Do you tell them??

[Mike Bohannon]

Went to an estate auction today and there were 3 repro 262's there, one sold for $40 and the other two sold for $30 each.  I didn't have the heart to tell them what they had bought.  Do any of you ever let people know they've just been taken?  I do try to pass on that they are fake to the ones I see checking out the iron before the auction.  Curious how others handle this situation.

I did pick up a very nice #7 French Waffle Iron at a good price. :)   Around here you mostly find common pieces at very high prices.Mike

[wmlw4]

Howdy!
I my opinion, it would be hard to hear, but I would like to know!  :-[ You don't run across too many people that would have the knowledge to share at that point, so I would appreciate finding out. :) I know many wouldn't so you would be in a hard spot :P

[C. Perry Rapier]

Mike, I believe that I agree with Marylou, tell them and if then don't like like it, tough cookies. Of course you can tell them in a nice way that, they've just been screwed, as nice a way as possible anyway.  :-/

And wow, you bought a number 7 french waffle iron at an auction, you sure don't see too many of them, thats for sure. Well are you gonna show us a picture of it? I'd like to see it.  ;)

[Mike Bohannon]

Mike, I believe that I agree with Marylou, tell them and if then don't like like it, tough cookies. Of course you can tell them in a nice way that, they've just been screwed, as nice a way as possible anyway.  :-/

And wow, you bought a number 7 french waffle iron at an auction, you sure don't see too many of them, thats for sure. Well are you gonna show us a picture of it? I'd like to see it.  ;)

Perry, she sure was purty as found, but like any fine lady they got to be look'n their finest when presented.  ;D  She should have here hair done and makeup on by tomorrow evening. ;)  I'll post a couple of pictures then.  Mike

[C. Perry Rapier]

Well, in that case Mike, I guess I will remain in waiting.  ;)

[Pipswich]

I grew up in the antiques business and found at a very young age that people buy many "antiques" with no idea what they mean to collectors.  Many times at auctions, shows and in malls over the years I tried to politely point out that something was not what it appeared only to discover that it was simply being purchased for use or on a whim by someone who could afford it.  More than once I have been told it was none of my business by the purchaser who got their nose bent out of shape over it.  And really, post internet and the road show... if people are buying at auction without using free or cheaply available resources...  pointing out their errors will not help them out in life.  These are the people who pay for new engines and get rebuilt ones...  or worse, just get the old one power washed and the hoses replaced for $2500.  

I certainly would inform someone if they asked or if I had a relationship of some sort with them.  And I am certainly not condoning the practices that are common out there in the marketplace.  But... it's not my role to police the informed actions of consenting adults....  and unless I am in a position to prevent gross misrepresentation before it happens or the disadvantaged party is a minor or compromised in their decision making ability I will usually let well enough alone.

At least they didn't get it too bad.  You would pay half or more of that to get generic low quality corn pans shipped via ebay.  

An entirely separate issue is perhaps more important.  If the auctioneer is routinely and knowingly selling stolen and/or material that fraudulently takes advantage of the reasonable expectation that he is selling authentic antiques... he may need an attorney.  Over time the markets tighten up and knowledge becomes easier to come by.  The worst of the old school auctioneer hucksters who were working in the south as I was growing up all managed to spend some well deserved time in jail.

[John Knapp]

I was at an auction a couple years ago where a fake Wagner toy waffle iron was being auctioned off.  The repro went for about $140.  I told the high bidder that it was a fake and he told me that he was an 'authority' on Wagner and Griswold and that I did not know what I was talking about....  From that time on, I just keep my mouth shut.
John

[C. Perry Rapier]

Well, if somebody told me that something I bought or was about to buy was a fake, I'd be glad they told me, I wouldn't like it of course that it was a fake, but still would be glad they told me. The problem is, some people are afraid to be wrong, or they never made a mistake, or won't admit to it when they do, or when they have made a mistake, if they've caused some sort of harm, they won't try to make amends for it, and then on top of that, their pride gets in the way, makes a big mess.  :-/

[Mike Bohannon]

Mike, I believe that I agree with Marylou, tell them and if then don't like like it, tough cookies. Of course you can tell them in a nice way that, they've just been screwed, as nice a way as possible anyway.  :-/

And wow, you bought a number 7 french waffle iron at an auction, you sure don't see too many of them, thats for sure. Well are you gonna show us a picture of it? I'd like to see it.  ;)

Perry here are couple pics of the #7 W/I I picked up yesterday.  Not mint but very good to excellant condition.  Mike

[Mike Bohannon]

Inside has the standard W/I pattern.  

