> -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Jay West > Sent: 02 October 2016 18:15 > To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts' > <cctalk@classiccmp.org> > Subject: RE: ka... ching! > > > Js wrote... > -------------- > Ok, you just gave a bunch of reasons why they're even more worthless than I > originally thought, and why people bidding on them have clearly lost their > marbles. :) > -------- > > I think it's called supply and demand :) Both ebb and flow over time, so from > time to time the stars align and prices reflect that. Some machines that used > to be worth a lot I've seen drop radically in price. Often the price gets back > up. I remember almost a decade ago HP 200LX devices consistently going for > $300. Nowadays you're lucky to get $100, if it sells at all. I also remember HP > 2100A/S boxes going for about $200, and lately it's more like $1500-$2000. I > don't understand getting worried about the prices, they will always change. > > If the prices are such a concern, not sure why I haven't gotten a single query > about (likely) free gear in NH. Ya can't give stuff away :P > > The trick is - before you list a machine on ebay, get a good technical > conversation started here on the list about them. Then post your ebay ad for > one ;) > > I remember getting my first real system - a PDP-8E with TU56, PC04, and > TU10. Not only did a fellow collector give it to me for free, he drove halfway > to ensure it got a good home. I have repeated that type of gift often and > recently. That's not to say that one or two of my machines won't end up on > ebay some day - but the vast majority will be given/traded away to fellow > collectors.
I have tried to follow much the same principle. Most of the stuff I have has been given to me for free, and if I pass it on I make a point of giving it away for free too. I don't apply the same rule if I had to buy the gear, but really there has not been too much of that. If I made a significant effort to get a machine (travel or shipping wise) which I don't particularly want to keep but just want to be sure is not scrapped, then I may ask for a contribution towards those costs. > Besides, I have a new theory. No new machines are ever found, > we all just keep trading ownership of them amongst ourselves, sometimes > with the same machine coming back years later! > > J > > > > > > >