Paul:
I think that you're right that common parts will continue to be "available", but, at increased prices since new price ceilings are constantly being broken.
Rare items, however, especially in good condition, have either found their way into collections, or have been lost, and, in future, will be increasingly scarce and very, very pricey.
An original Delta brake set (sans levers) was sold for over $3200 lately. I don't think another similar set will surface so soon.
In any event, I'm waiting for another cheaper set, but I'm waiting while sitting down.
Best regards,
George
> Following the ebay discussion earlier this week, I began to
> question how
> much of the issue with sniping and last minute bidding has to do
> with a
> perception (right or wrong) that certain parts are becoming
> scarcer or
> rarer and therefore will be less and less available. In truth,
> as one
> member pointed out it is just an auction and there will be more
> of the
> same appearing again. But, I must admit that I have had certain
> feelings
> of uncertainty upon "losing" an auction that the supply of
> certain parts
> may at some point dry up! One can't help feeling this,
> especially on
> this side of the pond, when pursuing 40s-60s European components
> when
> they are listed as "extremely rare," "hard to find" or other
> phrases to
> that effect. Without being on the ground with the likes of
> Hilary, Pete,
> etc. it is hard to know what the long-term supply is looking
> like! How
> many more Chater Lea chainsets, Coloral bottles, 1940s ASC
> hubgears,
> etc. are there out there???
>
> Paul Williams,
> Ottawa, ON, Canada
>
> _______________________________________________
>
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA