<snip>>
> > I generally find eBay sells items for *less* money than the real world
when
> > it comes to classic computers. A *lot* of deep pocket collectors won't
use
>
> False.
False? I *have* been asked by many deep pocket collectors not to put any
sort of large , really rare computers on eBay. I sold the PDP-15, a couple
/35s and a few other 8s through private offers. I personally don't think
eBay is the place to sell *huge* minicomputers. It was requested by 3
already that I NOT put the PDP-10 on eBay as they would not bid, and really
that would not be too tasteful in my eyes anyway.
<snip>
> This makes no sense. eBay prices as a rule are always much more than once
> can expect to find in the "real world". In fact, "real world" prices have
> gotten inflated from people selling their old computers for eBay prices
> (I'm sure many here have come across people selling old computers, or
> really just about anything these days, and saying something to the effect
> of "I can get $X for this on eBay!!")
It makes perfect sense. You get 4 or 5 multi-million $$ deep pockets
specifically looking for old minicomputer stuff and bidding heavily on eBay
and watch what would happen. Look at what happened to the Cray manual when
someone here on the list tried to bid against Nathan [closed around $2700,
and he was *not* going to be outbid]. Quite a few deep pocket collectors are
now looking at *preserving* either their first computer or put together a
small museum. $10,000 is nothing to pay for a small rare computer when you
have a billion. Put up something like a KA-10 on eBay for auction and inform
a few deep pockets and watch the bids[I know of 3 *really* deep pockets that
want one - period! ]
BTW: I put the PDP-11/35 on eBay *only* to show what these computers were
*really* selling for.. I was a bit upset as I got *less* than I usually do.
As for using auctions to value computers? Sotheby's uses past auction sales
*to* determine value all the time.
>
> > personally will have a running KL10 available for offers but would not
want
> > to sell such a mini as a "featured catagory item" on eBay - some items
just
> > don't sit well on eBay.
>
> If it's too big to ship via UPS then it generally won't do well.
>
Shipping a PDP-15 to the West Coast was under $2000. A PDP-8/I rackful to
the west coast - $800US. A PDP-11/35 to Chicago was under $200US (and would
not fit on a UPS truck). 40,000 pounds of computers to the West Coast (from
Toronto) - $7000US + ins. Airlines charge $1.20/pound on average to the US.
Trucks are much less if a large load is going. Shipping is a non issue when
it comes to heavy computers anymore.
All depends how rare the computer is.
> As I have always maintained in the past, eBay has done nothing but
> artifically inflate the prices for old computers to the detriment of this
> hobby (and others as well).
>
I (most of all) am really fed up with eBay. I have lost several *volume*
PDP-8 and PDP-11 deals because the individual involved happens to look on
eBay to see what they are going for. I specifically lost 3 PDP-8/Es in NC
for a few hundred $$$ because this guy saw an 8/E sell on eBay for $1400US
just before the deal closed :-(
http://www.pdp8.com/
John
> Sellam
>
>
Received on Tue May 09 2000 - 23:05:42 BST