Please Folks: Don't Drink the Tool Board Kool-Aid

[Bull]

Folks, when you see prices like this for tool display boards, run away. If anyone starts paying these prices, then the whole thing is going to go to pot and sellers will assume that is what these are "worth." Garden variety boards (not Snap-on or some other collectible brand tied to a rabid deep pockets crowd) are not worth this much.

"These are worth at least $100 each," the seller says, feeling the effects of a long swig of Kool Aid.

http://cgi.ebay.com/6-Vintage-Cresc...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bdd022e2

"A tiny Indy 500 sticker makes this worth big buckareenos," this seller must think:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Proto-T...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0890c042

This has been a friendly PSA from good ol' Bull, who has bought plenty of tool boards just like these for $30 or less!

 

[jerryW]

Another example of the "barret-jackson , pawnstars american pickers" pricing of americana!

Stick to your guns Bull!


jerry

 

[Aberdale]

I agree with you Bull, on more than just tool boards, too. However, if the seller finds someone who will fork over the asking price, then it must be worth it to someone.

Dale

 

[mrholeshot]

I noticed no reserve. Can you say shill bidding, lol That guy is two cresent wrenches away from a full overhaul

 

[Ghostrider]

Koolaid no I think it was the tool board crack that got this guy. But as was posted above idiot will probably pay it.

 

[930dreamer]

If your the only bidder .99 cents will be a good deal.

 

[welderwink]

Some people always think what they have is priceless. Other people shouldnt have to pay for your memories. And maybe that isnt the case here but that def does happen.

 

[Boiler]

reserves **** and are about the worst way to get something sold. /rant off

The bad thing is Bull, just saying "toolboard" on here is going to raise the prices there. This site is great because we share collections, hobbies, etc, but it also ***** because it brings more people into the market. Just mentioning them has surely caused at least a few people to go see what toolboards are, and possibly gained you a little competition. Best thing to do would be stop talking about them and wait. I know thats hard to do, I want to show off my finds too...

 

[Bull]

I learned this lesson already, and you are right on the button.

I created a thread on here about tool boards, and it became semi-popular. Well, wouldn't you know it, I started noticing that whereas I had been the only bidder on multiple auctions for them before, now I was getting some competition. The damage had been done!

I'm getting rid of at least some of my boards so I can focus on Blackhawk stuff. I was getting too diluted, chasing multiple brands with mere pennies jangling in my linty pockets.

reserves **** and are about the worst way to get something sold. /rant off

The bad thing is Bull, just saying "toolboard" on here is going to raise the prices there. This site is great because we share collections, hobbies, etc, but it also ***** because it brings more people into the market. Just mentioning them has surely caused at least a few people to go see what toolboards are, and possibly gained you a little competition. Best thing to do would be stop talking about them and wait. I know thats hard to do, I want to show off my finds too...

 

[boro_boy70]

I think that Proto board was posted on here a while back in a "whats it worth" type thread. It's not even complete, it's missing the wooden pieces that hold the punches and chisels.

If he gets that much for that board, then I'm sitting on 2 grand worth of plywood with the Proto boards in my garage

I don't think that thing has a snowballs chance in hell of selling for that much.
Some of the Proto boards in my garage that are almost filled with tools I don't have that much into.

 

[Hiball]

I guess I don't see the problem, he started the auction at .99 cents with No reserve and a BIN. It sounds like to me that he thinks he has something valuable, but he isn't for sure so he is gonna let the auction take it's course.

 

[Bull]

Of course, you are correct about all that.

I am poking fun at his perceptions, and his statement that the boards are worth "at least $100 each." I question what that "knowledge" is based on. One could simply search eBay to see that none of these sell for that much, ever. One guy has had a Crescent board for months now on there. He started at $200 and is now down to $100, for a measley adjustable wrench board. Unless someone sees it while surfing and smoking crack at the same time, no one will be pressing that BIN button anytime soon.

