eBay vise prices

[pipsters]

I bought a Columbian 604 last year from eBay. I had been searching and searching and just couldn't get a good deal on any sort of vise locally, the few old American iron vises that popped up were in need of refurb and $150+.

Before buying that eBay Columbian I had an American Sale I picked up from a guy locally, turned out the main nut was cracked and the screw was repaired. Frustrated with that experience I went to eBay.

The Columbian I bought was in good condition, in fact I think I bought it from someone on here. I paid a pretty penny for it ($125 including shipping) but had a good vise.

I bought the Wilton 1755 after Zoro had that major 40% sale, but, disappointed with the overall size of it, sent it back.

I'm still looking for another vise, and checking eBay, holy hell have prices increased since I bought even last year. Almost gone are the $0.99 start prices - it's almost all BIN and even crappy 604's are "listed" for $150+!

Has the supply of old vises run out for the most part? Are people hoarding them?

I really hope Zoro runs that 40% sale again, because I think I would buy the 1765.

 

[Joe B.]

I think Garage Journal has driven up the price because it has made more people interested in old vises and made sellers more aware of what they are worth.

There is not shortage of old vises in the rust belt and it amazes me what they go for on eBay. I bet you are in a newer high growth area that lacks an industrial history!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I think Garage Journal has driven up the price because it has made more people interested in old vises and made sellers more aware of what they are worth.

There is not shortage of old vises in the rust belt and it amazes me what they go for on eBay. I bet you are in a newer high growth area that lacks an industrial history!

In all seriousness, I think GJ does have a lot to do with it. When you google something about a vise, it brings you here. So, if you're Joe Sixpack trying to make a buck on CL, then google sends you to GJ, you find out what these things are worth, and what to look for in a good/bad vise.

I personally found GJ b/c of a Dayton belt/disc sander that was given to me by my FIL, now I am a vise-head and have bought and restored them for myself.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Yes, the prices on eBay are insane. Most people don't see that lots of them get re-listed dozens of times. There's a 6" Rock Island that's been up there for the better part of a year and in all that time, the seller hasn't knocked the price down into a reasonable range. I think they re-listed it about 20 times before they knocked off the first $10.

My opinion? It's only worth what you see in the completed listings. Any idiot can ask $600+ for a 6" Columbian with missing parts, but that doesn't make it the going rate. Something to keep in mind.

As for the super rare stuff, the Prentiss 58s, the Reed 4Cs and the like, I'm always blown away by how high they go. Most of those are out of my price range long before the auction is up. Fun to watch though.

 

[Davefr]

I really hope Zoro runs that 40% sale again, because I think I would buy the 1765.

MSC has a 40% off coupon for Wilton and today's the last day:

MWMANIA40W

 

[Bryan Burns]

In all seriousness, I think GJ does have a lot to do with it. When you google something about a vise, it brings you here. So, if you're Joe Sixpack trying to make a buck on CL, then google sends you to GJ, you find out what these things are worth, and what to look for in a good/bad vise.

I personally found GJ b/c of a Dayton belt/disc sander that was given to me by my FIL, now I am a vise-head and have bought and restored them for myself.

I personally found GJ b/c of my Prentiss Bulldog vise I was looking for info on three years ago. Then, through the knowledge on gained on GJ, I bought and flipped a few vices. One to a member here*, the others at the Flea.

*Posted as local pickup but member paid the shipping.

 

[454ragtop]

I might be guilty of hoarding some......... not enough to drive up prices I don't think. The funny part is when at a swap meet, my buddy who always goes with me says "What do you need another vise for?" I replied "It's part of my plan for total ********** of the vise market. Once I own them all, I'll be able to set the market." (Insert evil laugh here.)
Jim

 

[autopts]

You guys bring up some great points. As the forum chatter increases so does the asking prices. I remember when Ebay had only one (50 count) page of Wiltons, New and used. Now, everybody's dumping. The up side, since there are more to choose from, one can be more particular in his purchases. There are some nice deals and there is also a lot of junk...

If your new to the game and interested in a bullet but have been spun crazy by all the different model #'s. Contact me and I will evaluate your interested purchase and give you my honest opinion.

 

[dirtydogintex]

ebay tool sellers have a similar MO.... esp the SO fans far, far above the stratosphere!!


(Ten) Ground control (Nine) to major Tom (Eight)
(Seven, six) Commencing countdown (Five), engines on (Four)
(Three, two) Check ignition (One) and may Gods (Blastoff) love be with you.

 

[pipsters]

My opinion? It's only worth what you see in the completed listings. Any idiot can ask $600+ for a 6" Columbian with missing parts, but that doesn't make it the going rate. Something to keep in mind. .

Right, but it used to be at least a good portion were auction style. Seems like they all want to dictate their prices nowadays. Even the **** ones.

Check out this gem for just $95 including shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Col...746?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abc4bfa22

 

[dirtydogintex]

Right, but it used to be at least a good portion were auction style. Seems like they all want to dictate their prices nowadays. Even the **** ones.

