Who cares about the original box and papers anyway?

Serious collectors care mostly as it carries with it more of a nostalgic kinda feeling... just like when purchasing it brand new outta the shop all those moons ago.

Admittedly,it doesn't do much for me personally... excellent condition and fully working are my no.1 priorities.
Also,not forgetting of course... just because it's been sat/stored unused in it's original box for many a year,it could still be faulty... dead caps,perished rubber etc. Although,having the original box does make it a lot safer for transportation purposes.
 
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The Spec-1 and PL 400 are not part of my original system. Everything else has the original box, papers, etc. My Pioneer SA-9100 (original amp) even has the factory test sheet. I have found the boxes to be very helpful when moving.
 
Like so many other things in life, do not burden yourself if you do not understand you will live a lot longer.
 
I think the reasons original packaging is prized can be summarized as follows:

1. Rarity.

2. Simplifies shipping.

3. Often an indication of above-average care of a unit.

Equally important is original documentation, ie: purchase receipts, repair invoices, original manuals, literature etc - and the condition of those pieces as well as of the packaging itself.
 
I used to keep all the boxes from my equipment as I moved a lot when I was younger. When I became more established in a home I started tossing them as I didn't have the need or the space for them.
 
superdog said:
Makes you wonder.:screwy:
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Yeah, I never bought a vacuum cleaner with the expectation that I might sell it some day and try something different. Pretty much the same with the coffee pot and TV. I do keep the TV box long enough to make sure the TV isn't DOA and has to be sent back - shipping a large flat panel without a box would probably be a real pain. But these things I don't consider "hobby" items, I'm not sure I've ever seen a Mr. Coffee pot flipper. They are probably out there. I also keep my washing machine and refrigerator until end-of-life, don't really see a need for those boxes, either.

On stereo gear, I might feel the need to sell it some time before end-of-life. If nothing else, having the box makes it easier to ship - some items have rather unique shipping cartons that'd be a pain to replicate. Might even bring more money. So it's easier to ship and might make resale easier/more profitable to keep the box :scratch2:

On the flip side, gear destroyed in shipment due to slipshod packing helps drive up the price of surviving pieces, so throw those boxes out! :thmbsp:
 
Boto said:
I used to keep all the boxes from my equipment as I moved a lot when I was younger. When I became more established in a home I started tossing them as I didn't have the need or the space for them.
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Me, too.

I do keep boxes for smaller appliances for awhile(a year or 90 days, or whatever the warranty is). If it hits the ditch during the warranty period it often requires shipping. Having the box makes that easy.

Can I follow up a question with a question? Who cares about what the people who care about the original boxes and papers do?:D
 
Show me a seller who will ship a McIntosh without the original boxes, and I will show you a buyer who will move on to the seller who does. :music:
 
Keeping the box for heavy items is prety sensible idea
I recently had to send my Krell FBP-600c from Tas back to the factory for refurb (Cost about the same as flying there myself). Fortunately I had the box. It was a bit rough looking, so I added tape all over the outside and off it went. Seems it was also good enough for Krell to send it back in.
I still keep that box - it is one well engineered bit of cardboard!
 
KrisM said:
Can I follow up a question with a question? Who cares about what the people who care about the original boxes and papers do?:D
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Since a significant portion of the market is made of people who do care, some people may choose to retain the goodies in order to maximize the value of their equipment if and when they decide to sell - assuming it's not overly inconvenient for them to do so.

To save or not to save - is a personal decision.
 
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While I was collecting diecast toy cars for many years, I found out early about the "box" thing.

There are dozens and dozens of different diecast companies, and all the different boxes from different manufacturers,many boxes are sometimes worth ten times the value of the actual models.
 
Most boxes have the serial number on them, so buying a box to have the original box, isn't.

That said, I saw a box come up for sale for a Marantz 2230. I asked what the serial number on the box was. No match. If it was, I would have reunited the receiver with its box.:yes:


Rob
 
Robisme said:
Most boxes have the serial number on them, so buying a box to have the original box, isn't.

That said, I saw a box come up for sale for a Marantz 2230. I asked what the serial number on the box was. No match. If it was, I would have reunited the receiver with its box.:yes:


Rob
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What would be the odds on that?
 
Robisme said:
Most boxes have the serial number on them, so buying a box to have the original box, isn't.

That said, I saw a box come up for sale for a Marantz 2230. I asked what the serial number on the box was. No match. If it was, I would have reunited the receiver with its box.:yes:


Rob
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This would be what the box collectors would call a "filler" until they found the proper unit.:D
 
Robisme said:
Most boxes have the serial number on them, so buying a box to have the original box, isn't.

That said, I saw a box come up for sale for a Marantz 2230. I asked what the serial number on the box was. No match. If it was, I would have reunited the receiver with its box.:yes:


Rob
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It would practically be a case for Ripley's if it was.
 
superdog said:
Makes you wonder.:screwy:
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I remember when I was a kid, if you attempted to returned an item to a store without the box and packaging some retailers forced you to deal with the manufacturer yourself for repair -- no box, no refund. I can see where the habit started. :yes:
 
I just like to have the boxes. Some are a bit rare, some are handy for shipping, and some like the turntable boxes are almost essential for packing/storing. It lends a sort of provenance to the item.

And if you want to get serious with boxes check out some of the old Colt and S&W boxes. I sold an old gold S&W box for $110.00. It had some slight damage and a torn label or it would have fetched even more.
 
+1 on turntable packaging. Shipping a TT sans original packaging is a royal PITA.

I doubt anyone would ever pitch orig materials if they were present with a high dollar vintage piece.
 
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