pdp8/f (now Amiga poster)

From: John Foust <jfoust_at_threedee.com>
Date: Thu Oct 14 09:28:05 1999

At 06:57 PM 10/13/99 +0100, Tony Duell wrote:
>
>Are you saying that you offered something for free here (or for the cost
>of shipping, or whatever), somebody told you it was worth real money on
>e-bay, so you decided to sell it there?

Yes, exactly. Someone on this list warned me these manuals were
highly sought. The auction on eBay just ended at $169. I listed
the second manual this morning, and I hope it goes for as much.

Yes, I rescinded my offer once I realized my mistake. I entertained
the notion I was the subject of a joke, frankly. I couldn't believe
this manual could be worth ~$200. Wouldn't it be nasty to tell someone
that their spare 5 1/4 PC floppy might be worth $300, if you hated eBay?

So I sent a note to the several people who'd responded to my free
offer, and no one complained outright. Perhaps they ran away in
disgust, but I didn't think it was a big deal. You're right,
I'd made a mistake. But it was one guy who wasn't even asking
for the manual who stepped forward to tell me it was worth
considerably more than zero.

I was being generous, giving away something I thought had no value.
If there was actual money involved - that is, if I'd said I'll sell
this manual for $10 and someone stepped forward - well, I'd probably
feel the same way you described, a deal's a deal.

I have no doubt there that a sense of community ethics arise in
mailing lists like this. I don't think I crossed the line. In fact,
I certainly thought my penance (to who? The mailing list god?)
of offering some rare Amiga-head posters to the list would make up
for getting close to the line.

I understand the collector / enthusiast / speculator angle.
I don't buy the argument that anyone spending too much money on
eBay must have a black heart, though. Right now, ~$300 gives me
more of a thrill. I have no way of judging the sincerity of
those who asked for the free manuals. Do you? How can I
distinguish the True SGI Enthusiast from the one without an
SGI who will put it on the shelf?

As a side note, I have an e-mail folder half-full of similar
deals-gone-south. I can't tell you how many times people
have offered something here, or on news groups, then not
responded, or responded and then never followed through, etc.
I don't get too worked up about it.

- John
Received on Thu Oct 14 1999 - 09:28:05 BST