Check out this gem for just $95 including shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Col...746?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abc4bfa22

... Main bolt has been replaced (as seen in pictures). When I look inside the vise, I can see that the main bolt does not have a nut attached....

non-working to boot?

 

[kc-steve]

It hasn't been that long ago when some people here were saying that a vise should be valued by the pound such as $0.60 or so IIRC. That is a static view.

Prices are based upon demand and supply, with the emphasis on demand. This is a dynamic view (always changing). People are now more aware of the demand for the old USA-made vises in VERY limited supply compared to growing demand. Wilton vises are leading the pack in demand and therefore their prices are higher. I suspect things will continue to be that way in the future.

Chinese-made vises are not even considered an alternative vise to most buyers.

Steve

 

[kapster]

I hear your guys pain, ebay vise prices are out of control. I thought it was just Wilton's but I guess not. The tradesmans seem to be the worst. A 1765 goes for 300-400 plus shipping, they're 450 new on the web!

Check out this clown, I offered him 200 saying that there's a new wilton 500 on Craigslist for $500, a much newer 500 then his for $350. He counter offered me 500 and said that's the lowest he can go. Good luck with that

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=110992309604&index=11&nav=SEARCH&nid=28190005205

 

[I van putski]

I have only ever sold smaller vises on eBay, like 4" craftsman,and nos Colombians. They did sell pretty good but nothing crazy.
I like Reed vises but I seem to usually keep them. I don't know why I need ten of them sitting under my bench. I do have four vises mounted that I do use.

 

[RatchetMan]

I sell quite a few things on Ebay and I think vises are just hitting a high point now due to (as others have stated) internet sites like Garage Journal. Frankly, I'm in my 30's and none of my friends give two hoots about old tools so I see the tool market in general being flat or down in the future. In 10-20 years, I predict that you'll be able to pick up that same beat up Wilton vise for $40 which, today, would cost you $250 on Ebay.

I've said it before but the American Picker mentality right now runs rampant. Anything with rust is automatically considered something that must be valuable and people are afraid that if they don't ask top dollar they'll look like the sucker. In my opinion, I'd rather sell something today for $100 than hold on to it for years hoping to get $200.

I can do more over the years with that $100 in my pocket as I go to buy and sell more stuff than I can sitting around hoping that someone pays me a sky-high price for something. If something is super rare, I get it. But, generally, tools are not rare. They made and continue to make a bazillion of them.

 

[warmpancakes]

I hear your guys pain, ebay vise prices are out of control. I thought it was just Wilton's but I guess not. The tradesmans seem to be the worst. A 1765 goes for 300-400 plus shipping, they're 450 new on the web!

Check out this clown, I offered him 200 saying that there's a new wilton 500 on Craigslist for $500, a much newer 500 then his for $350. He counter offered me 500 and said that's the lowest he can go. Good luck with that

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=110992309604&index=11&nav=SEARCH&nid=28190005205

wow I sold mine too cheap

 

[dirtydogintex]

Maybe now's the time to reduce my Wilton population by three keeping only the Cadet?



Down n dirty, nasty **** paint job and call it 'refurbished'?
nahhwww.... to the scam, not honest sales

 

[rhastings80]

I have given up on even looking at Ebay for Wilton vises and anything Snap-on/Mac as there are not many deals anymore.

 

[Outlawmws]

Vises are following the path Anvils have gone, and I'd expect it to continue.

 

[kapster]

wow I sold mine too cheap

Ha, you made me a good deal and I thank you. Besides, that guys nuts.

 

[RivennHewn]

I sell quite a bit on ebay. I'm more interested in fast turn over than maximizing profit on one item.

Buy low, sell a little higher.

Kinda like baseball. Base hits win more games than home runs.

I usually list it first swinging for the fence, but then relist it without a reserve at a price that will attract buyers.

I rarely list things more than twice.

 

[sumner52000]

In 10-20 years, I predict that you'll be able to pick up that same beat up Wilton vise for $40 which, today, would cost you $250 on Ebay.

Well i guess in 10 -20 years I will have many more Wiltons. Sounds good to me.

 

[coolreed]

Major issue with purchasing a Vise on Ebay is the shipping costs. Many times a Vise is local pickup only and that can eliminate the posibility of a transaction for many.

That being said,.. if I find a nice Vise I like I may pay a little more or go the extra mile.

 

[WHT]

I finally gave up looking for an older US manufacturerd vise. All I could find were beatup and possibly cracked vises for too much money (bondo/epoxy under the paint of "restored" vises). Bought a new Wilton 450S and never looked back. Will probably pickup a new 6-inch Yost this year. The two different shapes should handle all of my needs.

 

[Pumpman1968]

I think theres a couple of reasons other than what you guys already posted. First...."Dad's old vise" has sentimental value far beyond its worth. Also...in hard economic times like these, people are trying to squeeze everything they can from anything with value....and not just on ebay. I just saw a CL ad for a 99 Grand Prix with 154K and the guy wanted $3000!

 

[Harwinton]

I got an old 3 1/2" Wilton vise for free a few weeks ago.