I've gotten the impression that the prices are set in each individual store.
Moreover, I've never known the guys who set prices to know much about what
they're pricing. It's not unusual to see an item (not just among computers)
priced higher than retail and the one next to it priced WAY below. It's
also not unusual to see identical items with significantly different prices,
depending on where they sit. You won't often find items sitting together
with different prices, but if you look around, you never know.
As a general rule, the less a guy knows, the higher his prices will be.
I've seen similar items on the shelves in different ARC stores with 5x price
difference. Since prices are set when items are put out on the shelves,
they can vary considerably depending on who does the work. After they've
sat on the shelf for a time, the price automatically (by color code) is cut
in half. That's the time to snag an item. Often if you find two items, one
coded for quick sale and one not, it's easy to get them both at the lower
price by simply asking the cashier. If you don't like the price on
something, you need merely wait until it's at half-price. If you complain
about the price, it can depend on who hears the complaint, but you may get a
significant reduction. I've been asked, "how much will you pay?" from time
to time. That puts me on the spot, because I do want to be fair.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Maginnis <celt_at_chisp.net>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2000 1:08 PM
Subject: Re: A reason to hit ARC, etc.
> Perhaps the pricing is set at the ARC stores, independent of the
> others. One or two in Denver seem to have caught on that these computers
> are worth something to someone. I saw a stripped down Apple IIgs (no
> monitor, disk drive, etc) with a $49.99 price tag last week; this was the
> same store that used to sell "loaded" IIgs, IIe and IIc systems for less
> than $10. The Mac SE next to it was tagged at $75.00.
>
> At 05:28 PM 8/22/00 -0600, you wrote:
> >ARC is a charitable organization in Colorado that operates a number of
> >thrift stores. It's the Association of Retarded Citizens or some such.
> >I've had really GOOD luck prospecting there.
> >
> >I once got a Trantor model 348 parallel to SCSI adapter there for $1.50.
> >I've gotten plenty of handy gadgets there, some for computing, some for
> >other purposes. I got a set of speakers I now use in my bedroom there.
I
> >got a number of quite useful monitors, printers, and other useful items
> >there. A typical PC/AT is priced at $9.95 without keyboard and monitor.
A
> >typical PC/AT Keyboard costs $5, and a typical VGA monitor costs $10.
> >
> >The last time I saw a Microvax (complete with terminal and graphics
> >workstation monitor) it was $20. I got the monitor for free when I
helped
> >the guy carry the uVax out to the dumpster.
> >
> >They were also kind enough to take ten daisywheel printers and a dozen or
so
> >terminals off my hands when my friend who was storing them for me sold
his
> >storage building. I later learned that a month after not selling even
one
> >of these, they tossed the lot. I believe that's their practice. After a
> >month, it goes into the dumpster.
> >
> >Dick
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Eros, Anthony <Anthony.Eros_at_compaq.com>
> >To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
> >Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 1:47 PM
> >Subject: RE: A reason to hit ARC, etc.
> >
> >
> > > Betraying my ignorance, but what's an ARC?
> > >
> > > -- Tony
> > >
> > > > ----------
> > > > From: Will Jennings[SMTP:xds_sigma7_at_hotmail.com]
> > > > Reply To: classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 2:46 PM
> > > > To: classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> > > > Subject: A reason to hit ARC, etc.
> > > >
> > > > At one ARC in Colorado Springs (prices in dollars in parenthesis):
> > > > VAXstation 2000 (6)
> > > > the TOPS-10 and TOPS-20 front end programs for the '11 in the system
(3)
> > > > An HP-150 (which I am kicking myself for not buying even though it
was a
> > > > year ago! 6)
> > > >
> > > > Will J
> > > >
________________________________________________________________________
> > > > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at
http://www.hotmail.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
Received on Wed Aug 23 2000 - 15:02:49 BST