4th ed. Blue Book vs. 5th ed. Blue Book

[Adam Hoagland]

[size=12]I still haul my beat-up 4th edition of the blue book to auctions or to antique markets, etc.  I see that Amazon has listed a 5th edition as being available for quite some time now.  I was holding off on updating, because $30 spent on a new price guide is $30 not spent on new iron.  But, if the prices are more current, or if there are many listings that weren't in the 4th edition, then I can see laying down the money.  Is there much difference?  Are the prices still the ones compiled in the nineties?

Also, in a semi-related question, what do people think is a current fair price for a block EPU #14?  I keep seeing them go for anywhere from $250-$600, and they don't seem all that rare.  My 4th edition lists them as being $100-$150 pans.  I own a slant EPU #14, but since that's listed as commanding a greater price in the blue book, I was willing to pay more for it. (I still got it for much less than it was listed at... even though the other attendees thought I was insane.)  What's a fair auction price for a block EPU #14 with no visible flaws?

Thanks.[/size]

[Will Person]

You can't go by book prices today.  Look on ebay is all i have to say.

[Frank Dimos]

Yep, It's worth what someone will pay, condition, economy, etc., and depends heavily on how long you're willing to wait.

[Mark Zizzi]

I never owned the 4th edition so I couldn't tell you the difference. But anything Griswold on Ebay is selling for much more than the 5th edition prices. Check Ebay for the current price range..and if you can find the piece for less elsewhere, you're doing good.

[Larry Pesek]

Adam,

  I own a 1st edition and a 5th edition of the 'blue book' and as with any collectors book with price guide, the key word is GUIDE.  Using the price guide helps to determine which pieces may bring more than others, but it is not always the case. As others have said, Ebay is the easiest source for current pricing...  ECON 101: supply and demand... :)  Happy hunting!

~Larry~

[C. Perry Rapier]

I never owned the 4th edition so I couldn't tell you the difference. But anything Griswold on Ebay is selling for much more than the 5th edition prices. Check Ebay for the current price range..and if you can find the piece for less elsewhere, you're doing good.

Hello Mark. I am going to have to disagree with your statement that I highlighted above. IMO its too broad to say that. While it is true that a lot of items do bring more than Blue Book prices it is also true to say that a lot of items do not bring Blue Book prices. The muffin pans are a good example.  :)

[C. B. Williams]

So true Perry.

[Adam Hoagland]

[size=12]That's why I hesitate to use e-bay as a price guide for anything.  Too much fluctuation and too many outliers.

I guess I'll just wind up buying the 5th edition.  If nothing else, I'll be able to answer my own question about its contents.[/size]

[C. Perry Rapier]

The Blue Book is an excellent book and well worth having as a valuable source of information.  And it's well worth the money.  But as a reliable price guide it's not always the best source. And the authors state that very clearly. They state very clearly that the prices are a guide. So in my opinion, whether one likes it or not, Flea Bay does set the prices. When someone buys a car do they pay the price on the window because that's what it says?