Another Proto Body Hammer Slam

[cruiser808]

Here we go again. Those old Proto hammers must be like gold. Check out this latest ebay auction. I must admit they are fine balanced hammers and I have a set of them, but WTF?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VINT...Z230573401745QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

 

[Bull]

I wonder if the same deadbeat who flaked out after winning the last auction posted here is bidding on this one, too?

 

[cruiser808]

I sure hope not Bull. That kind of flakey bidding makes it bad for all the rest of the serious ebay members.

 

[jwitt]

Proto from the 30's??????????

 

[1969]

Mentally challenged.....

 

[mrholeshot]

Crazy stuff

 

[woody 73]

I don't get smart out of this whole thing about the proto hammers. I collect hammers and I have never seen anyone selling them for those crazy prices,what gives?

Not understanding much about E-bay is it possible for a flimflam artist to artificially boost the price with the sellers knowledge (in other words be in cahoots with the seller)? Then when the price goes high they back out at a set figure leaving some poor schmuck holding the bag (hammer),so to speak!

 

[Hiball]

I don't get smart out of this whole thing about the proto hammers. I collect hammers and I have never seen anyone selling them for those crazy prices,what gives?

Not understanding much about E-bay is it possible for a flimflam artist to artificially boost the price with the sellers knowledge (in other words be in cahoots with the seller)? Then when the price goes high they back out at a set figure leaving some poor schmuck holding the bag (hammer),so to speak!

It takes 2, It does no good for 1 person artificially boost the Price.

 

[Bull]

It takes 2, It does no good for 1 person artificially boost the Price.

Unless it's some douche who is just fugging around with sellers, getting their hopes up for jollies.

 

[cruiser808]

Guys, you're right on target. These tools are really nice and Proto/Stanley doesn't make them any more. They might be worth a premium to body men in the know. However, my good friend at a local body shop says "yes, they are great hammers". That said, he told me that Martin Co. now fills the gap and they are reasonably priced. He said, "screw those proto prices on ebay."

 

[woody 73]

I just had a quick look at rose antiques and they are very expensive,but the most they want for a hammer is $50.00 dollars (although not a proto hammer).

 

[Chris Adams]

Guys, you're right on target. These tools are really nice and Proto/Stanley doesn't make them any more. They might be worth a premium to body men in the know. However, my good friend at a local body shop says "yes, they are great hammers". That said, he told me that Martin Co. now fills the gap and they are reasonably priced. He said, "screw those proto prices on ebay."

Darn, there went my plans to retire (again) on my body hammer collection.

Semi-Seriously, at those prices, I have several grand of old body hammers. Think I'm ruining the 'collector's value' by using them to bang on sheet metal?


And it's called 'shill bidding' a grand old tradition from old style auctions, and yes, people do it. You get two or three accounts, or two or three friends and jack prices up. Had it happen to me on things I bought. I brought it to e-bay's attention and they kicked the people off.

 

[Hiball]

Unless it's some douche who is just fugging around with sellers, getting their hopes up for jollies.

Still takes 2 separate eBay doushes regardless if they are 1 in the same.

 

[e-tek]

Well 3 guys bid it all the way there.....so they ALL must be crazee.

Has anyone seen other proto's go for that much? I'm a bodyman and can't see any even older bodyman having enough money to buy a $300 hammer!!

 

[cowboy73]

I have an an old Fairmont body hammer. Wonder what it's worth????

 

[Joe B.]

Maybe these are the last two that someone need complete their old Proto tool board.

There are many people in the world with enough money that tossing away a few hundred dollars does not impact them much. Apparently more than one of them has a thing for Proto body hammers.

 

[senlow]

I have an an old Fairmont body hammer. Wonder what it's worth????

About the same as a Martin.

 

[Daddy_Rabbit]

Still takes 2 separate eBay doushes regardless if they are 1 in the same.

no, it only takes 2 different accounts ...

 

[Hiball]

Still takes 2 separate eBay doushes regardless if they are 1 in the same.

no, it only takes 2 different accounts ...

Re-Read the Underlined part..

 

[Skin]

Unless it's some douche who is just fugging around with sellers, getting their hopes up for jollies.

you can report non-paying bidders which do get a time-out after enough strikes and as the seller you also have the option to offer second chance buy to the second highest bidder. Really there should not be a problem.

Its also a very odd item to target for shill bidding pranks.

 

[Hiball]

Its also a very odd item to target for shill bidding pranks.

Agreed... The Idea of Shill Bidding a Item that far above its Average Value is Mind Boggling.

 

[stricht8]

I like my body hammers but that is just darn right silly.

 

[Joe B.]

Does anyone have some good pics of these hammers? All the ones on eBay are crappy and I can't find any good pics through search. I'd like to get a good look at what all of the fuss is about.

 

[Brad54]

I've recently spent a few bucks on some snap-on hammers on ebay. I don't do a lot of bodywork or metal forming (yet) but I've done enough that I needed hammers with specific heads--semi-round, high crowns, etc. etc.

I like the handles, and the heft.

I can't imagine any scenario where a Proto hammer would be worth the prices those seem to be getting this week. I DO see where some of the really odd-shaped ones might bring a premium, for getting into a specific area or contour... like under the lip of a '30s fender or something. But even then, for a helluva lot less money, you could make your own corking tool and be done with it.

-Brad

 

[mkdive]

Highest bidder (right now) only has a feedback of 1?!

That's a little suspicious.