[C. Perry Rapier]

Thats very nice Mike, very nice. I am sure you noticed its got them neat old button hinges on it, they also came with a scissor hinge. I said early on that I wouldn't collect waffle irons, but hell, I'd trade my car for a nice waffle iron, they make cars everyday.  ;D

[C. Perry Rapier]

Heres a scissor hinge number 8. I wonder which one is older? Joel would know, he can mesmerize you with and about waffle iron hinges.  ;)

[Clark Rader]

If I was looking at something, and a stranger come up to me and said that is a repo. or not old. I would say thank you, and try to talk to him Than I would watch hin to see if he would bid on it, or ask him if he was going to bid. I have seen some people talk bad about a item, and thay end up to be the high bidder. trust only your friends, and it is eazy to ask your friends if thay are going to bid on it or not. :) clark

[Mike Bohannon]

If I was looking at something, and a stranger come up to me and said that is a repo. or not old. I would say thank you, and try to talk to him Than I would watch hin to see if he would bid on it, or ask him if he was going to bid. I have seen some people talk bad about a item, and thay end up to be the high bidder. trust only your friends, and it is eazy to ask your friends if thay are going to bid on it or not. :) clark

I agree Clark, someone will always be trying to get one over on you so you have to watch out.  Are you going to come down to TN help me with my auction bidding. ;D

Perry, nice W/I!  Thanks for posting the picture.  Those of us that are less experienced love to see pictures of iron!!  Some of you Guys and Gals have been collecting for years and have lots of pieces we would like to see.   Keep posting those PICS!!!  Mike

[Mike Bohannon]

Perry, also the hinge looks like a 'finger hinge' in the picture.  It does look slimmer or more narrow than the ones on the smaller waffle irons that I've seen.  Could you post a closeup or 2 of the hinge?  Thanks Mike


Also the pictures don't have to be waffle irons, you can drag out some of those DO's/roasters and other less common pans you and others have. :)  Mike

[C. Perry Rapier]

Here is a griswold square number one.
There is one Wags member, I can't think of his name, anyway, he's got enough waffle irons plate a battleship with.  ;)

[C. Perry Rapier]

Mike, it is a "finger" hinge, you are right. The scissors hinge don't come apart, if anybody wants to jump in here, feel free to do so. Mike, those are just some pictures that I have on my computer. The iron is presently put away, but I am going to bring it back out soon though, I have been in the process of moving and just ain't got everything squared away, but I did take a lot of pictures of different items at different times.

[Troy_Hockensmith]

Are we talking waffle irons or are we discussing the issue of telling folks their buying or selling fakes?

Anyway, I've learned to keep my mouth shut. A seller really doesn't want to hear it cause they either already know or are not happy to hear they got took. A buyer really doesn't want to hear they just screwed either. They either get mad cause there stupid or they are distrustful. Either way the messinger get's shot.

Dave Smith once said he takes his pen and writes fake or repro on the tag when no one is looking and moves on.

[C. Perry Rapier]

Are we talking waffle irons or are we discussing the issue of telling folks their buying or selling fakes?
 

Dear Steve, er I mean Troy, we are talking about whatever we wanna talk about.  ;D

I just noticed, that WAGNER Number 10 Bulge Kettle is not listed in the book, but a 7, 8, and 9 are, and the 9 is listed as holding 30 quarts, WOW, I wonder what that number 10 holds?

[junkjunkie]

Those are beautiful waffle irons.....thanks for posting Perry and Mike!  I love looking at other peoples' collections.  :)  If someone approached me and told me what I bought is fake,  I don't think I would resent it, but would feel really dumb.  Clark made a good point, though.  If someone told me something was fake before an auction, or purchasing, they may have their sites set on the piece.