To Clean Up/Restore, or Not - will it effect the value?

[IMBand]

Dale could easily be right.......if you get a couple guys who need that handle material or that file blade pattern.
Your knife as is needs some work, but the knife needs to be gently cleaned by a cutler, not a hobbyist.
Clean that knife in the wrong way and your value will go down, cleaned the right way it could be a $250 knife.
I buy switches every so often and have had them worked on, so I decided to post here. My last small Schrade
double button was near mint with secondary pen blade and sported engraved sterling silver handles. I bought and
sold that knife right at $200, so that's kinda where I am guessing from. Like I posted before, your file blade and
handle material are desireable on that pattern, remembering condition is everything. Can't wait to see the listing as
I am sure the pics will be better, and I might even bid too......good luck Lisa.

IM

[JustLisa]

That's about where I was thinking the value should be, but only time will tell. I'm sure you would not be surprised at some of the "offers" I've gotten via PM. I may be dumb. but I'm not stupid. Would it be better to have a professional clean the knife up before I place it for sale? And if so, can anyone suggest a reputable person in the East Costa Mesa, CA area?

Lisa

[orvet]

That's about where I was thinking the value should be, but only time will tell. I'm sure you would not be surprised at some of the "offers" I've gotten via PM. I may be dumb. but I'm not stupid. Would it be better to have a professional clean the knife up before I place it for sale? And if so, can anyone suggest a reputable person in the East Costa Mesa, CA area?

Lisa

I do believe you, and if I know our guys, some have probably offered more than you will get on ebay for some of the knives.

I repair knives, but I don't work on switchblades. It is a different skill set. Many are the same, but the switches are unique and have very special requirements that very few knife mechanics have.
The closest person to you that can repair it, that I know of is in Ohio.

If I were selling the knife I would sell it as is and let the buyer clean and repair the knife as he/she chooses.
You will likely get more out of it as is, than you will get by putting $100 or more dollars in to it for repair & cleaning. The repair & cleaning will likely cost you more than the increased profit you will realize having it worked on, but that is just my opinion. Others may honestly differ with me on that. There is plenty of room for opinion in this hobby!

Most collectors like to get a knife uncleaned, especially by someone who is not a professional. Professional cleaning of most of the knives (the switchblade being the exception) will cost more than the knives will likely sell for on ebay, cleaned or otherwise. Some of the knives are of low enough value that if you paid to have the entire lot cleaned, you will likely pay more for cleaning them all than they will receive for selling them all on ebay.

That is my 2¢ worth.
Dale

[JustLisa]

Thanks for the additional info Dale...the $30.00 offer was pretty insulting though. I won't name names, but shame on that guy. I'd cart it around in my purse to file the occasional hang nail before I hand it to some greedy opportunist.

LP

[JustLisa]

Okay Gang, I've placed the knives for auction - here are the links in case anyone's interested:

Lot of 9 vintage pocket knives: http://www.knife-auction.com/auctiondetails.php?id=3530

Push Button Knife: http://www.knife-auction.com/auctiondetails.php?id=3531

Sorry for the delay - Gramps passed three weeks ago and I've been busy dealing with the arrangements.

I hope someone who will appreciate and enjoy them wins these auctions.

Lisa

[IMBand]

I was going to bid, but have been waiting all day for an 'activation' e-mail from that auction site.......nothing yet.
If others are having the same issue, you may not be getting your best price.

IM

[JustLisa]

Thanks for the heads up - there is one bid on it but I'll go check and see what the heck the deal is...can you tell it's my first rodeo there? Sorry.

Lisa

[JustLisa]

Have you checked your spam folder? I've gotten three other emails/PM's from other potential buyers stating same...the site's help desk states that's most likely the problem.

Sorry for the trouble.
Lisa

[JustLisa]

Well, the site admin won't provide any more additional information on how to fix this problem OR let me edit or cancel the auction. They won't even respond to my emergency request to contact me.

All I could do was take screen captures of my messages I sent them and the note I left in my "About me" section for any potential buyers. I feel really bad as it's my first auction there and I pride myself on being a good seller, but I'm not going to let only one person bid on a knife we know is pretty collectable. Isn't that auction site run by the same folks and run this site? Why would they not even respond?

Anyway, I've done what I could to pull the items, though they still show, and will relist them on eBay later today and add a link here. Thank you for the heads up....I wondered why it had a ton of views and only one bid

[Miller Bro's]

Isn't that auction site run by the same folks and run this site?

No, not that I am aware of.

[junebug]

i have NEVER SEEN the site you used/linked us to.......nor would i use it to sale one of my knives.......................NEVER EVER HEARD OF IT B4

[Robert]

Isn't that auction site run by the same folks and run this site?

