Price guide for vintage computers

From: Eric Chomko <vze2wsvr_at_verizon.net>
Date: Mon Oct 29 23:26:55 2001

Tony Duell wrote:

> > > If the prices are low, then everybody (however little spare money they
> > > have) has a chance to get some interesting machine, if they happen to be
> > > in the thrift store (or wherever) when it comes in. If the prices are
> > > high, then it becomes a rich man's hobby only. I, for one, would not be
> > > happy if that happened.
> > >
> >
> > But its not a rich man's hobby as there is plenty to go around. In the
>
> If there is a price guide that says 'Commodore 64s are worth $200 each',
> and people actually manage to sell them at that price, then there won't
> be any available at prices that most of us can afford.

But Commodore 64s AREN'T worth $200 and no one is going to get that price
buy or sell for anything that would establish a market. Your "what if" scenario
ignores actual market information.

>
>
> > context of Apple I computers it IS a rich man's (or woman's) hobby.
>
> Yes, but at the moment it's still possible to find things a lot rarer and
> a lot more technically interesting than Apple 1s. Even if you don't have
> much money.
>

Great, that is what makes collecting computers fun.

>
> [...]
>
> > > > Is that so bad? Don't you want your collection to go up in value?
> > >
> > > WHy would I?
> > >
> >
> > Why would you want anything to go up in value? Answer me that and I'll
> > answer your question.
>
> Oh come on. If I bought something as an investment only (say I bought
> shares in some company), then I would obviously want the value to
> increase. The only 'use' for that item is to get me more money in the
> future. That's why I bought it.
>

Fine, a computer can be both and interesting item to collect and an investment.

>
> But I don't treat classic computers as an investment. Their use is not to
> make me money in the future. Their use is to be programmed, modified,
> repaired, hacked, and so on. So the financial value doesn't matter.
>

That is your take, don't expect the same treatment from everyone else just
because that is what you want.

>
> > > > One day your collectionwill be sold off, as you can't take it with you. Don't
> > > > you want to get the most from your collection/investment?
> > >
> > > Mine won't be. Another collector in the UK gets the lot if I die. And he
> > > also wants the machines for their computing interest, not to make money from.
> > >
> >
> > Well good for you. Make sure you get that in writing and make sure it sticks.
>
> Yes, that is something I _must_ get round to doing, and soon. Before I
> connected myself accidentally across an HV PSU, for example....
>
> > Notarized and the like. Maybe donation to a museum so all can enjoy is really
> > the best approach?
> >
>
> Due to the total cluelessness of every computer museum I have ever come
> across in the UK, I specifically state that no part of my collection is to
> go to any museum. I'd rather my machines went to an enthusiast who will
> at least look after them and use them. Rather than lose them.
>

Good luck,

Eric

>
> -tony
Received on Mon Oct 29 2001 - 23:26:55 GMT