Is Boombox Collecting Dead?

[Styleking]

There are currently 24 boomboxes on EPay that are listed at over $3000 with shipping! 5 of them are listed for $5000 or more!!!! On my local Craigslist there are 5 boxes that have been listed for over 2 years straight at $2000 or more.... I haven't found a reasonably priced boombox in the wild for 8 months. Less than 10 years ago on EPay there were 20 or more Sharp GF 777's listed, starting at $200.

Today a newer collector who wants to start a modest collection would be looking at a few thousand dollars easy. Luckily, I started collecting a long time ago when there were still great deals and still minty boxes being unearthed. Now "For Parts Only" boxes start at a grand! I sure do miss the good ole days!

And yes I'm old and cranky!

 

[Northerner]

They’re just stupid pointless listings that’ll never sell. I’m sick of seeing the same boxes listed over and over again. It’s just greedy people thinking they’ve hit on a fast buck.

But back in the real world there are still bargains to be had. I can still hunt out a bargain every now and again. Not easy, but makes it more of a challenge and more pleasing when you do score.

 

[metalhandbag]

Sick of the same boxes appearing on eBay and the stupid prices .. But having said that I have bought some bargains from Germany of late .

 

[floyd]

Some of the best deals have been from buying on boomboxery.
I only look on eBay just in case somebody missed one and I can grab it cheap lol.

 

[erniejade]

I don’t think it’s dead. Maybe people are hanging onto them or just running out of ones to sell or find. Remember a lot were pitched in the garbage in the 80s and 90s.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

There are some crazy prices on ebay, but I never see them sell for that.

IMO, if you want to build a collection of radios you have a few options

#1 chuck down big money on eBay

OR

#2 become a solid member in good standing on this site and the benefits will come.

a) your gonna meet all the people that can talk you through repairs, so when you buy that dirt cheap blaster that has a dead deck and is missing some parts, the good people here will help you out.

b) buy from Boomboxery members and your not paying eBay prices. No one on this site is just "Giving" radio's away, but your gonna get a much better deal from a Boomboxery member that you befriend.

The reality is, if you got the desire to have some radio's or got the itch, jump on the forum a few times a day. Post positive and supportive comments and be an asset to the community. Post up some stories of what radio's mean to you or why your interested in getting one or a few (or 75 ) You would be surprised at how welcoming and fast Boomboxery members will embrace you and it won't take nearly as long as you think before you start seeing things move your way.

I've been here for a while and I have seen this happen over and over again and it happens quicker than you think.

In the end, these old beasts are gonna need work or little bits here and there and with the people here on your side, you can make it happen!

I don;t think collecting is dead, I think it's getting hotter than ever and some people on eBay are trying very hard to cash in on that.

ANYWAY, just my two cents.

 

[Radio raheem]

There are some crazy prices on ebay, but I never see them sell for that.

IMO, if you want to build a collection of radios you have a few options

#1 chuck down big money on eBay

OR

#2 become a solid member in good standing on this site and the benefits will come.

a) your gonna meet all the people that can talk you through repairs, so when you buy that dirt cheap blaster that has a dead deck and is missing some parts, the good people here will help you out.

b) buy from Boomboxery members and your not paying eBay prices. No one on this site is just "Giving" radio's away, but your gonna get a much better deal from a Boomboxery member that you befriend.

The reality is, if you got the desire to have some radio's or got the itch, jump on the forum a few times a day. Post positive and supportive comments and be an asset to the community. Post up some stories of what radio's mean to you or why your interested in getting one or a few (or 75 ) You would be surprised at how welcoming and fast Boomboxery members will embrace you and it won't take nearly as long as you think before you start seeing things move your way.

I've been here for a while and I have seen this happen over and over again and it happens quicker than you think.

In the end, these old beasts are gonna need work or little bits here and there and with the people here on your side, you can make it happen!

I don;t think collecting is dead, I think it's getting hotter than ever and some people on eBay are trying very hard to cash in on that.

ANYWAY, just my two cents.

Well said Chris buddy and even on ebay prices aren't always that bad...here is my latest buy of today

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RETRO-Philips-D8854-Portable-Stereo-Boombox-Sound-Machine-Ghettoblaster/202278452265?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

and another
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JVC-RC-X-610-Boombox-CD-and-twin-Cassette-KEG01JM/362278613627?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

[floyd]

Even as poor as I am I still collect because I love these things I've had to sell some off just to survive but you know there has been crumbs left to rebuild with so that's what you got to do.