I guess I don't see the problem, he started the auction at .99 cents with No reserve and a BIN. It sounds like to me that he thinks he has something valuable, but he isn't for sure so he is gonna let the auction take it's course.

 

[Hiball]

Of course, you are correct about all that.
Unless someone sees it while surfing and smoking crack at the same time, no one will be pressing that BIN button anytime soon.

Thats a Risky Comment, Ebay is full of idiots and i see bonehead moves daily.
I will also say that the market isnt controlled by GJ members (No offence) We (including me) are some of the tightest people in the world. Alot of the selling that i do here is priced to where i can offer a fellow member something they need cheaper than what they can buy it from ebay. There are occasions where i do sell on ebay, But i generally try here first. The 2 big swing items that i recall are the 1920's Snap on breaker and the Snappy 1945 Bushing driver set. I tried to sell them both here and couldnt get any bites, Ended up putting them on Ebay and received 5X's the amount i was asking here. As much as i hate Paying Ebay fee's/Paypal fee's sometimes on items your unsure of the price it is the best move.

PS.. Dave, Ive been looking for toolboards too. LOL

 

[Bull]

I'm just saying, I have seen that one Crescent adjustable board I mentioned and another Walden board that has been on eBay for ONE YEAR at $100. It ain't happening.

Hey, you can buy some boards from me. Crescent brand

Thats a Risky Comment, Ebay is full of idiots and i see bonehead moves daily.
I will also say that the market isnt controlled by GJ members (No offence) We (including me) are some of the tightest people in the world. Alot of the selling that i do here is priced to where i can offer a fellow member something they need cheaper than what they can buy it from ebay. There are occasions where i do sell on ebay, But i generally try here first. The 2 big swing items that i recall are the 1920's Snap on breaker and the Snappy 1945 Bushing driver set. I tried to sell them both here and couldnt get any bites, Ended up putting them on Ebay and received 5X's the amount i was asking here. As much as i hate Paying Ebay fee's/Paypal fee's sometimes on items your unsure of the price it is the best move.

PS.. Dave, Ive been looking for toolboards too. LOL

 

[Bolster]

The bad thing is Bull, just saying "toolboard" on here is going to raise the prices there. This site is great because we share collections, hobbies, etc, but it also ***** because it brings more people into the market. Just mentioning them has surely caused at least a few people to go see what toolboards are, and possibly gained you a little competition. Best thing to do would be stop talking about them and wait. I know thats hard to do, I want to show off my finds too...

Ditto that.

 

[heelsroll]

Bull,

this board was at the auction last weekend. I passed, only because I was hanging onto funds for the later tools and had no way to judge its value. It was missing some of the more common sockets and the torqometer, but it did have the instruction manual.

I think it sold at about $120 plus commission and taxes.

 

[spongerich]

There are occasions where i do sell on ebay, But i generally try here first.

I admit that I'll sometimes do the opposite with things that seem to be consistently overpriced on eBay.

I'll list them and see of there are any sucke..er..I mean valued customers willing to pay twice retail.

If there are no bites, then I'll post it here and make someone a deal.

I will say, I hope this guy gets his price. I've got 3 nice Proto boards that I picked up pretty cheap. If so, I'd be willing to sell them to anyone here for the low-low price of $50 each Act now and receive a 3 1/2" Chinese Wilton Vise valued at over $5,000.

 

[Bull]

Ditto that.

Other thank Blackhawk, which I need help finding, I have kept my most recent tool passions to myself. No threads here to ignite the flames of desire in the breasts of others.

Bull,

this board was at the auction last weekend. I passed, only because I was hanging onto funds for the later tools and had no way to judge its value. It was missing some of the more common sockets and the torqometer, but it did have the instruction manual.

I think it sold at about $120 plus commission and taxes.

Anything SO sells for good money. That's why I avoid getting involved. Like I said, it's a more deep-pockets crowd. That being said, that board does have a bunch of tools on it, so the price isn't so bad depending on what they'd sell for individually.

