Finding Vintage Computers - A Primer

From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
Date: Wed May 17 20:57:46 2000

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Gregory" <mgregory_at_vantageresearch.com>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2000 1:19 AM
Subject: Re: Finding Vintage Computers - A Primer


> In my area, there's a related type of store that is worth a look. It's
a
> chain called "Cash Converters", where they buy your unwanted goods (at
> substantially less than the estimated value) and then sell them in a
retail
> environment. Like a permanent garage sale under one roof. Unlike a
pawn
> shop, you can't reclaim your item for what they gave you for it. They
> occasionally have classic comp stuff; I've found TRS-80s of various
kinds,
> Model 100s, PS/2s, Newtons and a lot of older software. The prices are
> initially set high, but if an item doesn't sell, they progressively
reduce
> the price until it does.

You in Sydney? The Ca$h Converter$ in Adelaide seem not to have heard
of the progressive reduction in price part of the concept. I saw an
real IBM XT, 2FDD no HDD, Monochrome, about 6 months ago with a $250
price tag on it. It was still there with the same price 3 weeks ago.
Perhaps the Sydney stores get more turnover. I've yet to see a good
price on anything in a cash converters unless it was something they had
grossly undervalued due to ignorance. That said, they do screw up badly
sometimes, and if your're quick you can get the odd bargain. (I got a
very nice Sony SCSI CDROM for $10 because the dopey store buyer that
bought it thought it was an old proprietary interface type.)

IF you are ever in Adelaide, give Hi Technology Metal Recyclers a visit.
They are scrappers, but they do pull PC and similar stuff aside and sell
it at very good prices. I got a VS4000/90 from there a couple years
back for a song. They do get Vaxen from time to time as well, a couple
of my Vax 6000's came from there.

Cheers

Geoff Roberts
Computer Systems Manager
Saint Mark's College
Port Pirie,
South Australia
geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au
netcafe_at_pirie.mtx.net.au
ICQ: 1970476
YMMV.

Cheers

Geoff Roberts
Received on Wed May 17 2000 - 20:57:46 BST