"Near Mint" GE Super Radio II on eBay Today

This near mint GESR II is at a starting bid of $160 and Buy Now for $200. 

Comments

[dorpmuller]

It's delusional moron greedmongers like this that ruin it for us little guys. $75 is the most I ever paid for one, and that was too much.

[Angelo]

Greedmongers maybe----but not at all delusional. It sold at the "Buy It Now" price of $200.00 Apparently, the buyer didn't want to risk losing it by starting a bidding war. I agree that they aren't worth this amount. It's a decent radio and collectible----$100.00 is top of the market as far as I'm concerned and I wouldn't even pay that. I have the Super Radio I and it's fine----but doesn't blow me away by any means. I am more impressed with the sound of my GE P780 and the reception of my C Crane EP.

[Huesby]

I´ve been buying radios from Ebay since 6 years ago and I´ve been noticing radios tends to be scarce and more expensive as time goes on. I bougth my SRII at 40 dls, 2 SRI for 30 dls and 3 SR3 at 5 Dls each and that was 3 years ago, nowaday it's impossible to buy anything for less than 50 Dls. What could it be Economy or scarcity ?

[herculodge]

Probably a growing scarcity of a radio coveted by many is a price factor.

[Keith Beesley]

It can't be scarcity since there always seem to be 6 or 8 on Ebay at any given time (between the I, II, and III versions). I think it's just the general hype about them in this and other online forums. They are good radios, particularly the I and II, IMHO, but there are other vintage and modern radio models that are just as good for less $, but they aren't as well-known.

[Angelo]

Keith: I agree with you. When you think about it though----the names we all know, Panasonic, Sony, Zenith----many of those sell for even more than the GE SRs. I think the "Sleepers" are AM-FM Panasonics (if you don't want shortwave or police band). They go under the radar sometimes----and those from the period of about 1970-1977 are usually great AM receivers and very nice speaker sound for FM too, for the size of the radios. Also, lesser known brands like Montgomery Ward Airline can be terrific buys. I like Ross, Lloyds and Arvin----but you sort of have to know what you're buying with those. Some of them are respectable and others are junkboxes. But Arvins up to around 1970 are good, solid radios. RCA made some nice ones too, through the mid-70s.

[Guy]

"Is it worth it?" for a particular radio always depends on if you are a collector or user. Hard core collectors invariably are willing to pay more for a top condition, desirable receiver or an extremely rare model in average condition.

For example, I recently purchased a truly mint Sony ICF-6800W "orange" version, complete with original box and packing material for $277 USD. At least one collector paid over $1000 for one of these (in 2009). I'd never pay that much because I'm in the "user" camp, not a collector.

This particular Sony receiver performs flawlessly, as if it was 1981 all over again and was just pulled out of its carton. However, a radio user or DXer can choose from a number of other new and used radios at the same <$300 price point which receive equally as well. Collectors though are less concerned with actual receiver performance prowess. If they are a serious collector, they usually have seriously deep pockets!

[dorpmuller]

Every once in a great while I get a deal on greedbay. All of a sudden last week I scored an S5W with no rx audio for $43.00. I gambled that I could fix it and did-had a shorted output transistor. Thought I'd never, ever find one of those!

[Adam]

I've always viewed ebay as a tool - both to evaluate the market and for buying/selling what I've got or want.

I don't know if anyone remembers a while back when HP had their 'firesale' of the HP touchpads? If you were lucky enough to buy one of the 16gb versions for $99 from HP, they were turning up on ebay for well over $250 (and selling for that amount as well). Were they worth 250? Just ask the guy who paid $499 for the same unit a week before the fire sale. (Full disclosure - I did manage to get one of the $99 touchpads, installed android on it, and love it.)

My point? I don't begrudge ebay one bit. The market is what it is, whether I want to jump in or not. If I (or you) find something that fits your wants and budget - go for it.

- Adam

[dorpmuller]

I get real grateful every time I look at my collection... I got back into building it up in 06 and I got many radios cheap. Royal 1000 for $9.00 in perfect shape, same for a P780. I could never do it now...

I still grab deals when I can, but it's like the fat guy from Texas now-slim pickins.'

[Angelo]

Dorpmuller: I've been on E-Bay regularly too, since around 2004/2005. The funny thing is---when the economy seemed to be at its worst in some ways---late 2008 into 2009 (stock market bottoming), collectible radios seemed to be spiking in price----I was selling some and making a lot on them and seeing radios in general sell for huge amounts. They eased down a bit for a couple years----and now seem to be trending up in price again. I have no explanation for it----bad economy, higher prices for old radios? Doesn't seem to make any sense.