Wednesday, May 4, 2011 — My latest eBay prize arrived in the mail on Monday — my new 100th Anniversary Vibroplex Original semi-automatic bug.
In looking back, in that auction I gave just about the same price that Vibroplex was trying to get when they were closing them out in 2009 — under $160. (In fact, for nearly a year prior to Vibroplex’ purchase and the move to Tennessee, you could buy a brand-new 100th Anniversary Bug for $25 less than the cost of a new “standard” finish (black crinkle painted) base bug. One of the first things the new owner did was to increase the prices for all the keys, and to place the 100th Anniversary bug at a higher price than the “standard” one. But I digress …
The key is immaculate; it plays like a new one — judging by the lack of wear and tear, it spent more time on a shelf or in a box than connected to a rig. The key shows some dust, but that’s about it.
I haven’t had time to make a contact with the key yet, but I plan to. I have to keep fighting the temptation to put this key back in the box like its some sort of rarity; its rare in one sense of course — its a Mobile, Ala., 100th Anniversary bug and there aren’t anymore of those being made. Scott Robbins’ new Knoxville name plate is on the new ones, too. I assume he’s taken on the serial numbers of the existing keys and continued those forward.
This is my third 100th Anniversary Vibroplex bug. The first one I bought off eBay a couple years ago (it’s an unusual key because its serial number was accidentally duplicated by Vibroplex); the second is the brand new 100th Anniversary key I bought right before the company changed hands (it is still in the box), and then there’s this one. Or am I forgetting one??
Any rate, I couldn’t be happier with the key or its operation (there’s not many Vibroplex products that you’ll find me unhappy about, LOL!). I guess my only source of unhappiness tonight was a Google search that seems to indicate that at least two 100th Anniversary bugs sold on eBay last fall for under $75 each! I’m finding that a little hard to believe, but if so, it was one hell of a deal. I would probably double their money if the key was in near-mint condition.
A QUESTION OF SALES. I would love to find out how many keys the company sells a year, broken down by model. I’m guessing that the iambic keys are the top sellers, followed by the Vibroplex Original. If I get to Dayton this year maybe I’ll stop in and ask.
IN THE HUNT. I’m prowling eBay again, just keeping my eye on a number of keys. Nothing on the radar I can’t live without, but some nice used keys listed. Will I win any of them? We’ll see!
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