Why and What We Collect--A Tale of Two Barung

Sajen · 19th August 2014, 05:43 PM

Very good topic!

I would have taken the barong A, a very good example of an older form and when I would have more money I certainly would have given a bid (special by the price it was gone).
BTW, I have had recently similar thoughts for a thread and will come back later to this matter.

Regards,
Detlef

spiral · 19th August 2014, 07:58 PM

From the pics. the second item would I guess be being sold being sold by an experienced professional arms dealer very used to years of trading on ebay......

For many possible reasons such sellers usually have more bidders... & any early bidders bids are quickly maxed out, meaning to win the item you have to pay more.

Its not just about the item, its about the salesmanship & strategy used to gain maximum return, I suspect.

spiral

Royston · 20th August 2014, 08:54 AM

I am that sad, pathetic creature known as a collector or even an addict. It would have to be BOTH.

Rick · 20th August 2014, 03:29 PM

Yes, living life saddled with the collecting gene can be a blessing and a curse .

If only I had stuck with just collecting edged weapons ...

Too late now .

edit:
I would've picked the older simpler barung .

Maurice · 20th August 2014, 04:37 PM

I would go for A.
That B went for more as 55% is because the buyer didn't do his homework to well before buying? (as we all did and still do once in a while).

David · 21st August 2014, 08:23 PM

I also would pick the older barung ("A"), but keep in mind that this wasn't an either/or choice for the buyers of these weapons. They were not given a choice of one weapon OR the other. These auctions took place separately, one at a time. The reasons "B" sold for more could be many. Sometimes a bidding war gets crazy. Sometimes we take a shine to something and decide that we want it even if the price runs too high. That "B" sold for 55% more does not say that given the chose, more of those bidders wouldn't have chosen "A" over "B".

Ian · 21st August 2014, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I also would pick the older barung ("A"), but keep in mind that this wasn't an either/or choice for the buyers of these weapons. They were not given a choice of one weapon OR the other. These auctions took place separately, one at a time. The reasons "B" sold for more could be many. Sometimes a bidding war gets crazy. Sometimes we take a shine to something and decide that we want it even if the price runs too high. That "B" sold for 55% more does not say that given the chose, more of those bidders wouldn't have chosen "A" over "B".

Absolutely correct David. This was not an either/or decision for the two buyers and the fact that the newer one went for more is probably explained by many factors. However, as collectors we do have some experience of how much various items should sell for, and what we are willing to pay. To what extent price factors into our decisions is something we all have to grapple with to some degree--there are few collectors with unlimited budgets.

I'm more concerned, though, with learning what people value in their collecting pursuits. I had a friend whom I met on eBay years ago who was determined to have one of every edged weapon he could find, new and old, high end and low end. He wanted the whole spectrum--European, Asian, Islamic, Pacific, etc. I have not seen him on eBay for several years, so perhaps he ran out of money or his wife said enough. In any case, he seemed at one end of the spectrum of collectors.

Why and what we collect seems a very personal statement of who we each are. Perhaps the question is too personal for some people to respond here. But maybe there are some brave souls who will venture more of their thoughts.

Ian.

19th August 2014, 05:43 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,408	Very good topic! I would have taken the barong A, a very good example of an older form and when I would have more money I certainly would have given a bid (special by the price it was gone). BTW, I have had recently similar thoughts for a thread and will come back later to this matter. Regards, Detlef

19th August 2014, 07:58 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	From the pics. the second item would I guess be being sold being sold by an experienced professional arms dealer very used to years of trading on ebay...... For many possible reasons such sellers usually have more bidders... & any early bidders bids are quickly maxed out, meaning to win the item you have to pay more. Its not just about the item, its about the salesmanship & strategy used to gain maximum return, I suspect. spiral

20th August 2014, 08:54 AM	#3
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	I am that sad, pathetic creature known as a collector or even an addict. It would have to be BOTH.

20th August 2014, 03:29 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,375	Yes, living life saddled with the collecting gene can be a blessing and a curse . If only I had stuck with just collecting edged weapons ... Too late now . edit: I would've picked the older simpler barung .

20th August 2014, 04:37 PM	#5
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,462	I would go for A. That B went for more as 55% is because the buyer didn't do his homework to well before buying? (as we all did and still do once in a while).

21st August 2014, 08:23 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	I also would pick the older barung ("A"), but keep in mind that this wasn't an either/or choice for the buyers of these weapons. They were not given a choice of one weapon OR the other. These auctions took place separately, one at a time. The reasons "B" sold for more could be many. Sometimes a bidding war gets crazy. Sometimes we take a shine to something and decide that we want it even if the price runs too high. That "B" sold for 55% more does not say that given the chose, more of those bidders wouldn't have chosen "A" over "B".