Altair 8800a on EBAY

From: Mike Ford <mikeford_at_socal.rr.com>
Date: Wed Oct 3 10:18:23 2001

>Though the "old computer" market has reflected little that resembles any
>sort of
>common sense. I can't imagine why you'd believe that an item, the supply of
>which is finite, and the demand for which seems to have grown steadily
>since its
>introduction, in spite of its qualitative aspects, (meaning I think it is,
>was,
>and always will be a bit of rubbish, but that's from where I sit) would
>decrease
>in the future. Its value hasn't increased, but its price has. That's the way
>of things collectable. After a certain point, its technical merits are
>completely irrelevant. Think of it as a big, clunky, indian-head penny.
>
>I'd say your guesstimate of a decrease in the future is based more on wishful
>thinking than on a realistic view of the collectors' probable behavior.

I have no interest in owning one for myself, and base my guess on what has
happened in other collectible markets. I am guessing that a fair percentage
of ownership is now with "investors" as opposed to collectors, and that for
"most" collectors after a couple of years the excitement will wear off, and
they will be ready to sell with the first dip in the market price. How well
are the replicas selling?
Received on Wed Oct 03 2001 - 10:18:23 BST