MikeP
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2005
- Messages
- 8,674
- Status
- OTHER
- Hatteras Model
- Not Currently A Hatteras Owner
One of my many interests is restoring antique clocks. I started doing that in my early 20s and have been doing so ever since. Several places we've lived I maintained clock clock collections for individuals and once for a small museum.
Anyway, one clock I have often wanted to buy is a Hamilton Marine Chronometer from the WWII era. One popped up on the Bay a week ago and I was interested. It was poorly photographed and with no useful info but it looked like a good prospect with a low WWII serial number. It stayed at a very low price for 5 days and it looked like there was little interest. I was confident I could get it at a price I was willing to pay. (Yes, I'm aware that serious bids come at the last minute - I'm one of those bidders)
I wrote and asked a few questions and the seller answered them privately and I liked the answers. I told her she should post more pics and told her what to take pics of and also made some suggestions about more info. On the last morning of the auction, she posted everything that I had suggested, including more pics, a video of the clock running, and more info.
Within an hour the clock had jumped beyond my price range and when the bidding closed it ended up selling for over double what I had budgeted!
I find myself torn between being happy that I "helped" this person get a good price for the clock and kicking myself in the a$$ for screwing myself out of a clock I wanted...
So I guess the moral of the story is that although Sister Mary Amabelia at Saint Casimer's Catholic School in Leavenworth Ks would be proud of me, some other A$$hole has my clock!
Anyway, one clock I have often wanted to buy is a Hamilton Marine Chronometer from the WWII era. One popped up on the Bay a week ago and I was interested. It was poorly photographed and with no useful info but it looked like a good prospect with a low WWII serial number. It stayed at a very low price for 5 days and it looked like there was little interest. I was confident I could get it at a price I was willing to pay. (Yes, I'm aware that serious bids come at the last minute - I'm one of those bidders)
I wrote and asked a few questions and the seller answered them privately and I liked the answers. I told her she should post more pics and told her what to take pics of and also made some suggestions about more info. On the last morning of the auction, she posted everything that I had suggested, including more pics, a video of the clock running, and more info.
Within an hour the clock had jumped beyond my price range and when the bidding closed it ended up selling for over double what I had budgeted!
I find myself torn between being happy that I "helped" this person get a good price for the clock and kicking myself in the a$$ for screwing myself out of a clock I wanted...
So I guess the moral of the story is that although Sister Mary Amabelia at Saint Casimer's Catholic School in Leavenworth Ks would be proud of me, some other A$$hole has my clock!