Oh, and Steve, one anecdote. I saw a wanted ad on CL in the last few months, someone looking for tool boards. Guess whose boards they were using as pictures for illustrative purposes? Yep, mine. From here. Though I suppose they could have stumbled upon them somewhere else in the vastness of the internet.

 

[rsanter]

I would sell them for that

bob

 

[Bull]

I would sell them for that

bob

No, Bob. But, you might list them for that!

There are boards within that Crescent lot that I own, at $30 or less shipped. And others I have seen languish on eBay with no buyer. The punch and chisel board was available on eBay from a guy in Canada who was willing to go down to $25 on it, but shipping killed the deal for me. He had it listed on there about four times before giving up.

 

[Hiball]

Oh, and Steve, one anecdote. I saw a wanted ad on CL in the last few months, someone looking for tool boards. Guess whose boards they were using as pictures for illustrative purposes? Yep, mine. From here. Though I suppose they could have stumbled upon them somewhere else in the vastness of the internet.

Crazy.. I havent done much searching for tool boards, I would be intersted in finding a SK or something, Not really interested in Crescent, Or like a Walden Worchester as i have tons of there old Ford tools.

 

[Bull]

The SK boards I have seen have actually all been racks. Ugly racks. Not actual boards. There were a few NOS ones on eBay in the last couple months.

There is a Walden Worcester (she has two) on eBay for $100. They have been there for one year. The lady posted about them here when she first got them, asking about how much they might be worth.

EDIT: They are Stevens Walden, actually.

Crazy.. I havent done much searching for tool boards, I would be intersted in finding a SK or something, Not really interested in Crescent, Or like a Walden Worchester as i have tons of there old Ford tools.

 

[Lump]

Hey, Bull. Which tool-brand boards might you be interested in selling? I might like to have one or more of the really old brands. Maybe Hinsdale, Herbrand, Bonney, Proto...? Don't know for sure. Just wondering...

 

[expatriated]

Did/does Stahlwille make a tool board? I'd be interested in that one.

 

[rsanter]

No, Bob. But, you might list them for that!

There are boards within that Crescent lot that I own, at $30 or less shipped. And others I have seen languish on eBay with no buyer. The punch and chisel board was available on eBay from a guy in Canada who was willing to go down to $25 on it, but shipping killed the deal for me. He had it listed on there about four times before giving up.

actually Bull I would sell them for that.
if I got some dumb A$$ willing to give me that much, I can assure you that I would in fact sell them

bob

 

[msmith]

An item is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it.

 

[Bull]

Hey, Bull. Which tool-brand boards might you be interested in selling? I might like to have one or more of the really old brands. Maybe Hinsdale, Herbrand, Bonney, Proto...? Don't know for sure. Just wondering...

I have one Proto that might go, and three Crescent, which you already have some tools for! I have one very old New Britain, and one very old None Better, but they are spoken for.

actually Bull I would sell them for that.
if I got some dumb A$$ willing to give me that much, I can assure you that I would in fact sell them

bob

Oh, I see what you mean.

An item is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it.

Of course. But that does not make less true the fact that some prices are ridiculously off, and might only be showing an anomaly of value, not a predictable or reliable trend.

 

[fatfillup]

Thats a Risky Comment, Ebay is full of idiots and i see bonehead moves daily.
I will also say that the market isnt controlled by GJ members (No offence) We (including me) are some of the tightest people in the world.

Hiball, you are right about GJ members being frugal, conservative, cheap, tight and any other word you use to describe folks looking to save $'s. That's why we covet you **** awards. I am also included in that group. I often have to laugh when some one starts a post about what is this tool box worth cause some of the responses are LOW!!

But because of the frugal nature of this group, I have learned to buy tools at better pricing then I would have thought possible.

Bull, that is the problem with sharing your passion, others get infected also, so its a double edged sword.

 

[AustinRoepke]

Nobody bid on those 6 crescent toolboards. Nobody, except me

What would be great is if they actually went for .99, because that would be all I'd have wrapped up in it (I live less than 30 mins from Vandalia)

 

[Bull]

Nobody bid on those 6 crescent toolboards. Nobody, except me

What would be great is if they actually went for .99, because that would be all I'd have wrapped up in it (I live less than 30 mins from Vandalia)

Now, that would be a steal.

