Karge Ball on Ball COMBO

[Karge]

I have an opportunity to acquire a Karge Ball on Ball spinning reel in box with original box paper. The combo is EX ... M10 A10 or close to it. The owner is finally willing to let this extremely rare reel combo go to me as I am a reel collector and we are friends. However, he knows the high value that is shown in Ben Wright's book (for the reel alone) and he wants much more due to the box. I have read the 3 ORCA Reel News articles and other online comments about Karge. I have researched the history of prices but they are for reels without a box. I wish I could call Ben directly but can't .... so wondering how much value is added with the box and original box paper in the case of rare reels. (It is a cardboard box but clean and clearly labeled). If anyone knows what Ben actually paid for his own Karge reel that recently sold on eBay I'd like to know. Ben was aware of this combo and he tried to buy it but didn't persuade the owner to sell. I am not a spinning reel collector but this is a possible exception due to rarity. Thoughts appreciated. I'm a member of ORCA but wish to remain anonymous at the moment. Please email or send a PM if you have any specific info or strong opinions. Also, anyone interested in buying this combo for cash should let me know.

[wrong99]

Because it's a combo that rarely if ever, comes up for sale, there's no sales history to go by to determine value. I would say it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay. I'm not at all familiar with this reel, but I know that in some cases, the original packaging is worth more than the reel itself. Just depends on how bad YOU want it. If you do buy it, whatever you end up paying is what it's worth.
Mark

[Midway Tommy D]

Because it's a combo that rarely if ever, comes up for sale, there's no sales history to go by to determine value. I would say it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay. I'm not at all familiar with this reel, but I know that in some cases, the original packaging is worth more than the reel itself. Just depends on how bad YOU want it. If you do buy it, whatever you end up paying is what it's worth.
Mark

Well put, Mark. I am somewhat familiar with those reels and I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Karge]

Thanks a bunch 'wrong99' & 'Midway Tommy D'.

If anyone here would REALLY love to own a tough reel/box combo like this, let me know soon before the opportunity disappears.

Karge

[Karge]

[scottorock]

Karge, are you trying to sell this reel here or justifying your "opportunity to acquire" this reel/combo? I agree with Mark as well. I think whatever price YOU pay for the set, before the opportunity disappears, is the price it's worth. Good luck! Hope you get it!

[Karge]

Thanks scottorock. To be blunt, I am trying to determine the cash value a buyer would pay me to buy the combo. I'm also trying to determine if there actually are buyers in the market that would want this combo for that level of investment. I'm not a spinning reel collector. I do not yet own the combo and so won't publicly float a specific asking price. I am involved because I'm the only one that can bring the reel to market. The owner wants something I have and will only deal with me at this time. I'd like to help my friend get what they want but my sacrifice to make this combo available is intangible and steep and needs to be compensated adequately or I won't risk the investment, in which case this Karge combo won't be available for a while longer. Interested parties should contact me privately.

Karge

PS Apologies for the purposefully distorted picture in the prior post. I wanted to prove the existence of the combo without giving anyone the ability to duplicate.

[john elder]

Okay, so here at least is an old ebay auction so we can see what the reel is and what it looks like without that clever disguise

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-Ka ... 7675.l2557

In this auction, which only had two bids, the reel supposedly went for $500. ...which proves that either the seller or some buyer has set its value at $500. Whether you can work your trade deal, then find someone else willing to cough up that amount is unknown.

[wrong99]

Sounds like some scam you're running. Whoever you are. I hope that your "opportunity to acquire" disappears before a "real" ORCA member gets sucked into this. Sorry, but this is one of the most ridiculous stories I've heard. Makes my head hurt.
Mark Williams

[Karge]

No scam Mark. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Just trying to judge the actual current value and sellability of this COMBO knowing these limited facts: (A) Ben's published catalog price of $1500+ (without the box), (B) the subsequent eBay auction for Ben's reel (without box) that brought only $500, as referenced above by John, and (C) the other published auction value of $425 (plus auction fees) again without a box.

As far as I know my picture is the first and only one published to prove the existence of a box for this rare reel. Also the reel in this combo appears new.

As observed above, the box probably has value, maybe even exceeding the value of the reel (whatever that is) or maybe not. Thanks everyone for the comments.

[wrong99]

Not a scam? Then who are you? If you were an ORCA member, which is doubtful, you'd know we don't do the cloak and dagger thing. If your story is legit, which is also doubtful in my mind, then be upfront and you might get some cooperation in your efforts to "bring the reel to market". My head hurts again.
Mark

[Midway Tommy D]

An approximate value has already, recently and clearly, been determined for a Karge Ball on Ball in excellent condition without a box regardless of that listed in Ben's book.

Now, two of the four Karge reels known to exist, as noted by Ben, himself, in his 2011, and latest, reference, have been listed and sold to establish a justifiable value. Ben may have been the only person to know where the fourth reel is located since we now know of a third. Regardless of that aspect, the added value of the box will only be determined by what some willing buyer deems the added value of a possibly new Karge with its box to be. One can speculate and hope all they want, maybe to the right person a lot, and then again, maybe not as much as some would think. The only way to truly find out is put it out for sale with no reserve and find out, and even that could change over time.

[Karge]

Yes, Midway Tommy D, I tend to agree. All the input has been helpful in steering my decision towards walking away from this opportunity. The cost is too high to justify my acquisition even if it were coming home.

Mark, I am simply exercising my First Amendment rights to be anonymous. Take a couple of aspirins

Karge

[Steve]

It may be of interest that the reel sold in the auction John cited was from Ben's estate.

[john elder]

This is a classic case where if a collector wants to add a real gem to the collection, this is one to go for. The box is an incredibly strong add to this package. However, if the mission is to flip for $, there is an inherent risk that may not be worth it.. On the other however, i don't think you have any worries about getting your money out if you get in around $500. Welcome to the group and best of luck in your decisions!