 

[Radio raheem]

I sold my whole collection back in 20'11 floyd lad, now look what i have...those stupid prices on ebay, well there just turkeys lol

 

[floyd]

My buddy TJ The trash man has got me at least 10 to 15 good boom boxes over the years and all for free delivered to my house.

I mean he literally saves all kinds of good stereo equipment and all kinds of stuff from his trash route and give it to me all at once whenever I see him but if it's a good Boombox he calls me and lets me know.

 

[Radio raheem]

My buddy TJ The trash man has got me at least 10 to 15 good boom boxes over the years and all for free delivered to my house.

Farking brilliant lad, were there is a will there is a way

 

[floyd]

Yeah I know people at the top but I also have connections to the gutter lol. But seriously TJ is a super good friend of mine and a conscientious trash collector is a Boombox collectors best friend.

I guess you could call me a conscientious trash collector by the condition of my collection.

 

[Reli]

Just because someone lists a box for $3,000 doesn't mean they'll get it.

We're overdue for another recession, so I predict that in 1-2 years these fools will be forced to drop their prices by 70-80% if they want to sell anything. I'll be laughing.

I also disagree that a new collector would need to spend thousands. Sure, maybe if they pursue the same "grails" that everyone else pursues, but there are plenty of interesting non-grails for under $100.

 

[Van Presence]

Everything for sale down here (NZ) seems to be getting cheaper. Admittedly not as much showing up, and I don't get to my usual second hand/rubbish shops as often and conveniently not a lot of bidding wars against things I want. Last 3 I've won were nice n cheap. GF9000 $60, crown sz5100 $60, and Sanyo 9994 $46.

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

It’s all about the local collector competition - lots of collectors here in Oz and as I don’t live in Sydney or Melbourne, I miss out on a large percentage of the cheap, ‘pick up only’ deals.

So although there are stupidly priced boxes (GF-9494 - unserviced $1300), deals are out there, you just have to super lucky to snatch a local deal.

 

[blu_fuz]

It has been slim picking in the wild. I don't think collecting is dead but the deals have slowed way down.

 

[Reli]

Most thrift stores have a guy who lists stuff on Ebay now. And they know what's up. They're not going to list an M70 for only $50. They know how to search for historical values. A few years ago they didn't.

 

[Line Out]

I got the Sony CFS-77L quite locally (25 km) for 45€, supposedly serviced. I had no reason to doubt the seller, but well, It may had been quickly serviced but not to any standard. Still not so bad price I think, especially when Sonys are not so common boxes. It was listed for 60 or 65€ originally.

On eBay today, a quite good looking GF-8989 went for 56€ + shipping.

EDIT: And 71€ for a Rising SRC-2005

I don't know why, but for me, eBay prices always "feel" lower than the price on a local find. I would easily spent around 60-100€ (shipping included) a piece even for a bad looking, but potential box. The only boxes (just 4!) I've bought in Finland have been 10-45€. All others (eBay) have been something like 40-120€ + shipping.

It seems like that all the grails have been long gone to collectors' shelfs but some are put to eBay just to try and get serious dough. Other than those and some overpriced pieces, there still seems to be a good market for the "mid-tier" boxes, that may even be really good quality and desirable. I'd say a realistic and decent price for a good collectable boombox would/should be around 50-200€. Anyone could disagree, but I look a boombox more for its features, sound and how usable it would be.

For me, the "mint" condition is a bit too much to take care, as I tend to scratch or bend or slightly break anything I use, at least at some point. Also when collecting boomboxes, I always keep in mind that they should be possible to add to my boombox "sound system", which is on hold atm, because the 8 channel DSP broke... Having a minty box would be a bit stupid, when it would be carried around and potentially stacked on. I wouldn't want to ruin a premium example of a boombox just by dragging it around.

 

[Transistorized]

On eBay, all I need to see is 'Russian Federation' on the listing and I know to move on.. I know at that point it'll be some 2 million percent over inflated, price gouging money hole of a listing.

 

[caution]

On eBay, all I need to see is 'Russian Federation' on the listing and I know to move on.. I know at that point it'll be some 2 million percent over inflated, price gouging money hole of a listing.

They're just trying to push averages prices up by setting a new "ceiling" - no intention to sell. It'll work itself out eventually once others trying to use them as a reference can't sell anything.