Ebay Altair

From: Bob Stek <bobstek_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Wed May 10 09:48:28 2000

Though I don't usually join in discussions of eBay, I must say that Dick and
Jim have summarized my thoughts as well. I, too, delight at finding some
"treasure" for next-to-nothing, but as with life, that which we value (and
consequently, price) ebbs and flows over time. eBay is a facilitator (and
one which I wish I had thought of first!).

Bob Stek
Saver of Lost SOLs


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> [mailto:owner-classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Richard Erlacher
> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 10:21 AM
> To: classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> Subject: Re: Ebay Altair
>
>
> This whole issue is subject to the old military saying, "Where you sit
> determines what you see." You see, eBay doesn't do anything at all to the
> prices. They don't care what the buy and sell prices are, except to the
> extent that it impacts their "cut" and that's quite small.
>
> If you want to sell your old micro/mini computer, eBay's a boon,
> because it
> puts your hardware in front of lots of people who actually want
> it, i.e. you
> don't have to beg, "Gee, can't you take this off my hands? I hate to toss
> it out." What's more, it benefits the hobby because the people who pay
> those higher prices are likely to keep them "alive" rather than tossing
> them. Additonally, the increased interest/activity promotes
> interest/activity in the classic computer arena. The higher
> prices motivate
> people to clean up and check out their antique computers from that dank
> corner in the basement and make them available to those who actually want
> them.
>
> I don't see where this activity hurts anyone except the cheapo who wants
> everything for free. Now, I'll admit that I'm inclined to be one of those
> guys who want things for free, but I realize that can't be the
> case all the
> time, simply based on how large the effort to rescue my own antique
> hardware, etc, from oblivion in the "pit" in the basement.
>
> The eBay phenomenon is not just a testament to the inane and impulsive
> nature of humankind, but also a testament to the benefit of greater
> communication as brought about by the exploitation of the technology that
> certainly is an outgrowth of the very computers we're trying to
> buy or sell.
>
> Dick
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jim Battle <frustum_at_pacbell.net>
> To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 10:12 PM
> Subject: Re: Ebay Altair
>
>
> > At 06:04 PM 5/9/00 -0700, Sellam wrote:
> > >...
> > >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).
> > >
> > >Sellam
> >
> > I think it can be argued differently, especially the "nothing but" part.
> >
> > Think of how many people are now digging out old computers, or
> > getting them back into circulation instead of just scrapping them. The
> > prices might be up, but so is the supply. And, in time, some of the
> > people who bought some computer in a fit of nostalgia for too much
> > on ebay will get tired of their machine and probably put it back into
> > the market, especially if the paid real $$ for it.
> >
> > It is somewhat contradictory to have the position of wanting to preserve
> > old computers but at the same time wanting to return to the old days,
> > days when old machines were cheap but where most were trashed.
> > What better way to guarantee something will be preserved than to put
> > a value on it?
> >
> > So, what do you want? To preserve these wonder old machines,
> > or just have a lot of free/cheap playthings?
> >
> > And sorry, not just to pick on you Sellam, it is a question I have
> > thought about a lot myself. Whenever I get the itch to pick up
> > something on ebay or a swap meet, I try to really think if it is
> > something I can actually spend time with, or is it just another
> > butterfly in the butterfly collection.
> >
> > I like ebay.
> >
> > -----
> > Jim Battle == frustum_at_pacbell.net
> >
>
Received on Wed May 10 2000 - 09:48:28 BST