14x17 Contact Frame on eBay - Really?

[Nathan Smith]

What is going on here? Is there something about this contact frame I'm missing?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110814195657?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

... apparently there is a bidding war between folks who can't wait until Feb 3:
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/14171-Ultimate-Contact-Frame-II-14x17-Mahogany

[Sal Santamaura]

What is going on here?...Smells like shill bidding to me.

[benrains]

Wow! That's crazy. I know the bigger vintage contact frames go for a lot of money, but that seems insane. One of my luckiest finds were a vintage 14x17 and 16x20 contact printing frame at a local photographer's estate sale, but I only paid $5/ea for those :-)

[BrianShaw]

It has the "artistic mojo" on it. use that frame and it will make any crappy neg into a masterpiece. Buy now or forever lose out on that fabulous offer!

[BrianShaw]

p.s. If you miss out on this fabulous offer, please contact me. i have on very similar that I'll sell you at 50% of the winning price.

[Nathan Smith]

Heck, for that mark up I can just buy 'em new from FreeStyle and sell 'em on eBay.

Well, that goes to show that those guys putting crazy high prices on "rare" items aren't all nuts, I guess.

[BrianShaw]

"New" ones won't have the artistic mojo. Maybe you can use a new one a few times and put that mojo into them before you flip them on ebay, huh?

[Nathan Smith]

Yep, a little simulated wear works wonders on pricing. They've done it for years with jeans, and "relic" guitars (even though they're often just brand new imports) cost more than shiny new ones.:rolleyes:

[Nathan Smith]

$624.00 + $52.00 shipping ... $676 for a contact frame. I just don't get it.

Must be a pleasant surprise for the seller though :)

[sepstein17]

But remember folks "...it's stunning, rare, and heavy" That's a helluva combination!