Backwater areas Was: Re: Cross listing Ebay items

From: William Donzelli <william_at_ans.net>
Date: Mon Jun 15 21:35:26 1998

> "Sure ", you say, "just rent a truck or something to go fetch that S/370
> system!" Well, I likely would if it was within say, 100-200 miles or so and
> virtually free for the taking. But all joking aside, that doesn't happen
> (besides, if W. Donzelli even sniffs a nearby-to-me
> 370's availability he'd probably be there in ten minutes or less <grin> )

Yes.

I would indeed travel quite some distance to pick up a S/370. I have
driven 1800 mile roundtrips (that's 900 each way) over a weekend to pick
up some non-computer goodies. In fact my first roadtrip, about four years
ago, involved me driving from Chicago to Rochester, NY (kind of your neck
of the woods) to pick up a 650 pound radio transmitter, all done in two
days.

So, my point (other than to boast!) is that even if something seems too
out of the way to get (especially the big stuff), some nuts on this list
would probably go to pick it up.

OK, how about a test...

Say a real goodie shows up, like a perfect DEC Straight-8 or an unbuilt
Altair kit. Assume the price is good, like $250 for either. Assume that
you have the time and a working car, plus a loved one that will not scream
too much. Assume that the current owner can not ship the thing. How many
miles would you go?

William Donzelli
william_at_ans.net
Received on Mon Jun 15 1998 - 21:35:26 BST