 

[mla809]

Thank you for discussing my Proto hammer listed on Ebay. Let me clear up a few things, I do not state in the description that the hammer was made in the 30's, I have no association with the sale of the other high priced Proto hammer on Ebay, my auction is legitimate and I do not shill bid. Look at my feedback, do you think I play games??
The discussion on this forum has driven more traffic to my ad. Thank you again. I will let you know if someone is "fugging" with me on the bid. If they are, it wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last.

 

[Bull]

Hey, glad you found us. You should stick around, if you like tools.

I hope that no one is messing with you, because that would just be stupid. I also want to assure you that, at least on my part, there was no question that any bidding oddness was coming from you. My curiosity was just whether some jerk with nothing better to do was bidding up these hammers and then refusing to pay.

Good luck!

Oh, also: if you are the seller of the hammer linked in the first post of this thread, you do state right in the title of the auction that it is from the 1930s!

Thank you for discussing my Proto hammer listed on Ebay. Let me clear up a few things, I do not state in the description that the hammer was made in the 30's, I have no association with the sale of the other high priced Proto hammer on Ebay, my auction is legitimate and I do not shill bid. Look at my feedback, do you think I play games??
The discussion on this forum has driven more traffic to my ad. Thank you again. I will let you know if someone is "fugging" with me on the bid. If they are, it wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last.

 

[scooby074]

Umm yeah, what bull says

Your add:
VINTAGE AUTO BODY PECKING HAMMER 1930'S PROTO 1429

Your post:
I do not state in the description that the hammer was made in the 30's,

 

[mla809]

Yes it says 1930s in the title of my ad. There is no mention of the year in the description. It seems to be a common practice on Ebay to put random things in the title of an ad to draw attention. The description is what matters. Besides it gives guys like you something to chat about.

 

[lbgradwell]

Let me clear up a few things, I do not state in the description that the hammer was made in the 30's...

Yes it says 1930s in the title of my ad. There is no mention of the year in the description. It seems to be a common practice on Ebay to put random things in the title of an ad to draw attention. The description is what matters. Besides it gives guys like you something to chat about.

You're kidding, right?

If you are the Seller, you will recognize me as the individual who (kindly) advised you on Sunday that the hammer could not be from the 1930s. My intention was to allow you to correct a glaring error in your ad.

Obviously, you have no intent to correct the ad and your statements demonstrate you are fully aware that your ad in incorrect and intentionally misleading.

I wonder if eBay shares your opinion that it is acceptable to knowingly misrepresent your item? Let's find out, shall we..?

 

[Bull]

Yes it says 1930s in the title of my ad. There is no mention of the year in the description. It seems to be a common practice on Ebay to put random things in the title of an ad to draw attention. The description is what matters. Besides it gives guys like you something to chat about.

Oh, I see. Well, if that's how you view the issue of properly representing an item you are selling, then so be it. Buyer beware, right?

 

[LIVELY]

mla809---what it looks like to me is your misleading on purpose
you also bait people with the add which is misleading
i hope you also are not bidding on your own items from another account which is also against ebay rules


welcome to the forum

 

[Wrenches of Death]

It seems to be a common practice on Ebay to put random things in the title of an ad to draw attention.

Well that must mean that it's all just perfectly OK to continue the tradition of disception. Cool!

WoD

 

[mla809]

First of all I can't believe all of you guys are that bored. The design of this hammer originated in the 1930's. Aside from all of that what difference does it make, none of you are interested in bidding on my item. There is nothing "deceptive" about my ad. I have some more vintage tools, some very unusual. Hopefully you guys will keep chatting about me being a crook, it will help bring attention to my ads.

 

[Boiler]

Yes it says 1930s in the title of my ad. There is no mention of the year in the description. It seems to be a common practice on Ebay to put random things in the title of an ad to draw attention. The description is what matters. Besides it gives guys like you something to chat about.

Welcome to my list of people not to do business with.

 

[Bull]

First of all I can't believe all of you guys are that bored. The design of this hammer originated in the 1930's. Aside from all of that what difference does it make, none of you are interested in bidding on my item. There is nothing "deceptive" about my ad. I have some more vintage tools, some very unusual. Hopefully you guys will keep chatting about me being a crook, it will help bring attention to my ads.

Bored? We come here specifically to talk about tools, so talking about old hammers that sell for large sums should come as no surprise.

Maybe when I had my '1995 Firebird listed for sale, I should have put "1969" in the title, since more people are interested in that year car. Reel 'em in, right?

Anyway, it's a form of keyword spamming, really, and I'm not sure eBay likes it.

 

[amorrow]

Does anyone have some good pics of these hammers? All the ones on eBay are crappy and I can't find any good pics through search. I'd like to get a good look at what all of the fuss is about.

Long story short - I bought a house with detached garage about a year ago, and the previous owner left quite a few tools behind. After clearing out the garage after I bought it, I remember coming across a body hammer that had a smooth face and nice feel too it, and set it aside. Sure enough, I went back to look at it and it is a Proto, model 1428. Not sure of the year, but it does seem like a quality hammer and now has a place in my drawer beside my new Martin body tools. The pick on this is sharper than any of the Martins I have, so I'll put it to good use. Not the same model as the one that sold for $$$$, but here are a few pics of it...

 

[amorrow]

I agree, mention of "1930s" is misleading, to say the least.

 

[Joe B.]

amorrow. Thanks for posting the pics! Looks like a nice hammer but I don't know if I would spend the big bucks for that!

 

[mla809]

This type of hammer originated in th 30's boys.