going to back out, I was skeptical that the seller was pulling a fast-one.

So, I called the seller myself, even before Justin published the link here. To my surprise, I got the exact ditto answer that he told Justin --- that they were handed down from his deceased grandfather, that he was initially ok with the price until he told his Dad what he was doing, and his Dad asked if he wanted to sell his Grandfather's possessions without even knowing what they're worth, etc. He also said he should take the ad down from Craigslist. The one thing he did NOT mention was having had done $300 worth of work on them.

He went on to say "I had an offer of $400 or $500 but I don't know what they're worth". I think the guy has visions of sugar-plum dollar signs in his head. It was very clear to me at the time that the machines are still for sale (the ad still being on C/L supports that) and that the seller wants to find out what he can get for them, and is doing exactly what Justin surmised - not standing up to his original deal.

I went on to explain that I felt I had a good idea of what the machines were worth, and I mentioned a bit about our club. I said "To 99.5% of buyers, these machines being over 50 years old are worth NOTHING. To perhaps .49% of buyers, they may be worth no more than any other used old washing machine, which is nowhere near $400. Its just to our relatively tiny club that these would hold any value, so don't expect a stampede of four-figure offers to flood in over the next weeks." He seemed like he actually understood that as he is interested in 1950s Lincolns and knows that value is limited to the realm of collectors.

So, with that, I guess we'll see what happens with these. It took the Pink 1963 Ladies I got about a year to re-appear for sale at a more reasonable price, presumably after the seller found out that there wasn't a legion of buyers ready to shell-out small fortunes for an old machine.

Gordon

 

[chaskelljr2]

1961 Lady Kenmore Washer!!!!

As someone discusses and might I add, debates with you about Kenmores all the time, I always like it when you and I always exchange correspondence when we discuss various facets about Kenmore Washers, even when we disagree.

This is why more than anything, I want nothing more than to see you end up with these. Especially that washer. I saw this washer in a 1961 Sears Catalog before, but never one in the flesh like the one I'm seeing in this picture.

This is a VERY RARE machine, and to see you end up with it, that will be great.

Gordon!!!! Let me know what comes of this, okay buddy???

--Charles--

 

[danemodsandy]

I'm Wondering....

If the seller just might be lurking here, and seeing what we have to say?

Our Web presence is such that anyone Googling "old washing machine" or "antique washer and dryer" is pretty much going to be directed to AW.org.

This is why I'm in favor of using the Cone of Silence until such time as the deal is done and my new goodies are safely in da house.

 

[danemodsandy]

P.S.:

If I'm right, and if the seller is lurking to see what info can be gained here....

He needs to look at the Archives a little more closely, to see how many times members here have helped sellers with rare items get a realistic price for their machines, and find them good homes instead of a date with the crusher.

Too bad if someone wants to play games more than they'd like to get the best possible outcome. Because when it comes to "best possible outcome," we can help.

 

[goatfarmer]

Good idea, Sandy. Badmouthing the guy here might backfire, along with 35 dozen EMails from members telling him how rare they are, and how he should sell them, etc. Let things take their course.

 

[yogitunes]

he doesn't have to lurk here in the background....many people join/jump to advertise on here that they have a vintage piece and wondering what price they should sell it for, and many times someone will jump in and quote a high unrealistic price to them....as their own opinion of what "they" would pay versus what someone else may be willing to pay....without considering true value and condition of said machine...

it's happened too often.....knocking someone out of the chance of getting a machine they are seeking for a negotiable price!

 

[alr2903]

Yep they come and go never to be heard from again.  Once a gent posted about needing a faucet adaptor for a portable dishwasher. I posted the link to one "on the bay".   Not even a thank You!

 

[launderess]

Yogitunes and ALR2903 nailed things on the head.

Look at how many member profiles were created by persons either seeking information and or wanting to sell something, then never to be heard from again.'

If this and similar groups such as those for persons into vintage metal cabinets 99.5% of appliances and what not would be in landfills or scrap yard, regardless of condition, vintage or rarity.

