Classic Computer Auctions List

From: Marvin <marvin_at_rain.org>
Date: Tue Jan 26 11:24:12 1999

Doug wrote:
>
> In private email, Marvin appeared to like the idea of an auction mailing
> list, so I've created one. You can subscribe by sending a message to:
> majordomo_at_nut.net
> with the body:
> subscribe ccauction
>
> I, for one, will not be on this new list, but I'll respond to admin
> requests.

Okay, it seems a bit late but *I* have a number of questions (in no
particular order):

1) How many people on this list are actually interested in participating?

2) Should these auction notices go to a separate list or remain here. These
notices *are* on-topic as far as this list is concerned.

3) What happens if enough people start contributing to this new list that
the minor "problem" Doug thinks I have created here with sporadic postings
becomes major?


> On a related note, I want to make it clear that I do find the price trend
> disturbing. Call me Chicken Little, but I fear The End is Near! It
> appears to be increasingly difficult to find "interesting" vintage
> machines from the usual inexpensive sources. I only saw a few S100
> machines at ham fests last year, and I suspect that number will decrease
> by half this year.

The trend you are describing *WILL* happen but I see little evidence that
the end is near. It has been quite a while since I have seen a TRS-80 model
I machine but I am sure they are still out there. I think though that a
little more digging will be required to find them. And I STILL think a lot
of stuff is going to that dumpster in the sky, and THAT is something I am
concerned about.


> Would there be any interest in an anonymous database that tracks prices
> collectors paid over time, and the sources where they found the machines?
> If so, I can setup a website in about a day.

That would be a wonderful thing, and I would encourage you to do that!
Couple of comments:

1) It would provide a resource for giving at least a hint of what something
might be worth.

2) Credibility might suffer if just anyone was allowed to enter information,
and/or unverifiable information was allowed to be entered into the database.

3) I have been looking for a free way to make some money without having to
do the research and I would love to put this information on the new CD I am
planning on selling (said tongue-in-cheek but you can see my point.)

4) Would this infomation be downloadable as file, or just available on the
web?

Again, this sounds like a great idea!
Received on Tue Jan 26 1999 - 11:24:12 GMT