16-Nov-08
Economic slump...where's the good stuff?
With the overcast global economy, it seems to me that collectible items would eventually flood the open market, they haven't.

Not sure if dealers are well stocked, but I see plenty of sales and discounts. Any thoughts as to how this economic momentum is playing out? Dealers, are you overstocked these days...which would account for a seemingly dry open market.

posted by WoofWoof
 [edit]
 
16-Nov-08
You must be reading
my mind, Woofwoof. However, I'm noticing just the opposite. I think there is a glut in the ebay market right now. Normally, if you search under "Eames" on ebay, there are about 3800 to 4000 items. Lately, that number has been creeping up to 4600+. Likewise, when you search under the Mid-Century Modern category in Antiques, the total number of items on auction has risen dramatically.

I'm conjecturing this rise in number of items being put up for auction may be attributed to either sellers waiting until after the election was over when they are guessing that they would have more buyers paying attention, or, alternatively, to more sellers in the market because they need the money and have become more willing to part with things they already own.

As for my own "bricks and mortar" antiques business, I have been selling small items but the furniture is collecting dust. September was absolutely dismal for large ticket items, the worst I have seen since the early 90's.

What is everyone else experiencing?


posted by Riki
 [edit]
 
16-Nov-08
I think the increase in items on eBay is actually

normal for this time of year, i.e. the fast approaching X-mas season.

posted by the_beloved
 [edit]
 
16-Nov-08
The good stuff is either...
being held to sell during better times, or turning up at pawn shops.

The current generation of Americans are not very familiar with pawn shops, because for the last 15 years of easily acquired credit cards deferred the need to deal with pawn brokers.

I hear that east coast pawn shops are actually now the place to go to buy most any big ticket recreational item like a boat, for instance.

I would shop the pawn shops, if you absolutely can't wait until 2010 when the bottom is reached.
posted by dcwilson
 [edit]
 
17-Nov-08
i disagree
I've noticed an increase in actual Eames items on eBay - to the point where I have held back from posting some of my extraneous items. What is most surprising is that a number of the items I've seen have been big ticket items - early pieces, rare pieces, some prototypes - the kind of things you expect to be squirrelled away by museums. I know some of the BIG pieces were done through Wright's auctions, but a great number have been independent sellers.
posted by LuciferSum
 [edit]
 
17-Nov-08
Anyone...
Catch that Eames table prototype with dowel base?
posted by woodywood
 [edit]
 
18-Nov-08
There's quite an influx on this site...
You should check out xxx.com it has a lot of used high-end and mid-century modern furniture.

http://www.xxx.com

Edited by designaddict: no advertising in the forum please!
posted by Melvetica
edited on 18-Nov-08 07:49 AM  [edit]
 
18-Nov-08
Eames
Don't you find that there are a lot of people who throw around the Eames name without the product their selling having an relationship to their work?

I steer clear of Ebay for this reason.
posted by Melvetica
 [edit]
 
18-Nov-08
Eames
Is just a handy keyword search term.

The majority of the Eames designs are well-known and documented.
posted by woodywood
 [edit]
 
18-Nov-08
Melvetica
I've noticed you are throwing around the lushxxx site quite a bit. If you are innocent, my apologies, but it seems you are spamming us. There is an ads section you know.
posted by whitespike
edited on 18-Nov-08 07:43 AM  [edit]
 
18-Nov-08
Whitespike has a...
Whitespike has a point...self promotion is generally frowned upon here.

Anyway...I'm finding it fascinating observing the domino effects as the world reels back in anticipation of tomorrow. Scary forecast DCwilson. Optimistically, I do think after the US transitions into the Obama term things could/should pick-up ...as politics often directs economics.

So growth is stymied for the time being. Does this mean we'll be seeing fewer progressive design output?

posted by WoofWoof
 [edit]
 
18-Nov-08
Patrick+ Alix have deleted lushxxx spam here before....
yet they still keep planting them in the forum. Very annoying.

posted by the_beloved
edited on 18-Nov-08 07:45 AM  [edit]
 
18-Nov-08
Variety meat byproducts are...
Variety meat byproducts are probably in most circles not very good or even worth eating, but in a tolerant and knowledgable society we should probably accept, if not embrace for ourselves, that possibility.

My friend Roger, an otherwise fairly intelligent guy, ate Spam all through college.

Oh, spam.

Nevermind.
posted by hudsonhonu
 [edit]
 
18-Nov-08
Spam fried rice.
Yum!
posted by woodywood
 [edit]
 

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