Quite honestly unless something is totally NIB and by that I mean still has the original hoses and sample box of Tide (or Dash,*LOL*) the value of said appliance is only what someone is willing to spend. In that and most other cases these sellers should be happy to have anyone come and collect. This as opposed to them hauling the thing out to the curb themselves and or paying scrapper fees at local yard.

Know times are hard out there but come on. There is no reason to treat persons like this.

CountryFord, relax, pour yourself four fingers of Bourbon and move on. In time something better *will* come along. Just thank your lucky stars you didn't spend time, money and fuel traveling to this guy's home only to be treated like you don't count.

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>Look at how many member profiles were created by persons either seeking information and or wanting to sell something, then never to be heard from again.'</blockquote> As I recall, Robert has the site programming such that user profiles are auto-deleted after a period of non-use.  6 months?  1 year?  Some such time.

 

[70series]

How unfortunate to find a rare model such as a 1961 LK only to have it pulled back because of some grandiose delusion of its worth. Countryford, I am sorry to see this one not become yours. Hopefully the seller will realize that he will not get his price and reconsider your offer, but if he doesn't, it is true that another one like it could pop again even if not for awhile.

Funny how the console styling of this is not in keeping with most of the 1961 lineup, but is more in congruity with those that came out in 1962.

Have a good one,
James

 

[countryford]

Well they are back on Craigslist with a price of $3,000.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/atq/4122448979.html

 

[whirlykenmore78]

$3000! Really?

Now this moron just proved beyond any doubt that he is nothing more than a money hungry douchebag.   I hope the only emails he gets are from people telling him he's crazy.

WK78

 

[redcarpetdrew]

James wasn't kidding!

Grandiose delusion of their worth, indeed! Wonder if it was from that great source of inflated price research known as the internet, the words vintage or antique or a ton of emails telling him that those are so rare and worth lots of money?

$3,000 on Craigslist? Yeah, good luck with that. Looks like everyone will STILL be waiting for them...

RCD

 

[tolivac]

NO money shots of the drums!!Getting suspicious here-for $3000 these machines should be new in their shipping boxes.The seller needs to soak his head!

 

[d-jones]

This isn't even a matched set. It's just two random Lady Kenmore's. I understand from what I've read here in this thread that the washer is a bit rare, but what about the dryer? Is there anything particularly special about it or is it just along for the ride?

 

[retromania]

$3,000.00

Forget it!

 

[peterh770]

Dream on, clingon...

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!

 

[peterh770]

"This is the item every one has been waiting for, 1958-1

A Frigidaire WXN/WXL it is not...

 

[firedome]

Just pray...

that some cretin with more $$$ than brains doesn't come along and buy them. That happens on eBay and at big car auctions on a fairly regular basis, unfortunately.

 

[ken]

Don't remember seeing this thread from 5 years ago. Found it very interesting. Too bad Justin didn't get them. Funny how the "sentimentality" the owner felt for them could be overcome for the right price! Wonder if they ever sold and for how much?

I recently had a somewhat similar experience with a CL ahole myself. I saw a three day old ad for a Chevy Blazer located about one hour away. Looked pretty good and was priced right. I called the number in the ad on a Friday and left a voicemail. All weekend I get no call back so I figured it was sold and like so many CL jerks seller couldn't be bothered to delete the ad.

Monday morning I see the ad was reposted/renewed 10 hours earlier which means it wasn't sold when I called about it Friday or all weekend. So I call a second time and again leave a voicemail this time stating I had called previous Friday but when I didn't hear back all weekend I figured it had been sold. Never got a reply. At that point I decided seller was just a douchebag and could stick it. After about another two weeks of the ad still being up it was finally deleted.

Bottom line is that douche had something they wanted to sell but couldn't be bothered to reply back to a prospective buyer. People of that ilk who post ads online and then don't reply to an inquiry really annoy the crap out of me.