Price guide for vintage computers

From: Eric Chomko <vze2wsvr_at_verizon.net>
Date: Thu Nov 1 09:16:49 2001

Chuck McManis wrote:

> At 02:44 PM 10/30/01, Tony responded to:
> > > But Commodore 64s AREN'T worth $200 and no one is going to get that price
>
> with:
>
> >I seriously suspect (based on what I've seen in other areas) that if a
> >price guide was pnblished saying 'C64s are worth $200' then you'd see an
> >awful lot priced close to that figure. You'd find the odd one priced at a
> >more reasonable amount (it belongs to somebody who's not read the price
> >guide), I guess. But not too many.
>
> It doesn't work that way. Its like saying some political body could repeal
> the law of averages. If the market is fair (meaning that anyone can enter
> and anyone can buy or sell at whatever price they choose) then the price of
> Commodore 64s (or any commodity for that matter) will be dictated entirely
> by supply and demand. Economists call it the "invisible hand" but basically
> it means that when you don't sell your C64 for $200 you will knock a few
> bucks off the price and continue doing that until it sells or it is worth
> more to you than your willing to sell it for (note that this is identical
> to selling it to yourself so effectively you have sold it)
>

And any good price guide will reflect THAT actual selling price.

>
> Having a price guide does not affect market prices. If it brings in more
> buyers (thus increasing demand) then it can raise prices, if it brings in
> more sellers (thus increasing supply) then it can lower prices. But the
> effect on prices is only tangential to the overall market.
>

Someone that understands! Thanks Chuck, I could not have stated it more
eloquently.

Eric

P.S. This brings up the concepts of "buyers market" vs. "sellers market".
Currently, old compters on the whole, is a buyer's market as there is more
supply of systems than there are people (demand) for them.

>
> --Chuck
Received on Thu Nov 01 2001 - 09:16:49 GMT