No, not that I am aware of.

its at the top of aapk page by member stores
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/
http://www.knife-auction.com/aboutus.php

[junebug]

roberts right.............CRAZYNESS NEVER NOTICED IT B4

[JustLisa]

Wow...maybe it's some sort of a scam then because I could have sworn i clicked on the live auction link here to get there

Okay, so how the heck do I place it for auction here? Or should I just do the eBay auction and link here? You all have been very helpful, so please accept my thanks in advance.

Lisa

[basser5]

I believe the auction site you have them listed on is hosted by AAPK.
At least.... it is advertised on the front page of this site.



Tim

[big monk]

Bryan started the auction for AARP members, several years ago,as a way for forum members to auction there knives,wihout the high fees of other auction sites***__but it got very little response from forum members__so I would guess that he/we pay it very little attention anymore__it is run by '"AARP (BRYAN)"" and I was sorta, surprised that Miller Brother's, as a moderator, didn't know this ????? ___the site is not a "'SCAM"" just not attended too,nor watched by administration,mainly for lack of participation *** maybe some one can contact Bryan,and let him know your problem__he is a very busy guy !!__I'm sure once he knows of the problem,he will get it fixed !!!!___ my advise is to list the knives, on e-bay,if you want to go the auction route__lots more views,and a better chance to get your true value$$,that you want ***__good luck,Monk

Moderators___can one of you guys contact Bryan,on this matter ????????????????????

[Robert]

Wow...maybe it's some sort of a scam then because I could have sworn i clicked on the live auction link here to get there

Okay, so how the heck do I place it for auction here? Or should I just do the eBay auction and link here? You all have been very helpful, so please accept my thanks in advance.

Lisa

its not a scam like others have said but there is bids so its a contract you cant list same knife on the bay or here

[JustLisa]

I have 4 bids on the knife there now and no way to even contact potential buyers or even update the auction description so they know it's not a legit auction =(

The last thing I want to do anywhere is have my first auction go to poop and make people think I'm a slimy seller who doesn't honor their auctions.

[JustLisa]

Yes, what Big Monk said...I'm so frustrated it's not even funny. The auction ends in about 30 minutes and I have to get on the road, so I can't even communicate with them =( This sucks. Bigtime.

[junebug]

not bein a wise guy here.....BUT its an auction with bidders.......linked here or not......there are bidders....and high bidder is gonna want the knife.........cant be a scam if there is a seller and MULTIPLE buyers???????? i would think yer stuck???? again not tryin ta be lame here.....just is what it is

i have never been in that situation either....sorry!

[JustLisa]

I hear ya, but I've taken screen captures of the multiple emails and contacts I've attempted to make with the site admin there nice yesterday when this problem was brought to my attention to document the situation in case the potential buyer isn't understanding. I also changed my password on my PayPal acct. just in case the site ended up not being legit.

I'm hopeful any potential buyer would see the documentation and understand that that was not a fair auction. We'll see how it goes....

[Miller Bro's]

Bryan started the auction for AARP members, several years ago,as a way for forum members to auction there knives,wihout the high fees of other auction sites***__but it got very little response from forum members__so I would guess that he/we pay it very little attention anymore__it is run by '"AARP (BRYAN)""

AARP? This is AAPK Now you really got me confused Big M

I was sorta, surprised that Miller Brother's, as a moderator, didn't know this ?????

The moderators here have nothing to do with the knife auction site, it is owned and operated by Bryan just like the member stores listed on this site.

I have contacted Bryan to look into this matter.

[Bryan]

I was going to bid, but have been waiting all day for an 'activation' e-mail from that auction site.......nothing yet.
If others are having the same issue, you may not be getting your best price.

IM

Hi Trevor,

Can you pm the email address you used to register with?

Thanks.

[Bryan]

Have you checked your spam folder? I've gotten three other emails/PM's from other potential buyers stating same...the site's help desk states that's most likely the problem.

Sorry for the trouble.
Lisa

The only user who registered after you who's account is not active is IMBAND. If others are having issues registering, please have them contact me.

Also, it looks like you have changed your contact email to an invalid account. Only way I can correspond with you is here on the forum. Email me at [email protected]

If anyone else has had problems of any kind with that auction site, please contact me.

Thanks,
Bryan

[reddirtknives]

Hi everyone, I'm the legitimate winner of this auction. I registered this morning with no problems and made my bid within 5 minutes time. So the problem is? There were other bidders also.Please keep me informed because her address is funny looking and I thought she lived in California.
Thank you,