[Arran]

I'm not so sure, I've heard this rumor before but if the model 80s really were a loss leader I think that Philco would have discontinued them, even if they were a best seller, instead they kept building them, and came up with successor models like the model 81, 82, and 84. The ad they link to is for some dealer featuring the 1933 models, included in the offerings is a model 81, so they offered a two day special on the model 80B, at $14.95, probably to clear out an overstock since at the old price they probably would have bought the model 81Bs instead since they were also priced at $18.75. The interesting part is they also feature a model 52L console in the same ad, $29.95.
Regards
Arran