Retro Telephones have become much more popular in the last few years, and hence they are rapidly becoming more difficult to find in good condition. So regardless of if you are buying or selling your retro telephone it is very important that you are getting the best deal. There is also a page about vintage and antique telephones called advice buying Bakelite Telephones.

Advice on Buying Retro 700 series Plastic Telephones

Tip1: Quality of the 706 and 746 Telephone Cases

Collectors and Telephone Dealers all agree there is no substitute for British manufactured cases on retro Telephones. Basically we believe when it comes to retro telephone cases British is always Best. Also original vintage telephone cases made in the 1970's are more collectable than new phone cases made using the "original case mouldings".

Although retro telephones made using new case mouldings are not as collectable we believe it is particularly important to avoid original telephones that have been spray painted, these are usually very inferior telephones.

The most collectable retro telephones have the original cases that have been correctly restored (takes many hours) using the correct restoration methods and plastic polishes. If you are unsure always buy from a reputable vintage telephone dealer and ask first.

Tip2: Telephone Dials that match the correct Model of telephone

Be sure you are buying the right model of retro telephone. To help you identify your classic telephone, use the following photographs.

706 Telephones (1960's)

Telephone dials of the earlier 706 telephones (from the 1960's) were colour coded to match the case, and had a alphanumeric dial ring outside of the actual dial on the telephone. as can be seen on the red 706 telephone below. You will also notice a genuine 706 telephone has a rounded cradle. Watch out for replica 706 telephones that are really the later 1970's 746 telephones with a coloured dial and dial ring. This is important as the 706 telephones from the 1960's are usually more valuable than the later 1970's 746 telephones.

706 Telephone Picture

746 Telephones (1970's)

The later 746 telephones (from the 1970's) had a clear plastic dial and numeric markings inside the dial (see the picture of a red 746 phone below). Also notice the angular shape of the 746 telephone cradle when compared to the 706 telephone above.

746 Telephone Picture

Make sure your retro telephone matches these criteria.

Tip 3: Condition of the Plastic Case

Examine the retro telephone extremely carefully for thin hairline cracks, usually in the four corners of the phone. Check for excessive fading of the telephone (by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight over many years). However a small amount of fading of these classic telephones is OK, particularly if it is even.

Tip 4: The Plastic curly Handset Cord

The original telephone cords do tend to stretch and loose their elasticity, so we believe it is acceptable to use good quality reproduction replacement telephone cords provided they are made in the UK to the same standard as the original phone cords.

Tip 5: Conversion of the 706 and 746 telephones

A genuine retro telephone should have been "sympathetically" converted to work on the modern telephone system. This is important so that it does not interfere with other telephones in your house. We are constantly surprised about how many old telephones are sold through large companies that are incorrectly converted and serviced. This is the most difficulty to check, and requires taking the telephone apart

This also means that no telephone parts such as bells, capacitor, induction coil etc should have been removed or replaced. The one exception to this is the microphone (modern microphones are an acceptable addition to these telephones).

Tip 6: Service guarantee

Does the seller offer a years guarantee on the phone, and and do they specialise in vintage telephones. If so there is a good chance they have serviced if before the telephone was put up for sale.

Tip 7: DIY

If you have the technical know how there are a lot of telephone dealers that sell spare parts for old telephones.