 

[Lump]

Hiball, you are right about GJ members being frugal, conservative, cheap, tight and any other word you use to describe folks looking to save $'s. That's why we covet you **** awards. I am also included in that group. I often have to laugh when some one starts a post about what is this tool box worth cause some of the responses are LOW!!

But because of the frugal nature of this group, I have learned to buy tools at better pricing then I would have thought possible.

Bull, that is the problem with sharing your passion, others get infected also, so its a double edged sword.

Bull,
Well, you're certainly right about us being frugal.

But for SOME of us, that is the most fun part of all.

For myself, I could walk into a Sears store, or a tool truck for that matter, and open up a charge account (or pull out a large chunk of savings), and buy many of the tools I want, all at once. Just like that. But I don't wrench for a living anymore, and don't need to empty my bank account or put my family deeply into debt. I LIKE searching for old premium brand USA-made tools, buying large lots of them at pennies on the dollar. Then I enjoy cleaning/polishing/restoring them before putting some in my main tool box, and selling off the rest to reduce my investment even further. Hell, I LOVE that game.

But, if I were working in a bay every day to feed my family, of course I could not afford to wait for months (or years) trying to find the tools I need at yard sale prices. I would have to immediately get all the tools I really needed, and establishing good credit with the truck tool sales persons. I would probably have to get some off-brand tools in the beginning, and then replace the ones I used the most a few at a time with the very-superior truck-brand tools.

For me today...."tool fun" is hunting for really great bargains, sharing pix of my "hauls" with Garage Journal folks who can appreciate them, cleaning and "restoring" the tools I like best, and selling or trading the rest.

I also love the fact that, whenever I choose to work on my old Ford tractor, my Hupmobile, or my 454 Chevelle, I have great tools to do it with...which I bought for cheap.

 

[Bull]

Lump, for the record, it was not I who called GJ members frugal!

What you described sounds just like how I myself feel about this whole old tool game.

 

[AustinRoepke]

Now, that would be a steal.

I just won them for $1.04... And I can pick them up locally

 

[Hiball]

I just won them for $1.04... And I can pick them up locally

Nice... I bet the seller is crying right now..

 

[AustinRoepke]

Nice... I bet the seller is crying right now..

He added a $4.99 surcharge, totaling $6.03... But I still feel kinda bad. I thought I'd be bid up a bit higher than that...

 

[tschmitt]

He added a $4.99 surcharge, totaling $6.03... But I still feel kinda bad. I thought I'd be bid up a bit higher than that...

Haha nice score man, im not sure who it was here in town but sure as hecks beats paying $30+ for shipping. Nice job

 

[Bull]

Geez. Yeah, I'd feel guilty about that one. I might even offer the guy a few extra bucks. Might, I say!

Shipping to me was over $60, so that killed my interest.

Anyway, that is a fine, fine deal you just got. Enjoy!

He added a $4.99 surcharge, totaling $6.03... But I still feel kinda bad. I thought I'd be bid up a bit higher than that...

 

[AustinRoepke]

How much do you guys think I should give him on top of that? I do feel like I'm stealing...

...But I'm not gonna be the one picking them up. My dad's going over there tomorrow to meet with a guy to wire a grain bin we just put up and is going to pick them up on his way home.

 

[Bull]

Really, you don't have to give him a penny more than what you won them for. If he wanted to, he could have had a reserve.

I pay between $10 and $30 each for the boards I buy; sometimes I get lucky and find one for even less.

How much do you guys think I should give him on top of that? I do feel like I'm stealing...

...But I'm not gonna be the one picking them up. My dad's going over there tomorrow to meet with a guy to wire a grain bin we just put up and is going to pick them up on his way home.

 

[SocketDeviler]

And that's why you don't start too low. Works a lot of the time (or at least it used to) but when it doesn't...Ouch.