Aquired at an auction....Need help unloading

**comiteman** · June 2nd, 2010, 04:47 PM

I recently aquired some vintage altec equiptment at an auction. I'm looking for some expert advice on pricing and where to unload these beasts. I have (2) Model N1209 8A Professional Sound Reinforcement Dividing Networks both in cabinets. Speakers inside are 421-8LF bass musical speakers. (2) 421-8H Bass musical Instrument speakers also in cabinets. I don't know if they work. Hoping to find somebody who will enjoy these. Pictures are on craigslist. I had a few emails, but not sure what's a good price.

https://post.craigslist.org/manage/1769202610/y255a

**Old Guy** · June 2nd, 2010, 05:15 PM

OK, first you can't do what you did, which is go to your account and open the ad from within your account:doh:

Note the "post" and "manage" in your link. It's useless. We can't post or manage to your account without being logged in as you.

You must exit your account, go to the category then the ad, and open it. THEN copy and paste the link...that will be a link from searching/browsing rather than a manage link to your account.

I had however seen the stuff so knew you were close to Detroit. I'm down where the "other" football team is.

Vintage Altec speakers PRO

You've got some old musical instrument stuff from about 30 years ago, the less desirable stuff is musical...Pro or better Hi-fi gear is the good stuff. You don't have either.

Some weeks it's a struggle to get a hundred each for tested guaranteed 421's. So unknown obviously way less.

The boxes are worth something, but shipping is killer.

Honestly? From what you described, tested and working I would be ecstatic to get 500-600. Unknown it's a crap shoot.

So you have

816 boxes

1215A boxes

421's

N1209-8a crossovers that I can see? you don't mention any horns?

**comiteman** · June 2nd, 2010, 05:34 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. There are no horns. My biggest issue is the cost to check thme out and make sure they work. I do a lot of auctions so the quicker I move the stuff the better. I was thinking about ebay as two seperate auctions. May start one this weekend. Would it be better to keep the stuff all together or pull the speakers out?

**Old Guy** · June 2nd, 2010, 05:48 PM

It's a judgement call.

Me personally would sell the boxes in pairs, the 421's in singles, and the crossovers as a pair.
I would offer the boxes local pickup- if somebody wants to arrange shipment you can drop at a freight terminal.

This REALLY isn't what we are here for BTW. We are all volunteers so we are here to share info and support rather than help people make money. Please consider making a donation to the board...link at top. Todd does a lot of work to keep this place up, and a few bucks for expenses always helps.

Thanks!

**Old Guy** · June 2nd, 2010, 08:13 PM

Was it something I said?:snickerpup:

**RonSSS** · June 3rd, 2010, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by comiteman

Thanks for the quick reply. There are no horns. My biggest issue is the cost to check thme out and make sure they work. I do a lot of auctions so the quicker I move the stuff the better. I was thinking about ebay as two seperate auctions. May start one this weekend. Would it be better to keep the stuff all together or pull the speakers out?

So you took the chance and want us to bail you out?
we are enthusiasts, not auctioneers.

Before buying, you ought to do your own research.

Ron

**Altec Best** · June 3rd, 2010, 02:40 AM

And at the very least you should offer it up here first.How many times is it that people come here looking to find out what there stuff is worth and then they run to eBay and add a few hundred to the price of what someone here tells them.

There's a simple search at eBay it is called (Completed Auctions) if you do a search say of the last 6 months that should be a start. Regards !!

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · June 3rd, 2010, 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by Altec Best

.....if you do a search say of the last 6 months that should be a start. Regards !!

Ebay won't show that much. A completed item search isn't what it used to be.

**bowtie427ss** · June 3rd, 2010, 07:23 AM

I had a few emails, but not sure what's a good price.

Since you know next to nothing about them and chose to buy them at an auction, that was probably a "good" price. It was at the very least the current market value when and where you bought them.

The largest value w/fastest turnover is definitely in the crossover pair which you can expect an ebay price of 125 - 150 this time of year.

421's are a "dime a dozen" and of little interest to the hifi enthusiasts that frequent this site. Last pair i sold were 421-8LF's in excellent cosmetic and working condition for 100 bucks. I usually don't bother with 421's unless they're essentially free. I agree with OG about selling 421's singly as the educated market for them are usually looking to use them in instrument amps/cabs(guitar, bass, keys). Most other Altec products get better prices as pairs.

Too bad the 1225 horn cabinets weren't included with the 1215's, those would have been worth several hundred.

The 1215 cabinets might generate slight interest, but shipping will be cost prohibitive so you're limited to a fairly local market. For those with the abilities and facilities, most Altec cabinets can be built new for the cost of shipping or less.

The 816's might get a bit more interest as they're somewhat more easily handled and they have the classic Altec horn flares that many will recognize.

It's been my experience that i enjoy much happier endings when i do my research before i buy, rather than the other way around.

**comiteman** · June 3rd, 2010, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by RonSSS

So you took the chance and want us to bail you out?
we are enthusiasts, not auctioneers.

Before buying, you ought to do your own research.

Ron

Ron,
I came to this site after a week of looking at other sites, realizing this was the best one on altec stuff. That's why the internet is so valuable. I just want to know what I have before giving it away. I did the completed search on ebay and found nothing similar to my stuff. Doing auctions is always a chance, sometimes you win sometimes you don't. This altec stuff was buried behind some furniture, so I had no idea it was there.
I really appreciated Old guy's info and even donated $5.00 per his request. I don't want you to bail me out, I just want an honest opinion. If anyone wants my stuff please let me know. I enjoy beer, and belong to an enthusiast board, similar to this one. If you came over and asked me about a rare bottle of Stout your friend gave you and wanted to know the best way to persevere it I would inform you. That's my job as an enthusiast to inform people about stuff they don't know about. Thanks for the information again.