Values and prices

[NYKenn]

Following the auction listings on ebay and gunbroker, I have noted the following recent sales. Gives an idea of the recent resale market, of supply and demand.
 .38 only progressive sold on 03/29/08 $ 701.38
 9mm universal sold on 03/02/08  $ 721.88
 .45 universal sold on 03/02/08  $ 585.06
 .45 universal w/case feed and indexer 02/13/08  $ 566.99
All plus shipping costs additional.

Like most quality goods, they still hold value.

[Star73]

Ken,
Interesting spread on prices. The 38 prog is the real surprise. Usually they are not in high demand compared to the 45 universal. As noted the pics are extremely important. It's often a bit difficult to tell from them. A couple of yrs ago I bid , and bought a set of 45 dies for spares. They looked rusty & were missing the decapping assembly. Turned out to be lube but one die was a 45 the other a 38. Seller stated up front he was not conversant w/ the equip and the price was next to nothing so it didn't matter.

I recently had a friend take pics of a collection of 10 machines many of which are in pretty poor condition. I was very surprised at how good they compared w/ most seen on ebay. Nothing like seeing this stuff first hand!!

Ron H

[NYKenn]

I agree, Ron. Quite a difference on pictures, and variance in prices. Some include many featuring differant views, angles, etc. Some just one generic picture. Personally, I have asked for more info or pictures, and if not forthcoming or provided feel it is better to pass.
Some, the descriptions are very good, others short and non-informative.
Although, I have found most buyers and sellers who are sincere, are thorough. Unfortunately some just take advantage.

I figured I would list the prices for information as a guide for wtb/wts.

[333OKH]

I bought a 38 Progressive Press on ebay a couple months ago, paid $218.00, it was filthy dirty, took it all apart and stuck it in a bucket of solvent, cleaned up it looks like new, very tight and mechaniclly  it works superply, you cant go by what somethings look like, every once in a while, theres a jewel under that crud, iam a happy camper, George.

[NYKenn]

Recent transactions on Ebay.
.38 universal progressive w/Hulme casefeeder  $ 431.67  sold on 04/13
.38 progressive only $ 355.00  sold on 04/08
.9mm universal progressive with Hulme casefeeder, and indexer. $ 699.00  sold on 04/13

[rcbloom2]

I got a .38 progressive with new dies for $300 off ebay.   The sizers have doubled in price the last year and a half.  I remember the time, I thought a guy was nuts for wanting $75 for one.  I wish I could go back in time. 

[NYKenn]

Some more recent Ebay sales

.38 caliber universal sold on 04/28 for $ 550.00
.38 caliber and 45 caliber universal sold on 05/06 for $ 885.00
.38 caliber universal not sold for $ 345.00 Closed 05/10.
.38 caliber universal w/Hulme feeder sold on 05/11 for $ 400.00
.45 caliber universal w/Hulme feeder sold on 05/14 for $ 1,375.00 (This was very clean. looked almost new!)

[NYKenn]

A few more recent sales

.45 caliber universal w/Hulme feeder sold on 05/20 for $ 910.00
.45 caliber and .38 caliber universal sold on 05/27 for $ 1,001.50
.38 caliber progressive (non-universal) sold on 05/31 for $ 477.00
.45 caliner unikversal sold mon 06/01 for $ 1,000.00 (almost new, only slight rust patina)

and
Parts only, included loader assembly but with no head or caliber sold on 05/25 for $ 515.00

I cannot really figure the last one out.

[Star73]

Ken, seen it commented here that final assembly & adjustment of the machines were accomplished by the same person all those yrs at Star & that after he left things fell apart. Would seem from that not just any head could be mounted  and run. George mentioned above getting a "cruddy" machine for much less & after cleaning was fine. It seems that for the seller quality pictures & appearance are all important, but, $515 is pretty high.

Ron H

[rbwillnj]

I have to admit that $515 for a machine with no head, dies or shell plate seemed high at the time, but in retrospect, not really out of line with some of the recent prices for complete machines.  It did have a case feeder.   For another $400 - $500 the buyer could easily obtain the parts to covert it to a complete machine.

[NYKenn]

SOme recent ebay sales from September.
09/05  Phelps  45LC w/Hulme case feeder. Very good condition, minor wear. Sold for $ 400.00
09/08  Star  .38/357 Mint condition with original box and dated newspapers. Sold for $ 685.58
09/30  Star  .38/357 Near mint, a;most as new. Started at $ 60.00, NOT SOLD

[NYKenn]

October

10/02  Star  9mm Mint condition. Used but very clean. Started [no e-mail]@ $ 800.00  NOT SOLD
10/03  Star  .38/357 Used very good condition, slight wear. Sold for $ 464.00
10/18  Star  .3/357  Clean setup, slight surface rust. Sold for $ 380.01
10/19  Star  .9mm w/Hulme case feeder. Very good, clean. Sold for $ 900.00

Quite obvious prices result from supply and demand as they differ considerably from month to month. Timing is everything.

[NYKenn]

A few more recent ebay transactions.
11/19  Star Progressive in .38 only w/Hulme (not a universal) Excellent/almost new looking. $ 847.57
12/??  Star Universal .45 w/Hulme casefeeder. Excellent condition. Also almost new $ 901.00
12/??  Star Universal .38 & .45 w/extra head. Extra powder slides, safety cam, primer tubes etc. $ 1,035.01
01/10 Star Universal in 9mm. Used but still in very Good condition. $ 409.00
01/17 Star Head only. .38 caliber no shell plate $ 255.00

Continued on next post

[NYKenn]

Continued.

01/21 Berdan Head. takes 7/8 x 14 dies. Shell plate but no dies. Caliber ?  $ 242.50
01/23 Star Universal .38 and .45 on extra head. Used, but still good condition. $ 560.00
01/24 Star Universal .38. Very Good to excellent condition. $ 408.95

I suppose the Star reputation still is recognized, but I find some of the prices a bit surprising. I would expect a full 9mm machine to go for more than it did, and a .38 only progressive, would have been less because of the limitations.
Extra heads are nice to have, but almost the same as a complete machine!

Will list the CPM after it sells also.


 

[NYKenn]

Missed at least one, sold by rbwillnj

Dec 08. Star Universal in .45 CAP with Hume casefeeder.  $ 1,000.00

Was sold through Buy it now, which also included dies, plate and parts for .38.
The condition was exceptional! As close as you could ever find to being new. Clean, no rust, and you could even say shiny new like it was taken out of the original box.  No wonder the listing sold in less than three hours! If was not on line long enough for me to see it.