Is this ugly thing really worth $750?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (218881)
Walnut Creek, California
February 11, 2016 11:38pm CST
In a previous post (or was it a post on "that other site?"), I mentioned a guy I do some stereo restoration work for. He owes me about $700 and always has an excuse not to pay me. His divorce lawyer is taking all his money. Sales are slow. Mwa mwa mwa.
But he also has a warehouse full of old stereo gear, and sometimes he gives me partial payment with something I can either restore and sell or restore and keep. Usually, it's a pair of old speakers that are worth $40 when I get them, and $150 after I restore them (replacing dead capacitors or tweeters, refinishing the cabinets, etc).
But most recently, he sent me home with a 1960s Dynaco Stereo 70 tube power amplifier that's already been restored. I'm testing it out in my "bedroom system" as I type. These things are going for $750 on eBay. The sound is really good, and it appears to be functioning properly.
Should I just keep the amplifier and call it good?
32 people like this
33 responses
mylot account
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
12 Feb 16
If it appears that this is the only way you will get payment, keep it. Next time, tell him that you want half down on the work and the other half when the work is completed. Draw up a contract stating this as well.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
12 Feb 16
@TheHorse Well, I guess it worked out to your favor then. 
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Feb 16
We're moving in that direction. But everything is ambiguous with him. I said I'd do two pairs of loudspeakers for only $80 (my usual price would be about $180) recently. But then he sent me home with three KLH 17 loudspeakers to keep, worth about $75. I was able to restore the 17s and actually had another at home. So I'll sell one pair for $125, and have another pair for my personal collection. In this case, I gain from the perpetual ambiguity. All I had to invest was my time and skill, doing something I enjoy anyway.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (166976)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Feb 16
Do you really think you will get payment rather than that?
3 people like this
@celticeagle (166976)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Feb 16
@TheHorse ....I'd just keep it and call it good.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 Feb 16
@celticeagle That for sure what I'm leaning toward. I like the sound of the amplifier a lot. It's driving my main system right now.
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Feb 16
Precisely. Turntables are making a comeback among young hipsters. I wonder if old tube stereo gear will do the same. It really does sound better than solid state. Many of the people who originally bought these things (people who were 35-years-old in 1968 and had finally "made it") are getting older now, and have them stored away in their baby boomer children's garages.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Feb 16
It's funny because it's money I don't NEED at this time. I like the fact that I always wind up with new stuff to restore. But you're right. I'll probably accept it, call us even, and then be a bit more systematic about collecting compensation from him in the future.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
13 Feb 16
@TheHorse ah well, ya he does sound very particular
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Feb 16
@Drosophila Peculiar is the word I'd use.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Feb 16
I'll be "paying" full value for the receiver (probably), but it's worth it not to be "owed." I always give him a "sympathy discount" on my restoration work for him, but I'm not sure that he'd do the same for me. His brain works in strange ways.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
12 Feb 16
He must know something you don't.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Feb 16
@Kikijoyce I'll repeat that to myself as I look at the "wisdom lines" around my eyes in the morning when I shave. Heh. But it's really true. A 1938 Martin guitar that sold for maybe $100 then can now fetch $30,000!
@Kikijoyce (107)
•
12 Feb 16
@TheHorse okay...your choice...anyway you know what they say..old is gold
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
12 Feb 16
I don't think you should base the value on ebay prices cause some of those sellers exaggerate the price or do not know what they are selling. The piece should be appraised by someone who is knowledgeable in the field of vintage sound systems.
I think the guy is knowledgeable so he probably will give you something less than what he owes you. You may take it for several reasons 1) if you think he has no intentions of paying then might as well get something 2) If you really like it and you are an expert yourself in appraising the true price.
Another option is" I'm taking it for let's say 500 so you still owe me 250" that is if you still want to continue doing things for him.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
13 Feb 16
@TheHorse "The best vintage stereo gear appraiser in the Bay Area is probably...me!" Maybe I should consult you sometimes, one thing I do as a hobby is pick and one aspect of my business is to buy scraps and junks
. Yes that's the way to go, buy what he is offering for less and take more items from him as sort of a cushion, besides he's not paying cash so if he's a picker himself then he probably bought it at a very low price, even if it's reconditioned, good pickers already know how much they would spend and still make profit.
Maybe I should consult you sometimes, one thing I do as a hobby is pick and one aspect of my business is to buy scraps and junks. Yes that's the way to go, buy what he is offering for less and take more items from him as sort of a cushion, besides he's not paying cash so if he's a picker himself then he probably bought it at a very low price, even if it's reconditioned, good pickers already know how much they would spend and still make profit.@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Feb 16
The best vintage stereo gear appraiser in the Bay Area is probably...me! And Norm at Sertech Repairs in San Jose and a few others. But you're right--I should (and well may) take it for less than market value. I have a few other things of his here, and might suggest that I keep them too.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
12 Feb 16
since you never get money maybe. and I read that as first sneakers, not speakers and thought what? lol
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 Feb 16
@TheHorse I know! Then again, I suppose someone somewhere would pay that kind of thing for shoes, unless those suckers are custom and I dunno, have emeralds in them I wouldnt, well prob not even then! lol
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
12 Feb 16
I'd probably keep it and call it even. I had a business. Sometimes getting people to pay you was like getting blood,from a stone.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
13 Feb 16
@TheHorse they could not take the item home until it was paid in full (one exception under unusual circumstances) . If it wasn't paid for, or paid off in a reasonable amount of time, I sold the item to someone else.
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Feb 16
Depends if you don't really need the money keep it.
1 person likes this
