[Texasrocker]

Those type thrift-store owners really amuse me! I would tell them to accept my "counter-offer",... of paying me $50 to haul it off for them! Unless the "thrift" owners agree to let me pull-chassis to inspect underneath for previous hack-jobs,spkr cond, tube filament continuity, etc,... all they have displayed is a "looker set" at best to be used as a antique table-lamp holder! If they confess they "plugged it in to see if it works", I knock off another $50 just in case they got the power trans hot and didnt even know it! However, there are always people who buy certain sets just to "look at", sitting in a corner. Not me, if I cant buy em cheap enough to be worthy of doing a complete electronic restoration before ever plugging them in, Im not interested in dealing with these "ya-hoos" antique dealers. Buyers can get "screwed" fast if you dont know what to "inspect" very carefully before purchasing! A pretty cabinet can be very deceiving!! Remember that 18 yr old female "hottie" you always wanted to date in high-school? (hee hee) Thrift-store owners Vintage Radio priceguides they go by are deceiving at best, for ANY set!, in "electronically" unrestored condition period! The best way to approach these type sellers, as you are "taking a chance" as purchasing as a parts-set only at best, nothing more, because the cost of getting it restored comes into play then! Philco dials are plentiful on eBay (if your patient).. in finding them!
Another option in dealing with sellers like that is to say.... "ok".... go ahead and pull the dial, sell it for $50 on eBay, and I would offer you $5 for the rest as a parts-set! ... then, watch eBay and find another dial for cheap! Theres more than one way to deal with sellers like that indeed! Let it set there awhile, then go back with your "counter-offer"! If its gone, dont worry! Theres plenty vintage Philcos left out there that can be bought for much less! Vintage Philcos kinda show-up when you least expect it, at many a nearby 2nd hand store!