original cost

[lindaw2]

Does anyone know what these sold for when they were new? I am interested in stoves from the '30's, '40's and '50's. No bearing on cost today but I am just curious.

Linda

[RobbiQuest]

There was a fascinating post on this back in October - check it out:

[url="http://www.hostboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=7954&t=215"]http://www.hostboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=7954&t=215[/url]

[lindaw2]

Thanks for the link. I tried to search for this info but failed to find it. They may have been top of the line 60 years ago but considering how many are still in use, they were really pretty cheap!

[ha_asfan]

AHAH ! Chambers were never cheap but have always been a good VALUE ! The original costs made them a very high ticket item and of course, one of the big Chambers selling points was the gas savings...the future savings made the ranges more affordable and saleable. Built of quality materials, quality construction, quality design, they have proven over and over and over that you really do get what you pay for !

[annnt]

Here's what the salesman's flip chart has to say about this:
"You pay for a Chambers Ranger..... even if you never own one.
Tangible savings possible to Chambers Ranger Users: shrinkage of meats $39
lower price cuts of meats $33.80
reduction in canned goods
$20.80
time $109.50
gas $12.00
Total $215.10
There is NO GOOD REASON for deferring this purchase - this superlative investment."
Ann

[annnt]

These costs are annually. There's a lot longer description of each savings on the salesman's side of the page. But, I'm not going to type that all in - you'll just have to wait until your flip chart comes in the mail (those of you who ordered one!).

[kathie1k]

My parents.....who lived in dallas tx paid 400 dallors for thier 1950 model c white. My sister still has the reciept ( she got the stove )

Kathie1k

[lkeriegrl]

I read through the linked thread and a question came to me. Why Texas? Why? Is it

A) more popular brand in Tx because you could bake without the heat radiating out into the kitchen as common ranges woukd have?

B) lots of rich high rollers set a trend? Evidence might be available in the form of period articles in local home magazines or newspapers.

C) they weren't more popular there than elsewhere, but the lack of humidity deterred rust and the stoives then just lasted longer??

not that this is an exhaustivew list.. . .

[kathie1k]

How bout ( D) The frieght,train stopped in Dallas and Houston.
(E) The Mississippi River brought Chambers to east Tx, cheaper.
(F) High population of scotch housewives, who bought the best they could for cash when they had it and took care of them and passed themdown to thier children.
My bz goes to my son when I am threw with it. lol
kathie1k, a native Texan

[RobbiQuest]

I thought too that part of it might be that Chambers focused their marketing efforts in certain areas of the country. For example, they had a showroom in Northern Calif (can't remember if it was Sacramento or 'Frisco) and that's where many of the Chambers can be found now in Calif, and very few in the rest of the state.

I can't remember where I saw the location of their showrooms, but if I can find it again, I'll post.

t.