Radio Orphanage began over 20 years ago. Since then my son has also become interested in radios and other things that we now collect. We collect tube and transistor radios, hifi tube amplifiers, old neon signs, and other old electronic type items. It all started when I was a boy. I had a paper route at a very young age and at one of the houses on the route I would place the paper on a radio on these elderly people's porch. Every Friday without fail the money for the week would be sitting there. One week it wasn't there, I knocked on the door and the woman told me that her husband had recently passed away and she wanted me to have the radio because that would have been what her husband wanted. In college I went to a tech school and took tube theory the last year that they taught it(1971). Once I began working I was travelling a lot so I began to go out to flea markets and yard sales and slowly began building my collection.
US and eBay...
We have been doing this for over 10 years. We believe we are one of the best packers on eBay and pride ourselves with getting your treasure to you in the same condition we sold it. In general we have a very good understanding of what we sell. We have contributed to several of the Bunis Books on Collecting Tube and Transistor Radios, as well as written several articles for Today's Collector Magazine on Tube and Transistor radios. We enjoy the hobby.
If you are new to collecting radios...
1) Just because someone throws the word RARE at you a dozen times, doesn't make it so. Do searches, read the radio guides, understand if it is rare or not. Let's face it, everybody beleives the old things they own are rare.Rare is surely the most overused word on eBay
2) Condition is everything in old radios. It is like location is to real estate. Ask plenty of questions. A single crack or missing part will cut the value of a radio by 50%, and a pristine radio is worth twice what an average radio is. Even asking plenty of questions, I have been disapointed with about half the purchases I've made on eBay. Look for the reputation of the seller. The term "as is" unfortunately is usually hiding something that is not being described.
3) Catalin is an exotic plastic, and nothing else is like it. It is expensive and worth it. Don't be fooled by terms like "Catalin ?", "Catalin like", "similar to Catalin". These just aren't true, Also, unfortunately, items are sold in the radio area of eBay as Catalin that are not Catalin. This is a fraud, and a shame. Again, look at the feedback, and know the dealer. If you don't know, ask someone.
4)Very few old tube radios were originally sold in chrome, bright pink, yellow, bright red, blue, etc. Most of what you are seeing are repaintings, or chroming of metal cabinets. Very pretty, but not original. Again, if you are not sure, ask someone who would know. Understand what you are buying BEFORE you bid.
5) Any radio with a tapedeck was made after 1965, and probably much newer. Don't fall for these as sets from the 30s and 40s.
6) Enjoy the radio collecting hobby as we do. Good Luck, Radioorphanage
Praise: Items shipped the following day, great seller. 5 stars*****
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